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Festivals
Upcoming events
Main
celebrations and festivals
The dates of the traditional cultural festivals are based on the lunar calendar, which varies from one year to the next, hence these approximate dates. Make enquiries.
Red Dao
dance festival, Sapa
For the Tet festival (1st and 2nd day of the first lunar month, end of
January, beginning of February)
Pa Di festival in Muong Khuong
Gao Tao – Hmong Festival
In all the villages (2nd and 5th day of the first lunar month, end of
January, beginning of February)
Thuong temple festival,
Lao Cai
14th et 15th days of the first lunar month (February)
Tay festival,
Van Ban
On the day of the Dragon, during the first lunar month (end of January,
beginning of February)
Ta
Van Giay Dragon festival, Ta Phoi
(Cam Duong)
On the day of the Dragon, during the first lunar month (end of January,
beginning of February)
Tay festival in Gia (Bao Yen)
6th day of the first lunar month (end of January, beginning of February)
Tay festival in Ta Chai –
Bac Hà
15th day of the first lunar month (February)
Muong Khuong
Nung sacrifice to the forest
30th day of the first lunar month (end of February, beginning of March)
Khô già già, Bat Xat black
Hani festival
Days of the dragon, the snake, the goat and the horse during the 6th
lunar month (July, beginning of August)
Black Hani Gat Tu Tu in
Y Ty
Days of the dragon, the snake, the goat and the horse during the 6th
lunar month (July, beginning of August)
23rd day of the du 6th lunar month (end of July – mid-August)
Nung Festival in Muong Khuong
and Bac Hà
1st day of the 7th lunar month (end of July – August)
Bao Yen Tay Com (Food Festival)
15th day of the 8th lunar month (September)
Van Ban
Xa Pho new rice and banana-tree flowers festival
9th day of the 9th lunar month (October)
Ethic _ The dos & don'ts when you do homestay in Sapa
A message from your host
We feel honored by your visit and hope
that it will be an opportunity for you to better understand our way
of life, habits and culture.
Hopefully, if the language barrier and lack of time are not too much
of an obstacle, we will be happy to answer your questions, welcome
you to our modest homes and exchange cultural information with you.
You wish to get to know us, but we too have a lot to learn about
your way of life and habits, that sometimes seems just as strange to
us as some of ours to you.
However, the sudden influx of tourists may have negative effects on our villages because many of our foreign guests are not aware of our sometimes complex customs. Certain attitudes or behaviors considered normal by you, may be considered shocking here and create problems and misunderstandings on both sides. This is why we would like to let you know a few basic rules.
You
sometimes talk about “ethic tourism”, we prefer to talk about mutual
respect.
- Drug consumption is forbidden here, we want to protect our youth
from this terrible habit.
- Touching sacred objects, walking through sacred places is
forbidden and offends us. Please, seek information.
- Being badly dressed, dirty or partly undressed is considered
aggressive and disrespectful.
- Drinking in excess, speaking in a loud voice or shouting is
considered aggressive.
- Public display of affection and kissing are considered immodest
and offending behavior.
- Ask permission before taking pictures of people, we will be happy
to grant it. Do not give money if money is not asked.
- Do not buy antiques or ancient jewellery from local families: you
would rob them of their heritage and history.
- Do not give to children, this would encourage begging. Prefer
presents to parents or elders and thank them for their hospitality.
- The best way to thank us is to buy recently made handicrafts:
although cheap for you they represent a lot of money for us.
- Always offer to pay if a villager provides a meal or
accommodation.
- Always announce yourself before entering a house or a property, we
will be happy to let you in.
- Do not encourage prostitution.
We thank you in anticipation and wish you a most pleasant stay.