{"id":1158,"date":"2026-10-29T00:25:14","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T00:25:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tourismsiam.com\/?p=1158"},"modified":"2026-10-29T00:25:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T00:25:14","slug":"choan-then-a-village-above-the-clouds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourismsiam.com\/?p=1158","title":{"rendered":"Cho\u1ea3n Th\u00e8n, a village above the clouds"},"content":{"rendered":"

Located approximately two kilometers from the administrative center of Y T\u00fd Commune, Cho\u1ea3n Th\u00e8n has managed to preserve much of its traditional character against the backdrop of a rapidly modernizing world. Its vernacular architecture\u2014most notably its thick-walled earthen houses\u2014stands resiliently among rugged mountain terrain, while cascading terraced fields trace the contours of the surrounding slopes. In the H\u00e0 Nh\u00ec language, the name "Cho\u1ea3n Th\u00e8n" translates to a village with a circular shape, a layout that reflects both historical defense strategies and communal cohesion. <\/p>\n

The village\u2019s geographical elevation makes it a premier destination for witnessing natural phenomena, particularly from September through April. During these cooler months, favorable weather patterns frequently trap low-lying clouds over the valleys, transforming the landscape into a celestial sea of white vapor. From elevated vantage points, the traditional rooftops and segmented rice fields intermittently pierce through the shifting mist, creating the ethereal scenery that has elevated Cho\u1ea3n Th\u00e8n\u2019s profile among domestic and international visitors alike. Yet, as local authorities and residents are quick to point out, the sea of clouds is merely the surface attraction of a much deeper cultural ecosystem.<\/p>\n

Life Among the Clouds and Centuries of Tradition<\/p>\n

At the heart of Cho\u1ea3n Th\u00e8n\u2019s enduring appeal is the H\u00e0 Nh\u00ec ethnic community, whose members have meticulously safeguarded their ancestral customs, architecture, and social structures. The village\u2019s distinctive earthen houses remain one of its most striking architectural achievements. Constructed to withstand the harsh, freezing winters of the high mountains, these dwellings typically feature a square or rectangular footprint with massive, thick walls made from a mixture of red earth and gravel, traditionally topped with heavy thatched roofs. Designed with functionality in mind, most houses feature a single central entrance complemented by one or two small, arched windows that minimize heat loss while offering ventilation.<\/p>\n

\"Cho\u1ea3n<\/figure>\n

These earthy, muted tones are softened by the natural flora cultivated by residents. Peach trees and vibrant seasonal flowers are frequently planted within private courtyards and along rustic wooden fences, injecting bursts of color into the village landscape as spring approaches. <\/p>\n

Furthermore, the visual tapestry of Cho\u1ea3n Th\u00e8n evolves dramatically with the passing seasons. In May and June, the local agricultural cycle enters the flooding season, when mountain rains and irrigation transform the cascading terraced fields into vast, shimmering mirrors that reflect the open sky and surrounding peaks. As summer progresses into August and early September, the landscape shifts dramatically as the ripening rice crops paint the terraces in rich shades of gold just ahead of the autumn harvest. When winter and early spring arrive, the return of dense mountain fogs and sub-zero temperatures cloaks the village in mystery, ensuring that visitors encounter a profoundly different visual experience depending on the time of year they choose to make the journey.<\/p>\n

Beyond the physical landscape, the cultural traditions of the H\u00e0 Nh\u00ec people remain vibrant and active components of daily life. Traditional attire, distinctive local cuisine, intricate bamboo tray weaving, artisanal rice wine-making, and delicate brocade embroidery continue to be practiced within households. Crucially, intangible cultural heritage\u2014such as the performance of traditional folk songs and dances, alongside the mastery of the distinctive h\u00f3 t\u1edb<\/em> musical instrument\u2014is actively transmitted from the older generation to the youth.<\/p>\n

Adding to the village’s unique landmarks are two monumental chestnut trees, affectionately known by locals as the "happiness trees." Standing approximately 30 meters tall, their massive canopies and intertwining branches form a natural canopy that has become a beloved gathering point for the community. Adjacent to these trees lies an open public space designated as Cho\u1ea3n Th\u00e8n Park. Serving as the primary communal hub for local residents, the park offers sweeping panoramic views of the terraced valleys, distant mountain ranges, and the sprawling Y T\u00fd Valley below.<\/p>\n

The park also functions as the ceremonial heart of the village, hosting major H\u00e0 Nh\u00ec cultural festivals throughout the lunar year. Among these are the G\u00e1 M\u00e0 Th\u00fa<\/em>, or Sacred Village Festival, celebrated during the first lunar month, and the Kh\u00f4 Gi\u1ea3 Gi\u00e0<\/em>, or Abundant Harvest Festival, held in the sixth lunar month. During these sacred occasions, community members perform ancient rituals, engage in traditional folk games, and participate in communal feasts, providing visitors with a rare, unfiltered window into indigenous customs preserved in their original setting.<\/p>\n

\"Cho\u1ea3n<\/figure>\n

The Emerging Economy of Community-Based Tourism<\/p>\n

In recent years, tourism has begun to weave itself into the economic fabric of Cho\u1ea3n Th\u00e8n, offering residents a new, supplementary source of livelihood. Following targeted training courses organized by local authorities focusing on hospitality services, public sanitation, and environmental protection, villagers have adopted heightened standards for preserving their community’s aesthetic and ecological integrity. Measures have been implemented to reduce the presence of free-roaming livestock and poultry within residential alleys, animal shelters have been systematically relocated away from living quarters, and organized waste collection systems have been established to handle refuse responsibly.<\/p>\n

