Na Sang Village

About the village

Na Sang Village is nestled at the foot of Pha Luong Mountain. Patches of terraced fields, mountains, and hills are dotted with beautiful stilt houses, creating a pristine scene for travellers. Nearby there are streams, waterfalls, primary forests, and many experiences that will give travellers a glimpse into the live of indigenous people. Na Sang is home to the Thai and Muong ethnic groups, who still retain their distinct culture and habits.

About the province

Located more than 300km northwest of Hanoi, Son La Province is characterised by a rugged, yet breathtaking mountainous landscape with steep-sloped valleys, terraced rice fields, and diverse ethnic groups. For culture enthusiasts, Son La offers a look into the lives of 12 ethnic groups, creating a vibrant tapestry of cultures, customs, spiritual beliefs and practices. Tai people (or Thái in Vietnamese) have a unique architecture of stilt houses, cóm dress, Piêu scarf, and xòe dance. Mong ethnic group are known by their colourful costumes and khèn (panpipe) dance. The Dao ethnic group wears elegant indigo dresses to perform their vibrant chuông (bell) dance, and has a special ceremony of cấp sắc (a rite of passage declaring the coming-of-age of Dao men) and rước dâu (bringing the bride to the groom’s family). The Khang, Xinh Mun, and La Ha ethnic groups, despite being small in population size, also possess a rich and unique traditional heritage.

Indigenous groups

There are six ethnic groups coinhabiting the village of Na Sang, in which Muong and (White) Tai people are the majority, accounting for up to 99% of the population. The older people in Na Sang say the village started with just a handful of households immigrating to this land in the 1950s. No one remembers which group came here first. In hard time, people came together in unity and the two major groups have lived in harmony since. 

Muong and Thai ethnic groups are known for their openness, flexibility and adaptiveness. As a result, there is no clear distinction of the Muong and Tai cultures in Na Sang village. Although each group still speaks its own language, people can understand each other. 

Local people in the village do not wear their outfits often in daily life, however on occasions such as festivals or ceremonies, colourful costumes are worn throughout the village. The Muong women’s outfit is characterised by two layers of top (áo pắn, or short blouse outside, and áo báng, or a halter top inside), and a long black dress with a broad brocade belt. White Thai women’s outfits comprise of one top (xửa cỏm, or short blouse) and a long black dress with a broad belt (usually in green colour without pattern and the most colorful item: a khăn piêu (piêu scarf) used as a head wrap. 

General information

Population: 130 households, 570 people 

Area: 14,286,000 sqm (1,428 hectares)

Climate: Na Sang is about 650m above sea level, and has diverse climatic conditions similar to Moc Chau plateau. Na Sang lies within the tropical monsoon climate region of Vietnam, with cold and dry winters and humid and hot summers. Rainy months fall from July to October. The annual average air temperature is about 21 degrees Celsius and the annual average rainfall is about 1,560mm. 

Attractions

Na Sang offers a wealt of natural attractions for travellers to explore. Nearby are three hills — Con Lính, Lọng Kia, and Đá Trắng — ideal for trekking and cloud hunting. Travellers can also discover four streams and springs hidden in the hills and forests, or choose from four beautiful waterfalls in walking distance from Na Sang. For adventure seekers, four caves await nearby, as do wondrous rice terraces, and Heaven Gate, a narrow pathway leading to Pa Phach plum valley.

Activities

The best thing to do in Na Sang is to soak up village life. Travellers can start the day with an authentic breakfast, served in a bamboo hut with a spectacular view. For a strong challenge, the six-kilometer trek up Pieng Mo Hill and Pha Luong Hill will reward travellers with breathtaking vistas. Cool down afterwards with a refreshing dip in Suoi Sen Waterfall.

Travellers can also experience the life of the farmers in Na Sang by making local dishes with ingredients grown and gathered around the village. Follow a farmer to the field or forest to forage for wild vegetables, or try catching fish in the homestay’s fishpond using only a net. Cooking the ingredients in bamboo tubes over a wood fire is the final step in this unique culinary activity.

Enjoy the artistic side of ethnic minority culture through crafts in Na Sang Village. Visit a local house to learn about rattan weaving, or spend an hour making quả còn, a cotton ball created from rice husks and textiles, which features in Na Sang’s oldest folk games. Travellers will also have the chance to watch a traditional dance performance, and enjoy the costumes and stories of the Muong and Thai minorities through music.

Accommodation

Na Sang Village has one homestay, which is a traditional thatched-roof wooden house located in the centre of the village, and can accommodate up to 16 guests. The homestay is composed of the main house on stilts, a kitchen, a garden, and a fishpond. Amenities are provided at the basic level (clean towels, shampoos, shower gel.) Toilets and bathrooms are located separately from the main house.  

The homestay belongs to the family of Mr. Dan, a teacher who has taught village children for many years. Dan is now a pioneer in tourism development to inspire and encourage his fellow villagers in Na Sang. At Dan Toan Homestay, visitors can experience living with a local family, observing their life and absorbing authentic local culture, participating in daily activities around the house as well as the village.

Support for Na Sang Village

Realising that Na Sang has high advantages for using tourism as a livelihood improvement tool, Action on CBT has mobilised our resources and funding to outline a livelihood support project for Na Sang together with other villages. The project’s main outcomes are to implement our tourism model to improve living conditions of ethnic minorities and natural resource management, develop community-based tourism products and guidelines on inclusive and responsible tourism.