The stilt houses of the Northwest Thai people are usually built with cypress, teak, or mahogany wood, with thatched roofs or terracotta tiles. The house pillars are tall and sturdy, raising the foundation about two meters above the ground to prevent dampness and protect against wild animals. The area beneath the floor is usually used for storing farming tools and firewood; the space above is where the whole family lives.

For the Thai people, building a house is a momentous event. From choosing the land and orientation to carving the pillars and erecting the roof, everything is meticulously planned. Mr. Quang Van Puon, from Long Hang village, Muong E commune, Son La province, explains the process of building a Thai stilt house: “First, we go to the forest to cut wood. We must find wood for the pillars first, then choose wood for the rafters, then the planks, and finally cut bamboo for the floor. After cutting enough wood, we go to find roof tiles, gather all the materials, then level the ground, and ask the shaman to find an auspicious day and month to build the house.”

Traditional stilt houses of the Thai ethnic group in Northwest Vietnam.

After gathering all the necessary materials for building the house, the villagers will work together to construct it. Once the house is finished, the entire village celebrates with a feast, drinking rice wine and performing traditional dances to share the joy with the homeowner. This is not only a celebration of a new house but also an opportunity for the people to demonstrate their solidarity and mutual support – a long-standing tradition in Thai culture.

In the traditional beliefs of the Northwestern Thai people, the stilt house is not simply a place to live, but also a cultural and spiritual space intimately connected to the spiritual life of each family and clan. Therefore, many taboos are strictly observed within the stilt house. The ancestral altar is always placed in a solemn and sacred position; it is forbidden to sit with one's back turned, stretch one's legs, or speak and laugh loudly, and access by strangers is restricted. The staircase of the stilt house also signifies distinction of status and gender; women often avoid using the main staircase, especially during religious ceremonies. The arrangement of sleeping places in the house follows a hierarchical order; children and grandchildren avoid sleeping near the ancestral altar, and avoid lying with their feet facing the door... These taboos not only reflect spiritual beliefs but also contribute to maintaining family order, respect for hierarchy, and the distinctive cultural identity of the Northwestern Thai people.

Modern stilt houses have now been modernized.

Mr. Quang Van Puon, from Long Hang village, Muong E commune, Son La province, added: “Besides that, there are other taboos such as not buying or selling anything on the day of the ancestral commemoration ceremony, and not taking anything out of the house. Similarly, the same taboos are not allowed on the day of building a new house. Women and young girls are not allowed into the ancestral worship room; only the elderly are permitted to enter.”

Today, with urbanization and changes in economic conditions, many Thai families in Northwest Vietnam have switched to building modern, sturdy houses. Many traditional stilt houses have been renovated, had their materials changed, or have gradually disappeared from the villages.

Modern stilt house

Concerned about the potential loss of cultural values ​​associated with stilt houses, many Thai communities have made efforts to preserve traditional stilt houses. Some localities have implemented programs to restore stilt houses, linking cultural preservation with community tourism development, creating livelihoods for the people. More importantly, the awareness of preserving stilt houses is gradually being passed on to the younger generation as a responsibility towards their roots.

As a young member of the Thai ethnic group, Mr. Luong Van Am from Phai Cong village, Chieng Sinh commune, Dien Bien province, expressed: “Our grandparents and parents have lived in stilt houses since their time. As someone who specializes in building stilt houses for people in the area, I am always fond of the stilt house designs of my ethnic group. Currently, I am also living in a stilt house, and in the future, as long as it is not damaged or dilapidated, I will continue to live in a stilt house according to the customs of my ethnic group.”

Many Thai villages in Northwest Vietnam still preserve the traditional stilt house style.

The elders in the Thai villages of Northwest Vietnam still say, "As long as there are stilt houses, there is a village, and the soul of the Thai people remains." Therefore, amidst the changes of modern life, preserving stilt houses is not only about preserving a traditional architectural style, but also about safeguarding the cultural heritage of a community that has been enduringly connected to the mountains and forests of Northwest Vietnam, and needs to be promoted together by the Thai people.