Che Can Village: The “heart” of Muong Phang District’s tourism

In the tourist map, Che Can Village is located at the centre of the historical land of Muong Phang District, Dien Bien Province.

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

Starting from Che Can, visitors can take a tour to the command post of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, climb to Pu Huot Peak to grasp a panoramic view of Dien Bien City, visit traditional craft villages of H’Mong and Kho Mu ethnic people, or cycle through the chestnut forests and admire cherry blossoms on the banks of Pa Khoang Lake.

Che Chan Village is also the first community-based tourism village in Dien Bien Province where visitors can fully explore the distinct culture and customs of people in the northwest region.

There are various “check-in” locations for visitors to Che Can Village. The highest one is 1,700m Mount Pu Huot and the furthest one is Loong Luong Village, where many traditional crafts of the H’mong people are still practiced, including forging, embroidery, and brocade weaving.

The two most beautiful seasons in Che Can Village are spring, when bauhinia and cherry blossom flowers blooming brilliantly on the banks of Pa Khoang Lake, and autumn, when Muong Phang Valley is blanketed with yellow ripening rice.

Surrounded by attractive tourist sites, Che Can Village is seen as the “heart” of Muong Phang District’s tourism.

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.

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.

Sincere and hospitality are common impressions that Che Can villagers make on every tourist. Visitors are warmly invited to join villagers in doing farm work and cooking indigenous dishes, such as grilled fish, buffalo’s skin salad, and dried buffalo meat.