I have been to Thèn Pả twice, and from the very first time, I felt that this was the place I had been searching for all along.
My first impression was a bit of astonishment: why, after visiting Lũng Cú so many times, did I only now discover such a beautiful and peaceful village. Thèn Pả is not noisy, not chaotic, everything happens very naturally and intimately.
The villagers engage in tourism in a very sincere way. Everyone is warm and cheerful in their welcome. The children are well-behaved and adorable - some even take the initiative to start conversations and sing for us in a very innocent manner.
Coming to Thèn Pả is not just about admiring the rustic landscapes or the traditional walled houses of the Hmong people, but also about experiencing the culture in a very close way. Here, I got to participate in many interesting activities such as horseback riding at dawn, taking care of horses, painting with beeswax on linen, watching the children perform arts, and especially the evenings gathered around the fire, chatting together, sharing very real and heartfelt stories.
What impressed me the most was perhaps the hospitality, the enthusiasm, and the genuine nature of the local people. Everything unfolds so gently that sometimes I feel like I am in a movie - where everything slows down, is peaceful, and full of emotions.
For me, Thèn Pả is not just a destination, but a very memorable experience. And surely, I will come back here many more times.