Yen Thinh - a destination for mountain climbing tourism in Lang Son.

Nestled in the limestone mountains of northwestern Lang Son province, Yen Thinh commune is gradually becoming an attractive destination for those who love mountain climbing and experiential tourism.

When mentioning tourism in Lang Son, many people often think of Mau Son, Bac Son valley, or the highland markets.

However, in recent years, Yen Thinh - a mountainous commune - has emerged as a new destination for adventure sports tourism, especially rock climbing on natural cliffs.

A new destination for adventure sports tourism.

Nestled amidst the majestic Cai Kinh mountain range, Yen Thinh boasts a system of limestone mountains with many steep cliffs, diverse terrain, and relatively unspoiled landscapes.

According to the Lang Son Tourism Portal, this locality has a natural area of ​​over 5,580 hectares, is located about 21km from the center of Huu Lung district, and is considered to have great potential for developing "sports mountain climbing" tourism.

In previous years, Yen Thinh was primarily known as an agricultural area inhabited by the Tay and Nung ethnic groups, with rice fields nestled among rocky mountains. However, since around 2012, mountaineering groups from both Vietnam and abroad have begun visiting the area to survey and develop natural climbing routes.

Mountain climbing activities in Yen Thinh are developed in two main forms: guided climbing and climbing with pre-settled ropes.

To date, this area has developed many professional climbing sites with hundreds of climbing routes at different levels. The Yen Thinh limestone mountain region currently has more than 250 climbing routes, ranging from beginner-level to challenging routes for professional athletes.

What makes Yen Thinh attractive to mountain climbing enthusiasts is not only its terrain but also the unique natural beauty of the northeastern midland region. The continuous limestone mountain ranges, green valleys, rice fields, and villages nestled at the foot of the mountains create a landscape that many tourists liken to "Ha Long Bay on land."

Tourists conquer the limestone cliffs in Yen Thinh, Huu Lien commune, Lang Son province. (Photo: Anh Tuan/VNA)

Unlike many popular trekking destinations in the North, mountain climbing in Yen Thinh is a more specialized sport with steep cliffs, requiring technique and the support of specialized equipment.

Many areas have been surveyed by experts, equipped with safety anchors, and designed with climbing route maps to serve tourists. Currently, the locality has 5 main climbing sites and 3 secondary climbing sites with more than 110 climbing routes at various difficulty levels.

Not only does Yen Thinh attract domestic tourists, it is also a familiar destination for the international mountaineering community. Approximately 80% of the visitors who participate in mountaineering here are foreigners from France, the United States, Australia, Japan, Germany, or Switzerland.

The unique charm of Yen Thinh

Many tourists choose to visit Yen Thinh in the autumn or early winter – a time when the weather is dry and favorable for outdoor activities. From the high cliffs, climbers can gaze down at the green fields and small villages nestled in the valley. During the rice harvest season, the entire area at the foot of the mountain is covered in a golden hue, creating a very characteristic landscape of the Northeast mountainous region.

The road leading to the mountain climbing areas of Yen Thinh, Huu Lien commune, Lang Son province. (Photo: Anh Tuan/VNA)

Besides mountain climbing, visitors to Yen Thinh can also explore the cultural life of the Tay and Nung ethnic communities who have lived here for generations. Traditional stilt houses, local dishes, and the peaceful pace of life in the mountainous region contribute to the unique charm of this area.

The development of mountain climbing tourism is opening up new livelihood opportunities for local people through accommodation, homestay, food, and tourism support services.

In recent years, some households have invested in building community-based tourism models to serve tourists. Small homestays nestled in valleys, near climbing areas, have gradually become a stopover for many international tour groups and domestic climbing clubs.

However, along with its development potential, mountain climbing tourism in Yen Thinh also places high demands on ensuring safety and protecting the natural environment.

Tourism experts believe that the development of adventure tourism needs to go hand in hand with strict management of exploitation activities, training of professional guides, and raising awareness of landscape conservation.

For many tourists, Yen Thinh is not only a destination to challenge themselves against high cliffs, but also a place to experience the peaceful beauty of the mountainous region of Lang Son - where the mountains, rice fields, and villages still retain their rare pristine charm.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/yen-thinh-diem-hen-cua-du-lich-leo-nui-o-lang-son-post1109033.vnp