Vietnamese village named among Asia's most beautiful by SCMP
The South China Morning Post (SCMP), a Hong Kong-based publication, has listed Ta Van in Vietnam’s northern highlands among the six most beautiful villages in Asia, praising its rugged charm and tranquil lifestyle.
Located about 12 kilometers from downtown Sa Pa in Lao Cai Province, Ta Van lies in a lush green valley and is home to the Giay and H'mong ethnic groups.
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Ta Van Village in northern Vietnam. |
The village features traditional stilt houses nestled among terraced rice fields that shift in color with the seasons, surrounded by streams, waterfalls, and bamboo forests.
Unlike the often-crowded Cat Cat Village, Ta Van retains a peaceful, unhurried atmosphere. Visitors can rent motorbikes to explore nearby hamlets or follow scenic trails to watch the sunrise bathe the valley in golden light.
Topping the SCMP list is Mae Kampong in Thailand, a breezy hillside village about an hour’s drive east of Chiang Mai.
Other villages featured include Hundar in India, Ella in Sri Lanka, Huangling in China, and Shirakawa in Japan.
"Whether reached by winding road, forest trail or cable car, each of these six villages invites travelers to slow down, breathe deeply, and experience ways of living shaped by altitude, heritage and a unique setting," SCMP wrote.
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