Dien Bien during the cloud-hunting season.

Many locals and tourists travel up to Dien Bien in the chilly early morning just to "hunt" for the pristine beauty of this westernmost land as it awakens through the layers of clouds.

Cloud hunters often say, "If you want to see a beautiful sea of clouds, you have to wake up before sunrise."

Dien Bien, with its vast basin and surrounding mountain ranges, is one of the ideal locations for the formation of temperature inversion clouds. The significant temperature difference between day and night, high humidity, and dense fog prevent the clouds from rising, trapping them in the valleys and creating swirling layers of pristine white clouds at dawn.

The cloud-hunting season in Dien Bien usually begins in late autumn and lasts through winter until around February, when the weather is cold, the air is dry, and the sky is clear. Cloud hunters often say, "To see a beautiful sea of clouds, you have to wake up before sunrise," because only in the transitional moment between night and day does the sea of clouds become full, fluffy, and soft like silk.

The sun rose, painting the clouds a golden hue.

It was nearly 6 a.m. The early winter chill still clung to the lingering mist on the mountain slopes. On the slope leading up to Tang Quai Pass, the headlights of motorbikes shone through the fog, flickering like tiny stars searching for the dawn. People had been climbing the pass since the night was still thick to catch the moment the sun touched the sea of clouds – a fascinating phenomenon that nature had bestowed upon Dien Bien. Therefore, even though it was still twilight, the familiar stop – Hai An coffee shop – on Tang Quai Pass already had more than a dozen people gathered. They were tourists, backpackers, photographers… all anxiously awaiting a performance that everyone knew wouldn't last long.

Tang Quai Pass in Muong Ang commune is one of the ideal spots for cloud watching.

A group of young visitors from Dien Bien Phu ward, having just parked their vehicles, shivered from the cold. But overcoming their fear, the young people quickly moved towards the cloud-watching spot, lest they miss this precious moment. Just a few minutes later, streaks of clouds began to appear, swirling from the mountain crevices and rising to cover the entire Muong Ang valley. Everyone gasped in amazement at the sight, like a white sea gently lapping against the foot of the mountains. The sun hadn't risen yet, but the sky was already tinged with a pale pink, reflecting on the soft clouds, creating an ethereal, picturesque scene. In the thin mist, Mr. Luong Van Quang from Muong Thanh ward shared: "I've gone cloud hunting in many places both inside and outside the province, but the clouds in Muong Ang feel completely different. They're soft and thick like a white carpet, like a gentle maiden."

Many photographers brave the cold, waking up early in the morning to search for the beauty of the sea of clouds.

Tang Quai is beautiful not only because of its clouds but also because of the moment the sun rises, painting the moving clouds with golden hues. The light creates a scene that is both ethereal and vibrant, like a watercolor painting. Many photographers choose this moment to "hunt" for the most authentic and emotionally rich winter photos of Northwest Vietnam.

Nguyen Van Hau, a freelance photographer from Sam Mun commune, is carefully framing his shot on the mountainside overlooking the sea of clouds in Muong Ang. His Nikon camera is damp with dew, and his hands are numb with cold. Yet, the young photographer maintains a bright smile. Hau says, “Cloud hunting is like gambling with nature. Some days I travel dozens of kilometers through the mountains and don’t see any clouds. But other days I encounter a sea of clouds so beautiful that I just want to stand there forever. Like today… Dien Bien province in general, and Muong Ang in particular, always fascinate me because the clouds are so easy to find, thick, and have such depth. Cloud hunting isn’t just about taking pictures, but also about capturing the emotions I feel before the beauty of nature.”

Pouring his heart and soul into his work, many of his photos of the sea of clouds in Dien Bien have been widely shared by the photography community, helping more people learn about this mountainous region. "Every time I see people commenting, 'I have to go to Dien Bien,' I'm so happy. That's also a way to contribute a small part to promoting the beauty of my homeland," Hậu added.

Tourists chase the early morning clouds on Tang Quai Pass.

In recent years, a new destination has appeared on the Dien Bien tourist map, causing a stir among travelers: Ke Nenh, a small village in Dien Bien Phu ward. On early winter mornings, before the sun has had a chance to dry the night's dew, the small village of Ke Nenh transforms into a fairytale land with fluffy clouds floating right in front of the houses.

The most outstanding stop on this cloud-hunting journey is Ecolodge Ke Nenh, a small eco-friendly accommodation located on a hillside, not too far from the center of Dien Bien Phu ward. Its rustic wooden design overlooks the sea of clouds. Ecolodge Ke Nenh offers rooms furnished simply yet elegantly: a bed placed next to a glass window, a light green curtain draped, adorned with a few traditional Thai ethnic patterns, and outside, dry trees reaching their slender branches into the blue sky. Simply standing in the wooden room and looking through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, guests feel as if their bed is floating above the clouds. Everything blends together to create a true "nature exhibition room."

Sea of clouds at Ke Nenh as seen from Ecolodge Ke Nenh.

From the wooden patio of Ecolodge Kê Nênh, where simple bamboo tables, chairs, and straw umbrellas are placed, one can gaze out at the sea of clouds stretching endlessly like a white carpet. The sunrise bathes the distant mountain peaks in golden light, casting its glow on the thatched roofs of the stilt houses, filling the entire space with life.

Ms. Nguyen Trang Anh, from Dien Bien Phu ward, was present here from early morning, leaning against the railing, silently gazing at the sea of clouds before her. Ms. Trang Anh shared: “I’ve been to Ta Xua, Y Ty, Sa Pa… but the feeling in Ke Nenh is truly different. The clouds here are thick and gentle, the view is wide open, not obstructed by overly high mountain ranges. Just point your camera, and any angle becomes a poetic frame: thatched roofs swaying in the wind, straw umbrellas tilted, and behind them the dark purple mountains in the morning light… It’s truly beautiful here!”

The sunrise paints the sea of clouds golden at Keo Lom, Na Son commune.

Leaving Ke Nenh, tourists take a detour to Na Son commune – home to Chop Ly peak, over 1,500 meters high, considered the "roof of clouds and wind." Here, too, there is a sea of clouds rising from the deep valleys, light as a breath. The clouds swirl in soft bands, embracing the still-green mountains. Wherever the wind blows from the mountaintops, the clouds seem to disperse and then gather again, creating the feeling that the entire space is moving slowly. When the sun gradually rises behind the distant mountain range, the first rays of light pierce through the clouds into thousands of golden threads. In that moment, the whole of Keo Lom seems to awaken…

As the morning sun begins to dry the lingering dew on the thatched roofs, the sea of clouds gently dissipates into the valley, restoring the majestic beauty of the high mountains. But in the heart of every visitor, the magical beauty of the early morning amidst the sea of clouds remains – from the swirling white clouds over the Tang Quai Pass, the soft mist embracing the peak of Chop Ly, to the tranquil sea of clouds caressing the Ke Nenh village. Dien Bien during the cloud-hunting season appears like a symphony of heaven and earth: vast, gentle, and pure. For those who have once stood amidst that sea of clouds, the name Dien Bien will forever be a promised land of enchanting mornings, where they feel they have touched the most beautiful moments of this westernmost land.

An Chi

Source: https://dienbientv.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien/van-hoa/202512/dien-bien-mua-san-may-5822064/