Moc Chau, the emerald of the Northwest mountains, is not only famous for its lush green tea hills and pure white mustard flower seasons but also hides a pristine, simple beauty in its ethnic villages. Visiting Hang Tau, a special village where life moves slowly and purely, visitors will have the opportunity to experience a very interesting and unique activity: horseback riding to explore the vast grasslands.
The Hidden Beauty of Hang Tau
Hang Tau, also known as the “three no’s” village (no electricity, no phone signal, no internet), is a Hmong production area belonging to Ta So 1 village, Moc Chau district, Son La province. Although life is still difficult, lacking modern amenities, this is precisely what creates the special attraction of Hang Tau. It offers visitors a peaceful, fresh space, completely separate from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
To reach Hang Tau, visitors will have a short trekking journey, passing through small trails, along the mountainside. As soon as you set foot here, you will be amazed by the majestic natural scenery, the lush green carpets stretching like grasslands, and the simple stilt houses nestled on the hillside. All of this creates a beautiful landscape painting that captivates the heart.
Horseback Riding to Explore the Grasslands
In the past 2 years, Hang Tau has gradually become an attractive destination for tourists, especially those who love exploring and experiencing local culture. Grasping the tourism potential, the people of Hang Tau have started to develop tourism services, including horseback riding experiences.
Horseback riding in Hang Tau is not just a simple entertainment activity, but also an opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in nature, feel the freedom and liberation of the highlands. Sitting on horseback, leisurely strolling on the green grass, admiring the rolling mountains, breathing in the fresh air, you will feel all worries and anxieties disappear.
Ms. Song Thi Say, a local resident who returned from being a worker in Hai Phong to pursue tourism in her hometown, shared: “Since having guests, I switched to doing tourism in my own living place. Four months ago, my husband and I invested 50 million VND to buy a horse. For each horseback riding experience, guests will give me 100,000 VND.”
Vietnamese flag flying at a simple house in Hang Tau village, Moc Chau
The horses in Hang Tau are carefully cared for by the locals, gentle and friendly to visitors. Before starting the journey, you will be instructed on how to control the horse and safety precautions. After that, you are free to explore the grasslands as you wish.
Suggested Itinerary and Essential Tips
To have a memorable horseback riding experience in Hang Tau, you can refer to the following itinerary:
- Morning: Travel from Moc Chau town to Hang Tau. You can rent a motorbike or car to travel.
- Noon: Arrive in Hang Tau, you can rest and enjoy lunch with Hmong specialties such as hill chicken, wild boar, and mustard greens… (remember to contact locals in advance to prepare).
- Afternoon: Start your horseback riding experience exploring the grasslands. You can rent horses and guides on the spot.
- Evening: If you want, you can camp overnight in Hang Tau to enjoy the fresh air and stargazing.
- The next day: Participate in other activities such as walking around the village, learning about Hmong culture, or shopping for traditional handicrafts.
Some essential tips to know:
- You should bring comfortable clothes and suitable shoes for walking and horseback riding.
- Bring sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses to protect your skin from the sun.
- Prepare drinking water and snacks to bring with you during travel and exploration.
- You should contact local people in advance to book horseback riding and meals.
- The entrance fee to Hang Tau is currently 30,000 VND/person.
- Maintain general hygiene, do not litter indiscriminately to protect the environment.
Sustainable Tourism in Hang Tau
The development of tourism in Hang Tau is bringing positive changes to the lives of local people. However, to ensure sustainable development, the joint efforts of both the community and tourists are needed.
Local authorities are encouraging people to preserve the pristine beauty of Hang Tau, not to build too much to preserve the landscape and cultural beauty. At the same time, Ms. Say also shared that she has participated in training sessions on sustainable tourism and the most important thing is to respect customers.
Tourists visiting Hang Tau also need to be aware of protecting the environment, respecting local culture, and not causing noise or disorder. Let’s join hands to build a sustainable tourism model, bringing benefits to both the community and tourists.
Conclusion
Horseback riding in the Moc Chau grasslands, especially in Hang Tau, is a journey to discover the pristine, simple beauty of the Northwest mountains. This is not only a fun entertainment activity but also an opportunity for visitors to learn about the culture and life of local people, while contributing to the sustainable tourism development of this land. Come and feel the difference, so that beautiful memories of Moc Chau will forever be imprinted in your heart.