Experience the Western Nghe An villages in Autumn and Winter

When the monsoons come and sea tourism temporarily subsides, community tourism in the Western Nghe An region becomes an ideal destination. In the middle of the deep green mountains and forests, visitors can experience the traditional stilt house space, enjoy ethnic cuisine and immerse themselves in the warm and human-like Lam Vong and Khen Be melodies.

Stilt house, a warm stop in autumn and winter

In the western communes of Nghe An such as Con Cuong, Chau Tien, Que Phong… many Thai ethnic villages are strongly developing community tourism with unique stilt house spaces, becoming ideal stops every autumn and winter. If in the summer, blue sea and white sand are often chosen, then on cold days at the end of the year, tourists seek out the mountains and forests, immersing themselves in the warm space of traditional stilt houses.

Tourists gather around a red fire in the mist. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

Villages such as Khe Ran (Con Cuong commune), Hoa Tien (Chau Tien commune), Co Muong (Que Phong commune) and many other highland villages are becoming familiar destinations. Amidst the misty fog, sitting in a sturdy lim wood stilt house, next to a flickering fire, visitors can listen to stories of the Muong, sip a cup of strong rice wine and enjoy dishes with a strong taste of the mountains and forests.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai, a tourist from Hanoi , expressed: “Coming to Con Cuong this season, I clearly feel the warmth, like returning to my family. The people are hospitable, the food is delicious, the prices are reasonable. This is truly an unforgettable experience, especially when I get to gather around the fire with everyone in the cold of the mountains.”

The bustling atmosphere of the bamboo dance connects tourists and locals. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

Not only tourists but also local people feel proud when their stilt house becomes a tourist attraction. Ms. Lang Thi Tam, owner of a homestay in Hoa Tien village, shared: “In the past, stilt houses were only for accommodation, now we have renovated them into a place to welcome guests. We still keep the traditional architecture, just adding a few necessary amenities such as warm blankets, new mattresses, and clean toilets. Tourists like to stay in stilt houses because it feels both rustic and comfortable.”

Community tourism not only brings income to the people but also helps preserve the local culture. Many Thai women here take advantage of the opportunity to weave brocade, perform bamboo dances, and sing to serve customers. Ms. Sam Thi Xoan, a woman in Hoa Tien village, said: “More visitors come in the cold season. In addition to eating and resting, they also like to try on Thai dresses and take photos. Thanks to that, our brocade weaving profession has more opportunities to be maintained.”

The stilt houses have now been renovated and equipped with additional amenities to serve tourists. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

In particular, winter in the villages of Western Nghe An brings visitors a very unique experience: close to wild nature, warmed by human love and community cohesion.

A French tourist shared: “I have set foot in many lands in Vietnam, and in Nghe An I clearly feel the sincerity and simplicity. I sat with the local people at the loom, learning how to spin, weave and embroider each traditional pattern. The feeling of touching the raw fabric, listening to the clacking sound of the loom echoing in the quiet space, made me feel like I was touching the breath of a traditional culture, simple but profound”.

Many foreign tourists enjoy the experience of weaving and embroidering brocade with the locals. Photo: CSCC

Mr. Tran Viet Duc, Vice Chairman of Chau Tien Commune People's Committee, said: Every year, the number of visitors to community tourism villages increases steadily, with the peak being the autumn - winter period. Besides sightseeing and experiencing, many groups of visitors also choose to organize team building, campfires or small conferences right in the space of the stilt house.

With hospitality, rich culture and charming natural landscape, stilt house tourism in Western Nghe An promises to continue to be a warm stop, holding the footsteps of tourists from all over.

Discover culture and cuisine in the cold season

Tourists and residents of Co Muong village (Que Phong commune) join in a dance around a red fire. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

On autumn and winter nights, when the mist of the mountains covers the alley, the whole village gathers in the large stilt house. The sound of drums and gongs resounds, the lively Lam Vong dance, the sweet Thai folk songs blend with the melodious sounds of the Khen Be. Visitors, even those who come here for the first time, can easily get caught up in the dance, holding hands with the villagers by the fire, laughing, singing, and dancing together.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh, a tourist from Nam Dan commune (Nghe An), confided: “Here, no one considers themselves as guests or hosts, everyone joins in the joy of the bustling music. The campfire night in Co Muong village (Que Phong commune) left me with an unforgettable feeling of warmth and intimacy.”

Traditional dishes of the highland people always attract tourists. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

The warm atmosphere becomes even more complete when combined with culinary flavors. In the cold season, meals in the village always have typical dishes of the mountains and forests: fragrant grilled chicken with mac khen, crispy grilled fish, rich soup, fragrant sticky rice, and strong rice wine. The cold outside makes each cup of wine and each piece of grilled meat more flavorful. Mr. Vi Van Huan, village elder in Khe Ran village (Con Cuong commune), smiled and shared: "Guests who come to the village often remember the winter meals. Sitting together, enjoying local dishes, and hearing the guests' compliments, we feel very warm."

Diners enjoy traditional dishes made from local products of the Thai people when they visit Hoa Tien Village (Chau Tien Commune). Photo: Dinh Tuyen

The cuisine here is not only for enjoyment but also for experience. Many households doing community tourism organize for guests to participate in pounding rice cakes or preparing dishes from freshly picked wild vegetables and freshly caught stream fish. Ms. Vi Thi Vui, owner of a homestay in Khe Ran village, shared: “We want visitors to not only enjoy the food but also understand how people make each rustic meal, full of the soul of the countryside. From lighting the stove, pounding rice to seasoning, everything is part of the cultural experience, helping visitors feel the closeness, warmth and authenticity of life here.”

Many people excitedly stopped by the water wheel to take photos and capture memorable moments. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

Many people also like to explore natural caves, stop to admire and take photos next to the water wheels that diligently turn day and night by the stream, carrying the breath of the mountains and forests.

Ms. Nguyen Hoang Yen, a student from Hanoi, excitedly shared: “This is the first time I have been to the mountains to find leaves to dye fabric. Thanks to these experiences, I understand how our ancestors made such beautiful, simple, natural-colored fabrics.”

Tourists immerse themselves in the mountains and forests, enjoying the fresh and peaceful atmosphere. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

It can be said that autumn and winter tourism in Western Nghe An is not as noisy and bustling as in the city, but leaves a deep impression because of its warmth, closeness and connection. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of life, resting in the village, listening to the sound of the flute by the fire, immersing yourself in the lively Lam Vong dance and enjoying a rustic meal in the cold of early winter, are unforgettable experiences. Moreover, each trip is also a way to contribute to preserving and spreading the traditional cultural values ​​of the Thai people, linking tourism development with sustainable new rural construction in Western Nghe An.

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Source: https://baonghean.vn/trai-nghiem-ban-lang-mien-tay-xu-nghe-mua-thu-dong-10309226.html