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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.
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