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Trung Hieu (33 years old, from Quang Nam province) has trekked and conquered 13 of the highest peaks in Vietnam. Although he has traveled many routes and climbed many high mountains, the Northwest region remains his favorite. Since 2015, he has returned to the area regularly 2-3 times a year. Last March, Trung Hieu decided to go to Nam Nghiep village (Ngoc Chien commune, Muong La district, Son La province) to conquer Ta Chi Nhu peak (2979 m). This trip has given him many valuable experiences.
Tran Trung Hieu is currently a freelance photographer living in Hoi An, Quang Nam.
When is the best time to visit Nam Nghiep?
The ideal time to climb Ta Chi Nhu is from November to March, especially during sunny winter or early spring days. At this time, the weather is relatively dry, slightly cool but with little rain, and you can see the clouds. Ta Chi Nhu, the highest cloud-covered peak in Yen Bai, offers a 360° panoramic view of the sea of clouds. Additionally, when trekking up Ta Chi Nhu from Nam Nghiep, you might consider timing your visit to enjoy the hawthorn blossom season.
In early March, Nam Nghiep village will be covered in a blanket of white hawthorn blossoms. The flowering period is very short, lasting only about half a month. Therefore, if you want to combine flower viewing with trekking, you should time it right to admire the striking scenery of Nam Nghiep village in the hawthorn blossoms.
The hawthorn blossoms stand out in Nam Nghiep village, their beauty rivaling that of the apricot and plum blossoms of Son La.
Trung Hieu added that the hawthorn crop here failed this past March. According to the experience of the people living in Nam Nghiep, it is common for one year to be a good harvest and the other a bad one. "The coverage of flowers in a bad year will be 20-30% compared to a good year," Hieu said.
Therefore, if you plan to visit Nam Nghiep in March next year, the chances of being immersed in a forest of blooming hawthorn flowers are very high. You should plan your trip for the beginning or middle of the week to fully appreciate the beauty of Nam Nghiep, as weekends are usually crowded with people coming here for trekking.
How to get to Nam Nghiep village
From Hanoi, you can take a bus to Mu Cang Chai. Buses depart at 9 PM and arrive at 5 AM. You can ask the driver to stop at Kim Junction (Mu Cang Chai town). From there, you can travel to the village by renting a motorbike or taking a motorbike taxi, a distance of 40km. The one-way motorbike taxi fare will be around 400,000 VND.
Some bus companies tend to overcrowd buses on weekends, so in addition to planning your trip for the beginning of the week, you should also consider transportation options to Mu Cang Chai. Trung Hieu would like to recommend three reputable bus companies: Thao Nguyen, Hung Thanh, and Cuong Lan.
A view of Nam Nghiep village. You can get an idea of how dusty it is if you travel here by motorbike from this image.
The road to the village is relatively easy to navigate, and many people travel here by motorbike from Hanoi, so you don't need to worry too much. However, be aware that the road is very dusty, so if you plan to ride a motorbike, you should prepare plenty of masks, jackets, and sunglasses for protection. If you're traveling in a large group, you can book a car to get here to avoid being overwhelmed by the thick dust.
Trekking from Nam Nghiep to Ta Chi Nhu
You should hire a porter (a guide who carries your luggage) to make your journey safer. This service will also include accommodation (a hut in the forest) and meals at the hut. Typically, the porter will bring rice, food, and some other cooking utensils for resting at the hut. The all-inclusive cost, including guidance, carrying luggage, and meals, will range from approximately 1,500,000 VND.
Trekkers to Ta Chi Nhu have the opportunity to pass through a stunning primeval forest.
The route to Ta Chi Nhu from Nam Nghiep isn't too difficult. "Compared to other trekking routes that are considered top-tier challenges, conquering Ta Chi Nhu is considered moderately difficult for professionals," Hieu continued, "no matter which route you climb, you need to prepare your physical fitness and endurance." During his recent Ta Chi Nhu trekking trip, Hieu also encountered many office workers – not professional trekkers – who still climbed the mountain normally. Furthermore, if you hire a porter, you don't need to worry too much. The most important thing is to train your physical fitness for the trip.
Normally, this trekking route would be completed in a single day, but because he wanted more time to rest and admire the scenery, he spent more than a day trekking the Nam Nghiep - Ta Chi Nhu route round trip.
What experiences can you have in Nam Nghiep village?
You can combine trekking with a day of camping in Nam Nghiep. Because it hasn't been extensively developed, Nam Nghiep still retains its pristine scenery. The village also sells a full range of food and supplies, so you don't necessarily need to bring too many necessities unless you have special needs. However, if you plan to camp, you might want to prepare additional specialized camping equipment such as tents, sleeping bags, and campfires.
This is the location Trung Hieu chose for camping.
When spending the night here, you should also be aware that you might be suddenly awakened by unusual footsteps. "That night, just as I was dozing off, I heard footsteps; it felt like not one person, but several people were approaching. I lay still, not knowing what to do. At that moment, I wanted to know who was outside, but I also wanted to stay still and see what they would do next. I was considering three possibilities in my head – one, neighborhood watch; two, foresters; three, thieves. After about two minutes, I decided to get out of the tent to see who it was, and it turned out to be two wild boars... They came to rummage through the leftover food," Hieu shared a memorable moment from his camping night in Nam Nghiep.
The children here are very innocent, adorable, and don't chase after tourists begging for money.
Visiting Nam Nghiep for the first time during the hawthorn blossom season, Trung Hieu was not only impressed by the beautiful scenery of the village covered in the pure white blossoms of this flower. The photographer also fell in love with the village in Ngoc Chien commune when he witnessed the innocence and gentleness of the children there. When they encountered tourists, the children continued to play with each other, without any attempt to beg for money.
He also advised those planning to visit not to give money to the children, as this would create bad habits for them. Most of the children here attend school, and their family circumstances are normal, not overly difficult. If you love the children and want to preserve their cuteness, you should only give them candy. Giving them money will encourage them to develop the habit of constantly begging from tourists, and in some places like Ha Giang and Sa Pa, many children have even dropped out of school to beg.
