Van village is of Thai ethnic people located near Mai Chau town, within Mai Chau Tourism Area. The life of the villagers is simple, friendly, and hospitable. Van village is one of the villages that still retain the most characteristic and purest cultural features of the Thai in Mai Chau.
The road leading to Van Village is impressive
with its successive rice fields in the valley
Along the road to Van Village are rice paddies. In January and late July, during the water pouring season, the fields are flooded to prepare for the new planting season. At this time, the entire field leading to Van Village appears like a giant mirror, reflecting shimmering light under the sun. In March and April, as well as in August and September, the rice is lush green. During this period, the young rice plants create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. In the first half of July and late October, the rice ripens. The golden fields are filled with the fragrant aroma of ripe rice. The scenery at this time always reminds visitors of images in the poem "Tay Tien" by poet Quang Dung: "The memories of Tay Tien with smoke curling in the air from houses, Mai Chau this season is full of the fragrant scent of sticky rice”, etc.
Despite the development of modern life, the people of Van village still preserve the distinctive culture of Thai ethnic group. Here, the residents live in traditional stilt houses. The stilt houses in Van village are built in a traditional style, combined with modern interior conveniences, providing guests with both comfort and fascinating experience of truly living in an ethnic house. Behind the charming houses are rice fields and cornfields, covered in a fresh and idyllic green.
Along with their stilt houses, people here are always conscious of preserving and maintaining the traditional crafts of weaving and embroidery. The brocade fabrics are a measure of Thai women’s skillfulness. The craft of brocade weaving holds pure value and is the cultural essence of Thai ethnic group. Brocade products are used to make household items, dowries for daughters when they marry, and gifts for tourists visiting the village. During their free time from farming, Thai women diligently work at their looms, creating colorful and patterned brocade fabrics that showcase Thai ethnic characteristics. Throughout the village, you can see images of women working industriously at their looms. When visiting Van village, tourists have the opportunity to experience weaving scarves, fabrics, and more.
Traditional stilt houses of the Thai are preserved by residents of Van village.
The charming small park in Van Village is an unmissable check-in spot for tourists. Here lies yellow or white mustard flowers and many other vibrant blooms. For visitors passionate for capturing the perfect moment, how could they overlook such a dreamy and beautiful scene? Walking around the village, tourists will witness the simple daily life of locals, encountering warm smiles and friendly gazes from the people of this tranquil countryside.
Visitors to Van village will discover unique Thai dishes such as sticky rice, grilled fish, and bamboo-tube rice - specialties during festivals. Traditionally, Thai daily staples were sticky rice so this dish has become a characteristic of Thai people. From sticky rice, Thai people can make dishes such as sticky rice mixed with corn or cassava or dyed with tree leaves to make colorful sticky rice. Alongside a simple and cozy meal, guests can savor the spicy flavor of homemade rice wine and immerse themselves in the graceful dance of Thai girls. The music harmonizing with their steps will help tourists forget their fatigue and find a sense of relaxation and peace.