Ta Van Village in Sapa and how to visit it

Description and is it worth visiting

Ta Van Village - is the largest and most developed village in the Muong Hoa Valley and a popular finishing point for trekking. This is where most two-day, one-night trekking tours from Sapa end, which is the most popular and convenient duration for such tours.

Frankly, today it's hard to call it an ethnic village, as it's literally packed with tourists, especially Asian ones, who don't often bother with long trekking hikes from the city but come directly here by big buses and minivans. There's a market in the center, cafes and bars, a travel agency (you can buy tickets from Sapa and order transfers), a SPA and massage salon, and even a supermarket where you can pay for purchases with a plastic card. Nevertheless, the Dzay ethnic group has lived here for generations.

Of course, all this doesn't create the feeling of a real ethnic village, but that doesn't mean you should avoid visiting it. In fact, despite all these drawbacks, Ta Van is the best place to stop for the first night during trekking from Sapa, and at the same time a good starting point for trekking in the surrounding areas if you get here by transport. Moreover, if you go a little further from the center to the outskirts, the picture changes dramatically, and you can observe real village life.

Where to stay in Ta Van village

There are a couple of dozen homestays and guesthouses in the village, even a large hostel. If you're planning a trip here for several days or coming here on a self-guided trek, it's better to find and book accommodation online in advance. This can be done on well-known sites:

• Trip.com

Honestly, it's hard for us to imagine that there wouldn't be an option for an overnight stay here, even if you just come here during a trek and start looking on the spot. It's just that most of them offer the most basic facilities on the street and a sleeping place in a common room like a tourist shelter or hostel, which is perfect for one night on a trek. But if you need comfortable accommodation, then search and book through the search engines.

What to do in Ta Van village

If you stay in Ta Van for a few days, to be honest, there won't be much to do here. But for one full day or a couple of days, you'll find activities.

First of all, of course, are hiking walks through the picturesque surroundings. Here are the main options:

• Simply walk around the surroundings on trails through rice fields and terraces, go down to the Muong Hoa River.
• In half an hour you can walk to another village, Lao Chai.
• Follow the classic trekking route through the bamboo forest to the Cau May Waterfall, where all two-day hikes usually end.

In the village itself, at one of the tourist restaurants and a homestay, there is a private ethnographic museum. You can also visit the museum and field of ancient stones, which are located one and a half kilometers from the village center along the main asphalt road.

Finally, you can simply do nothing, chat with other tourists, sip beer at the local bar, and visit local village cafes.