Hmong village families can be large; everyone pitches in. This girl doesn't seem that much older than her little brother, but still old enough to take care of him. The Hmong, descended from Mongolian nomads, have higher cheekbones and wider faces than the Lao, or other minority communities such as the Khmu. Read more about the three levels of hill tribes we encountered on this trek.
A Black Hmong woman and child take a moment at Bac Ha Market outside of Sapa in Northern Vietnam. Read more about Bac Ha market in Vietnam.
Embroidered blankets and bed covers are also offered along the trek. Women are out in the markets and selling along the paths, while the men and boys work more in the fields and the house. That's the main reason we have more photos of women than men - it wasn't just that the women's dress was more interesting and colorful. Read more about the hill tribes and trekking in Sapa.