I finally met a local Red Dao who took me in to live with her family for two days. With the help of locals, Sapa O’Chau (Shu Tan) who guided me and led me to stay in a village in Ta Phin, Sapa.
The Red Dao people originated from China and migrated to Vietnam starting around the 12th or 13th century and continuing until the early 20th century. The majority migrated into Vietnam during the Minh dynasty, due to drought, failed crops and the pressures of Feudalism in China.
It took us 2 hours with a bike and hiking up a narrow muddy trail into the mountains of Ta Phin, with beautiful scenes, cold air and farms. At the peak of this mountain there are about 200 homes of the Red Dao and Hmong people, mostly living off live stocks, farming and the rivers.
Took us 30 more minutes to nearly reach the peak and I then met ‘Mama’, the elder in this part of the village also Man Mei’s mother in law. They both spoke very little English.
She took me out for a walk around the valley, as she told me stories of the village, picked leaves which she later used to prepare a bath for me. An open giant clay pot where I needed to sit inside off, while the family watched me bath. It was embarrassing for me at the same time a new reality which I shared with them.
I was grateful for the time I had with her and the family. See the full photo series of my time living with the Red Dao family.
