On the 'never-ending hot' trekking route in the Northwest

Tourists check in at the sea of clouds on the trekking route to Lung Cung peak.

Late November and early December mark the dry season in the Northwest region, the rate of "cloud hunting" is high, the maple leaves begin to change color, creating the most beautiful scenery of the year, including Lung Cung peak.

The sudden increase in the number of visitors has caused a series of mountain ranges to be "sold out" right at the top, and tourists have to book very early.

Lung Cung Peak is 2,913 m high, in the top 15 highest mountain peaks in Vietnam.

Bui Van Chuyen, 24, leader of the Free Footprints group, which specializes in trekking tours in the Northwest, said the number of visitors trekking Lung Cung has increased sharply this year, especially in the last 5 years. Social networks have contributed greatly to this boom, especially during Lung Cung's peak months (October-December).

"If you only have the chance to go once a year and want to have the most complete experience, Lung Cung is a choice that is hard to ignore," Chuyen told Tri Thuc - Znews.

Overwhelming natural scenery on the trekking route to Lung Cung peak.

According to Chuyen, Lung Cung "has never lost its charm". Each season, the mountain peak has its own beauty. From October to December, visitors flock here the most to see the ancient maple leaves change color. Or at the end of December, it is the season of burning grass when the sunset covers the mountainside with a golden light.

The trekking route is about 18 km long, takes two days and one night, with an average difficulty level. But for many beginners, the biggest challenge is not the technique but the emotions, especially at the first peak, where the famous swing used to be.

Thinking that they had reached the limit of being close to the top, when they looked up, they saw another mountain and a group of people climbing up. It was a feeling of both exhaustion and disappointment when they realized that they still had to climb further to reach the destination.

Many people get discouraged and want to stop, but there are also people who "pull themselves together" and are determined to become one of the "crawling figures" seen from afar.

The scene of heaven and earth "melting into one" on the journey to conquer Lung Cung.

A representative of the People's Committee of Nam Co commune said that on average, Lung Cung peak welcomes 300-400 visitors per week. In mid-November alone, due to favorable weather conditions, the number of visitors increased to about 600 people, causing the area to be overloaded.

There are three main campsites on the mountain to accommodate visitors. The camps are located in three different locations, 2-3 km from the summit and a few kilometers apart on the trekking route. Many camps have been converted by local people and cooperatives from herders’ resting huts.

To ensure safety and fitness, the group always asks tourists carefully before accepting the tour, such as "have you ever trekked before" or "do you play sports ". They specialize in dividing new people into two groups: those who exercise and those who do not exercise at all.

As a result, many people realized they were not ready and asked to postpone to practice. On the contrary, those who were in good physical condition were encouraged to participate.

The slopes on the Lung Cung trekking route.

In addition to organizing tours, the group also focuses on protecting the environment. Before each trip, they disseminate regulations on not littering; reducing the use of disposable plastic, replacing it with family-sized dishes, trays lined with dong leaves, banana leaves, or wrapping sticky rice with forest leaves.

The electricity at the shelter is only on from 7pm to 10pm, taking advantage of natural light. "No picking flowers, no breaking branches, just looking, not owning" is the principle Chuyen always reminds visitors.

Since October, tourists have flocked to trek Lung Cung peak.

In the future, he wants to promote the experience in Lung Cung, hoping that trekking activities can contribute to supporting local agricultural products such as wild apples, Tu Le green rice, and upland sticky rice.

"Lung Cung's potential can go further if there is coordination between the government, hut owners and organizing units, to both develop safe and effective tourism and protect the forest sustainably," he said.