|
Among the villages that
are familiar with the pace
of tourists in Sa Pa (Lao
Cai province), Y Linh Ho
still lies there, peaceful
and pristine as if it has
never been touched by the
whirlwind of tourism.
Train Hanoi to Sapa
Winding terraced fields
On his 8th visit to Sa Pa, Y
Linh Ho village always makes
travel blogger Pham Quang
Tuyen from Hanoi overwhelmed
by the beauty of terraced
fields stretching along the
mountainside. While many
other tourist villages have
been commercialized, this
place still retains its
distinct indigenous
character. Nestled at the
foot of Hoang Lien Son
mountain range, Y Linh Ho
opens up a vast valley
scene, terraced fields
winding like a golden silk
strip when the rice is ripe,
and green on cool summer
days. It is this pure beauty
that has become a favorite
meeting place for
photographers and nature
lovers. Unlike the crowded
villages near the center of
Sa Pa, Y Linh Ho does not
have many homestays or
hotels. "Everything is still
very natural, carrying the
colors of the old Northwest,
from the smoke from the
bamboo stoves in the
afternoon, to the sound of
the stream flowing through
the terraced fields," Tuyen
said.
Forgotten place
8km from the center of Sa Pa
town, the road down to the
village is steep, so Y Linh
Ho is often overlooked by
tourists. When the sun sets,
the last rays of the day
cover the rice fields in
gold, turning the whole
valley into a brilliant
picture. According to Tuyen,
when coming to Y Linh Ho,
visitors should keep their
mind in the state of
returning to nature,
listening to the sound of
the stream, watching
children playing in the
terraced fields. This is not
a place to find exciting
experiences, but to feel the
rare peace in the heart of
Sa Pa. "For me, Y Linh Ho is
the most beautiful
destination in terms of
landscape in the villages
during the ripe rice
season," he said.
Where is Y Linh Ho
village located?
Y Linh Ho village is located
about 7 km southwest of Sapa
in San Sa Ho Commune,
Sapa
Town, Lao Cai Province . It
is nestled in the majestic
Hoang Lien Son Mountain
Range and stretches along
the Muong Hoa Valley. The
area is surrounded by
majestic landscapes, with
steep mountains and vast
terraced fields. Unlike the
crowded tourist spots
nearby, Y Linh Ho still
retains its pristine beauty
and peaceful atmosphere,
ideal for travelers who want
to explore the hidden
corners of Northern Vietnam.
How to get to Y Linh Ho
village from Sapa?
Visitors can choose between
hiking or motorbike to reach
Y Linh Ho village. While
both routes offer memorable
adventures, they may be more
ideal for experienced
drivers.
By hiking
The route starts from Sa Pa
town, passes through Cat Cat
village, and continues to
Lao Chai San 2 bridge. After
passing this point, you will
reach Y Linh Ho, hidden in
the mountains and forests.
The total distance is about
3.5 to 4 km and usually
takes 1.5 to 2 hours to
complete, depending on your
walking speed and how often
you stop to admire the
scenery.
The route has a variety of
terrains: some sections are
smooth and paved, while
others are rocky or muddy,
especially after rain. This
route is best suited for
active travelers who enjoy
walking and want to explore
unspoiled rural life. Every
step of the way, you will
encounter photogenic moments
of terraced rice fields,
majestic mountain views and
daily village activities,
making it a memorable part
of your Sapa visit.
By motorbike
From Sa Pa town, take
Provincial Road 152 south
towards Lao Chai. After
about 3 km, there is a small
turnoff near Lao Chai. Tra
San where you leave the main
road and start following the
signs to Y Linh Ho village.
The journey takes only 15 to
20 minutes , making this a
quick and flexible option
for travelers who want to
experience the countryside
without spending too much
time on the road.
The closer you get to Y Linh
Ho, the steeper and narrower
the road becomes, making it
difficult to navigate,
especially after rain, as
the road surface can be
slippery. On clear days,
this route offers
spectacular mountain views
and a bit of adventure, but
when it rains or is foggy,
it becomes more dangerous.
Due to the sharp turns and
uneven road surface, this
route is not recommended for
those who lack experience
driving in difficult terrain
conditions.
Things to do at Y Linh Ho
village
Y Linh Ho village may be off
the beaten track, but it
offers a wealth of
experiences - from
breathtaking natural scenery
to authentic cultural
moments. From enjoying
traditional meals to
strolling through golden
rice fields, your time here
is sure to be memorable.
Discover the memorable
experiences Y Linh Ho
Village has to offer
Enjoy terraced fields in
Muong Hoa valley
No visit to Y Linh Ho
village is complete without
a trek through the
spectacular rice terraces of
Muong Hoa Valley, one of the
most beautiful landscapes in
Northern Vietnam. Renowned
for its lush greenery and
sweeping views, the valley
is an ideal place to
experience the beauty of
nature. A trek through the
area will allow you to fully
immerse yourself in the
local landscape and culture
as you stroll between rice
paddies and hillside
villages.
Try on traditional H'Mong
costumes
As you explore the villages
around Sapa, you will come
across colorful Hmong
costumes available for rent
for between VND150,000 and
VND400,000 per day ($5.78 -
$15.41), often offered at
the village gates or by
locals. Wearing these
traditional costumes will
help you connect more deeply
with the culture and are
ideal for taking photos with
stunning backdrops such as
rice terraces or bamboo
houses.
Discover H'Mong cuisine
and culture
As you wander through the
area, you’ll have the chance
to interact with the ethnic
minorities, especially the
H'mong. Their rich culture
is reflected in everything
from their colorful
traditional costumes to
their family meals, music
and dances. You may see
women weaving, dyeing their
fabrics with natural indigo,
or practicing the art of
batik with melted beeswax.
Many of their beautiful
products, such as handwoven
scarves, bags and
embroidered fabrics, are on
sale as meaningful souvenirs
starting at just 100,000 VND
(US$3.85) .
To better understand local
life, don’t miss “thang co”
– a traditional Hmong soup,
usually made from horse meat
and herbs, or “lon cap nach”
- flavorful grilled pork
served with sticky rice.
Occasionally, the villagers
will also offer you rustic
dishes such as corn cakes or
dried herbs from the
mountains. These simple
moments of sharing not only
warm the hearts of visitors
but also open up a deeper
perspective on daily life in
the highlands.
Y Linh Ho Village remains
one of the most pristine and
authentic places in Sapa,
offering a closer look at
rural life and nature. Away
from the touristy areas,
this place allows you to
slow down and immerse
yourself in the local
lifestyle. This is a
destination worth exploring
if you want a quieter and
more meaningful travel
experience in Sapa.
Source:
https://sapatrainticket.com/travel-news/local-guide-about-visiting-y-linh-ho-village-in-sapa/ |
