Vietnam travel packages are designed to show clients all the highlights of the Country. That includes both the cities but also the remote regions where tribes live as they have for generations. The climate has changed little as well and the flooding that can occur each year meant that stilt houses, sitting above the rising water on the plains have been the solution all that time, as long as four thousand years as well as keeping vermin out of the home.
Vietnam has over 50 ethnic groups and whether it is on flood plains or mountain slopes the traditional stilt house where families sleep, eat, work, entertain and worship is found throughout the country. Constructed from bamboo, rattan and wood, houses are functional. There is an area below the main living area where rice can be dried, a level above where a family may keep any livestock.
The North
In the highlands to the north of Hanoi, the Tay and Nung live on slopes; the houses overlook the fields, and not too close to mountains, forests and rivers. They believe that a mountain peak, similar to an arrow, can injure people, forests contain dangerous animals and flowing water may take riches away.
In Lao Cai Province, some of the Tay villages have stilt houses renowned for their sophisticated architecture and the rare wood used in their construction, one of the reasons they often took some time to build. One example belonging to Nguyen Van Su in Tham Luong was said to be made of rare ironwood from the jungle and it had taken the family five months to cut down and transport to the village. Such houses and many others are regarded as treasures, beyond value with their real value the attractiveness for inclusion in Vietnam packages. Travelling in Vietnam is a great experience and the village communities play a large part in that experience.
A Vietnam family tour that visits the Xa pho will see narrow fronts with several columns supporting the sides. Stilt houses on open plains tend to be wide with two staircases, one each side of the houses, with roofs resting on pillars and beams. Each part of the house is used for specific things.
Guests are usually entertained on the lower level of the house with the family living above, sleeping, eating and praying. Typically, with two doors and two covered porches, the left door (chan) and the right door (quan) are both used by all family members but visiting women will use chan, visiting men the quan door.
Central Vietnam and beyond
The Central Highlands of Vietnam are home to the Bana, Xedang, and Giarai. Their homes, rong, are huge with a high, steep roof and a front balcony. The main rooms are like communal halls and tourists travelling throughout the Country on Vietnam travel packages will see the differences from other regions. Further south and east towards the Coast is Dak Lak where longhouses are common. The living space takes up much of the floor area with long bench seating for guests, often with very intricate carving.
There is plenty of variety when it comes to stilt houses; if you are travelling in Vietnam, you will see for yourself.
