The Unique Stone Fences of the H’Mông in Điện Biên

ĐBP - The H’Mông ethnic group, residing in the northern mountainous province of Điện Biên, comprises over 30 percent of the province’s population and typically lives in high mountain villages. Throughout their long history of settlement and development, the H’Mông have preserved many unique cultural traits. Their villages, particularly in Tủa Chùa and Mường Chà, are easily identifiable by the distinctive stone fences that encircle their homes and fields. Constructed without the use of cement or binding agents, these stone fences are meticulously and skillfully built, standing tall and sturdy.

Vàng Lồng Citadel in Tả Phìn Commune, Tủa Chùa District in Điện Biên Province is an ancient structure that has stood the test of time.

Building stone fences has been a tradition since the early days of settlement and is closely tied to the daily lives of the H’Mông people. Living in mountainous areas abundant with stones, they initially began by neatly stacking stones in garden corners to clear land for farming. Over time, they discovered that using stones of various shapes and sizes to create fences around their homes provided protection against intruders and wild animals. This practice spread among the villages, leading to the distinctive stone fence architecture now characteristic of H’Mông communities.

Typically, these stone fences are about one metre wide and nearly two metres high, with a wider base that gradually tapers towards the top. Constructing a stone fence requires considerable effort and time, and the ease of construction depends on the geographic location. The H’Mông people usually use locally available stones, breaking larger rocks into smaller, sharp pieces of various sizes. When stones are insufficient, they use hammers and crowbars to break rocks on the mountain and transport them to the construction site.

The stone fence, stretching hundreds of metres, is built by the H’Mông people to protect their crops, showcasing a unique characteristic of the H’Mông communities in the northwest of Việt Nam.

Most H’Mông men are skilled in building stone fences, having been involved in farming and protecting crops from a young age. They start by collecting and stacking stones to create barriers around fields. However, mastering the art of assembling sharp stones into a complete, evenly aligned, and durable fence is no easy feat. It requires both craftsmanship and skill.

Most H’Mông people are familiar with the appearance of rocks in their crop fields.

In H’Mông villages, stone fences stretch across valleys, encircle cornfields, and surround homes, creating a stunning architectural landscape. These fences reflect not only a traditional cultural heritage refined over generations but also the diligence, skill, and creativity of the H’Mông people in the face of adversity.

By Trần Nhâm
Comment

You have 500/500 characters left

Please enter 5 or more characters!!!

Recent news

  • 'In the heart of revolutionary soldiers

    In the heart of revolutionary soldiers

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Fifty years ago, under the sound leadership of the Party, led by beloved President Hồ Chí Minh, the people and soldiers of Vietnam united with resolve, courage, and determination to win the historic Great Spring Victory of 1975. Half a century later, memories of that glorious time remain deeply etched in the heart of revolutionary soldiers with a fierce sense of pride.
  • 'Điện Biên ready to welcome tourists

    Điện Biên ready to welcome tourists

    CULTURE - TOURISM -
    ĐBP - As the holiday season approaches, the atmosphere at tourist destinations across Điện Biên is becoming increasingly vibrant. From the historic sites of heroic victories to eco-tourism destinations, preparations are in full swing with the goal of providing the best possible service as visitor numbers are expected to surge. Điện Biên tourism is ready to welcome visitors to explore and experience this land of rich history and culture.
  • 'High-value chicken farming project in Mường Ảng

    High-value chicken farming project in Mường Ảng

    BUSINESS -
    ĐBP - Launched in October 2024, the community-based H’Mông commercial chicken farming support project under Subproject 2, Project 3 of the National Target Program on socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas in Mường Ảng district, Điện Biên province has yielded positive results.
  • 'The South in the heart of Điện Biên

    The South in the heart of Điện Biên

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Exactly one year ago, Điện Biên was adorned with flags and flowers, bustling with pride as it celebrated the 70th anniversary of the glorious victory of Điện Biên Phủ, renowned across the world and shaking the earth.
  • 'Điện Biên to further promote education quality

