Tribasia Blog

On 12th June, we went riding around Dien Bien Phu as planned. Although many minority villages can be easily spotted from the road, not all are within reach. You often have to ride up dirt roads and zigzag to avoid holes and rocks before getting anywhere close.

Thai villages are easier to visit as they are often based alongside main roads, in the valley.
We rode more than 25 kms away from Dien Bien towards the Lao border. We crossed a Thai settlement and decided to enter by crossing a suspended bridge.
Although our visit was unnannounced, we felt welcome. A group of young Thais invited us to share some sour mango. They were curious of our appearances and laughed at the pictures we made of them.

However, within 15 minutes of our arrival, two policemen, probably residing in the village, asked us to leave. We are still not sure if we were beyond permitted land or too close to the border for their taste but we had to comply.

On the way back, we spotted a Hmong village sitting on a hill top. How did we know it was a Hmong village? Well, because Hmong women were waiting down the dirt track at the foot of the village. Besides, even from a distance, the houses' structure looked very much typical of the Hmong (compacted mud walls, etc.).
We decided to venture into the village. This is not a decision we took lightly as Hmong villages are ALWAYS populated with rabid dogs.

We were lucky enough this time that dogs gave us a break. We were able to chat with a few Hmong women sitting in front of their houses with their young children. The Hmong of this area adorn their black headdress with colourful pompoms (mostly pink or orange), a colourful top whose long sleeves' pattern (stripes) differ from that of the body (flowery motives) and a black silky skirt.

We then headed back to Dien Bien for a well-deserved rest. On 13th June, we have to wake up very early...

Labels: Black Hmong, Dien Bien Phu, North Vietnam, pompoms, Thai Tay, villages