Ha Giang (VNS/VNA) - When visiting Ta Su Choong commune in the northern province of Ha Giang in summer, tourists canenjoy the pristine natural landscape when local farmers let water flow overtheir terraced rice fields and lose themselves in the traditional culture oflocal ethnic minority groups.

Located 21km to the south west of Hoang Su Phi centre, the commune has 355 households withover 1,700 people. They include five ethnic minority groups, who live mainlyfrom agricultural work.

The commune enjoys cool weather all year round, clean air andlittle traffic, as well as the magnificent rice fields, forests and waterfalls.The area also covers acres of old Shan tuyết tea trees, which grow on top ofhigh mountains. One side of the tea leaf is covered with white fur like snow,hence the name “tuyết”, which means “snow” in Vietnamese. The leaves are usedto brew a sweet-tasting tea.

The commune is also home to the Hoa Ceo Phin waterfall and many fields of tam giac mach (triangle buckwheat) flowers.

“Local authorities have said that tourism is an importantfocus for the commune,” Giang Van Thang, Chairman of the commune’s People’sCommittee, told Ha Giang Newspaper. “We have completed aproject to develop eco-tourism in local villages.”

“In the next two years, the commune will focus on establishingan eco-tourism village in Hoa Cheo Phin and use this as a model for developingeco-tourism more widely.”

Hoa Cheo Phin hosts dozens of “nha trinh tuong” of the Mong ethnic minority, which are located inthe middle of rice fields.

The houses are built with thick clay walls and no pillars,and are roofed with tiles or dry leaves.

The typical house always includes a main door, one smallerdoor and at least two windows. The house is warm in winter and cool in summer,and protects owners from wild animals the elements.

“Nature is so fresh here,” said Ngo Vinh Phu, a visitor from Hanoi. “The landscape here is sopeaceful and magnificent like in paintings.”

Tourists usually enjoy local delicacies like carp, blacktender mountain chicken, salads made from wild banana flowers, and local pork.

According to Lu Vang Pao, a leader of the village, most ofthe 116 households in the village are of the Mong ethnic minority group.

“They are curious about the eco-tourism plan but most of themare still reluctant due to traditional customs. They rarely welcome strangersto stay in their homes,” he said.

Now ten households have registered to join the project. Most of the families are poor and have noexperience in receiving guests.

“We will organise field trips for them to successful homestaymodels in other communes of Hoang SuPhi district,” Pao said. “So thatthey can learn how to welcome tourists.”

“The provincial authorities will also assist them financiallyto invest in ectra facilities,” he said.

Vang A Su, a local farmer, could nothide his excitement with the project.

“My whole family will join the project,” he told VietnamNews. “My mother and wife can cook while my son and myself can take the guestsaround the village.”

“We live simply but our hearts are warm towards tourists,” hesaid with a broad smile.-VNS/VNA