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Being the western region of Northern Vietnam, Northwest Vietnam comprises 6 provinces: Hoa Binh, Son La, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, and Yen Bai. This area boasts some of the most challenging mountain routes in Vietnam due to the ever-present dangers. Nevertheless, Northwest Vietnam entices anyone who sets foot here with its breathtakingly vast natural landscapes that seem almost unreal.
7 mesmerizing routes in Northwest Vietnam that captivate adventure seekers
1. Lao Cai – O Quy Ho Pass – Lai Chau
O Quy Ho Pass, also known as Hoang Lien Son Pass, stands as one of the longest, most treacherous, and majestic mountain passes in Northwest Vietnam. Situated on National Highway 4D traversing Hoang Lien Son Range, this pass connects Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces, with its summit marking the boundary between the two. O Quy Ho Pass is also nicknamed the 'Cloud Pass' due to the perpetual mist shrouding its peak. It's a pass that nearly holds the record for length in the Northwest mountainous region, stretching almost 50 km. Its altitude, perilousness, and length have earned O Quy Ho the unofficial title of the 'king of passes in Northwest Vietnam.'
Navigating O Quy Ho Pass at any time of the year promises heart-stopping experiences. During rainy seasons, just one-third of the way up the pass, fog blankets the entire route, making visibility extremely challenging. Yet, in sunny weather, drivers might become complacent, leading to accidents due to sudden steep inclines and continuous sharp turns. Along the nearly 50 km pass, you'll marvel at the majestic beauty of Hoang Lien Valley, Silver Falls, and Heaven's Gate. With its summit towering at 2,035m, O Quy Ho Pass is classified among Vietnam's four great mountain passes and is an absolute must-visit route in one's lifetime.
2. Dien Bien – Pha Din Pass – Son La
The name 'Pha Din Pass' originated from the Thai language, where 'Pha' means 'sky' and 'Din' means 'earth,' symbolizing the place where heaven meets earth. Spanning approximately 32 km between Son La and Dien Bien provinces, Pha Din Pass stands as the second among Vietnam's four great mountain passes. Situated within the Tả Phìn plateau system, the pass reaches its highest point at 1,648 meters above sea level.
The terrain of Pha Din Pass is extremely rugged, with steep cliffs on one side and deep abysses on the other, creating a majestic scenery with endless mountain layers. Nowadays, a bypass road constructed along the mountain slopes of the left side of the old National Highway 6, with an altitude of about 1,000m (200 – 400m lower than Pha Din Pass), has reduced traffic through Pha Din Pass. Consequently, the pass is now suitable only for adventurous souls.
3. Nghia Lo – Khau Pha Pass – Mu Cang Chai
Of Vietnam's four great mountain passes, three are located in the Northwest region. Khau Pha Pass, the longest and most treacherous pass on National Highway 32, stretches nearly 40 km and lies between Van Chan district and Mu Cang Chai district in Yen Bai province. Traveling along the route from Nghia Lo to Khau Pha Pass and Mu Cang Chai, you'll encounter many famous landmarks such as La Pan Tan, Tu Le, Che Cu Nha, and Nam Co, at altitudes ranging from 1,200m to 1,500m above sea level. The scenery along this route will enchant you with stunning terraced fields.
In addition to the renowned terraced fields of Mu Cang Chai, which have been recognized as a National Landscape Monument since 2007 in La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha, and De Xu Phinh, the Khau Pha Pass route also takes you to the captivating terraced fields of Tu Le, Ban Lim Mong, and Lim Thai. With each kilometer you traverse, the terraced fields transform with various colors: some fields are ripe golden, some are deep green, some are just sprouting, and in some places, you'll only see the silver color of water like a mirror.
4. Pa Tan – Muong Te
Previously, the Pa Tan – Muong Te route was a terrifying nightmare even for seasoned adventurers due to its incredibly challenging terrain. Conquering this route requires nerves of steel and expert driving skills. A moment of carelessness could lead you straight into the abyss. However, although the road has been upgraded to be more accessible, it doesn't mean it's any less dangerous. Landslides are a common occurrence here, and the mist is as ubiquitous as daily meals.
Nevertheless, the most enticing aspect of the Pa Tan – Muong Te route is the majestic landscapes that the Northwest mountains offer, rivaling even the beauty of Ma Pi Leng in Ha Giang. With rugged mountain ranges endlessly forming picturesque curves, no camera can fully capture the beauty of this place. Though just over 100km of mountainous roads, it takes nearly 4 hours to traverse, and remember, never exceed 40km/h or shift into fourth gear on the descent.
5. Pac Ma – Muong Te – A Pa Chai
On this route, the most challenging section is from Pac Ma to Muong Te. Reaching the point where the Da River enters Vietnamese territory is indeed no easy feat. Along the way, you'll encounter gravel, boulders, and muddy stretches. In Pac Ma, there's a village of the Hmong ethnic group nestled amidst the spacious nature. Despite material scarcity and hardship, life in this remote area seems to fortify the locals with even greater resilience and strength.
From Muong Te to A Pa Chai, the farthest western point of Vietnam, is a different story. It takes a long drive to spot a few small hidden villages nestled in the valleys. The surroundings are filled with grass, flowers, mountains, the melody of birds, and the sound of rushing streams echoing from above. As you approach A Pa Chai, human presence becomes sparse, and it feels as if you and nature have become one. If you have the time, challenge yourself by crossing the fragile bamboo suspension bridges made by locals, with terrifyingly deep water below. Or immerse yourself in the pure streams of the Northwest, washing away all fatigue from traversing these challenging routes, rejuvenating you to easily conquer the westernmost point, A Pa Chai.
6. Muong Nhe – Dien Bien
The western border road of Vietnam will redefine your concept of time, where even at 7 PM, the sky remains bright as if it were only 5 PM. Dien Bien, the fiery crucible of military conflicts in 1954, will greet you with the resolute and gallant Victory Monument atop Hill D1. In Dien Bien, don't miss the Victory Museum, visits to Hills A1 and D1, General Vo Nguyen Giap's bunker, the Command Headquarters of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign... All of these encapsulate the legendary victory of Dien Bien Phu.
Dien Bien is also home to many Thai ethnic communities. The renowned Muong Thanh rice fields have long been immortalized in the saying 'first Thanh, second Lo, third Than, fourth Tac' to denote the richness and vastness of this rice granary. Make sure not to overlook the Thanh Luong hot springs, with mineral-rich hot springs gushing from the mountain, maintaining a temperature of 60°C year-round. Adjacent is the pristine Pe Luong artificial lake, surrounded by lush hills and verdant foliage, creating a harmonious blend of heaven and earth. This forms an eco-tourism destination for hot spring bathing and medical recuperation, attracting an increasing number of tourists.
7. Son La – Mai Chau – Hoa Binh
The Son La – Mai Chau – Hoa Binh route is perhaps the easiest among the top 7 Northwestern routes introduced by Mytour. Stretching over 250km, the smooth asphalt road with few mountain passes makes it easier for travelers, allowing more time and energy to explore the beautiful destinations along the way.
However, this doesn't diminish the natural beauty of the route; instead, the experience along this road will take you through the Moc Chau plateau, beloved for its lush green tea hills, the ancient Ang village pine forest, the Yem Stream waterfall, the legendary Pha Luong peak, the peaceful and picturesque Mai Chau valley, and the exploration of the Hoa Binh hydroelectric dam – a source of pride for generations of local residents.
By Little Duy
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourJuly 27, 2016
