Photo: Ha Giang Tre

Long known as an off-the-beaten-path getaway for tourists, Ha Giang is among the must-visit stops to experience Vietnam’s northern mountainous region distinctions and its indigenous minor ethnic lifestyle.

Let this article show you around Sao Ha Village, or “Inferno” Village in Ha Giang destination, which has become a recent Internet sensation by featuring in a Vietnamese Netflix horror series “Hellbound Village”.

Tucked away in Van Chai Commune, Dong Van District, the name of the village Sao Ha means “high valley” in the Hmong language. At an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level in the karst plateau terrain, the village is where most Hmong people inhabit and their mystique has gripped more and more nature enthusiasts to cross the craggy roads, through the small mountain passes, with no phone signals and cellular hotspots but shrouded in fog, firmly heading to witness the natural and cultural richness first-hand.

Coming to Sao Ha Village, visitors will fall in love with the pristine beauty mixed with the peaceful life of its residents, transporting them to a realm of otherworldly experience with primeval ancient forest, strange architecture, sturdy stone fences, and yin and yang roof tiles. Even when arriving at locals’ houses, foreigners seem to turn back time with the disconnection of such basic amenities as electricity, water, and a Wifi network. During wintertime in these tip areas, what is better than warming ourselves by steaming hot au tau porridge (Aconitum fortunei porridge) and corn wine in the white highland market, creating satisfaction with the most fulfilling trip! 

  The unique architecture with yin and yang roof tiles in Sao Ha Village (Source: Ha Giang Tre)

The ever-increasing popularity of this destination, especially among young demographics, is mostly attributed to its appearance as a backdrop in the period horror series “Hellbound Village”. With the main character was haunted by incessant nightmares, the show is about he and other descendants of a notorious bandit clan trace the dark history and its relation to a series of merciless killings in their village. After the film premiered, its production has garnered much domestic and international acclaim, securing the highest spot in top 10 most popular TV shows on Netflix in Vietnam. 

Sao Ha Village stands as a testament to the abundance of Vietnamese folk cultural materials, a perfect canvas for adventure lovers to delve into! So what are you waiting for? Grab a backpack and travel to Sao Ha Village in Ha Giang now!