What's important to us
The people
Somhak Kompasom* and his colleagues know the customs and traditions of the minority villages because that's where they grew up. They also are intimately familiar with the challenges of the people who live in these villages because that's where their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and cousins live.
It's this connection to place that influences Somhak's approach to tourism in this area. Nam Ha Hill Tribe Eco-Trek makes sure that the villages that are visited by tourists and host them also benefit from this tourism. He also wants to makes sure that these benefits aren't limited to just a few villages or a few families. For that reason, Somhak varies the routes of treks so that different villages are visited. Within the villages, the hosting families also rotate so that the economic benefit is spread more widely within the village.
Several ethnic minority villages are within the trekking area, including Khmu, Akha and Hmong. Somhak and his colleagues will share with you the similarities and differences among the tribe's beliefs, marriage traditions, division of work by gender and economic activities. Tradition is very strong in this part of northwestern Laos, and you will have a chance to see the past through the present.
The place
This is a unique area in northern Laos. It has wonderful mountains, jungle forest, caves and beautiful waterfalls. There are many tribal villages hidden in a jungle 1200 meters above the sea level, nestled within the Nam Ha National Biodiversity Park.
Vieng Phoukha District refers to this mountainous area located in the south of Luang Namtha Province on Road 3 about 60 Km from Luang Namtha. It has a total land area of 1,866 square kilometers, bordering Namtha, Nalae, Long District and Bokeo Province with a population of 18,727 people in 2005. Most people in Vieng Phoukha District live in small rural villages and practice agriculture as their main occupation. Vieng Phoukha Town is the main town between Nam Tha and Huay Xai in Bokeo. So if you are entering or exiting Laos you will pass this town. There are many activities you can do, especially cave visits and trekking.
*The website trekviengphoukha.com and Jungle Forest Trek refer to Somhak. However, they are not affiliated with him. Nam Ha Hill Tribe Eco-Trek is the only trekking business in the Vieng Phoukha region that Somhak owns and manages.
