Clouds caress the mountain peaks, the highest point in the Muong region.

The winding, solitary road, like a soft silk ribbon, snakes across the undulating mountain slopes, leading us up to Van Son – considered the highest peak in the Muong region, a place known as the mystical "Cloud Valley," where white clouds drift by year-round.

Located at an altitude of nearly 1,000 meters above sea level, Van Son commune today is not only a land of clouds and mist, but also a place harboring ancient Muong cultural relics and abundant natural resources waiting to be awakened.

A view of the center of Van Son commune. Photo: Nguyen Bon

Van Son commune was formed from three communes: Quyet Chien, Van Son (formerly), and Ngo Luong. This land has long been famous as the "valley of longevity," a place with pristine scenery, a mild climate, and people living in harmony with nature. The air here is cool year-round, with mist enveloping the stilt houses nestled on the mountainside. Most of the inhabitants are the kind, simple, and hospitable Muong people.

The ancient Muong character is deeply ingrained in every house, in the infectious laughter at the market, and in the hearty rice wine gatherings. This harmonious, diligent, and friendly way of life seems to be the "secret" behind why this place is called the "valley of longevity," where many centenarians remain sharp-minded, healthy, and kind-hearted, like the clouds and winds of the highlands.

Anyone who has ever visited Van Son will surely not want to miss the Cattle Market in Lung Van - a place where the cultural soul of "Cloud Valley" converges. The market is held every Tuesday and Sunday morning, providing an opportunity for people from the surrounding villages to gather, buy, sell, and socialize.

Local people sell local agricultural products.

Amidst the early morning mist, women carry baskets of bamboo shoots, wild vegetables, ancient tangerines, purple garlic, and other local produce from afar. The market offers a wide variety of goods, from household items and agricultural tools to a bustling cattle market – a distinctive cultural feature of the Muong people.

People come there not only to buy and sell, but also to meet, exchange stories, and share joy in a space where tradition and modern life intertwine.

Van Son commune is beginning to develop community-based tourism destinations.

From the Lung Van market, baskets of golden tangerines, emitting a refreshing aroma, led us to the "treasure" of this land - the ancient Nam Son tangerine. Locals jokingly call it "stinky tangerine" or "ancient tangerine," because no one remembers exactly when it took root here, only that this tree has been associated with the Muong land since before 1950.

Once an extremely poor commune with over 98% of its population being Muong people, whose lives depended on small-scale agriculture , the ancient mandarin orange tree has opened the path to transformation. With its thin skin, thick, juicy segments, sweet and refreshing taste, and distinctive aroma, Nam Son mandarin oranges quickly conquered the market.

In particular, the harvest season coinciding with the Lunar New Year significantly increases economic value, providing a stable income of 30 to 100 million VND per year for many households.

Nam Son Cave has been recognized as a National-level Scenic Monument.

With its cool climate and large diurnal temperature differences, mandarin orange trees easily differentiate their flower buds, bear fruit evenly, and accumulate a unique flavor found nowhere else. Now, these ancient mandarin orange hills are not only a "poverty alleviation crop," but also an "agricultural tourism landscape," offering a unique experience for visitors to "Cloud Valley."

Nam Son Cave (also known as Ton Cave) is a treasure hidden deep within the mountain. The journey to the cave entrance is a fascinating trekking adventure. From the center of the commune, one must traverse trails through bamboo forests and cross sharp, jagged rock slopes to reach the small cave entrance, only about 1 meter high and less than 90 centimeters wide.

But with just a slight bend of the foot and a step through the narrow opening, a magical world unfolds: shimmering stalactites, a vast, cool, and tranquil space where only the gentle sound of water dripping from the cave ceiling can be heard, echoing like the music of the forest. Nam Son Cave is being revived by the government and local people working together to develop sustainable tourism.

Besides Ton Cave, Van Son also boasts Trang Waterfall, Thung Waterfall, Kien Mountain Cave, and a cluster of 11 thousand-year-old heritage ironwood trees in Bo Tram hamlet - all creating a rich, pristine, and attractive ecological complex for adventurous tourists.

Recognizing the advantages and potential, in recent years, some pioneering households have begun developing community tourism. In Chien hamlet – the former Nam Son area – stilt houses have been renovated to be spacious, clean, and beautiful, with modern sanitation systems, ready to welcome guests. Ms. Dinh Thi Truong in Chieng hamlet is one of the pioneers. From her old stilt house, she boldly invested nearly 400 million VND to build Lung Van Homestay, which can accommodate 15-20 guests at a time. She said that tourists who come here all want to experience Muong cuisine – simple dishes that are rich in the spirit of the mountains and forests – and everyone leaves with satisfaction and fond memories.

Following the merger, Van Son has many new advantages for stronger development. The Party Committee of the commune for the 2025-2030 term has identified the following strategic breakthroughs: Prioritizing investment in transportation connecting tourist destinations and production areas; developing specialty agriculture, especially ancient tangerines – along the value chain linked to experiential tourism; and training skills and improving the capacity of local people in community-based tourism.

Comrade Nguyen Duy Tu, Secretary of the Party Committee of Van Son commune, shared: The commune is developing a sustainable tourism development plan, initially focusing on improving the road leading to Nam Son cave, installing stone steps and safety railings; and simultaneously expanding the homestay model to other hamlets such as Hay Duoi, organizing a night market, and positioning unique Muong cultural and ecological tourism products based on agriculture. Looking further ahead, Van Son aims for regional linkages along the "Van Son - Mai Chau - Pu Luong" triangle, creating a chain of attractive destinations that will encourage tourists to stay longer.

Leaving Van Son as the afternoon sun pierced through the clouds, the valley seemed gilded by the sunset. The hills laden with tangerines, the sound of water trickling through the Nam Son cave, and the kind smiles of the gentle, simple Muong people filled the air.

"The 'Roof of the Muong Land' is no longer a land sleeping in the mist, but is becoming increasingly vibrant. In the not-too-distant future, 'Cloud Valley' will not only be a destination for nature lovers, but also a symbol of the journey to awaken potential and build a prosperous and beautiful Muong village amidst the vast forest."

Le Chung

Source: https://baophutho.vn/may-von-dinh-nui-noc-nha-xu-muong-242219.htm