Lost in Chieu Lau Thi

The vast Ha Giang region has always been a favorite destination for travel enthusiasts. The majestic beauty of this northernmost area spans 7,929.48 km², but is often only known to tourists for the Dong Van Stone Plateau and Meo Vac in the north... Hoang Su Phi has long been famous for its terraced rice fields, among the most beautiful in the country, but still boasts pristine and magnificent scenery on the summit of Chieu Lau Thi, a place few have yet to visit.

Of course, getting here was a daunting task, especially for those with blood pressure or heart problems. The roads were narrow, steep, and winding, not to mention some muddy sections and ongoing repairs, making the journey more difficult than ever. At one point, we even had to get out of the car because it couldn't climb the hill. The journey of just over 40 km from the center of Thong Nguyen commune to Chieu Lau Thi and Ho Thau left everyone exhausted due to its treacherous nature.

Fortunately, everyone agreed to climb to Chieu Lau Thi together. The higher they ascended, the thicker the air became, the mist in front mingling with the clouds that flowed down, creeping over the mountain slopes and enveloping the entire path. The scenery before them was half-dream, half-real, with moss and lichen hidden in the mist. But reaching the stopping point felt like a journey from winter to autumn. No longer cold and hazy, the sky was clear and cool. A thick sea of ​​clouds covered the mountains and hills, with only the scattered yellow and red of the maple trees dotting the sun-drenched landscape of Chieu Lau Thi.

To the east of the VOV broadcasting tower at Chieu Lau Thi, ancient trees covered in moss stand out prominently amidst fluffy, cotton-like clouds. White and red chickens leisurely forage in this picturesque setting, drawing my attention in that direction.

I gazed into the distance, taking in the entire landscape before me. Then, closing my eyes, I slowly inhaled the scent of the mountains and forests carried on the breeze. The cool air at high altitude was pleasant, and with the golden sunlight still shining down, I didn't feel as cold as I had on the bus. While slowly enjoying that feeling, I glanced over and saw this slope leading into the village, so I was curious to try it.

I've always enjoyed wandering around and admiring the scenery spontaneously. People climb to the summit to check in with the "Chieu Lau Thi 2,402 m" landmark, but I'm captivated by the pristine beauty that few people seek out. Of course, every choice has its pros and cons. According to my research, climbing to the summit of Chieu Lau Thi from the viewpoint takes about 30-40 minutes each way, even though the distance is only 800 meters. In return, visitors get to walk under dense canopies of trees and admire beautiful flowers. With limited time and feeling quite tired after two hours of continuous travel, I chose a more relaxed option.

The scenery of Ha Giang has never disappointed me. Ha Giang is like a gift wrapped in many layers, and each time I unwrap it, I'm surprised by the mysterious and majestic beauty of this land. I say this because conquering the winding, treacherous roads to admire the beauty of Ha Giang is never easy. But the reward is extremely worthwhile for those "layers of gift." Sometimes, while driving, you can't even tell what's just 10 meters ahead, because the mountain ranges cleverly conceal the beautiful scenery with their winding roads. It turns out that you have to keep moving forward, to constantly discover all the wonderful things ahead.

I walked along, filled with the excitement and curiosity of an explorer. On one side, the road was shrouded in clouds; on the other, rugged mountains were covered with dense, moss-covered trees. Nestled in the middle was a small, rocky path, winding along the mountain ranges, its gentle slopes further fueling my curiosity about the beauty that lay ahead.

An hour had passed, and I didn't know where I was. There was no signal, no internet, so contacting anyone was impossible. In the distance, scattered wooden houses dotted the hills, a scene as beautiful as a dream. My tireless legs wouldn't let me stop, but my reason prevented me from continuing, for if I got lost there, I didn't know when I'd find my way back.

I lay sprawled on a rock, the road to my left, a chasm to my right. Clouds drifted slowly by, birds chirped merrily. My love of nature always filled me with a sense of fulfillment, allowing me to breathe, touch the trees, and walk in the tranquility of the mountains and forests… Suddenly, the sound of a goat bleating on the mountaintop startled me, so I sat up and returned to the group, my heart filled with happiness.

Text and photos: Bi Le