| Goup Travel to Develop Community in Sapa | | Print | |
|
This program is based in rural areas of Sa Pa and provides an opportunity to participate in multicultural environment and conservation activities. This special travel is an opportunity for volunteers to share everyday life with local peoples It brings participants a meaningful volunteer program combined with ecological tourism, refreshment and cross-cultural communication.
Despite its commercialization during the last seven years, Sa Pa is still a must-see on any northern Vietnam itinerary. On a clear day you will treated to views of steeply terraced rice fields, towering verdant ridgelines, primitive mud-thatched villages, raging rivers and astounding waterfalls.
Nestled high in the Tonkinese Alps near the Chinese border, Sa Pa was built as a hill station during French colonial days, to serve as a respite from stifling Hanoi summers. These days, weekends are still the biggest draw in this crumbling hill-tribe center. Visitors from the capital flock to Sapa for a glimpse of the famed "Love Market," a trek to local hill tribe villages, or an ascent of Vietnam's highest peak, Fan Si Pan. Some eight ethnic groups inhabit Lao Cai province: Hmong, Dao, White Thai, Giay, Tay, Muong, Hao and Xa Pho. The most prominent in town are the Red Dao, easily identified by the coin-dangling red headdresses and intricately embroidered waistcoats worn by the women, and the Hmong, distinguished by their somewhat less elaborately embroidered royal blue attire. Groups of ethnic Hmong youngsters and women can be seen hauling impossibly heavy, awkward baskets of wood, stakes, bamboo, bricks, mud and produce. Deep in the valleys surrounding Sapa, the Muong Hoa River sluices a wild, jagged course among Giay, Red Dao and White Thai settlements, their tiny dwellings poking out of the neon rice fields like diamonds on a putting green. One- to four-day treks are offered by a handful of outfitters. Guests sleep in tents or in the homes of villagers, their gear hauled by Hmong porters. During the work camp, volunteers had as many chances as possible to contact with local people, discover about their cultures as well as help the community reserve their unique living environment. Talking with children and listen to their ideas about what to do to keep their environment clean would be a good chance to learn, for both children and volunteers. Also, volunteers were able not only to see the farming work, but also to do the work themselves on the farm with ethnic people. A “culture-exchange day” had been held to promote the understanding within different groups of people and between international volunteers and Vietnamese people. An 1-day excursion for volunteers to choose 1 among several beauty spots would be a great time to relax. In this camp, international volunteers got lots of support from so friendly Vietnamese volunteers and have fun time together discovering about each other’s language and culture. Home-stay at local people’s houses. Volunteers (both Vietnamese and international) lived in dorms. Living conditions were basic. There was no shower, washing machine or fridge. Volunteers had had meals with host families. By this way, volunteers especially international volunteers got to know the local culture much better. Further information about Sapa at Website: http://sapatravelguide.com/index.htm |
