Experience Moc Chau

Báo Hòa Bình•04/06/2023

(HBĐT) - Not far from Hanoi, the cool, fresh climate, unique natural landscapes, distinctive ethnic identity, and many new tourism products create an attraction for the Moc Chau plateau (Son La province). It is no coincidence that the Moc Chau National Tourist Area attracts a large number of domestic and international tourists, and was honored as the " World's Leading Regional Nature Destination" in 2022.

The Bach Long glass bridge in Muong Sang commune, Moc Chau district ( Son La province) is 632 meters long.

Moc Chau is likened to the mountainous grassland of Son La province, nestled amidst vast plateaus of rolling hills and lush, verdant forests. The climate in Moc Chau is cool year-round, providing ideal conditions for the development of various agricultural products. Furthermore, Moc Chau is home to the long-standing traditions of ethnic groups such as the Thai, Muong, Dao, Nung, Mong, and Kho Mu, creating unique and distinctive cultural nuances. Each area and village here possesses incredibly beautiful and captivating natural scenery, making it an ideal destination for tourists in all four seasons. The relatively close proximity of tourist attractions allows visitors to explore many scenic spots in a single day.

During our 2-day, 1-night trip to Moc Chau, we visited many interesting places such as: the heart-shaped tea hill, Na Ka plum valley, Ban Ang pine forest, Happy Land valley, Long Sap border gate, Bat Cave, tropical flower garden, Chieng Khoa waterfall… Each place had its own unique charm and appeal. Unlike Dai Yem waterfall, Chieng Khoa waterfall, located 25km from the center of Moc Chau, is also known as Cloud waterfall or the beautiful "Valley of Love". Chieng Khoa waterfall still retains its pristine beauty, with clear turquoise water and moss-covered cliffs creating a truly impressive overall scene. The waterfall has 7 tiers, each about 7-10 meters high. At the foot of each tier, there is a wide pool perfect for swimming. Thanks to being surrounded by lush vegetation and dense forests, and being a relatively new destination, the pools at Chieng Khoa waterfall still retain their impressive unspoiled beauty. Besides sightseeing, visitors can be treated to a traditional Thai ethnic meal with wild chicken, five-colored sticky rice, bitter bamboo shoots, smoked buffalo meat, etc. In spring, the waterfall is beautiful and peaceful, but in the rainy season, extreme caution must be exercised when exploring this majestic waterfall because the water sprays white foam and flows fiercely.

The Lao Long Sap Market, located in Pa La village, Long Sap commune, Moc Chau district, is a rather interesting stop on a Moc Chau tour. It operates almost non-stop, regardless of whether it's a weekday or a holiday. Most visitors are locals living near the Vietnam-Laos border and tourists. Crossing the border to shop is also easy, requiring only a few simple administrative procedures.

Visiting Moc Chau in April and May allows you to experience the pristine, rustic natural landscape, the mist-shrouded mountains and forests of Long Luong villages, and the Na Ka plum valley during the plum ripening season. The Na Ka plum valley, located on Provincial Road 104, is considered the most beautiful plum valley in Moc Chau. It's often described as a paradise nestled in the mountains, especially in spring. From mid-January to the end of February, looking down from the mountaintop, the valley is covered in the white blossoms of plum trees, creating a picturesque scene. April and May are the plum ripening season, and visitors can participate in plum picking and enjoy the delicious, ripe red plums. Here, you'll meet local people, including Hmong children with rosy cheeks in vibrant traditional costumes, whom you can photograph with, or purchase local produce such as vegetables, pumpkins, and medicinal herbs – a truly delightful experience.

The Bản Áng pine forest is famous for its crystal-clear Bản Áng lake, reflecting the small stilt houses peeking out from amidst the lush green pine forest. In the early morning or late afternoon, the lake is covered in a layer of mist and the air is cool, making the place even more enchanting. Chimi Farm also features a strawberry farm where visitors can pick their own strawberries, enjoy dishes made from strawberries, and take photos with the fields of wild sunflowers – all delightful experiences.

Moc Chau offers a refreshing natural landscape with vast, flat valleys. In spring, the entire Moc Chau region is covered in flowers, attracting numerous tourists from all over. The bauhinia trees on the mountain slopes, along the roadsides, and beside the streams begin to bloom, creating a poetic beauty, deeply rooted in the colors of the Northwest. Besides enjoying the unique natural beauty of Moc Chau, visitors can also experience the cultural aspects of the local people's lives and production, and savor delicious dishes such as: five-colored sticky rice, grilled chicken, stream fish, bamboo-cooked rice, salmon, thang co (a traditional stew), various wild vegetables, and cakes made from cow's milk… making them fall even more in love with the beautiful Moc Chau region and long to return again and again.

Le Chung

Source