Visiting the hill tribe villages - you must know

VISITING THE HILL TRIBE VILLAGES OF THE NORTHWEST - YOU MUST KNOW
TABOO & SENSTIVE INFORMATION:
 
Tourists must-know taboos of local ethnic villages when doing trip to the Northwest region.
The Northwest region is one of the best highlight in your Vietnam tours when exploring the north of Vietnam. Trips to the Northwest region are memorable with impressive landscapes of majestic mountains, immense valleys of terraced fields & lush vegetation, lovely waterfalls; with interesting insights of local ethnic culture & customs;and with the local’s friendliness & hospitability. However, it is necessary for you to learn about the taboo behavior when visiting this landscape in order not to get into unexpected trouble.In this article, we would like to reveal you typical taboos of local ethnic villages in The Northwest region so that you can avoid in your Dien Bien Phu exploration to tribal villages.

The taboos when visiting local ethnic villages in the Northwest region.
Trekking to villages is an interesting & popular tour activity in the Northwest region - a great way to understand local unique cultures, but you should know some taboos to have right behaviors when visiting their villages. Most of villages have their own rules which are supposed to be followed by villagers as well as strangers to the villages. Many villages normally have a “forbidden forest” (with luxuriant old trees or rocks as sacred items) on their land where they worship the spirit or commit the village’s religious ceremonies. Villagers carefully protect these forests and strangers are not allowed to enter or any of their disrespectful acts in the area are strictly prohibited. At the time when they conduct traditional rituals of spirit worship or dispelling evil spirits, many villages set up a special gate at the village's entrance. For instance, Ha Nhi villages put up a gate adorned with chicken heads and wings, wooden knives and swords, and other groups like the Tay, Thai, Giay, Lao, Mong and Xa Pho also set up village gates, sometimes holding a cow’s jawbone or a bunch of green leaves, indicating that a ritual is in progress. Those are the signals to recommend you not to go into the village during these times. If any tourist commits the taboos or break rules, he or she has to submit everything to worship gods of village again.
For one’s own house, with one of those signal, it maybe this owner has funeral, birth giving, sickness or other events problem.
When you travel to the village, you should avoid making noises to break down the peaceful & quiet atmosphere of the villages. Doing whistle while walking in the village is also considered as a taboo because locals thinks that it is the signal to call devils to the village.Also during your trekking to village, some local children may follow you, touching on their heads is not a right way to express your affection, to locals, the souls residing in the head may flee and weaken the childen with sickness & diseases.
 
Rules when visiting someone’s house
Homestaying or visiting the local ethnic’s house is a nice way to get to know their cultures & house styles. However, do not enter the house if there is a bunch of leaves or woven greenery or white cloths hanging in front of a door of stairway.That is generally a signal of recent funeral, banning strangers from coming inside.
When coming into the local house of ethnic village, it is better to follow the guidance of the host. For example, Black Ha Nhi’s houses have two entrances. Once the host agrees, you are only allowed pass through the first door. Thai people’s houses have separate stairways, one for women and the other one for men. Each house has an altar centeredly located to worship their ancestors as well as gods. People need to respect the ancestor altar, note not to put any personal belongings on the altar, even touch it or sit with the back face to the altar.
In Mong’s house, there is often one highest pillar. It is said that there is a ghost living in the pillar, tourists are not allowed to hang clothes on it or lean against that “soul” pillar.
In your visit to villages, some of you may do homestaying and having meals with in local ethnics.Please take a notice that when eating, seats are meaningfully arranged. The Giay and Dzao people reserve seats next to the altar for the oldest person or the most honorable guest. Mong people leave those seats blank for the spirit of parents who have passed away.You should avoid sitting in the prominent seats or next to local elders unless specifically invited by the host. Never sit with your back facing to the altar or directly in front of it. Before starting a meal, you need to patiently listen to the host’s rituals of inviting ancestors and blessings. You should not take the food or drink first.
 
A warm-hearted attitude is a good communication to break down language barrier.
Whenever strolling around the village or visiting someone’s house, you are best to actively greet the local people with a kind-hearted attitude, exhibit sincerity with a smile and a slight bow to eliminate the differences in language. Saying goodbye by handshaking or firmly smiling is widely accepted.
While traveling to Mong & Dzao villages, such names as Meo or Man to refer to Mong & Dzao people are considered as slurs and should never be used. Aggressive behavior or argument, particularly with the elderly, women and children, is never acceptable.
Those are must-know taboos of local ethnic villages in the Northwest region you can get reference of and arm with you to avoid taboo actions when doing a trip to The Northwest region for an enjoyable vacation.
 
How to get us?
 
If you are planning a trip to the Northwest region, Vietnam, you may be in need of the tour service – the Northwest region, tourguide or private car rental to the Northwest region with driver from Dien Bien Phu.
 
Donot hesitate to drop us an email to hoantourdbp@gmail.com or viber/zalo us to +84.912545289 ( Mr Hoan). As a local travel company in Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam, we will support you with useful consultancy and customize you with the Northwest region tours of lifeftime experiences. We wish you a memorable holiday in the Northwest region of Vietnam.