Northwest Vietnam has long been renowned for its majestic, pristine, and captivating natural beauty. This region attracts visitors not only with its golden terraced rice fields during harvest season and winding, treacherous mountain passes but also with its dreamy, white, floating seas of clouds, like a fairyland. If you are someone who loves exploration, adventure, and wants to immerse yourself in nature, experiencing cloud hunting and camping in the Northwest mountains will surely be an unforgettable memory. This article will introduce you to the most beautiful cloud hunting camping spots in Northwest Vietnam, promising you wonderful experiences.
Ta Xua – Cloud Paradise Calling the Wind
Ta Xua, a majestic mountain range located in Son La and Yen Bai provinces, has long been known as the “cloud paradise” of Northwest Vietnam. With an altitude of over 2850 meters, Ta Xua is not only one of the highest mountains in Vietnam but also an ideal destination for those passionate about cloud hunting and camping. Coming to Ta Xua, you will have the opportunity to admire the vast white sea of clouds covering the entire space, creating an incredibly magical and magnificent scene.
Billowing sea of clouds at Ta Xua, a popular camping spot for cloud hunting in Northwest Vietnam.
To conquer Ta Xua, you will have to overcome dense primeval forests, steep rocky slopes, and challenge your own endurance. However, all difficulties will vanish when you set foot on the summit and admire the white sea of clouds like waves crashing right at your feet. In particular, Ta Xua is also famous for the “dinosaur backbone” – a unique check-in spot with protruding rocks in mid-air, creating the feeling of standing on the back of a giant dinosaur. In addition, the lonely crabapple tree is another highlight of Ta Xua, where you can unleash your creativity and take unique “virtual living” photos.
Camping scene on the summit of Ta Xua, a favorite cloud hunting destination in Northwest Vietnam.
Ta Xua Camping Experience:
- Ideal time: Autumn (September – November) and spring (February – April) are the best times to hunt clouds in Ta Xua. At this time, the weather is dry, with little rain, and the clouds are often thick and beautiful.
- Transportation: You can travel to Ta Xua by motorbike or car. The road is quite difficult, with many steep and gravelly sections, so you need to prepare your vehicle and be in good health.
- Preparation: Tents, sleeping bags, food, drinking water, warm clothes, flashlights, medicine, and necessary personal items. You should bring specialized hiking shoes to ensure safety.
Bach Moc Luong Tu – Touching the Roof of the Wind
Bach Moc Luong Tu, the fourth highest mountain in Vietnam with an altitude of 3046 meters, located on the border of Lai Chau and Lao Cai provinces, is one of the most famous cloud hunting camping spots in Northwest Vietnam. With its impressive height, Bach Moc Luong Tu is likened to the “roof of the wind,” where you can admire the panoramic view of the majestic Northwest mountains and the vast white sea of clouds.
Stunning sea of clouds viewed from the summit of Bach Moc Luong Tu, an ideal camping spot in Northwest Vietnam.
The journey to conquer Bach Moc Luong Tu is not an easy challenge, requiring perseverance and good health. However, the rewards for you will be the beautiful natural landscapes, from the lush green bamboo forests, ancient mossy forests to the white sea of clouds floating on the mountaintop. The best cloud viewing spot in Bach Moc Luong Tu is Mount Muoi, where you can capture the entire majestic cloud and mountain scenery, especially at dawn or dusk.
Camping overnight on the summit of Bach Moc Luong Tu to hunt clouds and watch the sunrise.
Bach Moc Luong Tu Camping Experience:
- Ideal time: Winter (December – February) is the best time to hunt clouds in Bach Moc Luong Tu. However, the winter weather here is very cold, so you need to prepare enough warm clothes and heat-retaining items.
- Transportation: You need to travel to Sapa or Lai Chau, then hire a motorbike taxi or taxi to the foot of the mountain to start your trekking journey.
- Hire a porter: It is recommended to hire a porter to guide the way and carry luggage, especially if you are new to mountain climbing or carrying a lot of belongings. Local porters will help you save energy and ensure safety on the way.
Lao Than – Mystical Roof of Y Ty
Lao Than, a 2862-meter-high mountain located in Y Ty commune, Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province, is known as the “roof of Y Ty.” Lao Than is not only famous for its picturesque sea of clouds but also for the pristine, majestic beauty of the Y Ty mountains and forests. Coming to Lao Than, you will experience camping in wild nature, hunting clouds, and exploring the unique beauty of Y Ty.
Majestic cloud and mountain scenery at Lao Than, a famous cloud hunting camping spot in Y Ty.
