Hoa Binh

The city of Hoa Binh (meaning peace) is 74km southwest of Hanoi, population 744,000. This is home to many Montagnard people. Binh town and the adjacent area was the begining of the Hoa Binh culture. Archaeological finds show that this is the first place man domesticated crop plants.

Hoa Binh province is populated by various ethnic groups, the Muong, Kinh, Thai, Tay, Dao, H'Mong and Hoa. The Montagnards handicrafts (especially weaving) are much sort after but due to Hoa Binh's commercialism you will find the more traditional Montagnards and their wears located about 50kms to the west of the city.

Dont's:
Shoes are to be removed when visiting homes or Buddhist Temples. Do not point the bottom of your feet towards other people or Buddhist statues. This is not universal so watch what others are doing.

Shorts are considered inappropriate attire and are allowed to be worn by children. In recent times in the main cities, it has been considered fashionable by women. However, it is still not widely accepted and has not yet filtered to the hinterlands. Again, check what people are wearing around you.

Leaving chopsticks sticking upright (vertically) in a rice bowl is not appreciated as this is a powerful death sign. In doing so this indicates incense sticks which are burned for the dead.

The climate is mild and relatively dry. Average annual rainfall is 1395 mm mostly between May and October. The maximum average temperature is 25.6deg. C. Temperature may drop as low as 15deg.C some nights in December or rise to 38deg.on an April or May afternoon. Average humidity is a pleasant 85%, but may be as low as 36% in January.