The seas of clouds in Vietnam

1. Ta Xua, Yen Bai

Ta Xua is the natural boundary of the two provinces of Son La and Yen Bai in northern Vietnam. This mountain consists of three peaks: the highest peak is where the Vietnam flag pole stands, the second has a flagpole base built during French colonial times; and the third peak is the transit place of back-packers before they climb up to the first and second peaks.

Visitors can access Ta Xua from the Ban Cong Commune in the Tram Tau District of Yen Bai. The track around the cliff is slippery, with very high slopes. When you feel tired, you can take advantage of the domed caverns along the track as stopovers. On the peak of Ta Xua, visitors can enjoy both the beautiful flowers along the path as well as the overall dreamlike scenery.

2. Ta Chi Nhu, Yen Bai

Known to some as a paradise on earth, Ta Chi Nhu is a favorite destination of backpackers. It can be found at the Xa Ho Village in Yen Bai Province’s Tram Tau District.

The path to Ta Chi Nhu is not too difficult. Tourists often carry tents to set up camp at night so that they might watch the sunrise and sunset on the mountain. The most favored campsite is usually at about a 2000m altitude. From here, you’ll have to hike about another kilometer to reach the final destination, from which you can take in a vast landscape.

From Ta Chi Nhu peak, you’ll feel as though you can reach out to grab the lazy, floating clouds surrounding you, which create a fairytale-like world.

3. Thung May, Hoa Binh Province

Also known by the name of Lung Van (Cloud Valley), Thung May is 40km from the center of Hoa Binh province. It lies at an altitude of 1,200m and is surrounded by the Tien, Po and Trau Mountains. To reach Thung May, visitors must pass through high hills with steep climbs on a trek of about 13 km long.

Thung May is surrounded by clouds all year round. With its cool climate, Thung May attracts tourists from the first time.

4. Sa Pa

As one of the most famous tourist destinations of Vietnam, Sapa Town in Lao Cai province is not only famous for its cool climate but also its fairytale landscapes.

The most ideal place to admire the town of Sa Pa in clouds is the Ham Rong mountain area, behind the old stone church or the stone caves of the H’Mong people, about 4 km from Sa Pa town center. However, from any site, you can still see a poetic and romantic Sapa in the clouds.

5. Y Ty

Y Ty is probably quite familiar to veteran backpackers. Located at an altitude of 2,000m in Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province, Y Ty is covered by clouds all year round and it rarely has sun shining all day. To be able to admire the beautiful clouds, tourists have to run around several cliffs