Mèo Vạc District

Meo Vac is a village in the province of Ha Giang in the highlands of the far north of Vietnam near the Chinese border. The city gives the impression of a poor animated by bitter charm pioneer town.

Ethnic minorities

The region is populated mainly by ethnic minorities, in particular by ethnic group originating from China Hmong. But Red Dao, Tay and Nung live in the city and its surroundings. Furthermore you can find the rarer ethnic groups of Giay and Lo Lo, each of which is Sino- Tibetan origin. On market days, the women of the Blue Hmong dominate. They are recognized by the blue dresses that are embroidered rich at the seams. Particularly impressive are the Sunday minority markets Meo Vacs and also the neighboring municipality Dong Vans, located just over 20 km and its markets in an urban market hall complex, built in the 1920s by the French colonialists, keeps. The market area is weiterläufig Meo Vac's equally, so that cattle and pig market can take place.

Not far from Meo Vac, Yen Minh in direction, is about 15 km from the small village of Lung Phin. This is well-known for his recurring in six day intervals minority markets, which are considered the most colorful and wildest in the province of Ha Giang.

Another special feature is the love market of Khau Vai dar. This village is situated 20 km southeast of Meo Vac. With now more than a hundred years of tradition maintain unbound tribesmen of different ethnic groups to gather between late April and mid-May ( three months after the Tết New Year celebration ) here to meet women or men.

Economy and culture

The landscaped terrace fields of the environment to be laboriously wrested from sweet potatoes, vegetables, dried rice and cattle corn. Since the rainfall in the region percolate rapidly through the porous limestone soils, the main problem of the residents in the ever -lasting drought. To date, not all houses have electricity, so at night gas lamps light and flickering candles. Overall, the region is considered to be extremely poor.

In and around Meo Vac and Dong Văn there are still occasionally Bleibsel the Chinese Tai - Kadai language Quabiao ( qa ° biau ). The exact meaning of this name is not known. It is a language that is used by a few people ( between 300 to 400 ) in Vietnam and as many spoken in the border area in China's Yunnan Province.

Landscape

The landscape around Meo Vac is one of the most breathtaking Vietnam. Seamlessly switch from dense rain with " airy " pine and cedar forests, subtropical valleys with rare plants such as banana and palm trees contrast with karst stone landscapes. The hills rise up in many differentiated horizons and give the impression of great scenic depth.

Tourism

The Bereisung the regions north of Ha Giang requires a Permits (police transit permit). This is obtained for 10-25 dollars ( depending on the day ) in the local hotels and police stations. Popular are motorcycle tours through the Vietnamese mountains. A special attraction represents the stage to Meo Vac. Mountain climbing and walking, however, are not permitted outside -road and on your own in this region.

Pictures

Cage for the goat transport and set of wheels in the region

A woman in the White Dao with blackened teeth