Located in Yen Bai province, Nghia Lo is the second largest rice valley in the North after the Muong Thanh Valley in Dien Bien Phu. This fertile and prosperous region is home to 17 ethnic minorities, including Black Thais who have been there for a long time. Nestled in the hollow of the mountain, the river Nâm Thia flows through the valley, lacing cultures as a silk ribbon. Villagers grow rice twice a year on an area of 3000 ha in flooded rice paddies and harvests are plentiful.
The Thai of Nghia Lo have an authentic and diversified cuisine, the most emblematic dish being the “khâu cam”. It is sticky rice presented in the form of a bauhini, the legendary flower of the region, and in five colors: white, green, red, purple and yellow.
At the heart of the village of Nghia Lo in the North West, Mr Binh and his family will welcome you in a charming traditional Thai house, a wooden house on stilts. Get your bearings and relax, it’s time to discover a truly authentic and off the beaten track place! First, it’s dinner time! On the menu, prepared by outstanding home cooks ; sautéed pork, nem with scented leaves, salad of local vegetables : papaya leaves and fern, wild eggplants, bamboo shoots, … Prepare your taste buds to be awakened!
Start this dinner with a glass of rice alcohol. Be careful, it’s gonna be wild! After dinner, share some time with Mr Binh’s mother and his wife. An opportunity to bond and to discover the outfits, jewelry and traditional hairstyles they wear for events. Try out outfits and wear the traditional Thai Bun (only worn by married women!)
Then have a quiet and pleasant night.... And wake up early in the morning with a divine breakfast prepared by your hosts.
Spend a night at Mr Binh and you will understand all the kindness and hospitality of the Thai poeple !
A long week in northern Tonkin with short walks through hamlets
A journey of discovery in a picturesque mountain scenery.