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Explorers often include border milestones in their adventurous itineraries.
Exploring Vietnam's Border Milestones
A Pa Chai Milestone 0
Located at the tri-border of Vietnam, Laos, and China, in A Pa Chai, Sín Thầu Commune, Mường Nhé District, approximately 250 km from Điện Biên Province's capital. This marks Vietnam's extreme west, bordering Yunnan Province, China to the northwest and Laos to the southwest. This region is predominantly inhabited by the Hà Nhì ethnic group.
This milestone, standing 2 meters tall, crafted from granite, sits atop a 25 m² square pedestal, situated on the peak of Khoang La San Mountain, nearly 1,900 meters above sea level. Each face points towards a different country, bearing their national emblems and names inscribed in their respective languages. The milestone was erected on June 27, 2005.
To ascend the milestone, you must obtain an introduction letter from your workplace or a travel confirmation from the local authorities to request permission at the Command of the Border Guard in Dien Bien province. The process takes about 2 hours, starting at 8 am. After about 4 hours of trekking through the forest, you will complete the journey to conquer milestone 0 A Pa Chai.
Milestone 1378
If milestone 0 A Pa Chai marks the beginning of the Vietnam-China border route, milestone 1378 is the final milestone. This milestone holds a special position as it is located at the mouth of the Bac Luan River on Dau Got Island, in a cluster of small islands belonging to Tra Co ward, Mong Cai city, Quang Ninh province.
The cylindrical landmark is built quite tall to avoid submersion during high tides. The construction process was challenging due to weak soil foundation. Since November 18, 2009, milestone 1378 has stood firm amidst the vast sea.
Reaching this milestone is not a simple matter. Firstly, you need permission from the Command of the Quang Ninh Border Guard, then the border post directly managing the milestone will arrange the time and assign an officer to accompany you. Arriving at Trang Vy Wharf and after half an hour by motorboat, you will reach the large milestone with 3 black, gold, and red stripes on a white background. From here, you can also see milestone 1377 within China's jurisdiction.
Milestone 428
The milestone 428, made of granite, sits in Lung Cu commune, Dong Van district, Ha Giang province. Just 2 km away lies the deep blue Nho Que River, dividing our country from China. This milestone marks the furthest northern territory of our homeland.
The journey to milestone 428 is only 2 km long, but the rugged terrain makes it a nearly 3-hour trek, starting from the end of Xeo Lung village, home to the H'mong people.
Upon arrival, you can see milestone 426 on a distant mountaintop, with milestone 427 leaning down the mountain ridge. This journey often includes a visit to the Lung Cu flagpole about 5 km northward.
Milestone 79
Milestone 79 is the highest border milestone in Vietnam, located in Mo Si San commune, Phong Tho district, Lai Chau. It was erected on October 24, 2004, at an altitude of nearly 3,000 m, on the serene saddle of Phan Lien San peak. This 'roof of the border' lies in the most treacherous area along the Vietnam-China border.
To reach here, you need permission from the Lai Chau Border Guard Command and must inform the Vang Ma Chai border post.
Landmark 42
Landmark 42, situated in Pa Ủ commune, Mường Tè district, Lai Châu province, is the second highest landmark in Vietnam. It was erected on October 8, 2008, by the Pa Vệ Sủ border post, marking the border with China at an altitude of over 2,800 meters. The journey to landmark 42 traverses rushing streams, steep slopes, sometimes taking 4 hours to overcome, and precarious cliffs.
Nevertheless, there are stretches of breathtaking scenery, with picturesque hills blanketed in wildflowers, and clusters of pink trees adorned with vibrant red flowers. Those who seek to conquer Pu Si Lung peak will pass by this landmark 42.
Landmark 92
From Lào Cai, take provincial road 156 to Bát Xát town and proceed to A Mú Sung commune. From the town center, travel nearly 20 kilometers along the Red River to reach landmark 92 on the Vietnam-China border.
This is the tripoint where China's Yuanjiang River merges with Vietnam's Lũng Pô River, becoming the source of the Red River flowing into Vietnam.
The milestone column 92, made of granite, was erected on December 7, 2004, at an altitude of 114 meters, managed by Lung Po Border Post. On the journey here, you will witness the vast terraced fields and the relentless flow of sediment-laden red water of the Red River.
East Indochina Trilateral Milestone
The unnumbered milestone at the East Indochina Trilateral is located near Bo Y border gate in Ngoc Hoi district, Kon Tum province, bordering Ratanakari province of Cambodia and Attapu province of Laos. This marks the beginning of the Vietnam-Cambodia border and the end of the Vietnam-Laos border.
The tri-border milestone, made of granite triangular prism, sits atop a 1,086-meter-high mountain, constructed from November 29, 2007, to January 18, 2009, with each face engraved with national emblems and the names of each country. Along the Ho Chi Minh trail from Quang Nam to Kon Tum, after 80 kilometers of narrow road, you will reach the Bo Y international border gate, and concrete steps will lead you to this milestone.
Milestone 240
Passing through Dong Thap, take the time to visit Thường Phước border gate to reach milestone 240, marking the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. This is also where the Mekong River enters Vietnam after originating from Tibet, China, flowing through Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia. The nine major branches of the river have enriched the entire Mekong Delta with fertile alluvium, making the entire Southwest region prosperous and abundant.
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Visit Mytour for more informationAugust 5, 2016
