Take A Rugged Trek Through The Rice Terraces Of Northern Vietnam

vietnam rural Astrid-Marie Peltier
Sa Pa, in Northern Vietnam, is a mountainous area inhabited by ethnic minority groups.

While some aspects of life for the people there have modernized with the times, others have not. Locals still harvest rice from tiered paddies and carry supplies on their backs.

Marie-Astrid Peltier, a French native who has traveled around the world and once taught English to kids in Thailand, trekked to Sa Pa last year, where she spent time with a local tribe. She shared her photos and memories with us.



Sa Pa, a district in northern Vietnam, is home to a number of ethnic minorities.

Marie-Astrid Peltier

On her trip, Marie-Astrid visited the black H'mong tribe, who make their homes in the mountains.

Marie-Astrid Peltier

The young girls she met were well educated, and spoke English as well as some French, German, and Spanish.

Marie-Astrid Peltier

They make small jewelry to sell to the travelers who pass through their villages.

Marie-Astrid Peltier

The views of the rice paddies were impressive.

Marie-Astrid Peltier

The terraces are cut into steep hills.

Marie-Astrid Peltier

And women carry traditional supplies and whatever they harvest in baskets on their backs.

Marie-Astrid Peltier

Women can be seen harvesting rice along the paddies.

Marie-Astrid Peltier

But they stopped for a moment to look up for a photo during a daylong trek Marie-Astrid took through the area.

Marie-Astrid Peltier

A little girl played in Lao Chai village, a small town not far from the main city of Sa Pa.

Marie-Astrid Peltier

The girls made hats from big leaves they knotted together to protect themselves from the sun.

Marie-Astrid Peltier

Farms and houses sit close together in the valley near the river.

Marie-Astrid Peltier

Two women take a break from carrying supplies. They can sometimes walk for entire days to reach their villages.

Marie-Astrid Peltier

While the women harvest rice and take care of the animals, the men go into town to find work, Marie-Astrid told us.

Marie-Astrid Peltier

Here's what the river looks like from down in the valley.

Marie-Astrid Peltier

A small waterfall provided fresh water along the way.

Marie-Astrid Peltier

And a larger waterfall poured down water from high in the mountains.

Marie-Astrid Peltier

In another village called Ta Nan, Marie-Astrid stopped to cook dinner with her guide.

Marie-Astrid Peltier

Indigo plants like these are used to dye clothing in the mountains.

Marie-Astrid Peltier

Women and children sold jewelry along the route.

Marie-Astrid Peltier
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