There is a Cloud-Covered Lighthouse.

Amidst the vast mountain forests of the northern highlands of Thai Nguyen province, where winding passes are shrouded in clouds, lies a newly emerging destination that is gaining popularity among young tourists. This is Don Den peak, located in Don Den village, Ba Be commune.

The "sea of ​​clouds" in the morning light is as beautiful as a painting.

Climb to the mountaintop to "hunt for clouds".

Having arranged to go cloud hunting in the mountains with some local young people, we set off early in the morning from the center of Cho Ra commune, traveling about 10km along winding mountain passes leading to the summit of Don Den mountain.

Along the way, winding paths appeared and disappeared in the ethereal mist, making us feel as if we were lost in paradise. The higher we climbed, the cooler the air became, and the fog enveloped the path, hinting at a wondrous landscape awaiting us ahead.

Reaching the summit of Don Den, located at an altitude of over 1,000m above sea level, a magnificent natural landscape unfolded before our eyes – a breathtaking "sea of ​​clouds."

Joining us on our "cloud hunting" trip, Mr. Phung Van Hoang, a photographer at the Ba Be Lake tourist area, shared: "I've brought many young people to Don Den to 'hunt for clouds' and capture beautiful moments from the mountaintop. The best time of year for 'cloud hunting' is in autumn and spring. In autumn, the clouds dissipate faster, around 8 am. So, you usually have to leave very early; if you're coming from the center of Cho Ra commune, it's from 4-5 am to get here to watch the sunrise. If you're further away, you have to leave even earlier. The most beautiful 'cloud hunting' spots are between kilometer markers 44 and 39 on provincial road 257B, which passes through Don Den village."

Ms. Nguyen Thu Ha, a tourist from Bac Ninh province who arrived early to "hunt for clouds" at Don Den peak, said: "I've gone 'cloud hunting' in many places like Sa Pa, Lao Cai, or Ha Giang, but coming to Don Den gives me a very different feeling. The scenery of the sky and clouds is truly poetic."

The road to Don Den winds through the early morning clouds.

As the first rays of dawn appear, the entire "sea of ​​clouds" seems to be bathed in a shimmering pinkish-orange hue. Each cloud drifts lazily and gracefully across the valleys and mountain peaks, giving visitors the feeling of standing on clouds.

Ms. An Thi Hanh and her friends traveled from the center of Thai Nguyen province to admire the clouds at Don Den peak. She shared: "I left at 3 am to arrive in time to catch the sunrise at Don Den peak. The beauty of the 'sea of ​​clouds' at Don Den is truly no less impressive than any famous 'cloud-hunting' spot in the North. At the peak of Don Den, everyone feels small before the grandeur and wonder of nature. My friends and I took many memorable photos here and are very satisfied with this trip."

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuong, a local resident, shared: "The key to successfully 'cloud hunting' is that if it was sunny the day before, there will be many clouds the next morning. Tourists should arrive early, between 4 and 6 a.m., to have a chance to watch the sunrise. In autumn, the clouds take longer to dissipate, so you can still see them around 9 a.m."

Upon reaching the summit of Don Den, visitors should also not forget to visit and check in at the bamboo forest of the locals in Phja Khao village, Cho Ra commune. Here, the bamboo forests are located right next to the road, cared for and trimmed by the locals, making it very convenient for young people and tourists to check in and capture beautiful moments on their exploration journey.

Don Den village is also home to the Mong, Dao, and Tay ethnic groups. These ethnic groups have preserved many unique traditional cultural features such as language, clothing, and customs. This is a great opportunity for tourists to learn about and explore the unique cultural beauty of these ethnic groups.

Potential waiting to be awakened.

Despite being a beautiful location with preserved ethnic cultural identities and being close to Ba Be Lake, Don Den currently lacks professional tourism services.

The "cloud-hunting" spots along the route were cleared by local residents or young people to provide parking and photo opportunities for visitors from afar. Visitors to Don Den for "cloud hunting" must bring their own personal items, snacks, drinks, and camping equipment such as folding tables and chairs, and umbrellas, so they can enjoy hot coffee while admiring the clouds in the peaceful, fresh mountain air.

Sitting and drinking coffee while watching the sunrise from the top of Don Den is a very special feeling.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Hao, a resident of Ba Be commune, expressed his wish: "Don Den is a very beautiful place, but no one has invested in it yet. Many tourists visiting Ba Be Lake stop by Don Den to admire the clouds, but there aren't many services there. We, the local people, hope that the local authorities, as well as organizations and individuals, will invest in and open more services in this area to effectively exploit the local tourism potential."

Mr. Pham Ngoc Thinh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ba Be Commune, said: The Don Den area has beautiful scenery and a convenient location near Ba Be Lake; however, it has not been included in the local tourism development plan. The locality also hopes that during the development of tourism in the North, the province will pay attention to attracting investment and creating more tourism services here, contributing to job creation and income for the people.

Don Den is currently a relatively new destination on the province's tourism map. Visiting Don Den to admire the "sea of ​​clouds" offers tourists a different perspective on tourism in Thai Nguyen. This place possesses a hidden beauty that has yet to be discovered. Local people hope that Don Den will become more widely known and visited, contributing to the diversification of tourist attractions in Thai Nguyen province...

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/tin-moi/202508/co-mot-don-den-may-phu-d63648f/