Top 10 Most Beautiful Cloud-Hunting Destinations in Vietnam

When it comes to renowned cloud-hunting spots, Tà Xùa is probably the first name that comes to mind for any backpacker. Situated on the border between Sơn La and Yên Bái provinces, conquering the sea of clouds on this mountain requires travelers to travel to Trạm Tấu (Yên Bái) and then spend 2-3 days trekking across three peaks to reach the highest point of Tà Xùa. Along the mountain trek, you will encounter billowy white clouds floating before you, resembling a dream.

Dubbed as the cloud paradise in Vietnam, Tà Xùa attracts countless visitors every year to conquer and explore. It's also an unmissable destination for avid cloud hunters. After traveling 200km from Hanoi, the 13km stretch from Bắc Yên town to Tà Xùa offers breathtaking views of clouds stretching across the mountains.

Tà Xùa - a scenery like a fairyland appears before your eyes with clouds, mountains, and vegetation. Quietly admiring the rolling clouds in the valleys, it's like getting lost in a paradise on earth, where time and space seem to stand still, and every moment becomes more serene and tranquil than ever. The best time to hunt for clouds in Tà Xùa is from December to March each year, when the probability of encountering cloud valleys is highest.

Situated at an altitude of over 2000m, in Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province, Y Ty is an area enveloped in mist all year round. With its beautiful location nestled against the Nhu Co San mountain range, Y Ty exudes a rustic, simple, and wild beauty with its layers of lingering clouds.

The best time for 'cloud hunting' in Y Ty is from September to April every year. This is the perfect time to hunt for clouds in Y Ty because the scenery is majestic, as if you are standing on the 9th cloud. During this time, the temperature in Y Ty, Bat Xat, Lao Cai can be very cold, so visitors should prepare adequate clothing to avoid the cold when cloud hunting in this area.

Y Ty is also the only place inhabited by the Nhi Ha ethnic minority. With its unique cultural identity, the primitive forest of Den Sang – a place likened to a forest hanging on high mountains, Y Ty, Lao Cai attracts backpackers from both inside and outside the country, especially young people who love to explore and conquer challenging roads and passes.

When it comes to beautiful cloud hunting spots, Sapa is always a name that springs to mind. Sapa's beauty lies not in its bustling, vibrant atmosphere, but in its tranquility, in its misty sky, in its serene simplicity. The entire town seems to be engulfed in a sea of floating white clouds, covering every valley and village.

Sa Pa town resembles a floating boat amidst a sea of white clouds, hence the nickname 'cloud river' because the clouds here are very dense, pure white, and spread across all valleys. When the sun rises and combines with the wind, it creates waves of clouds that rise and fall between the mountain slopes. At that moment, you will have the opportunity to admire the villages with rows of pine trees appearing and disappearing, creating a picturesque landscape.

When you come to Sapa for cloud hunting, you cannot miss Fansipan Peak – the roof of Indochina, standing at 3143m above sea level. Standing on the summit and looking down, you will be completely overwhelmed by the thick, lingering clouds flowing right beneath your feet, an amazing feeling as if you are lost in a fairyland.

Bạch Mộc Lương Tử marks the natural boundary between Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces, with its highest peak reaching 3,045 meters. It is one of the five highest mountains in Vietnam, becoming one of the most attractive trekking destinations for young people due to its pristine and majestic beauty of mountain forests and skies.

There are two routes to conquer Bạch Mộc Lương Tử: one from Sàng Ma Sáo commune, Bát Xát district, Lào Cai province, and the other from Dền Sung village, Sin Súi Hồ commune, Phong Thổ district, Lai Châu province. Despite the challenging and dangerous terrain, with steep and perilous slopes not suitable for those with weak physical stamina and fear of heights, it is increasingly attracting adventurous travelers to conquer and explore.

Bạch Mộc Lương Tử is an unmissable cloud hunting spot in the Northwest region. The journey here is quite perilous, but overcoming the difficulties is a highly rewarding experience, with a sea of clouds intertwined with warm and sweet sunshine. Watching the sunrise amidst the floating clouds in the Salt Mountain is perhaps an experience beyond compare. The best time to hunt for clouds here is during the winter.

Ô Quy Hồ Pass not only challenges the curiosity of adventurous souls but also pours dreams into the hearts of art lovers. It's because of the extraordinary natural painting of the Northwestern sky - a beauty bestowed by nature for everyone. If you check-in at this enchanted pass, chances are you'll have a gigantic collection of photos to share on social media that won't run out for a year.

Ô Quy Hồ Pass is located about 15km from the center of Sa Pa, and it's also one of the familiar cloud-hunting spots for backpackers. Ô Quy Hồ Pass is quite perilous, stretching about 50km and lying on the border between Lào Cai and Lai Châu provinces. While Sapa is famous for its 'thread-like clouds,' Ô Quy Hồ Pass offers backpackers rolling waves of clouds. It's also where you'll find a giant sea of clouds amidst the mountains.

Currently, Ô Quy Hồ Pass is the largest and most beautiful pass in Sapa, also the longest pass in the Northwest region. The pass is named after the H'mong language, but it's also known as Hoàng Liên Pass. Along with Mã Pí Lèng Pass (Hà Giang), Pha Đin Pass (Sơn La), and Khau Phạ Pass (Yên Bái), Ô Quy Hồ Pass becomes one of the four great mountain passes in the Northwestern sky.

