The People of North West Vietnam

This is one of two pages that lets you see a little of the north west Provinces of Vietnam. The images were taken on a recent trip at the beginning of December 2010 which had mixed weather in its nine days: three rained off, two fine and the others so-so. The pleasure of travel in the northern areas of Vietnam is not knowing what will turn up; on another occasion the set of images would be quite different, but I hope this conveys something of the place. This page has images of people, their houses and activities; the other page has pictures of natural features and towns.

December 2010

Cattle and Houses
Cattle and Houses
Cattle and Houses


Thai houses are a familiar sight in the north where many of Vietnam's two million ethnic Thais live. The area under the house provides sheltered storage and a place for the animals, and lets the air circulate around the house more freely. Village Lane in Son La Province
Village Lane in Son La Province
Village Lane in Son La Province Main Street of a Thai Village
Main Street of a Thai Village
Main Street of a Thai Village These main streets are in small towns in south of the Provinces of Dien Bien and Son La. They see few foriegners. Yen Hung in particular has a road that is really only passible on a motor bike or in a very large truck (and persistent Jeeps). Yen Hung - no westerners (our Jeep)
Yen Hung - no westerners (our Jeep)
Yen Hung - no westerners (our Jeep) Bo Sinh Main Street
Bo Sinh Main Street
Bo Sinh Main Street Two forms of house building seen along the way. The totally wooden construction of Thai house, and the preparation of concrete walls for the more universal, and much cheaper, Viet type house. Thai House Building
Thai House Building
Thai House Building Re-inforcing concrete with bamboo
Re-inforcing concrete with bamboo
Re-inforcing concrete with bamboo Manioc slicing with a disk cutter
Manioc slicing with a disk cutter
Manioc slicing with a disk cutter Slicing with a drum cutter Slicing with a drum cutter Slicing with a drum cutter Manioc or cassava root is a staple food in northern Vietnam, it is often seen drying by the roadside. It is used to make a thin noodle that gives an alternative to rice based foods. Two types of machine for slicing the roots are shown. Fishing and Honey making are two other common activities. Manioc drying after shredding
Manioc drying after shredding
Manioc drying after shredding Fish traps for sale by the roadside
Fish traps for sale by the roadside
Fish traps for sale by the roadside Spiked entrance of fish trap
Spiked entrance of fish trap
Spiked entrance of fish trap Honey Farm
Honey Farm
Honey Farm Looking for the Queen
Looking for the Queen
Looking for the Queen Combining home industry & shop
Combining home industry & shop
Combining home industry & shop Hidden driver Hidden driver Hidden driver Each ethnic group has its own clothing tradition and many of these are seen in the north west of the country. Markets are always good for photographs, but meals at night and inside are a bit hopeless for photography. The main street in Muong Lay
The main street in Muong Lay
The main street in Muong Lay Wayside Discussion
Wayside Discussion
Wayside Discussion Three Generations Three Generations Three Generations Wayside Market
Wayside Market
Wayside Market Head Massage
Head Massage
Head Massage Thai Dancing
Thai Dancing
Thai Dancing Thai Eating
Thai Eating
Thai Eating