Chung Pua ancient house in Ha Giang: Where time stands still
After a journey of more than 100 km, Vinh Gấu, a reader told Zing News that he paid a visit to a hundred-year-old house in Meo Vac district (Ha Giang) to relish the peace and get a closer insight into the life of ethnic minorities.
Ha Giang has long been a premier “must-visit” place in the travel bucket list of many backpackers. When traveling to the end of the 185 km long “happy road”, you will see the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass. Standing on Ma Pi Leng Pass, tourists can take in the entire view of cliffs and Nho Que river.
Photo: Vinh Gấu/ Zing News
Meo Vac town is located at the end of Ma Pi Leng Pass. The town boasts a tranquil and slow pace of life. The author stopped at an ancient house of the H’Mong ethnic group.
Photo: Vinh Gấu/ Zing News
Chung Pua ancient house is more than a hundred years old. The house is like a fortress with 4 rows of tiled sub-houses, connected to form a quadrilateral. Two of which are used to preserve the special traditional architecture of the H’Mong people and serves as accommodation for visitors to Meo Vac. This type of house is ubiquitous in the upland area and called “Tường trình” house.
Photo: Vinh Gấu/ Zing News
What astounds the author most is stone-made fences. He keeps wondering how workers can build such thick and sturdy fences.
The author was told a story that the homeowners often opt for soil with the best cohesion. They then remove the trash and roots from the soil. After that, they use a wooden mold about 1.5 m long and 50 cm wide to put each layer of cleaned soil into the mold. Finally, they utilize a stick to tap and compress each layer of soil. Over time, firm fences are created. This construction way helps the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Photo: Vinh Gấu/ Zing News
Visitors can easily catch sight of “Hoa hồi” (star anise) flower on yin and yang tiled roofs. Nevertheless, the flower doesn’t have spiritual significance, said the Chung Pua homeowner, adding that it’s only an ingredient in “Thắng cố” dish (made from horse meat, including almost all the offal such as intestines, liver, and kidneys).
A serene corner at Chung Pua house. Photo: Vinh Gấu/ Zing News
The house offers plenty of beautiful check-in points. Photo: Vinh Gấu/ Zing News
Photo: Vinh Gấu/ Zing News
The main house has three rooms including one for parents, one for children or guests and one to put fireplace and dining table. The upper floor has the same design. The precious stone pine wood is used to divide each room.
Photo: Vinh Gấu/ Zing News
Smoked sausages. Photo: Vinh Gấu/ Zing News
Photo: Vinh Gấu/ Zing News
A meal at Chung Pua ancient house costs VND 250000 (US$ 10.85).
Photo: Vinh Gấu/ Zing News
A bedroom looks out of a garden. Travelers can choose to stay at the dormitory for VND 300000 (US$13)/ each person or the double room for VND 1.1 million (US$47.76).
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