    Điện Biên to further promote education quality

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - In response to the fundamental and comprehensive reform requirements, the Department of Education and Training of Điện Biên province has rigorously implemented Circular No.29/2024/TT-BGDĐT issued by the Ministry of Education and Training regarding extra classes.
  • 'Điện Biên to further preserving culture amid administrative restructuring

    Điện Biên to further preserving culture amid administrative restructuring

    CULTURE - TOURISM -
    ĐBP - Localities across the country are urgently and decisively implementing the policy of merging administrative units at the provincial level, reviewing and expanding the commune level to streamline the administrative apparatus and reduce intermediaries. While the province grows larger, and districts are eliminated, with communes being expanded, this process helps simplify the political system but also brings many challenges, including preserving traditional culture.
  • 'Ensuring food safety for public health

    Ensuring food safety for public health

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Food safety has always been a top priority, especially in the context of unsafe and untraceable food still infiltrating the market. In order to enhance the management and oversight of food safety, particularly in collective kitchens and school canteens, the Điện Biên province’s Bureau of Food Safety and Hygiene (BFSH) has been closely collaborating with relevant units to implement a variety of inspection, awareness-raising, and comprehensive monitoring measures.
  • 'Nà Tấu leads by example in embracing Hồ Chí Minh’s example

    Nà Tấu leads by example in embracing Hồ Chí Minh’s example

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP -  In recent years, the Party Committee of Nà Tấu commune (Điện Biên Phủ city, Điện Biên province) has made studying and following Hồ Chí Minh’s ideology, morality, and style a regular and voluntary practice among all officials, Party members, and residents. This has significantly contributed to Party building and socio-economic development in the area.
  • 'Điện Biên holds April press briefing

    Điện Biên holds April press briefing

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - On the morning of April 23, the Điện Biên provincial Party Committee’s Commission for Information, Education, and Mass Mobilization held the press conference in April press briefing to review media performance and provide communication guidelines for May 2025.
  • 'Điện Biên does utmost to care for children

    Điện Biên does utmost to care for children

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - Children are the future owners of the country, which is why the care and protection of children has always been a priority for all levels and sectors in Điện Biên province. The goal is to create the best conditions for children to study, play, and develop comprehensively.
  • 'Museum modernization in digital age

    Museum modernization in digital age

    CULTURE - TOURISM -
    ĐBP - A new wave of digital technology is sweeping across the museums in Điện Biên province, directly impacting exhibition spaces, storage facilities, and creating new ways for the public to “touch” history in a more vivid and accessible manner. The digital transformation efforts of local museums are gradually modernizing the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in this historically significant region of the far West of Vietnam.
  • 'Gratitude and comradeship: 50 Years After the South Liberation and National Reunification

    Gratitude and comradeship: 50 Years After the South Liberation and National Reunification

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP - Fifty years after the reunification of the North and South, the entire nation is now living in peace and independence. The country continues to develop, but the pain and losses caused by the war cannot be replaced or expressed in words. With all sincerity and gratitude, the political system has been implementing policies to support the military’s rear, helping to ensure a more stable life for revolutionary soldiers.
  • 'Nậm Pồ makes efforts in handling corruption and misconduct

    Nậm Pồ makes efforts in handling corruption and misconduct

    NEWS - POLITICS -
    ĐBP -  Enhancing the leadership capacity, combativeness, and exemplary pioneering role of Party organizations and members is among the practical and effective measures being implemented by the Nậm Pồ district’s Party Committee to strengthen the Party’s leadership in the fight against corruption and misconduct.
  • 'Supporting people with disabilities to overcome life’s challenges

    Supporting people with disabilities to overcome life’s challenges

    SOCIAL AFFAIRS -
    ĐBP - The support for people with disabilities to thrive in life is a consistent policy of the Party and State. In Điện Biên province, alongside the attention from the Party and State, the provincial Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities and the Protection of Children’s Rights has mobilized many resources to support and care for people with disabilities. These practical activities help people with disabilities overcome difficulties to rise and integrate into society.