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Ban Ho Village, Vietnamese
Australian Tran Han expressed his
excitement when he walked out of the
Lavie Stream in the scenic village
Ban Ho, more than 26 kilometers away
from the famous resort town of Sapa.
 Han
said swimming in the Lavie was one
of many unforgettable memories of
his trip to northern Vietnam earlier
this year, as the water was fresh
and clean in the stream which ran
from rocks and hills where a few
minority groups live.
Young citizens of Lao Cai Province
Vietnam and foreign tourists often
trek to Ban Ho to indulge in the
pristine Lavie Stream, enjoy the
sweet sound of running water from
the Ca Nhay Waterfalls and other
natural attractions of the tranquil
village.
The Lavie Stream, together with
Muong Hoa Stream, weaves through
boulders, hills, mountains and
terraced paddy fields of Tay
village, which is nestled in the
breathtaking Valley Muong Hoa,
adding the finishing touch to the
picturesque image of Ban Ho Sapa.
Even though Ban Ho is not too far
from the center of Sapa Vietnam not
many tourists have visited the
village because of the tough
approach road, which is under
construction and slippery in the
rainy season.
However, the village is also
accessible by driving from Sapa to
Su Pan Village and then trekking 10
kilometers to Ban Ho. Topas is one
of a number of tour operators who
offer this one-day package, with
cost determined by the number of
participants.
Ban Ho Village, Ban Ho is worth the
somewhat difficult journey to get
there, as the village rewards
visitors with stunning views of
unspoiled sites and an opportunity
to discover the daily activities of
the ethnic people Tay.
 On
the way to the waterfalls, which
were named by locals after seeing
fish jumping out of the water in the
old days, visitors will pass brooks
gently running down bamboo cylinders
that locals use to channel the water
into their terraced paddy fields,
wooden houses perched on the sides
of rolling hills and wild flowers.
When they emerge from the water in
the dry season the boulders and
stones along the Lavie Stream are
artworks that resemble different
figures, depending on the
imagination of viewers. In the rainy
season from May till September
visitors can see water flowers
created by the splashing water
running into the boulders.
The trails and roads from Ban Ho
also lead to the quiet Red Dao
Village of Nam Toong and other
ethnic communities, where trekkers
can enjoy the best of Northern
Vietnam, such as deep valleys,
amazing mountains and simple people. |
