Pan Hou (Vietnam)

In the foothills of the high Song Chay Massif, the village of Pan Hou has long been considered an essential place to stop and recover for hikers trekking across northern Vietnam. With the slopes of Ha Giang Province sometimes being among the steepest and most exhausting anywhere, the moment of arrival in the small community of Pan Hou is often considered to be a welcome relief. After several days spent walking, spending my nights sleeping in a tent or with locals on agricultural terraces or in the forest, my accommodation in Pan Hou village seemed a panacea in comparison. Filling up on energy, rest, and copious amounts of food, I spent a pleasant stay in contact with the local population before continuing my southbound journey.