Hanoi (VNA) - Si Ma Cai districtin Lao Cai is often called the twin sister of Sa Pa.

While Sa Pa is a well known tourismdestination, its sister Si Ma Cai is a hidden beauty that still retains itsserenity and originality.

Si Ma Cai district sits in the northwest provinceof Lao Cai. It is about 95km from Lao Cai city, at the elevation of 1,600metres above sea level.

From Lao Cai city, one can take the bus toSi Ma Cai town. The curving road stretching from the city centre to Si Ma Caiis 95km. At some points it is quite steep.

Arriving at Si Ma Cai, visitors can indulgein the pure nature, the mountains and thick forest as well as the freshatmosphere. They can enjoy the beauty of the pink buckwheat flowers, mingle inthe local market space and enjoy the local specialties. 

The area is surrounded by grand limestonemountain ranges. It is no longer a remote locality as there is a concrete roadconnecting the district with the neighbouring ones.

From the Bac Ha plateau, one drives about10km to get to Lu Than commune, where the pink buckwheat flower blooms on thehillsides in September.

The blend of the green forest and pinkviolet flowers makes the area look like a painting.

Si Ma Cai is also decorated with goldenterraced rice fields in Sin Cheng commune, the grey rock garden in San Chai communeor the sea of clouds floating in mountains in Thao Chu Phin. The commune isalso home to seemingly endless sa moc (evergreen coniferous trees) forest.

A boat tour around the Chay river in Ban Mecommune lets you contemplate the tranquil riverscape and valleys.

Along with spectacular nature, Si Ma Caialso attracts visitors for its diverse culture formed by different ethnicminorities: Thu Lao, Mong, Tay, Nung. Each has their own costumes, cuisine andarchitecture.

There are a number of options for one toexplore the local life and ethnic culture, including the spring festivals andthe markets of the Mong, Thu Lao and Nung ethnic groups.

The Sin Cheng market takes place everyWednesday with the colourful booths displaying traditional costumes of the Mongethnic people.

There are several local markets worthvisiting in Lao Cai: including Bac Ly, Ban Phiet and Coc Ly. The best one issaid to be Can Cau market, about ten kilometres from Bac Ha. The market opensevery Saturday and on special occasions in the year.

When the foggy dew still lingers in trees,local ethnic people with baskets on their backs head to the market, someleading their buffalo or horse, and some carrying a few chickens. Locals in theneighouring districts also gather for trading as this is known as one of thebiggest horse and buffalo markets. Men buy horses and buffalo; kids snack inthe eateries and women mostly gather in the clothes-selling areas.

The market is separated into differentareas: cattle, garments and food. Some Mong ethnic people wearing brightcolourful clothes make the area look like a flower market.

Specialty dishes of the region includemaize wine, thang co (a dish made from horse meat and its organs), mountainpork, black chicken and Sin Cheng duck. The Quan Than San Mountain range at theheight of 2,800 metres also impresses visitors along with the friendly smilesof locals.

Nguyen Van Bach, first-time visitor to SiMa Cai, said, “I am very impressed with the serenity of the landscape as wellas the communal ambiance of the local market. The local people are also veryfriendly and helpful. Yet a negative here is the poor infrastructure. There arenot many accommodations and the eateries are not diverse. There is no hostel orhotel available, so I don’t stay here at night but come to Bac Ha and return SiMa Cai the day after.”

Giang Sin Cho, deputy chairman of the Si MaCai District People’s Committee, said, “Tapping the tourism potential is apriority of the locality as well as local people. The district has implementedsolutions to push tourism development but they haven’t yet yielded bigrevenue.”

Currently, Si Ma Cai District welcomes about15,000 visitors a month. - VNA