Northwest Vietnam, a majestic land of rolling mountains and unique cultural identity, has long been a dream destination for travel enthusiasts. Beyond its challenging trekking routes, Northwest Vietnam is also a cloud hunting paradise, where you can immerse yourself in the magical early morning mist, a breathtakingly beautiful scene. If you’re dreaming of a “Northwest Vietnam cloud hunting tour” to witness this wondrous beauty, join “Du lịch khắp thế gian” (Travel the World) to explore 8 amazing destinations below, where clouds and mountains harmonize, creating unforgettable moments.
1. Bach Moc Luong Tu: “Floating” Amidst a Sea of Clouds
- Altitude: 3,046m (10,007 feet)
- Location: Between Sin Suoi Ho, Lai Chau and Sang Ma Sao, Lao Cai
Bach Moc Luong Tu, known as the “second roof of Indochina,” is not only an ideal trekking spot but also a unique cloud hunting paradise. Every sunrise, as the sun begins to peek over the horizon, standing atop Bach Moc, you’ll be overwhelmed by a vast white sea of clouds floating like a fairyland. In particular, the legendary swing at an altitude of 2,100m (6,890 feet) is a must-visit “early morning mist hunting” spot, where you can “float” in the immense space, capturing unique “virtual living” moments beside the magnificent sea of clouds. The best time to hunt for early morning mist at Bach Moc Luong Tu is at the end of the year, when the weather is cool, and the clouds are thickest and most beautiful.
Floating amidst the majestic natural scenery of Bach Moc Luong Tu while cloud hunting.
To conquer Bach Moc and successfully hunt for early morning mist, you can choose from two routes:
- Lai Chau Route: Suitable for beginners, the path is gentle and easy to navigate, passing through lush green primeval forests. This route allows you to trek while enjoying the fresh air and capturing early morning mist moments seeping through the trees.
- Lao Cai Route: More challenging, for experienced adventurers. This route is longer and more treacherous with ridges and vertical cliffs, but in return, you’ll experience a sense of conquest and admire the panoramic view of the immense sea of clouds from the mountain peak.
Peaceful early morning scenery on Mount Muoi, a stop on the Bach Moc Luong Tu trekking route for cloud hunting.
Trekking experience along the dinosaur spine on the way to conquer Bach Moc Luong Tu, a unique cloud hunting activity.
2. Nam Kang Ho Tao: Conquering Peaks, Watching Mist Descend
- Altitude: 2,881m (9,452 feet)
- Location: Ban Thao A, Lai Chau
Nam Kang Ho Tao, the trekking route dubbed the most difficult in Northwest Vietnam, not only tests your will but also rewards you with worthy prizes, especially the opportunity to hunt for magnificent early morning mist. With treacherous terrain, many steep rocky slopes and waterfalls, Nam Kang Ho Tao requires conquerors to have good physical strength and mountain climbing experience. However, after overcoming the difficulties, you’ll be immersed in the wild, mysterious beauty of the mountains and forests and amazed by the mist covering everything each morning. The ideal time to hunt for early morning mist at Nam Kang Ho Tao is from February to March and September to November, when the weather is dry, and the fog is not too thick, making it easy to sightsee and move around.
The typical steep rocky terrain of Nam Kang Ho Tao, an ideal cloud hunting spot for professional adventurers.
There are two main routes to conquer Nam Kang Ho Tao and hunt for early morning mist:
- Lai Chau – Lao Cai: A long and difficult route, suitable for professional climbers. This route presents a great challenge but also opens up magnificent scenery and unique cloud hunting opportunities.
- Ban Thao A, Lai Chau: A shorter, easier route, suitable for those with moderate trekking experience. This route still retains the pristine beauty of Nam Kang Ho Tao and offers a memorable cloud hunting experience.
The Nam Kang Ho Tao trekking route helps you push your limits and admire the beautiful early morning mist.
The mystical beauty of Nam Kang Ho Tao comes not only from the treacherous terrain but also from the primeval forest with ancient moss-covered trees and vibrant red maple forests. Cloud hunting at Nam Kang Ho Tao is not just sightseeing but also a journey to discover the hidden beauty deep in the Northwest mountains and forests.
Diverse and rich vegetation in Nam Kang Ho Tao, creating a unique scene when cloud hunting.
