(TITC) - Sa Pa Stone Church and Muong Hoa Valley in Sa Pa District (Lao Cai Province) have been introduced to Viet Nam Record Organization to consider and recognize as one of Top 5 over 100-year-old churches known the most and Top 5 the most beautiful and largest valleys in Viet Nam.
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Sa Pa Stone Church
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Stone Church was built by French in early 20th century at the center of Sa Pa Town. Before building, the French architects selected carefully the location. The church faces the East (the direction of sunrise as well as to welcome the light of God), backs on Ham Rong Mountain. The bell tower at the end of the church faces the West (birthplace of Jesus).
The church is built with Roma Gothic architecture on the area of 6,000m2. The whole church is made of stone including works as church, rectory, angel's house, priest's house, Saint's garden...
In the church area, there are two architecture works built by the French as Chu Cau Villa (Hoang Lien Hotel now) and the District Commissioner area (headquarters of Lao Cai Tourism Information Center now). These two works combine with the stone church to create an architectural complex of isosceles triangle imbuing distinct French style.
Along with pray activities, in every Saturday evening, traditional cultural activities of ethnic minority groups, especially Love market usually take place at the church area.
Besides Sa Pa Stone Church, 4 other churches are also nominated in Top 5 over 100-year-old churches in Viet Nam known the most including Ha Noi Cathedral (Ha Noi), Phu Nhai Church (Nam Dinh Province), Phat Diem Stone Church (Ninh Binh Province), Notre Dame Cathedral (Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception) (Ho Chi Minh City).
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Muong Hoa Valley
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From Sa Pa Town, along to the new road about 10km to the southeast, tourists will arrive in Muong Hoa Valley located at the height of 1,000m above sea level, belonging to 6 communes of Lao Chai, Ta Van, Hau Thao, Su Pa, Ta Phin and Ban Ho. The valley has charming natural scenery and contains plentiful tangible and intangible cultural treasure, typically Muong Hoa Stream and Ancient Rock Field.
Muong Hoa Stream with a length of 15km originates from Bac Waterfall, runs through the communes of Lao Chai, Ta Van, Hau Thao... and ends at Ban Ho Commune. From above, the stream looks like a white silk ribbon among the terraced fields.
Spreading over the area of 8 km² and belonging to three communes of Hau Thao, Su Pa, Ta Van, Ancient Rock Field contains about 200 rocks with unique carving patterns. Since October 1994, Sa Pa Ancient Rock Field has been recognized as a national historical and cultural relic by Ministry of Culture and Information (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism now).
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Sa Pa Ancient Rock Field
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Along with Muong Hoa Valley, 4 other valleys are also nominated in top 5 the most beautiful and largest valleys in Viet Nam including Muong Thanh (Dien Bien Province), A Sao (Thua Thien Hue Province), Mai Chau (Hoa Binh Province), Love (Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province).
If Sa Pa Stone Church and Muong Hoa Valley are recognized as Viet Nam records, it will create the solid foundation for these two attractions to continue to be nominated as Asian and world records. This not only contributes to enhancing Sa Pa's image promotion but also confirms tourism brand of Sa Pa - Lao Cai in the minds of Vietnamese and foreign tourists.
Thu Giang