Buzz
When Yen Bai is mentioned, most travel enthusiasts are familiar with Mu Cang Chai and its mesmerizing terraced fields, a true masterpiece of art. The ideal time to immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of this place is during September and October. Witness the breathtaking sight of terraced fields, experience the warmth and friendliness of the Northwestern locals, and savor the unforgettable aroma of sticky rice. When you have the opportunity to visit Yen Bai, make sure to visit Tram Tau hot springs—a newly discovered gem beloved by the younger generation.
A favorite spot among the youth
Insights into Tram Tau hot mineral springs
Tram Tau is a remote highland district in Yen Bai, renowned for its abundant natural mineral water that is highly beneficial for health. The weather here is incredibly cool, even requiring a blanket for sleep during summer nights. If you want to escape the scorching heat of Hanoi in summer, this is an ideal choice. Many tourists often choose to combine a visit to Mu Cang Chai's terraced fields with Tram Tau in September and October. It's a delightful experience, enjoying the breathtaking natural scenery and immersing yourself in hot mineral springs.
Terraced fields in front of the tourist area
The ecological area of Tram Tau's mineral springs in Yen Bai is considered a 'miniature Bali' with a panoramic view of the endless terraced fields. Without the need to go far, you can sit right at the mineral spring area to admire the scenery or take Instagram-worthy photos. The Tram Tau mineral spring area has a reasonable cost of 500,000 VND/person for a 2-day-1-night stay, featuring hot mineral springs that help relax muscles, improve blood circulation, and alleviate daily fatigue.
For just 500k/day, you can easily enjoy this place
For those suffering from joint pain, cold feet, and a chilly abdomen, immersing in hot mineral springs is highly beneficial. However, individuals with high blood pressure or enlarged pores should limit the time spent in the hot springs to avoid feeling dizzy afterwards. If you choose to stay overnight at the mineral spring area, you can comfortably soak in the hot springs multiple times a day, with shorter durations to prevent dizziness.
Another perspective of the tourist area
How to travel to Tram Tau?
Getting to Tram Tau is quite straightforward. If you're an adventurous driver, you can invite a few friends for a motorcycle trip. The journey is a little over 200km, following the route from Hanoi - Cau Trung Ha - Thanh Son - Thu Cuc - Nghia Lo - Tram Tau. The road is generally easy, with gentle curves allowing you to both travel and appreciate the natural beauty. The route is similar for personal cars. When reaching Thanh Son, take a break, enjoy a sugarcane juice, and admire the endless tea hills.
Adventure enthusiasts can take the wheel and drive themselves here
If you're not confident in your driving skills, there are plenty of passenger buses from Hanoi to Nghia Lo. Just head to My Dinh bus station, and you'll find numerous options. Once in Nghia Lo, simply take a motorbike taxi or a taxi for the remaining 30km to reach Tram Tau. The 30km journey from Nghia Lo town to Tram Tau district is enchantingly beautiful, with winding hills, pine forests, reminiscent of Dalat's charm. However, this road is narrow, with short, steep stretches, and gravel-filled paths. Hence, it's essential to ride slowly and carefully to avoid accidents.
What makes Tram Tau mineral spring tourist area attractive?
Having afternoon tea or enjoying drinks here is absolutely fantastic
Tram Tau's hot mineral spring features a beautifully designed and well-equipped accommodation system. The modern design includes bungalow areas, dining spaces, and a hot mineral water swimming pool zone. The rooms are furnished with amenities, offering direct views of the stunning terraced fields. Prices range from 400,000 VND to 700,000 VND, depending on the room type, accommodating 3 to 4 people. For a more budget-friendly option, communal stilt houses are available at around 200,000 VND/night.
Incredibly lush landscapes
If you simply want to soak in the hot mineral springs without staying overnight, the cost is approximately 50,000 VND/person. However, if you've booked accommodation, this cost is naturally included in the lodging fee.
The great thing here is that all services are within the tourist area, eliminating the need to travel far. Ideal for office workers looking to unwind with family or friends after a challenging work week. If you find it too mundane, explore the surrounding villages for new discoveries.
Explore other charming villages along the way
What to eat in Tram Tau?
Tram Tau, like any destination in the Northwest, is renowned for its aromatic grilled bamboo-stick pork, a dish with a seemingly simple preparation but bursting with the rich and distinctive flavors of the Northwest. The meat, including skin and fat, is marinated with a full array of spices, wrapped in fresh banana leaves, and then grilled on a vibrant red charcoal stove. The golden, evenly cooked, fragrant, and sweet grilled meat is a delightful treat.
A plate of pork and chicken is enough for 4-6 people
Cốm Tu Le is a must-try delicacy when visiting the land of Yen Bai. Carefully selected and meticulously processed by Thai ethnic women, the rice grains go through a thorough screening and roasting process. The taste of cốm is sweet and pure, encapsulating the essence of the Northwestern mountainous culture.
You can also indulge in various other specialties such as black square cakes, sour greens, shrimp paste, rolled pork with bamboo shoots, rooster meat from Luc Yen, and the famous Nậm Thia snakehead fish... These dishes are unique specialties of Yen Bai. On a cool evening, savoring these delicacies alongside a few sips of warm wine creates an unparalleled experience.
Where can you go from Tram Tau?
For those truly passionate about exploration, Tram Tau is the starting point for trekking to beautiful peaks like Ta Xua or Ta Chi Nhu. You can combine a restful stop here, soaking in hot springs to rejuvenate after a challenging mountain climb. Additionally, from Tram Tau, you can visit other famous destinations in Yen Bai such as Mu Cang Chai, Cu Vai village, or conquer the treacherous Háng Tề Chơ waterfall if you have the courage and stamina.
Visit Khau Pha or Mu Cang Chai for an added adventure
Terraced fields during the water season
In general, Tram Tau is not too far from Hanoi and is extremely suitable for relaxation, self-refreshing, and family vacations. If you have the opportunity, try coming here to immerse yourself in clean hot springs, highly beneficial for health. This experience will undoubtedly leave you satisfied, longing to return many more times.
Author: Pham Xuan Thanh
*This article is part of the Mytour Golocal program
Mytour Golocal is a blog writing program introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam as part of the Mytour Go & Share initiative. It's an excellent 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
