Riding a horse at the foot of the Lũng Cú flagpole, watching the sunrise at the northernmost point of the country - for me, it's not just a simple experience, but a very personal and memorable moment in my journey to explore my hometown Hà Giang.
I arrived at the Thèn Pả Horse Ranch on a peaceful morning. The atmosphere here has a slow, gentle rhythm - from the way the horses are cared for and led, to how everyone guides visitors to get acquainted with them. The horses here are very gentle, creating a sense of reassurance from the very first contact.
I was guided in great detail: from how to safely mount and dismount, to maintaining balance and basic control maneuvers. The attentiveness and gentleness of everyone here make the experience pleasant and not at all stressful, even for those who have never tried it before.
What impressed me the most was not the feeling of "conquering" while riding, but the relaxation of sitting on the horse's back, moving slowly through the vast mountainous space. The fresh air and peaceful scenery - everything makes time seem to slow down, enough for me to truly feel and enjoy.
If you ever thought that horseback riding is a difficult experience or requires many skills, then perhaps Thèn Pả will change your mind. Here, everything happens naturally and is much more accessible.
For me, this is not an overly noisy or "overwhelming" experience, but it is subtle and profound enough that when I think back, it still feels very worthwhile.