In October 2012, we had the pleasure of staying at Tu Ne commune, located in the Hoa Binh province of Vietnam.
Our hosts couldn’t do enough for us. They welcomed us with...
Ron and Monica Huban
In October 2012, we had the pleasure of staying at Tu Ne commune, located in the Hoa Binh province of Vietnam.
Our hosts couldn’t do enough for us. They welcomed us with a drink, they prepared three delicious meals each day, and they prepared a cosy sleeping area with a mosquito net to protect us. Our special dietary requirements were also accommodated. We enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of sleeping in a Muong house on stilts.
Their English wasn’t great, but our appointed HG Travel guides were excellent in ensuring that we all communicated. Our hosts made a real effort to welcome us into their home and lifestyle, and they showed us photos of their extended family. They allowed us to photograph whatever we wanted to, and they even dressed Monica in a traditional local outfit.
Members of the Cu village put on a delightful song and dance performance for us in the community hall, and invited us to join in and to sing one of
our traditional songs back to them. It was a very nice touch, and the sort of experience that one doesn’t easily forget.
The next day, we set up some of the local performers in the cane fields to photograph them, and they were very happy to pose for us.
Our walk through Thanh Hoi was also very rewarding. We discovered bee-keepers, and a family who make their own wooden handicrafts and weave silk garments. We enjoyed tasting the local rice wine, which was offered to us in nearly every house that we visited.
Although we only spent one night in Tu Ne, we felt that we had enjoyed many new and wonderful experiences. The care and kindness of our hosts made it difficult to say goodbye.
We hope that many others, like us, will come to this special part of Vietnam, and enjoy the delights that it has to offer. The only recommendations we can make are that prospective visitors are warned that they must leave all of their ‘Western comforts’ behind tham at home, and if they go with an open mind, they won’t be disappointed.
We thank HG Travel for this unique opportunity.
Ron and Monica Huban
Sydney, Australia