By Hoai Anh 

A group of foreign tourists said they were excited to try harvesting rice in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang with local residents regardless of language barriers.

Sil, a Romanian tourist, recently posted a video on his Facebook page, sharing his experience during the trip to Ha Giang from Oct. 25 to 27.

Sil said his group conquered the famous Ha Giang Loop that begins in Quan Ba District, winds through Yen Minh and Dong Van districts, and reaches Meo Vac Town before looping back to the starting point.

Spanning approximately 350 kilometers, this challenging route takes travelers through towering mountain passes and deep valleys, requiring skill to navigate its endless, twisting roads.

In the video, seven foreign tourists were seen standing in a rice field in Lung Cu District. Some held large bundles of freshly cut rice, while others helped local women thresh rice, a process of loosening the edible part of the rice from the chaff to which it is attached.

“Despite the language barriers, we laughed together and shared so much joy,” Sil said, adding that the experience made their journey unforgettable.

Dao Minh Tuan, a freelance tour guide in Ha Giang, has been taking foreign tourists to experience local culture and daily life since 2023. In October, he guided a group from the U.K., Poland, and New Zealand on a two-week trip to Ha Giang. Their itinerary included supporting an English-teaching club and assisting locals with rice harvesting.

“This type of cultural experience tourism is very appealing to visitors but it’s still rare in Ha Giang due to the limited number of foreign-language tour guides,” Tuan said.

Ha Giang has recently become a favorite destination of adventurous tourists.

Many tourists, mainly from Europe, have been flocking to Du Gia Waterfall where they can leap from high rocks into a natural pool below.

The fall is surrounded by pristine landscapes and cliffs six meters high that overlook a deep, green pool with year-round water.

Published Date: November 12, 2024