Ta Nang Phan Dung Trekking - a legendary route

“At dawn, sitting in front of Da Loan market waiting for the shuttle bus to take me to the edge of the forest, I clearly realized that I had left the hustle and bustle of the city, was here, and was preparing for a two-day trekking journey to conquer Ta Nang Phan Dung, the most beautiful route in Southern Vietnam.” Tan Truong (24 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) chose Ta Nang Phan Dung, a route that everyone wants to try at least once for their first trekking trip. Like first love, anything experienced for the first time is always a memorable memory. “Besides my personal belongings, I brought with me a lot of excitement and anticipation. And luckily, this encounter with Ta Nang Phan Dung left a beautiful mark on my heart,” Tan Truong shared.

Pack your bags and leave the worries behind.

Sitting in the car with its breezy windows, gazing out at the vast forest shrouded in early morning mist, the first rays of sunlight from the plateau greeted the guests, whose faces betrayed excitement and curiosity. Around 7:45 a.m., the car stopped at the edge of the forest after a bumpy stretch of red dirt road, and the group began their journey.

Passing through the dense forests, you'll clearly feel the arrival of summer with the buzzing of cicadas echoing throughout the woods. When crossing a damp stream, the guide advised the group to hurry due to the possibility of leeches. An exciting challenge awaits on the Ta Nang-Phan Dung journey, and these visitors are ready to experience it.

The Ta Nang - Phan Dung trekking route connects three provinces: Lam Dong, Ninh Thuan, and Binh Thuan. The distance as the crow flies is approximately 18km, but in reality, it's about 60km long. The wild, majestic, and poetic scenery of the vast forest is a gift to the souls of travelers who conquer this place. Despite its reputation as a dangerous route, the peaceful lives of ethnic minorities such as the Co Ho, Churu, and Gia Rai are still prevalent along the Ta Nang - Phan Dung trail.

The vibrant green shade of the pine forest permeated the entire journey, and lush meadows stretched far across the plateau. In the distance, endless fields of tea and corn stretched out, like a magnificent giant carpet in the pristine wilderness. Golden sunlight bathed the landscape from the windy plateau down to the central coast. "All of this created an incredibly vivid natural scene, and every now and then, the whole group exclaimed 'wow' because it was so beautiful. Forget about deadlines and don't think about anything; we just enjoyed the scenery," Tan Truong recounted.

What is the best time of year to visit Ta Nang - Phan Dung?

According to Anh Tú, a trekking tour guide from Trekkers Club, Tà Năng and Phan Dũng are located in two different provinces, so the climate differs. The climate in Tà Năng is slightly cooler, similar to Da Lat, while closer to Phan Dũng, it becomes hotter and drier due to its proximity to Phan Thiết. Tà Năng and Phan Dũng attract tourists because of their distinct seasons: the rainy season and the dry season, often referred to by trekkers as the "green grass season" and the "burnt grass season."

The greenest season for trekking is from August to February of the following year, when the air is fresh and clean. However, due to heavy rainfall, the weather can be unpredictable, sometimes sunny in the morning and rainy in the afternoon. When choosing to trek during this season, be sure to prepare protective items such as umbrellas and raincoats to avoid sudden rain showers.

The dry grass season here is completely different from the freshness of the green season. This season begins from March to June each year. The scorching sun turns the hills covered with dry grass a burnt yellow. Although it looks a little melancholic, the romantic feeling at sunset will leave a lasting impression.

These experiences are only for the "brave".

That was a lighthearted remark made when Tan Truong and the whole group sat together at night on the summit of Phan Dung, looking up at the starry sky, a sight rarely seen in the city.

The highlight of Ta Nang - Phan Dung is its series of rolling hills, creating a truly captivating journey of conquest. Each hill represents a new stage, with stunning, unique, and never-repeating landscapes. A feeling of exhilaration washes over you upon reaching the summit, gazing at the vast expanse, and reflecting on the journey you've completed. "Just one word: amazing!" shared one member of the group. That moment was filled with emotion for many, making each step along the trail a new and meaningful victory.

For Tan Truong, exploring the vegetation is a novel experience alongside the challenge of self-discovery on the trekking journey. Admiring the wild plants and listening to the guide's stories makes the experience even more enjoyable. During honey-making season, bees swarm around the group but don't sting. Every now and then, a few bees sip nectar from unusual flowers, delighting the travelers who get to see it firsthand.

"Courage" here means having the bravery and willingness to leave your comfortable bed or weekend gatherings with friends to experience trekking through forests and streams, where there is no electricity, running water, Wi-Fi, phone signal, or the hustle and bustle of the city.

"I was a little nervous at the beginning, but what I experienced was incredibly rewarding for a young person like me...", Tan Truong recalled. Sleeping under a starry sky, with the wind whistling in my ears—that's not something you get to experience every day. The next morning, waking up to the bright red sun just rising, the whole group called each other to eat noodles and drink coffee while watching the sunrise amidst the cool morning mist. The scenery made people feel more poetic, and perhaps the experience transformed ordinary food into delicacies in the mountains? Because when sharing with Travellive reporters, Tan Truong emphasized: "That was the best bowl of noodles I've ever eaten. Not only that, throughout the two days of trekking, every dish was so special and memorable. Bamboo rice with grilled meat, crispy fried stream fish with tamarind sauce, sour fish soup, and eating them in the cool, refreshing forest—no amount of money in the city could buy that."

Things to keep in mind when trekking the Ta Nang-Phan Dung route:

- It's not advisable to travel alone to ensure safety. Nowadays, many tour operators have emerged, helping to guarantee safety by providing tents, food, water, and travel insurance.

Before you leave, do some physical exercises like jogging or climbing stairs for at least a week to ensure you're in good health.

- Always stay with your teammates and don't separate from the group to ensure safety and avoid getting lost.

- Avoid trekking at night.

- Equip yourself with trekking shoes and a backpack with support straps for comfortable walking and to avoid injury.

Ha Mai Trinh