Located at an altitude of 1,000 meters, halfway up Tay Con Linh Mountain, the moss-roofed homes of the Dao people in Xa Phin Village lie more than 20 kilometers from the heart of Ha Giang City, the capital of the namesake province.
Tay Con Linh Mountain, situated in Vi Xuyen District, shares its skyline with Hoang Su Phi Peak, towering at 2,431 meters - the loftiest summit in the region. It has been dubbed the "roof of the northeast" in Vietnam.
Xa Phin enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. It is often enveloped in fog and high humidity. Over time, the palm leaf roofs of the stilt houses acquire a coat of moss, a transformation occurring every 3-4 years.
Dao families reside in wooden stilt houses adorned with palm leaf roofs sourced from the surrounding highlands.
According to Can Van Hien, Vice Chairman of Phuong Tien Commune, the majority of the 54 families in Xa Phin reside beneath moss-covered roofs. Some families have roofs that are partially covered in moss, while others have roofs densely covered in moss.
A house nestled against the Tay Con Linh Mountain features a roof made of palm leaves and dense moss, bringing a cooling effect to the summer months.
The roof of the house accumulates moss, and occasionally mistletoe, as a result of the frequent rain, dew, and high humidity in the area.
Apart from the enchanting moss-covered houses, the terraced fields in Xa Phin also offer captivating vistas.
The locals primarily engage in agriculture, cultivating wet rice on these terraced fields. However, due to the challenging terrain and reliance on natural water sources, they can only manage one crop annually, making irrigation efforts arduous.
To supplement their income and entice tourists, the Dao people release carp into these terraced fields. This serves both as a food source and a recreational activity for visitors. Those fortunate enough to visit during the right season can enjoy fishing in these fields. Subsequently, the hosts often prepare dishes using the caught fish for their guests to savor.
Huu Waterfall, a mere kilometer from the village, is a destination for those who like to explore nature.
Tea is a significant agricultural product in Xa Phin. The region is known for its ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees, which are several hundred years old and have substantial trunk diameters. Harvesting these tea leaves requires the use of a ladder due to the height of the trees.
Visitors have the opportunity to join local residents in picking tea leaves and engage in the process of producing Shan Tuyet tea.
As evening falls, tourists and hosts come together around a fire. They indulge in local delicacies, listen to traditional love songs, and savor a cup of rice wine crafted by the Dao people.
Year-end visitors to Xa Phin are treated to a plethora of cultural festivities, including the Dao people's ceremony that marks the transition of a young boy into adulthood. The golden rice festival is another exciting event.
Additionally, visitors can engage in a range of travel experiences unique to Xa Phin. These include bathing in natural streams, trying their hand at fishing in the terraced fields, embarking on treks up Tay Con Linh Mountain to admire azalea flowers, and indulging in medicinal herb baths.
