Ngai Thau Thuong – the tallest village in Vietnam

The Mong people have a saying “there is no mountain higher than the knee of the Mong”, a saying that shows the virtue of hard work, overcoming all difficulties, challenges and living habits of the Mong people for generations. This saying is more true when coming to Ngai Thau Thuong village, A Lu commune, Bat Xat district (Lao Cai) – the Hmong village is located at an altitude of over 2,000m above sea level.

Ngai Thau is a highland commune bordering Bat Xat district, Lao Cai… To the east, Ngai Thau borders Trinh Tuong commune, the west borders China, the south borders Y Ty commune and the north borders three communes A Lu, A Mu Sung and Nam Chac. Ai Thau consists of 6 villages: Phin Chai 1, Phin Chai 2, Can Cau, Ngai Thau Ha, Ngai Thau Thuong, Chin Chu Lin with the majority of inhabitants being H’Mong people.

Ma Cha Va peak is about 2,300 m high above sea level, Ngai Thau Thuong village is located on that mountain, at an altitude of about 2,100 m. Ngai  Thau Thuong is one of the tallest villages in Vietnam, perhaps not wrong, but definitely the highest in Lao Cai province.

Ngai Thau Thuong has more than 60 H’Mong households, nearly half of which live next to Ngai Thau Ha, while 35 rooftops are nestled in the middle of ancient trees near Ma Cha Va peak. Ai Thau Thuong is sunny, the sky is blue without a cloud, at an altitude of over 2,100 m above sea level, you can feel yourself closer to the sky. It’s sunny and honey but still has goosebumps cold wind.

To combat the cold and wild animals, the Mong people here have long had a tradition of building houses with earth walls nearly 1m thick, both the main door and the window are small, to avoid the wind and dew coming in. Working in a closed house, burning fire all day, but all year here, people still have to cover themselves with cotton blankets, because of the cold and numbness.

When it snows, except for the peak of Phan Si Pang 3,143 m high, it always snows at the high Ma Cha Va and Ngai Thau Thuong village before other places. Last winter, the snow here fell more than 1m thick, it took nearly a month to melt completely. So only the overgrown sycamore tree can withstand the harsh cold here, the tall mossy trees, green leaves with mossy moldy trunks still try to flex their bodies to raise their vitality, so every tree’s trunk is curved.

Living in the coldest place, the Mong people in Ngai Thau Thuong cannot plant rice, but can only grow corn once. As for livestock, it is mainly goats, pigs, and chickens. Walking around Ngai Thau Thuong, I noticed that the Hmong pigs raised here are all released in the forest, each one has thick hair standing up and up to a hand long, looking like a wild boar.

It is known that Ngai Thau Thuong is the tallest village, also the “youngest” village in Ngai Thau commune. The reason is because most of the families here are young couples, leaving the lower villages with cramped land to go to this “top of the sky” to build the future.

In the past, backpackers or photographers who went to Y Ty upland commune of Bat Xat district to hunt clouds, hunt snow, take pictures of terraced fields in the rainy season or harvest season could not help but come to Ngai Thau commune. Sometimes it is said to go to Y Ty, but the experience in Ngai Thau is the main thing. Indigenous people are proud that Ai Thau is “3 in 1”. The most beautiful Ngai Thau clouds, the heaviest snowfall, and the most beautiful Ngai Thau terraced fields. Ngai Thau commune has two regions, Upper and Lower. Ha area is located at provincial road 158, nearly 5 km from the center of Y Ty. This area is strongly impressed by the terraced fields of the H’Mong people. The terraced fields are beautiful in any season. In the pouring season, on sunny days, the whole valley looks like silver, sparkling from halfway up the mountain to the foot of the mountain. In the harvest season, plot after plot, step by step, endlessly a warm yellow color.

Coming to the Ngai Thau Ha area is relatively easy, to get up to the Upper area, you have to pass nearly ten kilometers of rocky roads spiraling through many mountains. If, Ngai Thau Ha makes a strong impression with the steps and colorful colors of the terraced fields, while Ngai Thau Thuong is fanciful by the early morning dawns through the dense sea of clouds to illuminate all the villages. H’Mong along the mountainside. Life in Ngai Thau Thuong is peaceful. Every morning, the elderly stay at home to look after children or do errands in front of old houses. Adults go to terraced fields to pour water or plow. The children carried baskets and herds of goats into the forest to graze. This season, along the mountain roads, by the fence or in the garden of the H’Mong people, there is a green color with rows of peach and plum trees.

The road to the upper Ngai Thau is now very beautiful, the Party and State are interested, the village is invested 7 km. The new rural concrete road is very beautiful and convenient for people to travel, especially in rainy and windy times. It is also easier for backpackers to hunt clouds by car or motorbike. Perhaps, every Tet season, the people of Ngai Thau Thuong cut down peach branches to sell to the people below, so every spring on the two sides of the road to the village, close to the houses, there are many rows of peach trees blooming red, a beautiful road. very poetic, want to watch forever but don’t want to return, after the season the peaches come out in full bloom…

The residents of Ngai Thau are sincere, friendly, enthusiastic and hospitable. Almost every house we enter, we feel the warmth and joy from the elderly to the children. Although Ngai Thau Thuong is not as famous as many other regions, but with its unique characteristics of climate, natural beauties and the rustic, friendly and hospitable residents, it is certain that in a day not far, This place will be a place that attracts a large number of domestic and foreign tourists…

Ngai Thau and Y Ty are two highland communes, bordering Vietnam – China in Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province. Although it is a remote and border area, you don’t have too many difficulties to get here. Ai Thau – Y Ty is about 75 km from Sa Pa, about 80 km from Lao Cai city, so it is quite convenient for a tourist route combining Sa Pa – Y Ty – Ngai Thau – Ho Chi Minh City. Lao Cai. Experiencing the journey of hunting clouds in Y Ty, Ngai Thau, you will live in wonderful moments, rare in the Northwest highlands.

The sea of clouds in the Northwest highlands, especially in Y Ty and Ngai Thau, is possible all year round due to the high terrain, cold and humid air. When all of these factors converge, you will be able to see the wonders of nature, the sea of white clouds floating in the sky, filling the valleys and the shores are towering mountain ranges. You will see the movement of clouds about the villages like waves, sweeping away, engulfing houses. All make up the beauty in the wild high mountains like a watercolor painting.

The road to Upper Ngai Thau – a road worth going and exploring. This place has almost no tourism and modern services, so the lifestyle, culture and customs of the ethnic groups are still preserved. You will admire the beauty of the houses in the village of Ha Nhi people, immerse yourself in the rustic and colorful life of the H’Mong people, listen to the flute sounding halfway up the mountain when coming to Ngai Thau Thuong. . The beauty that makes any visitor come to this border area of Vietnam is the pure, carefree and innocent features of the children. Especially the Ha Nhi or H’Mong ethnic people here are quite friendly, enthusiastic, ready to guide and help you to the most beautiful cloud viewing spots.

Once you come to Ngai Thau, you will want to come back many more times. Simply put, the beauty in this border region is a clear proof that Thien Thai realm really exists and Heaven is right in front of our eyes, we can touch it.

Please contact Viet Huong Tourism immediately, you will have the most interesting discoveries about the highest village in Vietnam – the place where mountains and clouds are touched.