The story of a village
Chin Chin’s journey
A true saga, from a refused marriage to three homestays.
From Chin Chin
The village’s first teacher,now your host.
Hello, I’m Chin Chin. I was born in this village in the Mường Hoa valley. When I was fifteen and everyone expected me to marry, I chose to study — and became the first girl from my village to go to university.
I earned my diploma and came home; I became our school’s first local teacher appointed by the state. Today, together with my family, we open our door to you: a warm home furnished with local wood, stone and hand-woven H’mong textiles.
This is not a hotel. Look out over the rice terraces from your private balcony; let your only alarm be the mountain mist and the morning birdsong. Sit at our table like family, and let’s walk the valley together.
In the village everyone fondly called me Chin; for anyone who steps through our door, that warmth doubled into Chin Chin.
“We welcome you not as a tourist, but as a member of the family.”
Chin Chin
01 / 04
At 15
She said “no”
When her family wanted her to marry, she chose to study — a bold, unusual decision in the village.
02 / 04
University
The village’s first university student
She became the first girl to leave her village, attend university and graduate.
03 / 04
The return
The first local teacher
She returned to her village as the first local teacher appointed by the state, and taught the children.
04 / 04
Today
Three homestays, one family
Together with her family she built three homestays. Now she opens that door to you.
