Located in Ta Phin village, about 12 kilometers away from Sa Pa town, Ta Phin monastery is easily recognised thanks to its ancient French architecture (Photo: suckhoedoisong.vn)Lao Cai (VNS/VNA) - Travellingto Sa Pa town in Lao Cai province is always a journey of interestingexperiences and Ta Phin monastery is becoming a popular spot near the town.
The monastery is located in Ta Phin village, about 12 kilometres from Sa Pa and is easily recognisedthanks to its French architecture.
It was constructed in October1942, but in 1945 the nuns left for Hanoi and the monastery was unusedand fell into disrepair.
Nowadays, Ta Phinmonastery is a ruined, desolate building hidden in the fog. It issurrounded by dense trees, reminding one of fairy tales.
Thebeauty of the ancient monastery is old, nostalgic, vague and mysteriousand reminds one of being lost in an old European film.
The part that has not been lostto the ravages of time is enough to be amazed at the old religiousbuilding with architectural features in an old European style.
The gate of the monastery isbuilt of stellar stone with an arched gate in the French style. The outer wallis laterite layer, going deep inside, visitors will see the walls, mossywindows in layers, but they are still solid and firm. Each wall and brick isimprinted with time.
The monastery has three floorsincluding an underground basement, a west-facing horizontal house with fivechambers and a staircase. In addition, the right side of the monastery has avertical house connected to the horizontal house. This was the place used tostore food, furniture and the kitchen of the monastery.
Today,the whole building has no roof but only the old moss-covered walls remain. Infront of the monastery, there is a large and long corridor but it is also notintact.
Although it has been abandonedfor a long time, the features and quiet space of the monastery are a majorattraction.
Itseems that at any angle, any location in the monastery, visitors can create aunique scene. So, don't be surprised when you see the photos which feature oldcolours mixed with the wilderness of time and a little colour ofnostalgia, a little slice of heaven for photography enthusiasts.
If you want your wedding photosto have a bit of a subtle, nostalgic look, this is might just be the place foryou.
Whenfinishing visiting Ta Phin monastery, we discovered Ta Phin village which alsoattracts visitors with the unique cultural characteristics of the Red Daoethnicity people.
Unlike the Mong and Giaypeople, the Red Dao people have a very small population and are less wellknown. Their villages are often located in remote valleys and mountainslopes.
Many villages in Sa Pa todayhave been modernised and no longer retain the wild nature anymore.But Ta Phin village is different and is probably the only village in Sa Pathat still retains the regional cultural identity.
The road leading to Ta Phin village is winding with mountain scenery, magnificent clouds, and splendidcolours of terraced fields. The locals here are friendly and may invite you totheir homes.
Ta Phin is considered a brocadevillage where visitors can find handmade brocades made by ethnicminority people. The products are mainly provided for shops in Hanoi andHCM City and exported as well.
Becauseof living in the valley and at the foot of big mountains, the Red Dao haveextensive knowledge and experience with plants. Bath remedies of the RedDao have hundreds of plants. Among them, there are 10 main and most importantmedicinal plants that make up the brand of valuable medicine of the Red Daopeople in Ta Phin.
Today, RedDao herbal baths are not only a culture and unique identity of everyfamily in the Dao ethnic community but have spread widely throughout thecountry and are trusted by many people. Experiencing a RedDao herbal bath is a great reason to go to Ta Phin village - thesource of the precious medicine./.
VNA
