Buzz
Northwest beckons adventurers with its majestic mountains and challenging, adventurous routes. Amidst the high mountains, the villages stand gracefully, offering a poetic beauty that mesmerizes travelers throughout the year.
In our spontaneous itinerary, our three-day journey to the Northwest kicks off from Hanoi to Moc Chau, then to Muong La, passing through the town of It Ong, crossing the Nam Chien hydroelectric plant, and reaching Ngoc Chien commune to visit Luot village. The final day will take us through Nam Khat (Mu Cang Chai) to the Khau Pha pass, then to Tu Le, Van Chan, Thu Cuc Thanh Son, straight back to Hanoi. Although the description may seem lengthy, the main highlight is visiting Luot village, Ngoc Chien commune, bathing in natural hot springs, and the famous Lim Mong and Lim Thai villages nestled amidst the clouds.
On the initial day of our journey, we halted and spent the night in Moc Chau. The following day, the challenging journey commenced. Surpassing approximately 20km from Son La city to Hat Lot town, we turned into Ta Hoc, followed the road to Muong Chum, Muong Bu, and then turned into Muong La.
The road from Muong Bu to Muong La is a provincial road that has been asphalted, making it relatively easy to traverse. On both sides of the road are areas of corn and rice fields blending into the picturesque hills and mountains.
The stretch of road from the Nam Chien hydroelectric plant to Ngoc Chien commune is the most challenging, with rocks and steep slopes. On one side is the mountain wall, on the other side is the reservoir of the hydroelectric dam. This area is quite desolate, with only a few scattered houses on both sides of the road. Thanks to the breathtaking scenery, we casually admire and forget about the challenging road ahead.
Through winding paths, terraced fields that stretch endlessly, and crystal-clear streams, we arrived at Ngoc Chien in the midst of noon. Situated at an average altitude of over 1,800m above sea level in Mường La district, Sơn La province, Ngoc Chien is blessed with a cool climate throughout the year, often likened to being the second Dalat.
Apart from the famous hot mineral springs, this place captivates visitors with local specialties such as 'cần' wine, apple wine, cassava sticky rice, bamboo-cooked rice, 'thắng cố' - a local delicacy, grilled fish, grilled meat, cat mustard greens, and more. Above all, it's the pristine yet majestic beauty that leaves one in awe. Amidst the cool weather, the stilt houses take on hues of time against the golden and green backdrop of the rice fields, resembling a beautiful painting.
The people of Ngoc Chien often construct stilt houses using 'pơ mu' wood, a characteristic wood of the region that even many wealthy individuals find hard to obtain. Some new houses still emanate the fragrant scent of fresh wood, shining with the yellow color of 'sơn vécni'; while ancient stilt houses, their wood aged and tinged with gray, are adorned with patches of moss in certain places. Many hot mineral baths here are also built using this type of wood. According to the locals, 'pơ mu' wood emits a distinctive fragrance that repels mosquitoes and is beneficial for health.
After a tiring journey, we chose a homestay in Ban Luot to immerse ourselves in the hot mineral water. The hot mineral water here seems hotter than other places. After about thirty minutes soaking, I gave up sightseeing. On the way, it's easy to come across H'Mong children with rosy cheeks following their parents to the fields or playing on the slopes. A night's stay and hot water bath here cost less than 70,000 VND per person. If you only want to bathe without staying overnight, it's only 10,000 VND.
The next morning, we left Ban Luot to continue the journey to Mù Cang Chải. The road is quite smooth, and the breathtaking mountainous scenery mesmerizes everyone. Stopping at Nậm Khắt commune, the village is still quiet in the thin mist, waiting for the first rays of the day. As noon approaches, the mist dissipates, warm air spreads across the valley, creating a vibrant scene. Some H'Mong women swiftly weave bright brocade fabrics, while children play and laugh on the golden, budding rice fields.
The next challenging stretch leads to Khau Phạ Pass. Located in Cao Phạ commune, Mù Cang Chải district, Yên Bái province, this place is renowned for its steep and treacherous slopes, attracting adventurous travelers like us to conquer its heights.
After conquering steep and winding mountain roads, by noon, Khau Phạ Pass revealed itself. Standing atop the pass, the whole group enjoyed the panoramic view of the vast valley with golden rice fields and majestic mountain ranges swaying in the gentle breeze.
The name Khau Phạ means 'Horns of the Sky.' It's only when standing on this majestic pass, gazing at the distant mist-shrouded Lìm Mông and Lìm Thái villages, that one truly understands the feeling of being suspended in the midst of the sky.
From the pass, we could clearly see the stilt houses of Lìm Thái village nestled beside the meandering stream amidst vast rice paddies. In the distance, Lìm Mông village appeared delicately perched on the mountainside, adorned with ancient apricot and peach trees. This picturesque scene is enhanced by terraced fields interwoven with water streams, showcasing the hues of golden and green rice crops.
In contrast to Lìm Thái in the valley, Lìm Mông belongs to the H'Mong people, individuals accustomed to a life of freedom in the high mountains. Hence, as the population grows, they move to higher elevations. Perhaps that's why people say that reaching Lìm Mông is reaching the ultimate destination, and there are no more residential roads, just paths leading to fields and forests.
Despite the challenging journey, treacherous paths, and rustic villages amidst the magnificent nature, Northwestern Vietnam always captivates travelers at any time of the year. Come here to experience the feeling of walking amidst waves of golden rice fields, surrounded by the intoxicating fragrance of blooming flowers, and to understand the prideful spirit of people living beneath the sky.
Source: Business Saigon
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourJanuary 22, 2016
