Buzz
The Northern part of Vietnam always holds numerous mysteries for those passionate about exploration. If you've ever heard of the locations Tà Xùa and Bình Liêu, you surely know about the mythical 'dinosaur backbone'—mesmerizing and equally perilous.
Explore the Majestic 'Dinosaur Backbones' Challenging Adventure Seekers
Northwest: Tà Xùa, Sơn La
Tà Xùa is a highland commune (belonging to Bắc Yên district) bordering the districts of Trạm Tấu (Yên Bái) and Bắc Yên (Sơn La). From Hanoi, take National Highway 32 towards Nhổn to Sơn Tây town, cross Trung Hà bridge, then go to Thanh Sơn, Thu Cúc. At the Thu Cúc intersection, head to Phù Yên, and you'll reach Bắc Yên. From Bắc Yên, it's about 15km to Tà Xùa. If returning via different routes, go straight from Tà Xùa to Trạm Tấu without going back to Bắc Yên. This route is quite steep, but going downhill makes it more manageable.
Tà Xùa is a humble commune situated in the high mountains, only recently discovered for its beauty, drawing adventurers since the end of last year. Therefore, services for dining, accommodation, and rest here are still primitive with limited choices. The ideal time to chase clouds in Tà Xùa is during the winter and spring. During this period, the probability of a successful cloud chase is high. Especially, the clouds in this season are exceptionally beautiful, lingering, creating magical and impressive moments. The weather should be drizzling, with low temperatures at night and high temperatures during the day. Daytime should have some sunshine for the clouds to appear more beautiful.
Northeast: Bình Liêu, Quảng Ninh
Bình Liêu, situated over 100km to the northeast of Halong City, is a mountainous district near the border. Often referred to as a miniature Sapa, this small district provides an opportunity to immerse in the culture of ethnic minorities such as Dao, Tày, Sán Chỉ, enjoy the picturesque landscapes of endless mountains and forests, inhale the fragrance of cinnamon, and listen to the gentle sounds of numerous streams.
With its diverse mountainous terrain in the Dong Trieu – Mong Cai arc, Bình Liêu is blessed with many beautiful landscapes. Almost every season in Bình Liêu is stunning, so you can plan your visit any time. Each season in Bình Liêu has its unique beauty.
From the town of Bình Liêu, heading towards Hoành Mô on QL18C for about 3-4 km, turn right into Ngàn Chuồng commune. Follow the road towards milestones 68, then continue for about 14 km to milestones 1302 and 1305, well-known landmarks. From milestone 1302, travel an additional 9 km to reach two famous locations on this journey: the 'dinosaur backbone' and milestone 1305. Along the way, you'll be treated to views of the border route and the unique features of the local terrain.
The road to milestone 1305 does not have stairs, so you'll need to trek across the 'dinosaur backbone.' The fastest trekking time is about 2 hours in good weather. This area is the border between Vietnam and China, and you may encounter border patrols during your trek.
By Như Ý (compiled)
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourAugust 25, 2017
