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.
Esta historia es de la edición February 2023 de Tatler Philippines.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición February 2023 de Tatler Philippines.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
SWEET SWISS SOJOURN
There is an undeniable charm that the Alps hold. Even skiing down its slopes has its own adrenalinefuelled appeal. But one can forego the adventure to indulge in what Switzerland has to offer
CAN THE MOVIE INDUSTRY BE SAVED?
Rising costs, low audience turnout and lack of originality are issues affecting Philippine cinema today. We ask director and Film Development Council of the Philippines Chairman Jose Javier Reyes what needs to be done to ensure its survival
NEW NOSTALGIA
Grammy-winning Gen Z singer songwriter Laufey refuses to be put into boxes and talks on the importance of going off the sheet music' in both performance and life
Perfect HARMONY
Over the past 40 years, OPM icons Pops Fernandez, Martin Nievera, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Gary Valenciano have been captivating audiences with songs about love, life and inspiration. In an interview with Tatler, they shared their journeys and challenges, discussed the current state of the Philippine music industry, and expressed their aspirations for the new generation that is taking OPM to the global stage
LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU
For our inaugural Entertainment and Culture Issue, we spotlight the world of music by featuring 26 exceptional stars among the best and brightest in the country
Night of Glamour
Solidifying its position in the market, the Belo Medical Group has once again showcased why it is one of the top aesthetic practitioners in the country
From Combat to Health
Colonel Ariel Querubin's dedication to well-being echoes a mission of empowering individuals to live healthy, protected lives
More than Meals
Three inspirational women demonstrate how fresh, exceptional food connects and nourishes us across time through luxury brands Sub-Zero and Wolf
Zig Dulay
From thought-provoking dramas to enchanting fantasies, Zig Dulay is reintroducing the Filipino narrative to the world
My Top Shot
Photographer Filbert Kung shares the inspiration behind his Chronology of a Mind exhibition in Milan