Sao Ha – A mysterious beauty in the heart of the rocky plateau

Sao Ha Village, located in Van Chai Hamlet, Yen Minh Commune, Tuyen Quang Province, sits at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level and is surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and a nearly 250-hectare primeval forest. Nestled in the heart of the rocky plateau, Sao Ha feels like a peaceful, mysterious haven, completely cut off from the outside world.

From the center of Yen Minh Commune, reaching the village requires traveling through mountain passes and a series of hairpin bends along a 17-kilometer route.

After the road accessible by car comes to an end, visitors must continue for more than one kilometer by motorbike along a narrow, steep concrete road before reaching Sao Ha Village.

At the entrance to the village stands a sacred shrine dedicated to the forest deity.

Further inside, a bamboo forest lining the road gives anyone who ventures here an unmistakable sense of mystery.

Women from Sao Ha Village are a familiar sight here.

The village is home to 18 households, comprising 22 houses and 116 people from the Hmong ethnic community. All the villagers share the surname Vang. The houses are built in the traditional Hmong rammed-earth style, nestled along the mountain slopes. Hand-stacked stone fences stand solidly around the homes, while moss-covered yin-yang tiled roofs add to the village's weathered, timeless appearance.

A visit to Sao Ha offers not only a chance to admire the majestic natural landscape but also an opportunity to discover the distinctive cultural traditions of the local Hmong community.

Most villagers live and carry out their daily activities largely through a self-sufficient way of life.

Sao Ha possesses a wild, untouched beauty, imbued with an extraordinary sense of mystery.

As you explore the Dong Van Rocky Plateau, take a detour to Van Chai and discover the allure of this enigmatic village for yourself.

Thao Nguyen