Cloud hunting season in Northwest Vietnam

Few are unmoved by the majestic scenery of Vietnam's nature, but even more enchanting are the precious moments when mountains blend with the clouds. Places where mountains are shrouded in clouds, clouds caress mountains, or where a sea of ​​clouds blankets the entire horizon have become the destination for those who love to travel.

Is there a season called the "cloud season"? Yes, because the clouds are incredibly beautiful during that time. Early summer, late autumn, or spring are the times when the clouds are at their most beautiful in the northern mountainous regions. After the golden hues of ripening rice fields across the hills, the northern mountains are entering their cloud season, beckoning us to head towards the mountains. With its interwoven landscape of forests, mountains, rivers, and valleys, the clouds roll in when nighttime temperatures drop and daytime temperatures rise with the sun. Clouds drift lazily over the mountain ranges or form vast seas of clouds in the valleys, creating a scene like a fairyland. Traveling throughout the northern mountainous provinces, from east to west, wherever there are high mountains, there are clouds swirling and gathering. If you only have a few days, you can choose Tam Dao (Vinh Phuc) or Lung Van – the highest peak in the Muong region of Hoa Binh – to "hunt for clouds." Even traveling less than 100km from Hanoi , you can still be proud of finding white clouds. On longer routes, there will be many choices, each destination offering unique emotions, sparking the desire to continue the journey in search of beauty amidst the magnificent natural landscape. The most popular places for "cloud hunting" on the map include Sa Pa or Y Tý (Lao Cai), Tà Xùa (Son La), Sìn Hồ (Lai Châu), or the four great mountain passes: Khau Phạ (Yen Bai), Mã Pí Lèng (Ha Giang), Ô Quy Hồ (Lao Cai), and Pha Đin (Son La - Dien Bien ). Sa Pa is renowned as the "city in the mist," so visiting here is about enjoying the picturesque landscape of mountains, forests, and ethnic minorities painted amidst the mist and clouds. Clouds stretch far across the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, seemingly pouring through the windows of houses overlooking the Muong Hoa valley. Sometimes, the heart is stirred by the drifting clouds, sweeping away the worries of everyday life. The place name Y Tý (Bát Xát district – Lào Cai province) – “where the Red River flows into Vietnam” – surely holds a sacred meaning when thinking of mountains and rivers, but if you ever get to immerse yourself in the cloud gardens here, you'll definitely want to return. It's no wonder Y Tý has been dubbed the “paradise of white clouds,” even though the journey there is not easy. From Hanoi to Y Tý is about 450km, with the final stretch being challenging, featuring heart-stopping hairpin bends, but in return you'll enjoy the majestic, breathtaking mountain scenery and the unforgettable sight of endless white clouds. Clouds drift lazily around the Ha Nhi villages, their houses resembling mushrooms. The clouds billow and rise over the mountain slopes like a sea of ​​clouds before your eyes. In that realm of clouds, in that tranquil space, you are suddenly stirred by the vibrant colors of the brocade on the skirts of the H'Mong girls, swaying with the rhythm of their footsteps… Closer to Y Ty, Ta Xua (in Bac Yen district, Son La province), more than 200km from Hanoi, is also a place with stunning white clouds. The locals in Ta Xua call it the "gateway to heaven" because it is covered in mist and clouds year-round. On "beautiful cloud days," standing on a high point and looking down reveals a magical sea of ​​fluffy white clouds. Even if it only appears for a few minutes, that sea of ​​clouds is the most magical moment on the journey of "cloud hunting."

Heritage Magazine