Buzz
Even in the rainy days of November, the white mustard flowers bloom magnificently across the Moc Chau plateau, turning this place into an enchanting destination for travel enthusiasts and flower seekers.
Exploring the Charm of Moc Chau during the Blooming White Mustard Season
Located 200 km west of Hanoi, Moc Chau is the largest district in the mountainous region of Son La province. Arriving here during this time, you will be amazed by the beauty under the veil of mist and the captivating fields of mustard flowers brimming with vitality.
Time
Late autumn to early winter (around November, December) is the peak season for the blooming white mustard flowers in Moc Chau. Travelers can encounter vast fields or valleys covered in white mustard flowers, resembling a painting of a cool and lush prairie.
Apart from the mentioned time frame, you still have the chance to explore Moc Chau for tourism from before Tet to as late as February to admire cherry blossoms, plums. March is also a beautiful time to admire the blooming Bauhinia flowers, while September hosts the Independence Day of the H'mong people.
Transportation
If you take the coach, the average price nowadays is 100,000 VND per person. Coaches heading to Son La, Dien Bien all pass through Moc Chau. Boarding time is from 5 am to 11 pm. Upon arrival, you can rent a motorbike to visit tourist spots for 150,000 VND per day. If you drive your own motorbike, the fuel cost is about 300,000 VND for the round trip.
Accommodation
Moc Chau offers 3 options for overnight stays: renting rooms (guesthouses, hotels), camping, or staying in homestays with locals. Room rental prices range from 150,000 to 250,000 VND for budget options. Larger rooms may cost a few hundred thousand VND more. The town and rural areas have more guesthouses concentrated.
If you opt for homestay with locals, you only need to pay 50,000 - 70,000 VND per person around the area near Ang Pine Forest. It's advisable to call in advance to avoid full bookings or subpar service quality. If camping is your choice, bring along a tent, jacket, thin blanket, versatile pot, and other necessary items.
Playground Spot
– Admire Rapeseed Flowers: Explore Bản Pa Phách (also known as Ba Phách, renowned as the “rapeseed flower paradise”), the pine forest area of Áng village, Cóc village in Đông Sang commune, Vân Hồ district, Mộc Châu farm town... are places abundant with rapeseed flowers and beautiful viewpoints.
– Tea Hill: Visit and capture photos of tea hills or vast tea fields are great suggestions for you. Some places for you to capture beautiful moments among tea hills are Mộc Châu farm town (going opposite from the town center for about 5-7 km), the heart-shaped tea hill in Tân Lập...
– Visit Ethnic Villages: If you want to visit Mông ethnic villages, you should go to Lóng Luông area, Vân Hồ district. Meanwhile, in Áng village, you have the opportunity to experience the unique culture of the Thai ethnic group.
– Dai Yem Waterfall: On the way to Loóng Sập border gate (between Vietnam and Laos), travelers will be impressed by the two-tier waterfall pouring water day and night, as white and soft as a strip of silk amid the blue of the mountains and forests.
– Bat Cave: From Mộc Châu town, going up towards Sơn La town about 300m, you will reach Bat Cave (also known as Sơn Mộc Hương cave), located on the right side of the mountain, about 150m from National Highway 6. From the cave entrance, you can see the whole Mộc Châu town. Inside the cave is a mysterious stalactite formation for tourists to explore.
– Ancient Pine Hill: This place is very close to the town and quite ideal for camping, picnicking.
Must-try specialties
Some specialties of Moc Chau are nam pia, buffalo jerky, stream fish, wild boar, hill chicken, bamboo-cooked rice, snails, water spinach... You can dine at Quan 64, Xuan Bac 181, Quan 70 or some local households offering services in Ang village.
Souvenirs to buy
Travelers should consider buying mountainous specialties such as tea, milk, apple cat, corn, grilled cake, sticky candy, buffalo meat, smoked beef, apple wine, corn wine... as gifts.
Note
- Nights in Moc Chau during this season tend to be chilly, so travelers should pack warm clothing. If traveling by motorbike, it's essential to bring rain gear and necessary supplies.
- Checking the weather forecast before heading out is advisable as this season often brings rain and early darkness. In case of fog, reduce speed appropriately, avoid excessive speed, and remember to turn on headlights to prevent traffic incidents.
According to VnExpress
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourNovember 7, 2014
