The residential area of Bản Hốc, now Suối Khoáng village, Văn Chấn commune, has over 160 households, of which the Thái ethnic minority accounts for more than 70%. Bản Hốc is beautiful all year round, but it is most impressive and attractive during the early spring.
Unlike the hustle and bustle of the city, the villages offer visitors a fresh, peaceful atmosphere, along with simple, rustic beauty.
The stilt houses nestled amidst lush green longan orchards, the rhythmic clicking of weaving looms echoing from the houses, the image of Thai girls in their traditional blouses and headscarves, their cheeks rosy, working at their looms… all create a vibrant picture, rich in the unique identity of the highlands.
The Bản Hốc residential area possesses a rustic beauty, attracting many tourists in early spring.
One of the must-do experiences when visiting Hoc village is relaxing in the hot mineral spring water, listening to the mysterious legends about the spring.
In addition, visitors can immerse themselves in the unique cultural atmosphere of the Thai ethnic group with their passionate folk dances, such as the xòe dance, the sạp dance, and the nón dance…
In the evening, by the flickering firelight in the stilt houses, visitors can enjoy traditional dishes, sip fragrant corn wine, and listen to the elders of the village recount love stories like "Farewell to My Beloved," the tale of Mr. Cam Hanh fighting the Yellow Flag rebels, or General Nguyen Quang Bich leading the people in resistance against the French. These cultural and artistic activities are regularly maintained, contributing to the preservation of the unique traditional culture of the Thai people in this area.
The Thai people in the Bản Hốc village area are renowned for their skill in traditional brocade weaving.
Leveraging its natural landscape, hot springs, and cultural identity, the Bản Hốc residential area has been planned and developed into a community-based ecotourism destination. In this area, values such as ancient stilt houses, traditional customs, cuisine, festivals, costumes, musical instruments, folk medicine, and traditional crafts are prioritized for preservation, restoration, and promotion.
In the Bản Hốc village area, visitors can relax by soaking in the hot mineral spring water and listening to mysterious legends about the spring.
To date, the residential area has more than a dozen households involved in tourism, providing a variety of services ranging from sightseeing and hot spring bathing to cultural and culinary experiences.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Ha, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Van Chan commune, said: "To develop the Hoc village residential area into a unique and attractive eco-tourism destination, the local authorities are promoting propaganda work to raise people's awareness in maintaining environmental hygiene, protecting the landscape, and preserving traditional culture; at the same time, they are continuing to invest in improving infrastructure and restoring unique cultural festivals of the Thai ethnic group to create highlights to attract tourists."
Visiting the Bản Hốc village in early spring, tourists can immerse themselves in traditional festivals and lively Xòe dances around a warm bonfire.
Visiting Bản Hốc village in spring, tourists can relax in the hot mineral springs, immerse themselves in the scenery of the Northwest mountains and forests, enjoy fragrant corn wine and traditional folk songs and dances. Staying in charming stilt houses and enjoying the rustic cuisine of the hospitable Thai people, visitors can further appreciate the beauty of this land and its people. All of this is enough to make Bản Hốc an attractive destination for spring travel at the beginning of the year.
Thanh Tan
Lao Cai Newspaper Online - baolaocai.vn - Published on February 13, 2026