Bac Kan Lighthouse: Experience cloud hunting and watching the sunrise.

A new destination for nature lovers.

Located about 10km from the center of Cho Ra commune ( Bac Kan province ), Don Den peak, with an altitude of over 1,000 meters, is becoming a popular destination for young people, especially in winter. It boasts the pristine beauty of the mountains and forests, winding mountain passes, and, most notably, the opportunity to admire the ethereal sea of clouds in the morning light.

The moment the sun begins to rise, it bathes the sea of clouds and the majestic mountain ranges of Ba Be in a rosy hue.

The journey to conquer the sunrise.

To witness the sunrise, many tourists have to set off early in the morning, traversing winding mountain passes from Cho Ra commune. As they ascend, the air becomes cool and fog envelops the area, creating a mystical atmosphere.

From 4 to 6 a.m., along provincial road 257B, groups of young people gathered, patiently waiting in the cold highland weather. Ms. Nguyet Anh from Thai Nguyen shared: "Today we didn't get to see many clouds, which is a bit disappointing, but the cold weather, wearing warm jackets and scarves like in winter, still made us very happy. This place is trending online, so we definitely had to try it."

Young tourists sit along provincial road 257B from 4–6 a.m. waiting to chase clouds on the summit of Don Den mountain in the cold highland weather.

Cloud hunting experience at Don Den.

Despite attracting more and more tourists, tourism services at Don Den are still quite rudimentary. Rest stops are mostly cleaned up and seating is provided by local people on their own initiative.

Mr. Hua Duc Ly, a local resident, shared valuable experience: "If it's sunny one day, it's cloudy the next. Tourists should arrive between 4 and 6 in the morning; in autumn, the clouds take longer to dissipate." The 45 km marker is also one of the locations chosen by many people to take photos and enjoy the scenery.

The 45-kilometer marker on the road to the summit of Don Den is one of the ideal locations for cloud watching. — Milestone 45 – one of the ideal spots for cloud watching on the way to the summit of Don Den.

Cultural potential and beauty

Don Den not only boasts magnificent natural scenery but is also home to communities of the Mong, Dao, and Tay ethnic groups, each with their own unique traditional culture. Near the cloud-watching area, visitors can also visit the Phja Khao bamboo forest, a popular check-in spot.

Many tourists and locals, like Mr. Hieu (from Ba Be commune), have expressed their desire for the area to receive more systematic investment for tourism development, as the potential of Don Den is enormous. "Visitors to Ba Be Lake all stop by here. If there were more services, it would definitely attract even more tourists," Mr. Hieu said.