3. Ta Chi Nhu: “Watching Clouds Play” Atop the Sacred Mountain
- Altitude: 2,979m (9,774 feet)
- Location: Tram Tau District, Yen Bai
Ta Chi Nhu, also known as Phu Song Sung or Chung Chua Nha, is one of the most famous cloud hunting spots in Northwest Vietnam. With an altitude of nearly 3,000m (9,843 feet), Ta Chi Nhu offers a panoramic view of the floating sea of clouds, especially every early morning. The best time to hunt for clouds and early morning mist at Ta Chi Nhu is from November to March, when the weather is dry, with little rain and plenty of clouds. The Ta Chi Nhu trekking route is not too difficult, suitable for both beginners and experienced trekkers, making it easy for you to conquer the mountain peak while fully enjoying the beautiful early morning mist scenery.
Green space and natural lake on the Ta Chi Nhu trekking route, an ideal stop for cloud hunting.
The terrain of Ta Chi Nhu is diverse with rocky slopes and forests, but the path is quite clear, with few intersections, helping you easily orient yourself and focus on cloud hunting. Standing on the top of Ta Chi Nhu in the morning, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world, where clouds and mountains harmonize, creating a majestic and poetic natural painting.
Gentle slope of Ta Chi Nhu in the early morning mist, a peaceful and romantic scene for a cloud hunting tour.
Check-in at the top of Ta Chi Nhu in a sea of early morning mist, a memorable moment in the Northwest cloud hunting journey.
4. Nhiu Co San: “Touching” The White Sea of Clouds
- Altitude: 2,965m (9,728 feet)
- Location: Sang Ma Sao Commune, Bat Xat, Lao Cai
Nhiu Co San, the mountain meaning “buffalo horn” in the H’mong language, is one of the peaks that “produces” the most beautiful white sea of cloud photos in Northwest Vietnam. Standing on the top of Nhiu Co San in the early morning, you’ll feel like you can touch the floating sea of clouds, fully enjoying the magical beauty of nature. Winter in Nhiu Co San brings a unique “crystal forest” scene when plants are covered with frost, creating a European-like beauty. In spring, the mountains and forests of Nhiu Co San are filled with vibrant flowers, offering diverse and exciting cloud hunting experiences.
Natural waterfall in the heart of Nhiu Co San, a unique highlight on the cloud hunting trekking tour.
To hunt for early morning mist in Nhiu Co San, you need to prepare personal identification documents to complete procedures at the Sang Ma Sao border post. The Nhiu Co San trekking route is not too difficult, suitable for those in good health and with a passion for exploration.
Nhiu Co San with a mysterious beauty in the early morning mist, an attractive destination for cloud hunting enthusiasts.
Fog covering from the foot to the peak of Nhiu Co San, creating a mystical and poetic scene for early morning cloud hunting.
5. Tay Con Linh: Exploring the “Roof of Northeast” in Misty Haze
- Altitude: 2,419m (7,936 feet)
- Location: Hoang Su Phi District, Ha Giang
Tay Con Linh, the “roof of the Northeast,” is still a relatively unfamiliar name to many adventurers, but it is a cloud hunting destination with great potential. The route to conquer Tay Con Linh is quite difficult, requiring perseverance and endurance, but in return, you’ll admire the pristine, majestic beauty of the mountains and forests and immerse yourself in the misty sea every morning. Ancient Shan Tuyet tea hills stretching out in the early morning mist create a fairytale-like scene. Green terraced fields in spring or golden in autumn are also distinctive highlights on the cloud hunting journey in Tay Con Linh.
Mysterious Tay Con Linh mountain hidden in the early morning mist, a pristine and challenging cloud hunting spot.
The road to the top of Tay Con Linh passes through primeval forests with diverse vegetation and a unique salmon farm nestled among cliffs. There are many Tay Con Linh trekking routes for you to choose from, each route offering unique experiences and challenges, but all promising unforgettable cloud hunting moments.
Primeval forests on the way to the peak of Tay Con Linh, majestic natural scenery in the early morning mist.
Stop and take photos for social media amidst the majestic nature on the Tay Con Linh cloud hunting trekking tour.
