Ta Xua Travel Guide

Ta Xua, situated at an altitude of over 2,800m above sea level, is one of the highest mountain peaks in Vietnam, located in Bac Yen district (Son La province), bordering Tram Tau district (Yen Bai province). Located 240km from Hanoi , Ta Xua enjoys a cool climate year-round and is famous as a beautiful cloud-watching spot from October to April.

Ta Xua's terrain consists of narrow, steep roads flanked by deep ravines. Besides traveling by motorbike or car, you can trek to the summit of Ta Xua, with routes of varying lengths available from both Yen Bai and Son La provinces.

Move

You can use various means of transportation to get to Ta Xua, such as motorbikes, private cars, buses, and tour buses. From Hanoi, head towards Son Tay, cross Trung Ha bridge, then at Thu Cuc intersection follow National Highway 32, turn right towards Phu Yen and Bac Yen via National Highway 37. The main road to the center of Ta Xua has been paved with concrete, making travel much easier than before. 16-seater buses can reach the summit. Limousine buses from companies like Khanh Thinh, Quang Nghia, and Nguyen Hang to Ta Xua cost 700,000 VND per person (round trip). Buses usually depart from Hanoi at 10 PM and arrive in Ta Xua after 5 hours, with stops along the way. In Ta Xua, you can rent a motorbike to explore the sights conveniently. However, if you are not a confident driver, hire a local motorbike taxi because the roads are quite steep, narrow, and winding.

Accommodation

Ta Xua is a newly developed tourist area, lacking large hotels and modern accommodations. The area has approximately 20 homestays and guesthouses, with prices ranging from 200,000 VND to 1 million VND per night.

Sunset over Ta Xua, viewed from a homestay. Photo: Nguyen Thanh Luan

Accommodation options are mainly concentrated in the central or surrounding areas, featuring communal houses (stilt houses) and some private rooms. Some homestay options include: Xá homestay, Nam Tồ homestay, Mùa Trứ homestay, Bảo Châu homestay, Long Anh 1 homestay. Guesthouses include Phù Hoa, Trà Mây Tà Xùa, Thủ Biển, Hải Hằng, and Nguyễn San. Lu Trế homestay is located at the highest point among the accommodations in Tà Xùa, about 7 km from the center. Some high-clearance cars and motorbikes can reach the entrance. Other vehicles can park at the gate, and guests must climb a 300m slope or use a motorbike shuttle service. Here you can find bungalows (one or two stories), detached houses, and stilt houses. Tà Xùa is an ideal place for camping. If you choose a suitable spot, you'll have the opportunity to watch a romantic sunrise or sunset from the mountaintop.

Camping in Ta Xua. Photo: Hoang Cong

Where to play

The "Dinosaur's Backbone, " often called the "Dinosaur's Backbone," is located about 15 km from the center of Ta Xua and about 5 km from the center of Hang Dong commune, Bac Yen district. The "Dinosaur's Backbone" is nestled against the Ta Xua mountain range, with a valley hundreds of meters deep in front. The 1.5 km stretch of trail along the Ta Xua Dinosaur's Backbone is considered by trekkers to be one of the most beautiful cloud-watching spots in Northern Vietnam. Many days, thick clouds remain until 10 am. When the sky is clear, from the Dinosaur's Backbone, you can immerse yourself in the scenery of the forest, terraced rice fields, and the traditional houses of the Hmong people nestled on the mountainside.

Ta Xua's Dinosaur Backbone. Photo: Le Huynh

Dolphin Rock Formation : Dolphin Rock Formation is created by two large rock slabs resembling dolphins swimming amidst a sea of ​​clouds. The rock formation is covered in moss, creating a wild and pristine beauty that harmoniously blends with the natural landscape. From Bac Yen town, heading towards Ta Xua commune, you will encounter a fork in the road with signposts: one direction leads to the "heavenly cloud ridge" (8 km), and the other to the Ta Xua tea hills. Turning right towards the tea hills will lead you to Dolphin Rock and the Lonely Tree. Those staying at Lu Tre homestay will find it more convenient to reach Dolphin Rock if they head towards the hydroelectric dam.

