It is said that late in the 17th century, a group of people from Malaysia travelled to Cambodia by boat for settlement, and one century later, they travelled on to An Giang Province. They were the first generation of the ethnic minority Cham people that are still living together with Vietnamese, Chinese and Khmer people in the delta at the present.

Phum Soai is believed to be the first place where Cham people settled down. The word “Phum Soai” is the combination of Khmer and Vietnamese languages. In the Khmer, “Phum” means “Village”, while “Soai” is euphemized from “Xoai” (Mango) in Vietnamese. People named it as Phum Soai because there used to be plenty of such trees in the region.

The village of Phum Soai in Chau Doc Town is now well-known for its silk products in both local and foreign markets. After a decade in the demise, the weaving village of Phum Soai has now revived and developed. Once-abandoned weaving looms are now being put to use again.

Besides, Phum Soai owns the biggest number of Cham’s specific cultural customs and traditions among about 10 Cham villages in Chau Doc.

It is the reason why An Giang Province’s Service of Tourism has chosen the village as the first destination to carry out the kind of home-stay tour.

The service is seeking to attract tourists to visit and relax at ancient houses that are 80 years old or over with special characters of Cham people.

During the time staying with residents in these houses, householders will guide tourists to visit Mek Mah and Mohamadiyah, two biggest Islam worshipping places in the village, to understand religious activities there.

As a tradition, all temples of Cham people are used to teach the Cham language for children. So, this is a good opportunity for tourists to understand not only the religion but also cultural values of Cham people.

After that, tourists will visit the weaving village at Chau Giang Co-operative. Brocades, muffles, xa rong (a kind of traditional clothes of Cham people), and handbags made of silk products are highlights at the village.

Watching Cham people make lap xuong bo (beef Chinese sausage) is other special experience that the village wants to offer. It is quite special since the practice is seen nowhere in Vietnam, as lap xuong is commonly made from pork.

An Giang Province’s Service of Tourism says that most tours in the Home-stay Program at Phum Soai are organized by the service and travel companies. It costs VND 20,000 a day for staying in a house at Phum Xoai. Guests will pay an additional VND 30,000 to VND 35,000 for two meals a day if tourists want to engage deeper into a family’s lifestyle.

If travelling by bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Chau Doc Town in An Giang Province, the fare costs VND 55,000-60,000.

(Source: Saigon Times)