Blending into the magical clouds

Pú Đao is one of 11 highland communes in Nậm Nhùn district, located on the western border of Lai Châu province, 40km from Nậm Nhùn town, 130km from Lai Châu city, and over 560km from Hanoi .

Pu Dao Peak, along with the Lai Chau Hydroelectric Power Plant and the temple dedicated to King Le Loi, are three important landmarks that anyone visiting Nam Nhun should not miss. To reach Pu Dao, you have to travel about 24km across the Lai Ha Bridge, a bridge spanning a tributary of the Da River.

In the Hmong language, Pú Đao means "highest point" because when you stand on the summit of this mountain, you feel as if you are about to touch the blue sky and become one with the magical river of clouds.

For adventure seekers, the pristine natural landscape of Pu Dao is the ideal destination. The trekking journey to the summit of Pu Dao begins from Nam Doong village, covering a distance of about 3-5km, with some challenging sections requiring self-orientation and careful searching for the way there and back.

During the flowering season of the black turmeric plant, you can also admire vast fields of pure white turmeric flowers basking in the sun and wind. On the hillsides covered with lush green grass, buffaloes, cows, and horses graze peacefully amidst the chirping of birds.

The route has many steep sections with high mountains and deep ravines that sometimes make you feel weary and tired, but eventually, the summit of Pú Đao appears. The air at the mountaintop is fresh and clean, making all fatigue disappear. Sparkling rays of sunlight shine straight down onto the meandering river below.

Fluffy clouds drift lazily, lingering in the tranquil mountains and hills. Lush vegetation and vibrant flowers fill the air. The path to the summit, viewed from above, resembles a thin thread winding across the ancient forest. Small villages appear and disappear amidst the swirling mist and clouds.

Looking eastward, one can see the Da River flowing tirelessly from the Northwest, and at the confluence of the rivers, it becomes even more abundant as it receives additional water from the tributaries of the Nam Na River.

As the Da River flows between two mountain ranges, it forms a V-shaped intersection, and for a few days each year, the sun rises directly in the middle of this V—a sight only the luckiest have the chance to witness. The people of Lai Ha, Hang Tom, Doi Cao, Muong Lay, Le Loi… regard the river as a close friend, as it has been with them since infancy, nurturing them with its abundant, cool waters. On the river, boats glide through the shimmering morning light, then rest peacefully, their reflections shimmering in the twilight.

Looking west, the Nam Na River flows gently, winding its way through the fertile fields of Chan Nua commune, Sin Ho district. Nearby are the peak of Pu Huoi Cho and the Le Loi stone stele, standing peacefully through countless seasons of rain and sunshine. Interestingly, at the end of the journey, visitors will head north through the forest to Nam Hang commune (bordering Le Loi and Pu Dao communes) instead of returning to the starting point.

Heritage Magazine