Cu Vai Village - A Tranquil Haven in the Clouds

When it comes to exploring the travel journeys of Tram Tau, Yen Bai, people often seek out the hot springs of Tram Tau, trekking routes like Ta Chi Nhu, Ta Xua, and the rice fields of Ban Cong. But few know that Cu Vai Village, perched in the clouds, is an ideal stop for discovering the beauty of Vietnam.

Cu Vai Village

Cu Vai Village - Where Almost No One Knows

Cu Vai Village is an extremely rustic village with vast space and hospitable people, always wearing smiles. Travelers come to Cu Vai to experience nature, breathe in the fresh air, or escape the busy world outside.

Cu Vai Village is a very new and possibly unknown village. It stretches along a small mountain peak in Tram Tau district. Established since 2013 by state planning and innovation, it gathers households living around the mountains into a bustling village, promoting community life in the mountainous region. Thus, Cu Vai Village was born.

The name Cu Vai comes from the language of the Thai people, meaning a rope of clouds stretching across the sky. Viewed from above, the village resembles a straight rope stretching across the sky, perhaps even a runway in the clouds.

Over 40 households, with 80% being Hmong people, live on the village. Every day, everyone goes down to the fields to work, leaving only the elderly and young children at home. At night, every house lights up, gathering for late dinner.

Visit Cu Vai to admire the picturesque hills and mountains

The remarkable feature that enhances the beauty of Cu Vai Village is its elevation of approximately 1300m, providing an ideal vantage point to admire the surrounding hills and mountains. Encircling the village is a 360-degree view of the valley. Cu Vai is always enveloped in clouds and mist. When the clouds and mist dissipate, a series of hills and mountains emerge before your eyes.

In the early morning at Cu Vai, standing at the beginning or end of the village, one can witness countless wisps of clouds drifting lazily, wildflowers swaying gently, and in the distance, the village below.

On the day I visited Cu Vai Village, I was completely overwhelmed by its scenery. The harmonious nature, the echoing birdsong, the laughter of children playing along the village road, ducks leisurely strolling, and a few dogs gathering... the houses along the road emitting white smoke.

The serene beauty

A delightful day visiting Cu Vai village

Come visit Cu Vai village on a beautiful day

Cu Vai village sits atop characteristic highlands, resulting in a perennially chilly climate. Each early morning is shrouded in dense clouds and mist, dissipating gradually as sunlight emerges.

Cu Vai village is at its most picturesque during the winter to spring transition, starting from December, ideal for admiring sea of clouds. In December, cherry blossoms and plum blossoms bloom, and by summer around July, ripe plums are available right in the backyard. This is the peak time for tourists to flock here.

Prior to this, in months like April and May, it's the rainy summer season, June marks the beginning of lush greenery and ripe fruits, by October the trees shed their leaves, yet due to the refreshing atmosphere and ideal scenery, on ordinary days, you can also retreat to Cu Vai village for a restful break, breathing in the fresh air, and enjoying the tranquility of the village.

The road to Cu Vai winds and curves gracefully

Cu Vai village is situated within the administrative area of Xà Hồ commune, Trạm Tấu district, Yên Bái province. It's approximately 8km away from the center of Trạm Tấu district and over 250km from Hanoi.

The road to Cu Vai is now much easier than before, with 90% of it being smooth concrete. However, the uphill climb still twists and turns, making many tourists feel weary as they ascend a long and winding slope.

The final steep section spans about 500m, and the road within the village is still under construction. However, these obstacles cannot hinder the journey of travelers from far and wide to reach this village.

With motorcycles, 5-seater, and 7-seater cars, you can still reach the village normally. Before setting off, ensure your vehicle has enough fuel and brakes are in good condition for a smooth journey. If you're not confident in driving, you can contact local motorbike taxis for pickup and drop-off from the outskirts to the village. Contact Mùa Chua Mỹ's house at 0828 467 591.

What to eat and where to stay in Cu Vai village

Cu Vai village is currently a rustic settlement, where locals mainly engage in livestock farming and rice cultivation in the valley below. Presently, the village is equipped with electricity and sufficient water supply for daily activities.

Locals here also offer homestays, albeit on a small scale, with 4 single bedrooms available, priced at only 250,000 VND per room per night for travelers seeking accommodation. The homestay is located right at the entrance of Cu Vai village. To book your stay and meals in advance, contact A Ly's house at 0387 410 732.

Food and dining in Cu Vai village are often puzzling for first-time visitors. There's only a small grocery store and a local eatery in Cu Vai. If you're traveling in a group, you can call ahead to order various local dishes such as chicken, pork, rice, etc. If you're traveling solo, you can also have meals with local families; it's interesting and fulfilling to eat whatever they offer.

If you're a nature enthusiast, you can bring along a tent for camping. Almost every household in the village has a spacious yard where you can ask to camp, enjoying the view of the clouds without needing to go anywhere else.

Above are my firsthand experiences when visiting Cu Vai village in the clouds. I hope it will be helpful for you on your upcoming journey to explore the beauty of Vietnam or for a weekend getaway and relaxation in this rustic cloud village.

Author: Tran Thanh Dien

*Article participating in Mytour Golocal program

Mytour Golocal is a blogging program introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam, under the framework of the Mytour Go & Share program. It's a wonderful opportunity to promote local tourism to everyone. For each qualifying article, you'll receive 800,000 VND and a chance to become a contributor with Mytour. For detailed information about the program, visit:https://trv.lk/golocal