Learning with the Hmong People of Baan Mae Sa Mai

Baan Mae Sa Mai, the Hmong village

Introductory lecture before the tour

This trip is a two-day/one-night program that starts with a short introductory lecture of one and a half hours about the Hmong people’s recent history and current situation on Doi Suthep. There are ten Hmong villages around Chiang Mai, and ban Mae Sa Mai is the most significant, interesting, and scenic. The lecture will take about one hour, after which there is time for questions. Here you can find more about the history and background of hill tribe trekking in Chiang Mai. The talk can take place in the hotel or guesthouse where the group is staying.

Day 1: Chiang Mai – Baan Mae Sa Mai

Agricultural walk

We will depart from Chiang Mai at 0800 by local truck and drive to the Hmong village Ban Mae Sa Mai in Doi Suthep Doi Pui National Park. Our local Hmong guide welcomes us. After a short introduction, we will embark on a walk to the fields around the village. The Hmong have benefitted from agricultural projects initiated by His Royal Highness King Bhumibol. We learn about The Royal Project and enjoy a picnic lunch along the way. Our local Hmong guide will tell about the traditional medicine of the Hmong people.

A meeting with local students

After lunch, we will walk back to the village. We will have a short language lesson in town, which will be a lot of fun. Next, a meeting with young people from the village will occur during which the students can practice. We will divide into small groups, and students will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with Hmong students. This is an introductory session. Afterward, a student of each group will share their knowledge, after which we will have an evaluation session.

Sowmee, the silversmith of the village

You will meet the silversmith of the village as well. Sowmee made jewelry for the Royal Family of Thailand and is a highly respected craftsman. Then it is time for dinner. After dinner, we will enjoy a short cultural performance by local people, and they will show you some of their traditional instruments.

Day 2: Baan Mae Sa Mai – Chiang Mai

Meeting with villagers

After breakfast, we will meet with local people in a question-and-answer session. We will visit the house of the local Shaman and learn about Hmong culture and traditions. Back in the Hmong cultural center, we will evaluate the trip and have a group discussion. After this, we will have our last lunch with fresh vegetables from the fields around the village. We will say goodbye to our Hmong hosts when we have finished our lunch. Then we drive to the nearby nursery of FORRU, the Forest Restoration Unit of Chiang Mai University. Villagers manage the nursery.

Forest restoration of the watershed area

For many years, the village has been working with FORRU to restore the watershed area that provides their fields with water. FORRU has developed the framework species method of reforestation, which has been used to restore the evergreen forest on degraded former agricultural sites, such as some poppy fields. At the nursery, FORRU staff will brief you on this reforestation method. After that, we will get our hands dirty in the greenhouse. Then it is time to drive back to Chiang Mai after a tremendous educational experience with the Hmong people.

We offer several tours to the Hmong village Baan Mae Sa Mai, such as the day tour of the Opium Trail and a two-day/one-night trek. Please look here for a story on the trail from the Hmong village Baan Doi Pui to Baan Mae Sa Mai.

We offer more Chiang Mai School and University tours. On this page, you can find sources of information on ethnic minorities in North Thailand.