Located in Lào Cai Province in the northwest region of Vietnam, the district-level town of Sa Pa, which is six hours away from the capital Hanoi, reminded me so much of Baguio back when green still covered most of the mountain than concrete grey. The natural backdrops couldn’t be any more picturesque, from the golden rice terraces to white-water rivers that snake through the farms and quiet rural territory. The calming sight of this piece of paradise already earned the place enough merit, but as it turned out, Sa Pa was just getting started as it rolled up its sleeves over three short days and showed me why it deserved as much appreciation as its more recognised neighbour, Ha Long Bay.
At first glance, Sa Pa seemed sleepy and void of any activity. But our itinerary proved otherwise.
Even before we dropped off our luggage in the hotel, we headed straight to the Cat Cat Village, two kilometres away from Sa Pa town. Named after a majestic waterfall that earmarks the suburb, Cat Cat was discovered by the French and later, converted into a vacation resort, preserving the tradition of the Hmong tribes that live on the land.
A casual stroll down the village had us immersed in the lifestyle of the locals, allowing us not only a peek into their actual households but also a taste of their food and livelihood. As we made our way through the walkable trail, we had to make multiple detours to appreciate the items that caught our attention— from colourful hemp jute fabrics and a bamboo root carved to look like their god of wealth, to smoked meats including the lon gac bep (pork belly), thit trau (buffalo) and the lap suon, which was akin to the Filipino cured pork, etag.
この記事は Tatler Philippines の February 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Tatler Philippines の February 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
LAST WORD
We ask the people we feature a round of quickfire questions to give us more insight into their personality. This month: Georgina Wilson-Burnand
LIFE'S A BEACH
Tatler Asia gets an exclusive first look at Rosewood Phuket's new Houses, which include a colossal 21,000 square foot beachfront mansion
DIFFERENT BY DESIGN
Design Hotels Managing Director Stijn Oyen on why its portfolio of properties is truly one of a kind—and what, ultimately, makes a great hotel
HEROES ON A MISSION
Cape, an NGO that champions Asian American and Pacific Islander artists and leaders, has been shaking up Hollywood's storytelling for three decades. But the team feels there's still work to be done on making representation more nuanced and global
BEHIND THE SEAMS
These bright, young sartorial talents are making a mark on the Philippine fashion industry one stitch at a time
GARY
As he reaches a turning point in his life, Gary Valenciano, one of the country's most renowned musical artists, relies on divine guidance to choose the right path
BOLDER & BEAUTIFUL
Georgina Wilson-Burnand, makes a graceful return after many years, embodying the best version of herself yet
IF WALLS COULD TALK
Unfolding like a page in Philippine history, the historic Laperal Mansion serves as a symbol of Filipino hospitality, artistry and craftsmanship
Legacy Reimagined
Delight in Tiffany & Co’s newest campaign, With Love, Since 1837, inspired by its legendary window designer, Gene Moore
Test Of Time
Rolex watches represent a dedication to excellence and sophistication, with precision engineering and lasting durability