For photographer Vu Ngoc Thien (from Thai Binh), Da Lat is not only a destination, but also a special artistic space where he can listen to nature, find inspiration and create emotional frames.
"Da Lat is always the place I want to go, because of the romantic poetry of this city, and also because this is a paradise for photographers like me to create and bring back satisfactory works that are rarely found anywhere else," Mr. Vu Ngoc Thien shared.
The early morning light filtered through the pine trees, illuminating the misty valley.
On his most recent return, he wandered through three famous cloud-hunting spots: Thien Phuc Duc hill, Da Phu hill and Ngo Quyen hill. Of these, Thien Phuc Duc is the place that left the most impression. "The view is very beautiful, easy to take pictures, especially the early morning mist creates a poetic scene typical of Da Lat," he said.
Not only famous for its dreamy beauty, Da Lat is also one of the few places in Vietnam where you can hunt clouds all year round – especially in the dry season, from October to April. The green pine hills, the mist-covered slopes, or the red dirt roads leading up to hills like Da Phu or Thien Phuc Duc all bring a sense of gentle but enchanting adventure.
Dalat is immersed in the morning mist, creating a magical scene.
Many people compare cloud hunting in Da Lat to a game of chance with nature, because sometimes just a few minutes later, the clouds can disappear or rush in to create a white, floating sea. It is this uncertainty that makes the journey even more attractive – like a test of patience, and the reward is real but dreamy frames.
Clouds hover over the hillsides
To hunt for clouds at the right time, Mr. Thien usually has to wake up at 4am, prepare his equipment and travel about 30 minutes up the hill to catch the sunrise at 5am. The journey is not long, but full of challenges amidst the cold highlands, the dim darkness and the suspense of not knowing whether he will see the sea of clouds as expected today or not.
"Because I am from Thai Binh, familiar with the rice fields stretching as far as the eye can see, when I first witnessed the sunrise on the hills, amidst the misty fog of Da Lat, I was extremely surprised and overwhelmed. When the clouds drifted lazily between the pine forests and tea hills, I felt like I was entering a dream. There were times when it was so beautiful that I got goosebumps, and sometimes I couldn't believe it was real," the photographer recalled.
When nature becomes a vivid ink painting in the middle of the plateau
Unlike many people who come to Da Lat to relax or explore famous cafes, Vu Ngoc Thien chooses to quietly immerse himself in nature. No camping, no trekking or cycling, he only focuses on photography - directly experiencing each moment with his own eyes and emotions.
Sharing with Travellive reporter, he confided: "I like the quiet. Sometimes just standing still in nature, listening to the wind blowing through the pine trees is enough to feel peaceful. At those times, the camera is not just a tool, but a companion that helps me capture very real emotions."
The clouds are drifting and poetic.
For him, cloud hunting is a journey of patience: "There were days when I prepared carefully, went up the hill very early but the clouds did not come. At that time, I was not sad, I simply thought that it was not enough fate. But every time I caught the moment when the clouds drifted past the dawn, that feeling was truly precious."
He also did not forget to share a few tips: "To have a complete trip to Da Lat, you should wake up early, ride a motorbike up hills like Thien Phuc Duc, Ngo Quyen or Da Phu. You should bring a camera, selfie stick, recording equipment - and especially... a little luck. I jokingly call it 'good luck' to hunt clouds".
Dalat's clouds embrace every hilltop - the tranquil beauty soothes the soul
Every year, photographer Vu Ngoc Thien returns to Da Lat several times. No season, no rush. Just a cloudy sky, an old hillside, and once again waiting for the dawn.
