Khuoi My: a Dao Ao Dai village on the slopes of Tay Con Linh

Khuoi My is a quiet Dao Ao Dai village on the lower slopes of Tay Con Linh, the mountain range that the people here consider sacred.

It lies about 10 km west of Ha Giang City, in Ha Giang 1 ward, Tuyen Quang province: rice terraces, old wooden stilt houses, and the daily life of the Dao Ao Dai.

I am Nguyễn Văn Trung, founder of TVPalm. I have walked with guests through Khuoi My since 2021. This Khuoi My village guide covers the walking routes, how to behave, where to stay, the seasons and how to get there.

What is Khuoi My, and why go?

Khuoi My is a Dao Ao Dai village in Ha Giang 1 ward, in Ha Giang (part of Tuyen Quang province since July 2025), known for its stone-walled rice terraces, old Shan Tuyet tea trees and wooden stilt houses.

Unlike the busy trekking villages of Sapa, Khuoi My has no mass tourism. People here grow rice on the terraces, pick and roast tea by hand, and weave.

Khuoi My at a glance

What you will see in Khuoi My

1. Dao Ao Dai life and dress

The Dao Ao Dai of Khuoi My take their name from the long indigo tunic the women wear, for work in the fields as well as for ceremonies.

Unlike other Dao groups who wear short jackets, Dao Ao Dai women wear long dark indigo tunics with silver buttons, red tassels and embroidered sashes.

What you may see during your visit:

• Shan Tuyet tea made by hand: villagers pick buds from old Shan Tuyet tea trees above 800 m and roast them in wood-fired pans.
• Herbal baths: some families still gather mountain plants to prepare a hot herbal bath in a wooden tub in the evening.
• Stilt houses: wooden houses raised on posts, some with old thatched roofs that turn green with moss over the years.

2. Rice terraces and stone walls

The terraces of Khuoi My are held up by stone walls built by hand to resist heavy rain on the steep slopes of Tay Con Linh. When the fields are flooded or golden, and the fog comes in, they are at their most beautiful.

From the ecolodge: on a TVPalm trek, you can walk from TVPalm Ecolodge through the Khuoi My terraces towards Xa Phin.

Walking routes through Khuoi My

Walking is the best way to see Khuoi My and the hamlets around it. Earth paths link the valley to the forest higher up:

Route 1: Thon Tha ──► Lung Vai ──► Khuoi My (day walk)

• Distance: 8 to 10 km, about 4 to 5 hours.
• Climb: about +450 m.
• The route: starts in Thon Tha, a Tay village, climbs through bamboo to Lung Vai and comes out at the high terraces of Khuoi My.

Route 2: Khuoi My ──► Xa Phin ──► TVPalm Ecolodge (longer circuit)

• Distance: 12 to 14 km, a full day.
• Climb: about +600 m, up to around 1,200 m.
• The route: a harder village trail from Khuoi My up to the moss-roofed houses of Xa Phin, then back down to TVPalm Ecolodge.

After a day on the forest trails, an evening by the fire in a stilt house is the best part. For sleeping arrangements, rooms and homestay manners, read our guide to the homestay experience in Ha Giang.

Khuoi My and other highland villages

The table below compares Khuoi My with other well-known villages in the region:

For other quiet villages with stilt houses and slow days, see our guide to peaceful villages in Ha Giang.

When to visit Khuoi My

The slopes of Tay Con Linh change a lot through the year:

• Harvest (September to October, the best time): golden terraces, dry weather, 18°C to 25°C by day.
• Flooding the terraces (May to June): farmers fill the fields with spring water before planting, and the slopes turn into mirrors.
• Spring (February to April): fresh green valleys, peach blossom, wild orchids and cool morning mist (15°C to 22°C).
• Winter (November to January): cold fog (8°C to 15°C). Bring a warm fleece.

Walking with a local guide, and staying with families, keeps the money from your visit in the village and keeps you on the right paths. That is the idea behind community-based tourism in Ha Giang.

How to behave, and what to bring

To keep your visit safe and respectful:

• Walk with a local guide who speaks Dao Ao Dai and knows the trails
• Wear high waterproof trekking shoes with deep lugs for steep earth paths
• Bring a refillable bottle; homestays in Khuoi My give boiled spring water
• Always ask before taking photos of people in their homes
• Cover shoulders and knees when you are in a family’s living space
• Carry enough cash: there is no ATM or card machine in the hamlets
• Take your rubbish back with you to Ha Giang City

Frequently asked questions

How far is Khuoi My from Ha Giang City?

About 10 km west of the city centre, in Ha Giang 1 ward. It is 25 to 30 minutes by motorbike or car, or about 2.5 hours on foot via Thon Tha.

Can I walk in Khuoi My without a guide?

On the main access road, yes. On the mountain trails, walk with a local guide: there are many unmarked forks, and a guide makes it much easier to talk with Dao families.

What is the difference between Khuoi My and Khuoi Ky?

Khuoi My is a Dao Ao Dai village in Ha Giang, on the slopes of Tay Con Linh, known for its rice terraces and Shan Tuyet tea. Khuoi Ky is a Tay village in Cao Bang province, known for its old stone houses near Ban Gioc Waterfall.

Written by Nguyễn Văn Trung, founder of TVPalm. He has led small-group trips across Northeast Vietnam since 2021.