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To celebrate our decade-long friendship, Quynh and I eagerly planned a trip to Ta Xua, Son La. Looking at the cloud-hunting photos on social media, we were confident we could capture equally stunning images. And so the journey began.
Ta Xua is known as a popular cloud-watching spot in the northern mountainous region. It attracts many tourists on weekends, especially young people who enjoy experiencing and exploring cloud hunting and watching sunsets.
Ta Xua is a highland commune in Bac Yen district, Son La province, with a total area of over 44 square kilometers.2Located at an altitude of 1,500 to 2,000 meters above sea level, Ta Xua is surrounded by high mountain ranges and is often shrouded in dense fog and swirling clouds. Ta Xua is primarily inhabited by the H'Mong ethnic group.
Since gaining prominence as "Ta Xua, the paradise for cloud hunting," it has become a popular tourist destination, especially among young people who enjoy experiencing and exploring winding mountain roads to chase clouds and watch the sunset.
Ta Xua is primarily inhabited by the H'Mong ethnic minority.
From Hanoi, we traveled to Ta Xua by sleeper bus. The daily bus picks up passengers at 9:30 PM and arrives in Ta Xua town center at 4:00 AM. You can sleep on the bus until morning and then continue exploring by motorbike.
On the first day, Quynh and I rented motorbikes in Bac Yen town to travel to our accommodation near the dinosaur spine. Most people book rooms in the town center, but because it's booked close to the week, rooms are always fully booked on weekends. So if you plan to go to Ta Xua, you should book your accommodation at least two weeks in advance.
Local people sell dishes such as beetroot sticky rice, grilled skewers, grilled eggs, and bamboo-cooked rice to tourists along the roadside.
Beetroot sticky rice is quite visually appealing.
According to the schedule, the first day was supposed to be cloud hunting and conquering famous check-in spots in Ta Xua. But what surprised me most was that the first day was completely shrouded in fog, making it impossible to even see the road. We were disappointed and joked that we had come all the way from Hanoi to Ta Xua just to change our sleeping and coffee spots.
On the first day, all our plans to visit places in Ta Xua were ruined when thick fog enveloped the area, making it impossible to see the road. We decided to go to a cafe near our accommodation.
Locals say there's no fixed time for cloud hunting in Ta Xua. Sometimes you'll see thick layers of clouds in the early morning sun. Sometimes the clouds wait until late afternoon and evening. But sometimes you can also admire a vast sea of clouds at midday. Clouds can appear fleetingly or linger for a long time, depending on their thickness. Clouds appear after rain and depend on the humidity of the air.
For a smooth cloud-hunting trip to Ta Xua, visitors should prepare some lightweight yet warm clothing for easy movement, such as windbreakers and thermal shirts. Additionally, you should also bring a raincoat to avoid unexpected rain showers or the sometimes denser fog in the mornings.
In the evening, we enjoyed black chicken hot pot – a specialty of the highlands. After the meal, Quynh and I immersed ourselves in the warm atmosphere, lit a bonfire, and made new friends staying at the homestay.
It would be quite boring if a whole day, already filled with gloom, were spent just loitering in our rooms. But instead, what we enjoyed most about this trip was meeting new friends and companions. We chatted, sang, ate together... and formed a group for the next day's journey.
On the second day, the weather was much better. The sky was clear, with some clouds and a little sunshine. The joy returned, and we, along with our new friends, conquered the Dinosaur's Backbone.
The majestic natural scenery on the dinosaur's spine.
Located at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level, standing on the ridge offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and hills blending into a vast sea of clouds. Due to the rugged terrain, rough and narrow roads (approximately 1.5 km long), to fully appreciate the beauty of the ridge, you'll need to hire a local motorbike taxi for 60,000 VND per person for a round trip.
In the early afternoon, we continued our journey to some popular check-in spots: the Dolphin Rock and the Lonely Pine Tree. These places are quite close to each other, but the road from the center of Bac Yen town to them is quite steep and involves continuous downhill sections, so you need to keep a firm grip on the handlebars to avoid slipping.
The rock formation is shaped like a dolphin's head, formed by two slabs of rock stacked on top of each other.
Dolphin Rock is a popular tourist attraction thanks to its prime location and unique shape. The name Dolphin Rock comes from the rock formation's shape, which resembles the head of a dolphin protruding from the water. From a low angle, the rock looks like a dolphin surfacing. Moss clinging to the rock creates a unique scene, allowing visitors to easily strike various poses. Importantly, despite its seemingly precarious location, the rock is not dangerous and is easily accessible for climbing and taking photos.
The tree is called the "lonely tree" because, amidst a vast landscape, it stands alone, becoming a landmark for the Ta Xua region. Everyone who visits hopes to capture stunning photos at this location. The view from the lonely tree is often compared to that of the Nho Que River in Ha Giang.
At the end of our 2-day, 1-night trip to Ta Xua, we said goodbye to our new friends and promised to meet again at the nearest destination. Afterwards, we traveled from Bac Yen town back to Hanoi. In summary, Quynh and I learned a few things that anyone planning a trip to Ta Xua should keep in mind.
The trip brought me new friends.
Ta Xua is considered one of the top searched keywords for mountainous destinations in Northern Vietnam on social media recently. In reality, Ta Xua cannot be compared to famous northern tourist destinations like Sapa or Tam Dao because it has only received attention in the last few years. Therefore, Ta Xua still has some untapped potential or, to put it simply, shortcomings in tourism services, including accommodation, restaurants, and transportation.
Hmong people play horns on the back of a dinosaur.
Being a remote and rugged tourist destination, Ta Xua still lacks a diverse and extensive hotel system like other tourist spots. Currently, many homestays have sprung up. In fact, room rates here are considered expensive compared to many other tourist destinations, especially on weekends. Basic room rates on weekends usually range from 500,000 to 1,000,000 VND per night.
In addition, motorbike riders almost never wear helmets, and the route involves downhill sections and frequent fog, so you need to ask the rental company about this carefully.
With its pristine natural beauty, cool climate, and majestic mountain and cloud-covered landscape, Ta Xua has become a hot destination for backpackers in recent years.
Nevertheless, Ta Xua remains an ideal destination for a short weekend getaway to immerse yourself in majestic nature. Besides cloud hunting and unique photo opportunities, Ta Xua also offers the experience of traversing winding mountain passes, especially for adventurous travelers.
