Sapa’s terraced fields suggested for world heritage recognition

Supported: http://www.activetravelvietnam.com/t...goryId&catId=9

The northern mountainous province of Lao Cai has proposed the
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism ask for UNESCO’s recognition
of Sapa’s terraced fields as a world heritage.

Pictures: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/dataima...4_untitled.JPG

The terraced field is a form of cultivation in the mountainous
topographies of many ethnic groups in the world, such as the Inca
people in Peru, in Yunnan, China, and in Banaue, the Philippines,
which was recognised by UNESCO as a world heritage.

Seven most magnificent terraced fields in the world as voted by Travel
& Leisu Banaue (Philippines), Yuangyang (Yunnan, China), Ubud
(Bali, Indonesia), Annapurna (Nepal), Mae Rim (Chiang Mai, Thailand),
Sapa (Lao Cai, Vietnam), and Long Ji (Kuei Lin, China).

Sapa’s terraced fields were recently recognised as one of the world’s
seven most beautiful and magnificent terraced fields in the world by
US-based Travel & Leisure magazine. This was only a vote of readers of
a tourism magazine but it is good news for Vietnam.

Dr. Tran Huu Son, Lao Cai provincial Department of Culture, Sports and
Tourism’s chief, said that the department proposed that provincial
authorities and the culture ministry make a survey and compile files
on Sapa’s terraced fields, Hoang Lien national park and the ancient
rock bank in Sapa to submit to UNESCO for recognition as world
cultural heritages.

“This is a difficult task but we are trying to turn Sapa’s terraced
fields into a world heritage for the many foreign travellers who love
Sapa and Vietnam,” Son said.


The Thao & Van Hoa talked with Son about Sapa’s terraced fields:

Do you think that it is good luck Sapa’s terraced fields were voted
one of the seven most magnificent terraced fields in the world by
Travel and Leisure?


I think that with the natural beauty of that landscape, it is not at
all surprising they were recognised as one of the seven most
magnificent terraced fields in Asia and the world by Travel and
Leisure.


There are some terraced field tours in Sapa, including two major
tours: From Sapa town to Ly Lao Chai – Ta Van and Sapa town – Ly Lao
Chai – Ta Van – Ban Ho – Thanh Phu – Suoi Thau.

Terraced fields in Sapa are a product of H’Mong and Dao people. This
kind of terraced field is different from the fields of Ha Nhi people
in Yunnan (China) or in the Philippines because each ethnic group has
its own cultivation techniques.


The owners of terraced fields in Sapa have abundant folk knowledge.
Their fields are as beautiful as terraced fields in Mu Cang Chai (Yen
Bai, Vietnam) or in the Philippines.


Could you tell us more about terraced fields in Sapa and in your
opinion, what aspects of Sapa’s terraced fields can be considered
outstanding in the world?


Terraced fields are the most popular in the following areas: on abrupt
mountain slopes along roads in Trung Chai commune, along the road from
Lao Cai city to Sapa town. These are terraced fields of H’Mong people.


Terraced fields owned by H’Mong, Dao and Giay people are located in
Muong Hoa valley. This is the combination between cultivation of wet
rice in narrow valleys of Giay people and cultivation on high
mountains of H’Mong and Dao people.


In Muong Hoa valley, Lao Chai district, visitors can observe a complex
of terraced fields from Muong Hoa stream to the middle of the
mountain, totalling around 10sq.km. In this area, the beauty of
terraced fields is outstanding thanks to the vast space. Another
beautiful terraced field area is Suoi Thau, which was created by Dao
people.



Terraced fields appear in many provinces in Vietnam. The field in Mu
Cang Chai, Yen Bai province was recognised as a national relic in
2007. How about the fields in Sapa?

Terraced fields in Sapa are very beautiful. We are making surveys and
preparing documents to ask for recognition as a national heritage. We
also proposed that competent agencies ask for UNESCO’s recognition of
the complex of the terraced fields, the ancient stone bank and Hoang
Lien national park as world heritages.

What is the role of terraced fields in today’s farming?

Terraced fields are H’Mong, Dao and Giay people’s farming techniques
for sloping topography. It is an achievement in terms of culture and
folk knowledge. Terraced fields help maintain food stability in
mountainous areas.



VietNamNet/TT-VH

Recommended tours in Sapa Vietnam:
- Fansipan treeking tours:
http://www.trekfansipan.com/fansipan...ong-trails.php
- Sapa excursions: http://www.activetravelshop.com/?nam...bcat=SapaTours
- Sapa trekking tours: http://www.activetravelvietnam.com/t...goryId&catId=9