Tribasia Blog

Today we rested our legs and opted to rent a motorbike to drive 35 kms south of Sa Pa. This is where we came across a Xa Pho minority village. It was the first time we encountered this group.
They no longer wear the traditional attire on a daily basis but only for special occasions such as festivals and ceremonies. Xa Pho women dress with a black long-sleeved top adorned with white stitched crossbow figures and a tube of black clothing tied at the waist and stitched with bamboo tree-liked shapes and colourful helms for skirt. The patterns used are very typical of this minority. They wrap their hair in a simple colourful shawl.

When walking through their village, you can grasp that Xa Pho are poor -much poorer than the average Hmong, Tai and Red Dzao- and that each thatched grass hut is home to an extended family. They were probably late settler in Vietnam compared to other minorities. As a result they got little choice when it came to settle down and their village is located on a steep slope of a mountain: not an ideal location when it comes to farm land and torrential rains.

We also went through Tay villages. Tay women are highly recognizable with their facial features and although the younger generations do not always wear their traditional clothing, we can identify them more easily than any others among the minorities' maze!

After 8 hours of biking around, it has been another rewarding day full of great views and sunshine. Fingers crossed, it will last!

Labels: discover, northern Vietnam, Sa Pa, Xa Pho Minority