Capitalizing on these improvements, several households have proactively renovated their traditional properties to welcome overnight guests. Alongside the designated Cho\u1ea3n Th\u00e8n Community-Based Tourism House, a growing number of local families now offer homestay accommodations. While these ventures currently generate modest supplemental earnings averaging around VN\u011015 million, equivalent to roughly $575, per household each month, the financial impact has been meaningful enough to shift local perceptions. Residents increasingly view tourism not as a disruption, but as a viable economic engine that reinforces the value of their heritage.<\/p>\n

For the community, the influx of travelers provides a practical, self-sustaining incentive to maintain the very characteristics that set Cho\u1ea3n Th\u00e8n apart from mainstream destinations. Traditional architecture, indigenous attire, culinary arts, handmade crafts, folk festivals, and community games are no longer viewed merely as relics of the past, but as dynamic components of an authentic tourism product that directly benefits local families.<\/p>\n

Nguy\u1ec5n V\u0103n T\u00e0i, Chairman of the Y T\u00fd Commune People’s Committee, emphasized that local administration is firmly committed to guiding this development along a sustainable trajectory, with community-based tourism serving as the core strategy. The local government is actively encouraging residents to manage homestays independently, protect their ancestral earthen architecture, and continue celebrating the cultural heritage of the H\u00e0 Nh\u00ec, M\u00f4ng, and Dao ethnic groups. Furthermore, municipal plans include upgrading regional transport infrastructure, expanding targeted tourism promotion through cultural festivals, and attracting responsible, environmentally conscious investment into the highlands.<\/p>\n

\"Cho\u1ea3n<\/figure>\n

Navigating the Challenges of Preservation and Growth<\/p>\n

Despite the economic promise, Cho\u1ea3n Th\u00e8n faces the quintessential dilemma confronting many remote highland destinations: how to embrace visitor growth without eroding the fragile cultural and natural integrity that draws travelers there in the first place. The village\u2019s largely untouched environment remains its greatest asset, yet rapid regional development, unmonitored construction, and commercial pressures loom as potential threats if left unchecked.<\/p>\n

Local leaders and residents maintain that a community-centered approach offers the most reliable safeguard against these pressures. By keeping local residents at the forefront of tourism management and ensuring that the village’s authentic architecture, natural landscapes, and H\u00e0 Nh\u00ec traditions form the foundation of every visitor’s experience, the community can retain control over its narrative. Travelers seeking a deeper connection are encouraged to stay in authentic earthen homes, trek through working agricultural terraces, sample indigenous foods, and engage respectfully with local festivals rather than consuming the destination superficially.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, tourism planners view Cho\u1ea3n Th\u00e8n as an essential anchor within a broader network of attractions across Y T\u00fd Commune. By linking the village with neighboring scenic spots, authorities aim to curate extended travel itineraries that seamlessly blend cloud hunting, landscape photography, village trekking, and immersive cultural exchanges. As officials note, Cho\u1ea3n Th\u00e8n does not require large-scale commercial amusement projects or urban modernization to thrive; its enduring appeal rests entirely in its weathered earthen walls, dramatic mountain vistas, and the quiet, resilient daily life of the H\u00e0 Nh\u00ec people.<\/p>\n

For travelers journeying to this remote frontier, accessing Cho\u1ea3n Th\u00e8n requires navigating roughly 370 kilometers from H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i, depending on the chosen route. The overland journey takes motorists and passengers across winding mountain passes that reveal the rugged, dramatic terrain of the northwestern highlands, though visitors can also take trains or coaches to L\u00e0o Cai City before ascending into the mountains. Once arrived, visitors can explore the weekly Y T\u00fd market held every Saturday to purchase local agricultural goods and observe the vibrant commercial interactions of the region’s diverse ethnic communities.<\/p>\n

\"Cho\u1ea3n<\/figure>\n

Culinary traditions in the area reflect the harsh climate and resourceful spirit of the highlands. H\u00e0 Nh\u00ec cuisine features dishes such as th\u1eafng c\u1ed1<\/em>, a traditional savory stew prepared from horse meat and offal infused with local spices like cardamom, m\u1eafc kh\u00e9n<\/em> pepper, ginger, and lemongrass. Other regional specialties include charcoal-grilled black chicken, stir-fried forest bamboo shoots, and traditional black b\u00e1nh ch\u01b0ng<\/em>, a variation of Vi\u1ec7t Nam\u2019s classic square sticky rice cake. To accompany these meals, corn wine and a traditional fermented glutinous rice drink\u2014brewed through a lengthy local process and served during festive occasions, guest receptions, and Lunar New Year celebrations\u2014remain fixtures of local hospitality.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Located approximately two kilometers from the administrative center of Y T\u00fd Commune, Cho\u1ea3n Th\u00e8n has managed to preserve much of its traditional character against the backdrop of a rapidly modernizing world. Its vernacular architecture\u2014most notably its thick-walled earthen houses\u2014stands resiliently among rugged mountain terrain, while cascading terraced fields trace the contours of the surrounding slopes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":1157,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[148],"tags":[150,151,1716,149,1715],"class_list":["post-1158","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-southeast-asia-tourism","tag-asean-travel","tag-asia-tourism","tag-clouds","tag-southeast-asia","tag-village"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tourismsiam.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1158","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tourismsiam.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tourismsiam.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tourismsiam.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tourismsiam.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1158"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tourismsiam.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1158\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tourismsiam.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1157"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tourismsiam.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tourismsiam.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tourismsiam.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}