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Beyond Fansipan, the Roof of Indochina, the list below is compiled from the travel experiences of many people over the years. Here are the top 10 highest peaks in Vietnam with amazing routes.
Explore Vietnam's Top 10 Tallest Mountains in 2015
1. Fansipan (3,143m)
Situated on the geographical border between Lai Chau and Lao Cai (at the tri-border junction of Tan Uyen, Tam Duong, and Sapa districts), Fansipan Peak is the highest peak located in the majestic Hoang Lien Son mountain range, stretching from Phong Tho – Lai Chau to Hoa Binh. It is also the highest peak in Indochina, hence dubbed the “Roof of Indochina.” According to geologists, Fansipan formed during the White Limestone – Middle Jurassic period about 100 million years ago. The local H’mong people refer to this place as Hua Xi Pan, meaning giant rocky plate, a sacred highland they chose to settle in since migrating to this land.
2. Phu Ta Leng (3,096m)
Phu Ta Leng – a mountain peak located in Lai Chau, belonging to the wildest and most challenging ranks of Vietnam. The second highest peak also lies on the Hoang Lien Son range, northwest of Fansipan. Between the two peaks lies Hoang Lien Pass (O Quy Ho) at 2,600m and National Route 4D passes through, running from Lao Cai to Lai Chau. Compared to Fansipan, which many consider an unforgettable destination, this mountain is extremely wild, challenging, and has long been devoid of human footprints. It was opened by a group in 2012, and since then, some groups have continued to venture here. Group QL1 was the second group to set foot on this mountain.
3. Pu Si Lung (3,076m)
Pu Si Lung is a mountain located in the northwest of Lai Chau province, between the Da River and the upper reaches of the Nam Na River (a tributary of the Da River), on the Vietnam-China border. It is about 28km northwest of Muong Te. With an area of about 2,400km2. Although ranked third in height, Pu Si Lung is actually the highest peak in Vietnam with a height of 3,775m, not Fansipan.
Devil's Corner is a renowned backpacker and also a journalist with credentials who once climbed to a milestone 42 in 2013. In mid-2014, member Thanh Lucky successfully conquered Pu Si Lung. This is a mountain with a record-long route of over 48km, taking about 5 days and 4 nights. Conquering Pu Si Lung is not difficult if you have already climbed one of the top 10 highest peaks in Vietnam, but obtaining a permit is not easy.
4. Bach Moc Luong Tu (3,045m)
Formerly known for its height of 2,998m, Bach Moc Luong Tu is the fourth highest mountain in Vietnam. At the end of 2013, backpackers were able to measure the height of Bach Moc Luong Tu as 3,045m. Bach Moc Luong Tu's route was only opened in 2012, and it is still a relatively mysterious destination, unfamiliar to backpackers. To climb Muoi Mountain and conquer the Bach Moc Luong Tu range, you need to spend 3 days and 2 nights trekking. There are currently two routes: one from Sang Ma Sao commune, Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province, and the other from Den Sung village, Sin Sui Ho commune, Phong Tho district, Lai Chau province. You can combine ascending one route and descending another for a more diverse experience. Recently, Hachi8 – a professional backpacker – successfully conquered Bach Moc Luong Tu on the majestic Muoi Mountain.
5. Pu Luong (2,985m)
Pu Luong, standing at 2,985m, is located in Yen Bai province, near the border of Son La province. The H'mong people here call this peak Flag Pole Peak because there used to be a flag planted here, which has now been removed and recently replaced with concrete right at the spot where the old milestone once stood. This is the fifth highest mountain in Vietnam, part of the Pu Luong mountain range, ranking as the third highest mountain range in Vietnam after the Fansipan and Dang Mong Luong Tu ranges.
6. Phu Song Sung – Ta Chi Nhu – Chung Chua Nha (2,971m)
Ta Chi Nhu, part of the Phu Song Sung range as referred to by the Thai ethnic group or Chung Chua Nha as called by the H'mong ethnic group, is the sixth highest mountain in Vietnam, located in Tram Tau district, Yen Bai province. This mountain is a dream destination for many mountain lovers because of its famous sea of clouds in the sky. The best time to admire the clouds is from October to February when the cool weather causes the clouds to gather, lingering around the mountains endlessly. Although only 2,985m high, lower than the “Roof of Indochina”, the route to Phu Song Sung is very challenging, slippery, steep, with sand flying in the air, coloring the trail with golden streaks along the winding path.
7. Lung Cung (2,913m)
Lung Cung Peak belongs to Lung Cung hamlet, Phin Ngai (Nan Co commune, Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai). This height poses a challenge right from the road into the hamlet because it is a remote and poor area in the northwest mountainous region. Lung Cung is almost the farthest village, distant from the center of Nan commune. It takes more than twenty kilometers of mountainous forest road, about over two hours by motorcycle (on sunny days), on a narrow, winding, steep road. In the journal of teacher Le Xuan written on November 23, 2014, there is a passage: “The higher I climbed, the more winding and slippery the village road became, and I was enveloped in mist, only able to see the road clearly within a distance of more than thirty meters. Walking and resting, resting and walking, finally I emerged from the mist onto a flat stretch of road bathed in sunlight, that was Lung Cung Peak.”
8. Xi Gio Pao (2,876m)
Awaiting adventurers' conquest.
9. Sa Phinh (2,872m)
Awaiting adventurers' conquest.
10. Ta Xua (2,865m)
The majestic Ta Xua range, composed of three peaks with distinct features like a “turtle's head” and “dinosaur's spine”, is located in Cong village, Tram Tau district, Yen Bai province. The highest peak at 2,865m ranks tenth among the tallest mountains in Vietnam. Conquering it with considerable fitness will take 3 days and 2 nights. After nearly 4 hours of effort, step by step, you will reach the turtle's head at 2,100m. Standing on the turtle's head, taking in the view, and shouting out loud is a truly exhilarating experience. Continuing for over 1 hour with long slopes brings you to the dinosaur's spine. There is no straight path across the spine; you must use both hands and feet carefully to climb down the cliffs, then continue climbing up. Below is a deep abyss, occasionally with strong winds forcing you close to the cliff. Real danger lurks, as one wrong move could result in a fall into the abyss with nothing to stop it. It takes 3 hours to conquer the spine and reach the camping site. The path to the highest peak is relatively easy; you will be surprised because at the summit, there are no trees around, completely obstructing the view. To reach the second highest peak at 2,750m will take an additional 5 hours.
Source: Traveltimes.vn
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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourJanuary 8, 2015
