Discover A Pa Chai

A Pa Chai border junction

The A Pa Chai border junction, located in Sin Thau commune, Muong Nha district, Dien Bien province, is where a border marker divides the three countries of Vietnam, Laos, and China.

In the Ha Nhi language, A Pa Chai means "flat, vast land," making it very suitable for placing a border marker. Border marker number 0 at the A Pa Chai border junction was erected on June 27, 2005. The entire marker is made of granite and is mounted on a hexagonal base.

The landmark is 2 meters high with three sides facing three different directions. Above each side is the name of the country in its national language and the national emblem of each nation.

Because the A Pa Chai border marker is located in a strategically important border area for local military and national defense purposes, tourists wishing to explore the marker need a permit from the Dien Bien Provincial Border Guard Command.

Stairs leading up to the landmark.

The road from A Pa Chai Border Guard Post to the border marker is approximately 11km long, of which about 7km is paved with concrete, and the remaining 4km is dirt road. Therefore, the journey for tourists is much shorter than before, taking only about an hour to travel by motorbike and climb nearly 600 steps.

But first, to reach the westernmost point of A Pa Chai, you can take two routes. The first route is to fly from Hanoi to Dien Bien, then travel by car or motorbike from Dien Bien Phu city along National Highway 12 and Provincial Road 131 through Nam Po and Muong Cha districts, then to Muong Nha district for about 200km. After that, from the center of Muong Nha district, travel another 50km to reach Sin Thau commune.

The road to A Pa Chai is paved.

The second route is from Hanoi via the Noi Bai – Lao Cai expressway to Sa Pa. From Sa Pa, conquer the O Quy Ho pass, which is over 30km long. After crossing the pass, you will reach Tam Duong district (Lai Chau), then Lai Chau city, passing through Phong Tho and Sin Ho districts. Continue along National Highway 4D, along the Nam Na River into the Lai Chau hydroelectric reservoir area, to Muong Lay district (Dien Bien), and then to Muong Nha.

The journey to the landmark at the A Pa Chai border junction is both a conquest of nature and a demonstration of determination and pride in national border sovereignty.

Standing on the summit of A Pa Chai, gazing around, you can see the vast, boundless sky and endless mountains, giving you an indescribable feeling of exhilaration.

Mountains and forests as seen from milestone number 0.

In autumn, along the mountain slopes, the terraced rice fields of the ethnic minorities curve like colorful borders adorning the mountains. At the foot of the mountains, there are also patches of mustard greens blooming in vibrant yellow.

In spring, plum blossoms, apricot blossoms, peach blossoms, bauhinia flowers, and other blossoms bloom in profusion, creating vibrant colors that enhance the beauty of the A Pa Chai border landscape, captivating visitors from all over.

TB (summary)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/kham-pha-a-pa-chai-395454.html