Buzz
I have traversed the 'S' shape of Vietnam, exploring the lives of its people in various regions. It made me realize many things that perhaps I couldn't have fully grasped even if I buried my head in books all my life. Every place I stepped left unique impressions and special emotions about a truly beautiful, peaceful, and close Vietnam.
Terraced fields – a characteristic image of the Northern mountainous region
Yet, the more I travel, the more I realize that, no matter how many new destinations I discover, there's always an irresistible desire within me to return to that land once again. It's the pristine and mysterious Northwest mountains and forests, enchanting the hearts of wanderers, including mine!
SAPA – Whispers of the Clouds
Morning mist veiling Sapa in a tranquil sunrise
Not my first stop in the journey to conquer the Northwest mountains, but Sapa holds the dearest memories for me. My impression of Sapa is perhaps encapsulated by the word 'clouds.' This picturesque land seems to favor me, as during my stay, the entire Sapa nature is covered by drifting white clouds.
The majestic nature of Sapa
A cup of coffee for the morning in a different place
Instead of choosing the bustling town center, I opted for the simple stilt houses in Tả Phìn or sometimes Tả Van to stay overnight. Only here could I fully understand the life of these rustic ethnic people, listening to their stories of farming, ancient legends, sharing a few glasses of homebrewed alcohol,... Just that makes me feel like I have become a child of this land without even realizing.
Simple kitchen of the Sapa ethnic people
The adorable innocence of ethnic children
At the windy summit of Fansipan
One of my most intense emotions in Sapa was probably when I stood on the top of Fansipan - the roof of Indochina - embracing the entire Sapa within my sight. There was a sense of pride, standing on the roof of the Motherland, hearing somewhere the sounds of Sapa's land or the whispers of those drifting clouds?... I'm not sure anymore!
The simple scenery of the Sapa village
Hà Giang - Rediscovering the land of blooming rocks
Pink buckwheat flowers in full bloom
I still remember the first day I set foot in Ha Giang. After a day of breathing in the air here, I hastily pulled out pen and paper to record all my emotions about Ha Giang because I was afraid I would... forget. But I was wrong; how could I forget such an incredibly special land like Ha Giang?
Beyond the word 'special,' I don't know which word can fully express the soul and beauty of Ha Giang. That beauty will take you from one surprise to another.
The dreamy beauty of delicate flowers
Endless stretches of triangle buckwheat fields
My first visit to Ha Giang was in early October, and I was truly enchanted when standing before the vast fields of giant pink buckwheat flowers, a real paradise in the highlands. Amidst a mysterious rocky plateau, a beauty so cold can be the birthplace of delicate pink and purple buckwheat flowers swaying in the wind. I stood there, amidst the vast natural landscapes of Ha Giang, in awe of the wonders of nature.
Simple and rustic houses tinted with the colors of time
The ancient town of Dong Van
In Hà Giang, I love wandering on dusty, stony roads, meandering alongside rustic houses tinted with the colors of time. Early in the morning, I enjoy strolling through the traditional markets or the ancient town of Dong Van, buying miscellaneous items, listening to the ethnic people conversing in a language that I can't comprehend.
Occasionally, I dedicate half a day to climb to the top of Mã Pí Lèng just to witness the sunset and breathe in the fresh air of Ha Giang's land.
Ha Giang's land as seen from Mã Pí Lèng Pass
Ethnic girls in Hà Giang
Hà Giang remains as gentle and tranquil as ever, yet it entices countless wanderers to come, go, and return again!
Colorful flowers showcasing their beauty under the clear sky
Mộc Châu – where you find tranquility
A farm in Mộc Châu
This is my first piece of land in the journey to explore the Northern mountainous region. I can't recall how many times I've returned here, but one thing is certain, there hasn't been a moment in the year in Mộc Châu that I haven't been there.
People often associate Mộc Châu with the seasons of plum and mustard flowers. For me, every return to Mộc Châu is not about the season, it's just... a longing to go!
Terraced fields of ripe rice in Mộc Châu
A glimpse of Mộc Châu in the season of white mustard flowers
Many say Mộc Châu is like a replica of Hà Giang, of Sapa, but to me, Mộc Châu is always Mộc Châu, unlike any other destination. Only in Mộc Châu, you find vast fields of white mustard flowers stretching from the hillsides to the enormous valleys.
I'm addicted to the smell of ripened rice in Mộc Châu. During the white mustard flower season, I often linger here a bit, waiting for the harvest. I wander around the terraced fields of Mộc Châu, watching the locals cultivate the fields, admiring the sparkling golden carpets.
Tranquil scene surrounding two little ones
Sometimes, I can't help but fondly remember the ethnic children in Mộc Châu, adorned in vibrant traditional outfits, a bit messy but always adorable.
I cherish the vivid green tea hills stretching to the horizon, and I have never explored all of those enchanting slopes. I miss the billowing white smoke rising from the old rustic stilt houses... I miss it so much that I pack my bag and set off again!
Simple life by the Mộc Châu tea hills
This beautiful land of the Northwest mountains and forests is no longer just a destination; it's like my second home—a place to depart and return. I consider every visit to this land as a rendezvous, like the romantic dates people have. If you remember, you still care; if you love, you keep coming back!