Tà Chi Nhù is one of the top 10 highest mountains in Vietnam, located in the famous Hoàng Liên Sơn mountain range. It's also known as the kingdom for cloud hunting journeys, as the view here is always covered with clouds. However, compared to the Indochina rooftop Fansipan, the path to Tà Chi Nhù seems more challenging due to the rocky terrain of Yên Bái, with steep and endless mountain roads. Nevertheless, Tà Chi Nhù is still one of the captivating Northern tourist destinations worth experiencing at least once.

Tà Chi Nhù stands at an elevation of 2979m in Trạm Tấu district (Yên Bái), dubbed as the “ocean in the sky,” an ideal place for cloud hunting enthusiasts. Visiting Tà Chi Nhù, you can freely admire the vibrant clouds under the sunlight, the shadows of horses fleeting on the mountainside, and the spaciousness that enchants the soul. The best time to climb Tà Chi Nhù is in winter, when the weather is cool and less rainy.

When mentioning Sìn Hồ in Lai Châu, one imagines a realm of fairyland amidst the Northwestern mountains covered in white clouds. Every year, around the Spring Equinox, travelers flock to the Northwest to experience the cloud-filled roads and the gentle breezes.

Just mentioning it makes one long to return to Sìn Hồ, to bathe in the billowing sea of clouds, and to see the vibrant Mông girls appearing amidst the ethereal scenery of Sìn Hồ. As a highland district of Lai Châu province, bordering to the north with Yunnan province (China), about 60km west of Lai Châu town, Sìn Hồ is a destination favored by adventurers and those seeking unforgettable experiences.

Anyone who visits Sìn Hồ feels as if they are stepping into a world of dreams, with awe-inspiring and picturesque landscapes. Hidden within the clouds are low stilt houses glowing peacefully in the flickering firelight, making visitors feel as if they are in a fairy tale. Conquering Sìn Hồ is no easy feat; the road to Sìn Hồ is winding, with twists and turns, alongside high mountains and deep valleys. However, only by overcoming this challenging journey can one truly appreciate the value of soaring among the clouds, 'Feet touching the clouds, hands reaching for the sky, freely waving amidst the sea of clouds.'

Being one of the grandest mountain passes in Vietnam, Mã Pí Lèng sits on national highway 4C in the land of Pải Lủng and Pả Vi, Meo Vac district, Ha Giang province. As you ascend, clouds adorn the landscape like a fairyland. When visiting Mã Pí Lèng, you'll have the opportunity to admire a stunning natural scenery of majestic mountains and hills. Moreover, you can learn about the history of this pass with many interesting facts.

Mã Pí Lèng connects the city of Ha Giang with Dong Van town and Meo Vac town, with a length of about 20km. Crossing towering passes like Heaven's Gate, Can Ty..., you'll witness a scene of walking among flying clouds, hair tousled by mountain winds, from above looking down at the faint, hazy passes in the rolling clouds. As you ascend, you'll see clouds spread everywhere like entering a fairyland. Cloud hunting at Mã Pí Lèng can also include visits to famous tourist spots like the Twin Mountain of Quan Ba, and the flagpole of Lung Cu.

Mường Móc (Mộc Châu) enjoys a climate akin to Sapa, Tam Dao, and Da Lat, hence, clouds and fog abound. In the local Thai language, Mường Móc means the path of mist and clouds. Here, whether in sunny or rainy seasons, mornings, afternoons, or even midday, one often encounters valleys veiled in mist or mountains and fields cloaked in ethereal fog.

Dew drapes over tea plantations and green grasslands like soft silk; turns imposing mountain ranges into deserted islands amidst a sea of white clouds. Clouds sometimes drift lazily, other times rush in swiftly, only to be swept away by the wind moments later.

To capture the beauty of clouds in Mường Móc, one must first choose elevated areas with abundant clouds and then select tall mountain ranges overlooking rugged valleys. Moreover, finding a picturesque angle, catching the perfect moment of sunlight piercing through the clouds, and framing the shot against the mountain slopes are all essential. Therefore, although clouds abound in Mường Móc, capturing them in perfect conditions at a favorable location is no easy feat. Yet, people persistently flock to Mường Móc for cloud chasing.

While the Northern region boasts many famous mountain towns with cool climates like Sa Pa, Ba Vi, and Mau Son, exploring Tam Dao doesn't lack its own allure. One of the convenient factors that makes Tam Dao always an appealing destination for many is its proximity to Hanoi, just about 80km away.

After just a two-hour motorcycle ride, you'll find yourself in a fairyland where there are only clouds, mountains, towering pine forests, and an air completely different from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

Tam Dao is located in Vinh Phuc province, about 80km from Hanoi. The name Tam Dao derives from the combination of three peaks: Thien Thi, Thach Ban, and Phu Nghia. It's also an ideal spot for cloud chasing. From the mountain peak, you'll be greeted with a dreamy panorama of white clouds drifting to obscure the city below. Cloud hunting in Tam Dao is a great choice for Hanoi residents with limited time and not wanting a lengthy drive.