Che Can Village is located more than 30km from Dien Bien Phu city, Che Can is an attractive community-based tourist destination for tourists when coming to Muong Phang commune, Dien Bien Phu city, Dien Bien province.

Muong Phang Commune viewed from above. 

The village is on a part of the Pú Đồn mountain range which has the highest peak of To Co, 1,700m above sea level. It was on the top of this mountain that the Commander-in-Chief of the Việt Nam People's Army (VPA), General Võ Nguyên Giáp, ordered an observation post to monitor the developments of the fighting with the French forces in Muong Thanh during the pivotal Dien Bien Phu Battle in 1954.

Che Can was one of the few villages that existed before 1954. "Che Can" means protecting people from foreign invaders. In the past, the village was deserted, locals lived in small, humble houses in the middle of the murky mountains and forests, and people mainly farmed, planting maize and cassava. After 1954, locals were able to make their stilt houses bigger and more stable, their livelihoods gradually developed with cattle and poultry raising, as well as growing wet rice and fruit trees. Currently, local authorities have identified and deployed models to make Che Can become a model of community tourism, an ideal destination for tourists.

In late autumn, the rice fields are golden on both sides of the straight concrete road leading to the entrance to the village. The village is home to nearly 100 Thai ethnic households, who are living in traditional stilt houses with axe-shaped rooves. The villagers have well preserved their traditional culture, costumes, festivals and rituals.

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The road to Che Căn Village.

They have also still practiced their ancestors’ crafts, such as brocade weaving, forging, carpentry, and making musical instruments. During their free time, women work on the loom while men meticulously weave bamboo baskets.

The brocade weaving profession.

Mr. Lo Van Đuc, owner of the homestay Phuong Đuc, said his family received advice from the provincial Community Development Centre to upgrade his two adjacent stilt houses and he built additional facilities to serve about 50 guests. He has a bicycle service for visitors to explore the village's open spaces, clean alleys, colourful flowers and rice fields.

Homestay Phuong Duc

An interesting experience in Che Can is sitting in a buffalo cart to watch and explore around the village with a strange feeling, mixed with suspense and excitement. In addition, the experience of harvesting seasonal agricultural products, using a fishing net... are also extremely attractive experiences and are loved and chosen by many tourists when coming to Muong Phang.

Visitors enjoy a ride on buffalo cart in Che Can Village.

In Che Can Village, visitors have the opportunity to enjoy the Thai cuisine with delicious dishes such as Pa Pinh Top (grilled fish), buffalo skin salad, buffalo meat smoked in the kitchen, grilled chicken, steamed pig with banana leaves, fish salad, and purple sticky rice.

Pa Pinh Top (grilled fish) is one of popular dishes of Che Can Village. 

Stemming from the local geographical conditions, climate and living habits, food from the Thai ethnic community here always has a unique flavour, taste and colour./.

From: Dulichdienbien.vn