Turtle Head Rock : This rock formation, shaped like a turtle's head, is located at an altitude of 2,100 meters on the way to the summit of Ta Xua. From the lonely tree to the turtle head rock, it's about 1 km, and you'll have to overcome steep slopes with sharp rocks. Camel Rock: From the center of Ta Xua commune, follow the direction of the commune's People's Committee for about 7 km, and you'll reach the camel rock. This is a new check-in spot in Ta Xua. Camel Rock is on the opposite side of the dinosaur spine, and it's most beautiful in the morning, so plan your itinerary accordingly for convenient travel. Lonely Tree

The solitary wild apple tree in Ta Xua. Photo: Chu Hang

The solitary wild apple tree sits atop a small hill at Gió Peak, at the Xím Vàng - Háng Đồng intersection, more than 1km from the center of Tà Xùa. From its vantage point, you can see the Suối Sập River. On clear days, the river water is clear and blue. The solitary wild apple tree is considered by trekkers to be a "living soul" in the pristine wilderness of Tà Xùa, a symbol of resilience and fortitude amidst harsh nature. This is one of the places considered by trekkers to have the "most beautiful sunset in Tà Xùa." If you're lucky, you might even see the sunset over the sea of ​​clouds. The best time to admire this view is around 5:30 PM. (Primitive forest)

Ta Xua primeval forest is located on the southeastern slope of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, stretching from an altitude of 2,600m to the summit. The forest boasts a wild and mysterious beauty, with continuously changing altitudes along the Phu Sa Phin range. It is home to many rare species of flora and fauna, especially the moss forest, often referred to as the "kingdom of mosses." Small paths through the forest, combined with sunlight, will transport you to a land straight out of a fairy tale. Ta Xua's ancient Shan Tuyet tea is one of the most famous teas in Vietnam. The Ta Xua Shan Tuyet tea hills are covered in mist and snow year-round at an altitude of over 1,500m above sea level, making them humid and cold. These centuries-old tea trees rarely receive sunlight, resulting in high medicinal properties and a unique flavor. Ta Xua tea leaves have a layer of white down like snow. When brewed, the tea has a clear, rich yellow color. The tea initially has a smooth, mild astringency, followed by a sweet and fragrant aftertaste. Ta Xua grassland.

Ta Xua grassland. Photo: Hoang Cong

Ta Xua Grassland is located on the same road as Dolphin Rock and the Lonely Tree, about 10km from the commune center. The road is wide and not very winding. Near Dolphin Rock, you will see a sign directing you to Ta Xua Grassland. This is a place with vast natural landscapes, not only a place to admire the beauty of nature but also an ideal spot for fun activities, sports, and camping. The cloud-watching cafes Mi Oi, Hien Coffee, Thao Coffee, H'mong Coffee, and Ban Coffee are prominent cafes in Ta Xua with beautiful views, making them ideal spots for taking photos. Even when there are no clouds, these are still beautiful places to sip a hot cup of tea while admiring the majestic natural scenery, watching the sunset, or simply relaxing. Drink prices range from 30,000 to 60,000 VND.

What to eat

Mac Nhung porridge is a specialty for tourists visiting Son La. After each harvest season, the mac nhung fruits grown in the fields begin to ripen. Locals pick them, wash them, and then prepare them into many dishes, the most famous being mac nhung porridge. The dish has a bitter taste mixed with sweetness and a spicy kick, suitable for the cold weather in the Ta Xua highlands. Besides mac nhung porridge, tourists can order a pot of black chicken hotpot, salmon, sturgeon, or other popular dishes in the northern mountainous region such as smoked buffalo meat, nam pia (a type of stew), sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes, sour meat salad, and five-colored sticky rice.

Note

Cloud hunting isn't always possible due to weather conditions. Check the forecast and ideally choose a day with low temperatures at night and high temperatures during the day, with plenty of sunshine. Determine the direction of the sunrise at your cloud-hunting location for the best angles.

It's best not to travel to Ta Xua at night, and avoid traveling in large groups. Ask for and negotiate the price when taking a motorbike taxi.

The cost per person for two days and one night is approximately 1.5 to 2 million VND. During holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), it's advisable to book early as rooms are often fully booked. Ta Xua can only accommodate 700-800 tourists at a time.

Tam Anh

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