Situated about 15 kilometers from the tourist hotspot of Sapa town in Lao Cai Province is the green valley Muong Hoa, which is the homeland of minority peoples who inhabit and cultivate the land.

The valley has the beautiful Muong Hoa River, which flows across the small town and rice fields of the ethnic minority people of H’Mong, Dao and many others. Located on the sides of the river are the small towns of Lao Chai, Ta Van and Hau Thao; these locations are favored destinations for foreigners for a variety of activities including trekking and shopping for hand-made products

Battle-hardened tourists trek on a slope in the valley

A farmer ploughs on a rice field in the valley

 A stunning view of the beautiful rice fi elds of Muong Hoa Valley - Photos: Pham Thai