Please don't feed the H'mong

I guess mountain people need mountains even when they are in the city.  It must make them feel at home.  To me it has this strange Zoo scene look that is very disturbing.  Just behind where this photo was taken is a sign to that says, “Rules for Visitors”.  Number 2 on the list is do not buy things from the local village people.  It says to only buy from the approved cultural shops.  I have no idea what an approved cultural shop is but if it’s like what I imagine it steals the crafts at less than pennies on the dollar, creates a huge mark up, and then collects tax on the sale.  Where would some indigenous tribal sort sign up for a deal like that?  Number 3 on the sign said absolutely do not buy anything from children.  We are talking more absolutely than Number 2.   It states that if you buy from children then they will stay on the street and not go to school.  There is a solid truth to that but from what I have come to find out that public education in this part of Vietnam is seriously lacking.  You see the government stopped running the free rural bus service for children.  Hum.  Village partners are not supposed to sell their wares on the street, children can’t sell, buses to school cost money?  Hum, again.   Now you may be able to see the Zoo feeling with H’mong people on the rock in the middle of town and a sign that essentially says please don’t feed the locals.  You have to marvel at what our world does to these amazing indigenous cultures.  Especially considering most of the people in Sapa have come to see them yet they are the ones marginalized.  Just my thoughts.