Sa Pa has long been famous for the villages of Cat Cat, Ta Van, Ta Phin; with the majestic old stone church or the roof of Indochina Fansipan... However, the wave of tourism has flooded into Sa Pa, causing it to gradually become commercialized.

Sin Chai village belongs to San Sa Ho commune (old), now belongs to Hoang Lien commune, located about 4km from the center of Sa Pa town. Although located right next to Cat Cat - a famous community cultural tourism village of Sa Pa, Sin Chai is still quite pristine and quiet compared to the neighboring village. Lying quietly at the foot of Hoang Lien Son range, surrounded by vast hills, Sin Chai has been the home of the Black H'mong people for many generations.



Panorama of Sin Chai - The house of the Black H'mong people in Sapa

Like many villages in Sa Pa in particular and the Northwest highlands in general, the villagers mainly live on farming and livestock. Around April when it rains, the terraced fields start in the pouring season. When in the transplanting season, the terraced fields will be submerged in water. The water is taken from the stream, so it is very clear, reflecting sunlight, making a large area shimmering and beautiful. This will be a wonderful new experience when you can witness with your own eyes the scene of ethnic people here diligently planting rice on terraced fields like a beautiful labor picture.



The time when the terraced fields in Sin Chai sparkled in the pouring water season

The time when tourists come to visit Sin Chai most of the year is probably in September and early October, when the terraced fields here turn to the golden color of ripe rice. Everywhere there is a faint scent of new rice, the smell of fresh straw creates a special atmosphere. Standing in front of the immense scenery, visitors will not be surprised to see thousands of terraced fields spread out evenly, winding around the hillsides and mountain backs. The clouds and rays of sunlight here seem to adorn the picture of the golden season. The panorama of Sin Chai at that time was like a beautiful and haughty girl by the winding stream, showing off its soft curves with the mountains and forests.



Beautiful golden autumn colors in Sin Chai village

Along the road leading to Sin Chai village, visitors will be able to see the small, rustic folds that are roofed with po mu wood, and the simple farm tools in front of the house. This is a great destination for those who want to learn about the life of the Black H'mong people in Sapa. The people here have a simple and peaceful life. In the rainy season, they go to the fields and grow cardamom; When the crop is over, they only go to the forest to collect firewood, raise buffaloes and raise horses. Women take advantage of their leisure time to sew and sew traditional clothes.



Sin Chai is peaceful, quietly watching from above

Usually, tourists who come to visit Sin Chai village often combine to visit Cat Cat village and then go to Sin Chai village. Ticket price to visit Cat Cat village with adults is 70,000 VND / person and children 30,000 VND / person. Tickets to Sin Chai are currently free.

Currently, Trekking is a type of tourism that is very popular with tourists when visiting Sin Chai village. Visitors can walk while admiring the poetic beauty of the scenery on both sides of the road, and can learn about the customs, cultural lifestyle and cuisine of the people here. And want to learn more clearly, you can stay at some homestay in the village. The price is about 50,000 VND/person/night. However, depending on the health situation, visitors can choose the form of sightseeing that is most suitable for themselves such as buying a tour from a travel company, or renting a motorbike to experience it with prices ranging from 120,000-150,000 VND/car/day.



Tourists trekking in Sin Chai also have enthusiastic local speakers

No hustle and bustle, no sellers to offer, attract tourists like in Cat Cat, Ta Phin or Ta Van tourist villages, Sin Chai is now really the soul of the Northwest mountains, the place where everything is still simple, intact as the original plot.

TIPS: Some notes to remember when visiting Sin Chai village -  Sa Pa

- Actively prepare some drinks or snacks, wear comfortable comfortable clothes and wear sports shoes to facilitate moving on mountainous terrain.

-  Ask permission before you want to visit the houses of the villagers. Note before entering, if you see in front of the house or at the top of the stairs with green leaves, thorn branches, or a lattice screen, it is a symbol of the taboo not to enter.

- Do not buy antiques as souvenirs, doing so the villagers will lose their inherent traditional cultural values.

- When eating, do not sit in positions reserved for the elderly, or vacant positions for parents' souls (usually those positions are near the altar).

- Before eating, you should try to patiently listen to the host to conduct all the rituals to invite ancestors or bless the good, avoid hastily picking up food first, and absolutely do not put the dishes down on the tray. .

- When staying at a homestay, you should follow the arrangement of the owner not to lie with his feet facing the altar.

Sapphire