The journey to conquer Lao Than will take you through old forests with diverse vegetation, winding trails, and steep cliffs. On the summit of Lao Than, you will admire the white sea of clouds embracing the overlapping mountain ranges, creating an extremely romantic and mystical scene. Turtle head rock is a famous check-in spot in Lao Than, where you can pose and take unique photos amidst the sea of clouds.
Visitors camping and watching clouds at Turtle Head Rock on the summit of Lao Than.
Lao Than Camping Experience:
- Ideal time: Autumn and winter are the best times to climb Lao Than and hunt clouds. Autumn has cool, pleasant weather, while winter clouds are often thicker and more beautiful.
- Difficulty level: Lao Than is a fairly difficult mountain to conquer, requiring good health and trekking experience.
- Preparation: Equip yourself with enough personal items, tents, sleeping bags, hiking shoes, warm clothes, gloves, woolen hats, and other necessary items. You should bring trekking poles to support climbing.
Nhiu Co San – Buffalo Horn Amidst a Thousand Clouds
Nhiu Co San, a mountain named “Buffalo Horn” in the local language, located in Bat Xat district, Lao Cai, is one of the most attractive cloud hunting camping spots in Northwest Vietnam. With an altitude of 2965 meters, Nhiu Co San is not only a challenge for trekking enthusiasts but also a beautiful cloud paradise. Coming to Nhiu Co San, you will immerse yourself in pristine nature, admire the white sea of clouds, and experience camping in the mountains and forests.
Billowing sea of clouds on the summit of Nhiu Co San, an ideal camping spot for cloud hunters.
The trekking route to Nhiu Co San is not too dangerous but quite long and time-consuming. However, along the way, you will admire the diverse beauty of the dense primeval forest, the brilliant rhododendron forests, and the majestic waterfalls. The summit of Nhiu Co San is an ideal place to camp and watch the sunrise over the sea of clouds. On clear nights, you can also admire the shimmering, magical starry sky.
Beautiful sunrise view from the summit of Nhiu Co San, a cloud hunting campsite in Lao Cai.
Nhiu Co San Camping Experience:
- Ideal time: Autumn and spring are the best times to climb Nhiu Co San. Autumn has cool, pleasant weather, while spring has blooming rhododendrons.
- Climbing time: The Nhiu Co San climbing journey usually takes about 2 days and 1 night.
- Note: You should prepare good physical fitness and equip yourself with enough personal items, tents, food, drinking water, and other necessary items.
Ta Chi Nhu – Roof of Yen Bai in Chi Pau Flower Season
Ta Chi Nhu, with an altitude of 2979 meters, is the highest mountain in Yen Bai province, known as the “roof of Yen Bai.” Ta Chi Nhu is not only an ideal destination for those who love trekking and conquering heights but also a beautiful cloud hunting camping spot in Northwest Vietnam. Especially, during the Chi Pau flower season (October – November), Ta Chi Nhu becomes more brilliant and romantic than ever.
Sea of clouds and Chi Pau flowers on the summit of Ta Chi Nhu, the most beautiful camping spot in Yen Bai.
To conquer Ta Chi Nhu, you will have to go through a challenging but equally interesting trekking journey. Along the way, you will discover the diverse ecosystem of the Ta Chi Nhu mountains and forests, admire the beauty of primeval forests, clear streams, and especially the purple Chi Pau flower season stretching across the mountainsides. The summit of Ta Chi Nhu is where you can camp, watch clouds, and enjoy the fresh air of the mountains and forests.
Camping and cloud hunting scene on the summit of Ta Chi Nhu, Yen Bai.
Ta Chi Nhu Camping Experience:
- Ideal time: Autumn (September – November) is the best time to climb Ta Chi Nhu, especially during the Chi Pau flower season.
- Difficulty level: Ta Chi Nhu is a mountain of medium difficulty, suitable for people with good health and trekking experience.
- Preparation: You should prepare enough personal items, tents, sleeping bags, warm clothes, food, drinking water, and other necessary items.
Conclusion
The cloud hunting camping spots in Northwest Vietnam introduced above are all beautiful cloud paradises, offering visitors unforgettable experiences. Although the journey to conquer them may be arduous and challenging, it is certain that when you set foot on the summit and admire the billowing white sea of clouds, all fatigue will disappear, replaced by a feeling of happiness and pride in conquering the majestic nature. Plan your cloud hunting camping trip to Northwest Vietnam today to discover the magical beauty of this land!