Y Linh Ho Village: The Pristine Beauty of Sapa, Lao Cai

Visiting Sapa, aside from the elevated beauty of Fansipan Mountain, the lovely beauty of Cat Cat Village and Love Fall, tourists will also be able to explore the pristine and charming beauty of Y Linh Ho Village. The village is famous for its absolutely poetic and wild beauty. Being covered by Hoang Lien Son Mountain range, along with many terraced fields and streams, and the primitive, simple bamboo houses of local people, Y Linh Ho Village is one of must-visit attractions in Sapa and definitely worth your time to discover.

I. Highlights of Y Linh Ho Village

1. History

Legend has it that, the name of Y Linh Ho Village actually has a meaning behind. According to the elderly people in the village, “Y Linh Ho” was named after the first man who built the village: Mr. Ly Linh Ho.

In the past, the surroundings of the village was claimed by Dao people who were led by Mr. Ly Linh Ho. Throughout a long period of living and cultivating, the Dao people formed a new village and called it Y Linh Ho.

After some times, the Dao people in this village migrated to other places, and then the Mong people arrived here. However, the name ” Y Linh Ho” was still kept by the villagers in order to commemorate the one who started the development for the village back then.

2. Scenic Beauty

Coming to Y Linh Ho Village, visitors will surely be taken aback by the amazing, incredible views of the terraced fields and corn fields. As a main source of living, the fields here are taken care of very well by the local people. Therefore, the padding fields are always really luxuriant, especially in the harvest season. During the harvest period, the village always welcomes loads of visitors, who come to admire the beauty of nature, and to capture unique photos of the ripe crops.

The terraced fields are not the only highlights of the landscape at Y Linh Ho Village – there are also Hoang Lien Son Mountain and the gentle, fresh and relaxing Muong Hoa Stream. Muong Hoa Stream is downstream of the well-known Thac Bac waterfalls (Silver Waterfalls). The stream flows softly through Y Linh Ho Village, looking like a giant snake which is winding, curving the sides of the terraced fields. It’s absolutely giving the nature of the village a new, fresh vitality.

In the ripe rice season, the yellow color of the field reflected on the water of the streams, creating a magically beautiful scenery. The stream helps locals with their irrigation works for the terraced fields, and moreover provides the villagers with food like fish and shrimps.

3. Ethnic Culture

Y Linh Ho Village is the home to many small population ethnic groups scattered on the mountain slopes, and 2 of the most crowded minorities here are the Black H’Mong and the Dao individuals. Nowadays, the village is divided into 2 communes: Y Linh Ho 1 and Y Linh Ho 2. In each commune, there are about 100 households of Mong and Dao people currently residing.

They are really friendly and hospitable people, always welcome travellers into their houses. A special thing in the village is the house here is that all of them are carefully built with bamboo by the villagers themselves. They often live near their terraced fields, corn fields, sweet potato fields for more convenience in cultivation.

The village has always been an oasis of tranquility, unlike other noisy and animated tourist places in Sapa. Traveling to Y Linh Ho is an opportunity for visitors to both relax, enjoy the scenic beauty and learn more about the daily life of the Mong – Dao minorities.

II. What to Do in Y Linh Ho Village?

1. Trekking

Trekking is a must when you visit Sapa, with the endless terraced fields and mountain slopes, with beautiful flowers along the side. There are many trekking routes in Sapa, but a hiking trip in Y Linh Ho commune is also highly recommended for those reasons:

• Guaranteed experience of beautiful and untouched landscapes down to Muong Hoa valley. You can capture the outstanding landscapes of mountains, rice terraces, streams and villages on your way.
• Friendly locals, authentic daily life of local Hmong ethnics
• Easy, soft trek mostly down the valley, suitable for everyone.

When you trek further down close to the stream, you can see a very huge cable-stayed bridge. From here, there are 2 different hiking routes:

• When you reach the reach, turn left. Then you just trek down along Muong Hoa stream – Lao Chai – Ta Van villages.
• Continue your hike through the bridge, then turn left, and keep hiking along the hillsides, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful open view down the whole valley. Although this route is more challenging, it offers a much more wonderful panoramic view of the Sapa nature landscape.

2. Exploring the Brocatelle Weaving

If you visit the village, the locals would be more than welcoming to help you learn about their culture and traditional customs, including their authentic daily activitieslike weaving fabric and textiles.

To help encouraging and supporting the locals’ traditional craft, it is suggested for tourists to buy the products, not only for the distinction and beauty, but also the practically useful features. There are many useful thing, such as embroidering cushions, brocade scarves, or ethnic instruments, souvenirs,…

Read more about H’Mong brocatelle weaving in Ta Phin Village here!

III. How to Get to Y Linh Ho Village?

From Sapa Town, follow the way Lao Chai village, and the keep going for 3km more passing the Lao Chai. Then, you will see a glimpse of the wild and beautiful Y Linh Ho village on the mountains. It is highly recommended to have tour guide with you, since on mountainous area there are no wifi or signal, and the roads are really complex.

IV. Extra Tips

• Do not give candy or money for children, since that’s useless for them. If you can, please give them books or pencils.
• Do not put the camera near their faces for photos. Ask the locals for permission for photos of them.
• The best time to visit is: April, May, June, September, October
• Some locals will follow you to chat and try to sell you their products. If you do not like that, you just friendly say ” No”, it is fine, they will stop following you sooner or later.