Finding peace in a "primitive village"

In recent years, Hang Tau Valley in Moc Chau commune (Son La province) has become a popular tourist destination due to its rustic and unspoiled beauty. Hang Tau is often described as a "primitive village" because it has no electricity, no phone signal, and... no internet.

Báo Nhân dân•06/01/2026

The Hang Tau primitive village (Son La province) was visited by many people during the 2026 New Year's holiday.

The ancient village of Hang Tau ( Son La ) was visited by many people during the 2026 New Year's holiday.

Hang Tau cave is located deep in the Ta So valley, about 20 km from the center of the former Moc Chau area, like a world isolated amidst the mountains and forests of Northwest Vietnam.

This place impresses with its lush green lawns stretching far and wide, and the rustic wooden houses of the ethnic minority people clustered together in a secluded area, nestled amidst the vast, ancient forest.

Without electricity, cell phone signal, or internet, Hang Tau retains its pristine, peaceful beauty, evoking the feeling of a miniature grassland, perfect for those seeking a slow-paced experience.

From Ta So village to Hang Tau area, you have to travel about 5km along a steep, rocky, and bumpy road.

These peach blossoms, grown naturally amidst the mountains and forests, bravely endured the biting cold of the strong cold snap during the 2026 New Year's holiday.

The route to Hang Tau is most beautiful in spring, with mountains on one side and green fields on the other, winding through valleys adorned with vibrant patches of white plum blossoms and yellow rapeseed flowers.

The road to the village becomes a challenge for drivers due to its steepness and treacherousness. The slopes follow one another, sometimes climbing steeply, sometimes plunging into a deep abyss. Especially on rainy days, the road surface erodes, revealing loose stones and gravel, with rough, raised ridges barely providing enough grip for the wheels.

Ms. Vang Thi De said: "Previously, people here only knew how to cultivate agriculture , and life was very difficult. Since tourism developed, the surrounding households have also started providing services, making the work less strenuous and providing better income than before."

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Vast fields of rapeseed flowers line the road leading to Hang Tau.

These days, the street is much livelier with groups of tourists flocking from all over.

The young woman sat diligently knitting by the fire, warming herself in the plum orchard that had bloomed with white flowers on the road to Hang Tau.

A simple, rustic entrance gate leads visitors into the pristine village.

Even during the long holiday period when many tourists visit, Hang Tau cave still maintains a clean environment, with very little tourist litter left behind in the valley.

Hang Tau covers an area of about 1 hectare and is home to 20 H'Mong ethnic minority households. All the households have houses with electricity and running water in their villages; however, due to the long distance to their villages, many have chosen to live in Hang Tau for convenience in farming and livestock raising, and they are very content with the peaceful life here.

To develop sustainable tourism, with the support of the government, in August 2023, the Hang Tau Tourism Cooperative was established. This is the first tourism service model developed by the H'Mông ethnic minority in the locality.

The "primitive village" of Hang Tau is nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains on all sides. Just stepping through the village gate, one feels as if they have entered a strangely tranquil and peaceful space, almost completely isolated from the outside world.

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