The charm of the "moss-roof village"

Perched at an altitude of more than 1,000 meters, Xa Phin Hamlet in Thanh Thuy Commune is home to 54 households, all of whom belong to the Dao ethnic group. For years, the hamlet has been affectionately known by visitors as the "moss-roof village", thanks to its dozens of traditional stilt houses with palm-leaf roofs blanketed in moss, bearing the unmistakable marks of time.

The area's cool, humid climate throughout the year, combined with frequent dense fog, provides ideal conditions for moss to grow on the rooftops. Over the years, the moss has gradually formed soft green carpets across the palm-leaf roofs. Some roofs, now 20 to 30 years old, are thickly covered with moss interwoven with clusters of wild orchids, creating a scene rarely found elsewhere.

Weathered by time, embraced by mist and wind, and adorned with lush green moss, the rooftops have become a defining feature of the village. Each moss-covered roof tells a story of the enduring bond between the Dao people and the mountainous frontier where they have lived for generations. It is this simple yet distinctive beauty that continues to captivate visitors seeking authentic cultural and natural experiences.

Xa Phin Hamlet nestles beneath the majestic Tay Con Linh mountain range, where the cool and humid climate creates ideal conditions for moss to flourish on traditional rooftops.

As the years pass, the moss grows ever thicker.

Some traditional houses, 20 to 30 years old, are now richly covered in moss.

The cool year-round climate allows dense moss to thrive on the rooftops.

A Dao woman stands beside a traditional moss-covered house.

An Giang