Pang Cang – happy village in cloud

Culture

Pang Cang – happy village in cloud

Thursday, February 8, 2024

YBO - Standing over 1,300 metres above sea level, Mong ethnic people’s Pang Cang ancient village in Suoi Giang commune, Van Chan district, is dubbed “happy village in the clouds" because of its pristine picturesque nature and unique traditional culture.

The village was formed over 200 years ago when Mong ethnic people migrated from other regions to the area. From only a few dozen households, it has kept expanding and by now become one of the largest ancient villages of Mong people in Suoi Giang, with 175 households and 840 people.

Nestled among ancient tea hills, and white clouds floating over the mountain peaks, the village looks like a picture with wooden houses built in the traditional architectural style of the Mong people.

Mong people in Pang Cang mainly earn their living by growing Shan Tuyet tea which is famous for its rich aroma, strong taste, and lingering scent.

Shan tuyet tea is an icon, an invaluable asset, and a source of pride for the people of Suoi Giang in general and Pang Cang in particular.

Ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees in Suoi Giang not only have economic tourism values but also a spiritual significance linked to the cultural identity of the Mong ethnic group, and have been recognised as a Vietnamese Heritage Tree.

The Mong people in Pang Cang have a rich and distinctive culture that has been preserved through many generations. One of their largest festivals is the Gau Tao, held in the first month of the lunar calander.

Gau Tao is an occasion for the Mong people to pray for favourable weather, bumper crops, good health, peace, and good fortune in the new year. The festival begins with ancestral worship rituals. It also includes cultural and sports activities such as cloth ball throwing, crossbow shooting, stick pushing, swinging, and singing.

During the major festive days, Pang Cang villagers gather together, dance, sing, and enjoy parties.

Pang Cang ancient village has become an attractive tourist destination. Visiting Pang Cang, tourists can learn about the culture of the Mong people, enjoy Shan tuyet tea, or explore primeval forests. Furthermore, they can experience tea picking, cloth weaving, flute playing, and drumming to understand more about the life of the Mong people in mountainous area.

To meet tourists’ demand for sightseeing and accommodation, several households and individuals in Pang Cang have developed homestay services. Local authorities have actively promoted and encouraged families to engage in tourism while preserving and promoting the cultural identity of the ethnic group.

Hong Oanh

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Culture