Nam Dam - Ha Giang Overview
Nam Dam is a village far from 45km from Ha Giang city, and 3km from Tam Son town of Quan Ba district. It is inhabited by Dao Ethnic People. The charming village is nestled peacefully in a valley surrounded by karst mountains, holds in it preserved habits, traditional customs and culture from ancient periods to now which is attracting to tourists.
Travelers coming to Nam Dam could enjoy staying at homestays with the local family in their traditional houses. The houses' walls are built from compacted soil to make it cool in summer and warm in the winter, protecting the people here from draconic weather in the high mountains. With fully equipped facilities and equipments, the homestays will make traveles feel comfortable.
In Nam Dam, travelers could also enjoy meals including local dishes and specialties prepared by the local host from the cozy fire kitchen. For the Dao people, the fire kitchen is not just a place to cook food but also occupied an important role in their spiritual life. Nowardays, though the living standard has been changing, the Dao people still maintain the fire kitchen as a Dao cultural tradition.
Nam Dam village
From mid-2015, travelers who have a higher demand for facilities can stay at the Dao homestay. The Dao homestay is situated in the center of the village, reflecting architecture of the traditional Dao house. It has 5 bedrooms and full amenities of bars, restaurants,...The staffs are villagers who have been trained to serve tourists professionally. At the Dao homestay, travelers will also be provided with full information on Nam Dam tourism and book tours or other tourism services in the village.
Travelers coming to Nam Dam could trek around the village, enjoy beautiful scenery of the village with the high mountains and the lovely terraced rice fields, houses of earthen walls gleamed in the sun. In the village, there is a Cultural Museum which show you the Dao ethnic daily life tools and artifacts. Travelers also have the chance to experience hiking and trekking tours, biking tours, motorcycling tours to the neighboring villages nearby of H'Mong, Nung people... and famous spot of interest in the area such as the Twin Mountains, Quan Ba market, Heaven Gate,….
In Nam Dam, Travelers could join in unique festivals and ceremonies of the Dao ethnic minority, the most special one is “Le Cap Sac”. The “Le Cap Sac” is the ritual to authenticate adulthood for young men in the village. There are “Le cau mua” and “Le mung com moi” also, wedding ceremonies. At currently, there is a performance team of the village to perform Dao traditional dance for tourists.
Now, Dao women still maintain the habit of tailoring and embroiderin traditional costume for themselves and their families and also to sell to tourists. The women costumes are decorated with unique patterns along with beautiful silver jewelry such as bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and head scarf; men's dress come with simple berets, chariming bags. Any traveler want to try on the Dao costumes. In addition to embroidered garments, in Nam Dam, there are local products such as herbal medicine, honey…
Nam Dam has become an interesting destination in the remote area of northen Vietnam. The local people are now more knowing of the bestowed natural beauty and cultural values of their village to preserve it better. Those are good habit toward a preserving, sustainable development of community-based tourism!
