Marveling at the serene beauty of 'misty land' Y Ty

Y Ty is situated in the western part of Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province, on rocky mountains with an altitude of over 2,000 meters. This is one of the top 10 famous 'cloud hunting' spots among backpackers across Vietnam.

Marveling at the peaceful beauty of 'misty land' Y Ty

Y Ty is 68 kilometers northwest of Bat Xat district. Here, almost all year round, it is covered in fog, rarely seeing sunlight throughout the day. That's why many people refer to Y Ty by the emotionally evocative name 'misty land'.

People often whisper the saying:

'When the seasonal wind blows,

'Head to Y Ty, Ta Xua for cloud hunting.'

The best time to visit Y Ty is during winter and spring, when you can witness vast white clouds amidst serene villages, creating a picturesque scene reminiscent of paradise.

The residents of Y Ty comprise various ethnic groups including H'Mong, Dao, Giay, and particularly the black Hani community, one of the smallest ethnic groups in Vietnam. The Hani community is relatively hospitable and friendly, with children here being carefree and adorable.

In Y Ty, you can see the distinctive architectural style of the Hani people: rectangular houses with walls made of earth, sturdy and durable, with pointed roofs resembling pyramids, providing warmth in winter and coolness in summer. Some houses, even centuries old, remain intact.

However, traditional houses are now scarce, mostly interspersed among newer ones. Nonetheless, Y Ty remains a destination for travelers seeking to experience and explore rustic, peaceful villages without the need for extravagance.

Additional Information:

To reach Y Ty, you can depart from Hanoi, take a train to Lao Cai, or catch a bus to Sapa. From there, it's about another 70km journey to Y Ty.

If you start from Lao Cai, the most suitable route is: Starting from Lao Cai - Bat Xat - Trinh Tuong - Lung Po - A Mu Sung - A Lu - Y Ty - Muong Hum - Sapa and return to Lao Cai.

If you start from Sapa, the recommended route would be: Starting from Sapa - O Quy Ho - Ta Giang Phinh - Muong Hum - Den Thang - Y Ty - A Lu field - Den Sang and return to Sapa.

Currently, the road to Y Ty is being upgraded, making it much easier to travel to Y Ty - Bat Xat than before.

When you arrive at Y Ty, you can spend the night here for only 40 - 50,000 VND per person and enjoy the herbal bath service provided by the Red Dao people to relax after long journeys, also for only 40 - 50,000 VND per person.

Similar to other highland areas in Northwest Vietnam, when you come to Y Ty, you can indulge in specialties such as 'stolen armpit' pork, running chicken, cat's ear vegetables... which are delicious and affordable here.

Best photo shooting and cloud hunting spot: From Y Ty, ask for directions towards Ngai Thau about 4 km back, there's a road leading up to a high village on the mountain. From here onwards, the cloud viewing is spectacular. When you reach the top of the hill, you'll see a vast expanse of white clouds on the other side of the mountain.

By Linh Lan/Emdep.vn (Photo: Photographer Nguyen Hoang Phi)

***

Reference: Travel handbook Mytour