6. Pu Si Lung: “Overcoming Challenges” To See Thousands of Clouds
- Altitude: 3,080m (10,105 feet)
- Location: Pa Ve Su Commune, Lai Chau
Pu Si Lung, the peak dubbed the most difficult to conquer in the top trekking spots of Northwest Vietnam, is an ideal destination for those who love adventure and want to challenge themselves on a cloud hunting journey. The Pu Si Lung trekking route is quite long and arduous, but the natural scenery here is extremely diverse and majestic. Especially in the rhododendron flower season (February – April), Pu Si Lung puts on a brilliantly colored coat, creating a beautiful scene for cloud hunting trips. Border marker No. 42, located at an altitude of 2,800m (9,186 feet), is a familiar check-in point for adventurers, where you can admire the immense sea of clouds and capture memorable moments.
Pu Si Lung – A Northwest Vietnam trekking route to try once in a lifetime for cloud hunting and peak conquest.
The clear Nam Si Luong stream is an ideal stop to rest and relax on the Pu Si Lung trekking route. To conquer Pu Si Lung and successfully hunt for early morning mist, you need to apply for a climbing permit because this is a Vietnam-China border area.
Border marker No. 42 – the 2nd highest border marker in Vietnam, a must-visit check-in point when cloud hunting on Pu Si Lung peak.
Majestic Pu Si Lung peak in the early morning mist, a worthy reward for conquering efforts.
7. Pu Ta Leng: “Wandering” In A Rhododendron Garden Cloud Hunting
- Altitude: 3,049m (10,069 feet)
- Location: Ta Leng Commune, Lai Chau
Pu Ta Leng, one of the Northwest Vietnam trekking routes highly rated for difficulty, is a destination for adventurers who love conquering and exploring the pristine beauty of mountains and forests. Pu Ta Leng is most beautiful in the rhododendron flower season (May), when the flowers bloom in full, covering the entire mountain, creating a brilliant and romantic scene. Cloud hunting at Pu Ta Leng in the rhododendron flower season is an unforgettable experience, when you can wander in a flower garden in the clouds, enjoy the fresh air and admire the wonderful beauty of nature.
Pu Ta Leng has a long climbing route and slippery terrain, a challenge for those who want to hunt clouds and conquer peaks.
The Pu Ta Leng trekking route is long and steep, requiring climbers to be in good health and well-prepared. However, the pristine beauty and wonderful early morning mist scenery of Pu Ta Leng will surely make you feel worthy of every effort.
Majestic natural scenery on the Pu Ta Leng trekking route, an ideal cloud hunting destination in the rhododendron flower season.
8. Ta Xua: “Amazed” By The “Dinosaur Spine” Sea of Clouds
- Altitude: 2,875m (9,432 feet)
- Location: Bac Yen District, Son La
Ta Xua, famous for its treacherous “dinosaur spine” and floating sea of clouds, is a familiar cloud hunting destination for many adventurers. The Ta Xua trekking route has a steep slope, mainly moving through dense forests, offering different experiences depending on the season. However, the “specialty” of Ta Xua is the sea of clouds, especially in the early morning. Standing on Turtle Rock at dawn, you’ll witness the moment the sun emerges from behind the rolling sea of clouds, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene. A Ta Xua cloud hunting tour is sure to be a memorable experience on your Northwest exploration journey.
The winding and precarious "dinosaur spine" amidst the sea of clouds in Ta Xua, a unique and impressive cloud hunting spot.
The sea of clouds in Ta Xua changes at different times of the day, offering different scenes, from a vast white sea of floating clouds to a brilliantly colorful five-colored sea of clouds. Cloud hunting in Ta Xua is not just sightseeing but also feeling the majesty and poetry of Northwest Vietnam’s nature.
The sea of clouds is the most interesting thing when mentioning Ta Xua, a cloud hunting paradise for adventurers.
Majestic scenery of Ta Xua in the early morning mist, a must-visit destination on a Northwest cloud hunting tour.
With the 8 suggestions above, we hope you will have a truly memorable and fulfilling “Northwest Vietnam cloud hunting tour.” Prepare your luggage carefully, train your health, and set off to explore the magical beauty of Northwest Vietnam’s mountains and forests, where clouds and mountains harmonize, creating unforgettable moments in life.