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A corner view of Vuong Palace
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Vuong Chinh Duc, once
con-sidered to be the king of H’mong ethnic people in Ha Giang Province,
ruled a vast area from the province’s Dong Van Plateau to Meo Vac Town in
the early 20th century. Dubbed as Vua Meo (king of H’mong people), he was
also the founder of the famous Vuong Dynasty, the largest in Ha Giang
Province at the time, where he lived in his unique, luxurious palace shaded
with green samu trees.
Named Vuong Palace,
it was built in solid stone, fir wood and terra-cotta tiles in ancient
Chinese architectural style typical of the Man Qing era in China. Though it
seems very much out of place, the palace itself is quite interesting and
there are a number of tombstones of the dynasty’s people surrounding it
which are also worth a look.
Covering a total area
of 1,120 square meters, Vuong Palace was built on an elevated site located
in Sa Phin valley in Lung Phin Commune, Dong Van District of Ha Giang. The
palace was used as the residence and also a fort of the Vuong Dynasty to
protect themselves from attacks by their enemies.
Nowadays, no one
lives at the Palace. It is maintained as an artifact and managed by the
provincial government. The old royal house attracts keen interest from
architecturally minded visitors due to its unique style of Chinese
architecture and the legend of Vuong Chinh Duc’s life.
Travelers could reach
Vuong Palace from Ha Giang Town by motorbike, driving approximately 125
kilometers through the districts of Quan Ba and Yen Minh. Another
option is to head out from Dong Van Town which is just 12 kilometers from
Sa Phin valley, a narrow, picturesque valley surrounded by hills and
mountain ranges. In good weather, travelers will see the mighty
mountain alive with all of nature’s beauty.
From the top of the
mountain travelers can hear the wind rustling and experience the vast
panoramic view stretching to the horizon. From Ma Pi Leng Peak the
Nho Que river, which originates in China, flows like undulating silk.
Stopping for a while on the way and contemplating the wildness of nature
while listening to the melodies of the H’mong panpipe is an easy way to
feel the true liberation achieved through nature.
Soon the road skirts the
tiny Sa Phin valley which has at its center a clump of bamboo concealing
the ancient Vuong royal house. Simply put, it is much bigger than a
normal house and looks quite old and special.
The Vuong Palace tour
reveals 64 rooms that are divided into front, center and back areas. Every
corner of the house is filled with the essence of the legendary Vua
Meo’s. Hoang Dieu Thuy, a local tour guide, said that the
palace is unique as it was built on a tortoise shell-shaped site, chosen by
a Chinese fortune teller under the order of Vuong Chinh Duc who believed it
would bring luck, wealth and happiness for him and his family.
Thanh Trung
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