Spring travel in Moc Chau
About 185km from Hanoi, Moc Chau (Son La) in its early spring often enchants guests for its beautiful white mustard flowers and yellow wild sunflowers. Dropping into Loong Luong commune to discover the culture and cuisine of H’Mong ethnic people as well as contemplating the forests of plum flowers and peach blossoms in the spring wind are also memorable experiences.
Apart from taking photos with flowers in the destination, you can also visit many famous attractions of Moc Chau such as Doi (bat) cave (or Son Moc Huong cave), Dai Yem waterfall, Ban Ang pine forest, strawberry gardens and orchid gardens. However, one of the most typical feature of this journey is the experience on the “Chau Moc green road” of Tan Lap commune, where is known for its heart-shaped tea forest. Then, you can visit Ngu Dong Ban On with white mustard and plum flowers in the immense, green space.
In every March, Moc Chau often hosts Het Cha festival of white Thai ethnic people in Ang village, Dong Sang commune. At first, this was a ceremony for recovering from diseases. Then, it has been organized as a community festival to manifest the community helps to overcome difficulties in life. This is also a special occasion for Thai people to thank the Gods and their parents as well as pray for a good, bountiful year.
Transportation:
From Hanoi, you can take some passenger cars to Moc Chau such as Hai An, Bac Son and Hung Thanh at 120,000 – 140,000VND, departing from 6a.m – 10p.m.
Accommodation:
Reasonable hotels in Moc Chau with forthcoming services include Cong Doan or Huong Sen hotels.
Other recommendations:
+ If you intend to visit local villages, you should prepare some candies for kids and the older. When leaving, you can donate some money for the sanitary fund of the villages.
+ In spring, a day in Moc Chau features four seasons. Therefore, it is wise to bring some warm clothes. In addition, choose suitable shoes for mountain climbing because the topography here is rather rugged. Remember not to bring high heels. If you choose to travel here by motorbike, bring some repairing equipment in case your motorbike goes wrong. In Moc Chau, these services are not seen much.
+ The price for accommodation and food in Moc Chau is not very expensive. A room for two is about 200,000 – 400,000VND.
+ Food: the veal and freshwater fish cooked with bamboo shoots are very delicious. In addition, the pork meat, bamboo-tubed rice, camellia wine, tea, rice flour cake and candy are also local specialties. You can buy some to gift when returning home.
+ If you would like to view mustard flowers in Moc Chau, you can contact: The Managing Board of Moc Chau tourist site, Zone 2, Moc Chau town, Son La. Tel: 022. 3766 818.
Viewing white plum flowers in Lao Cai
On the way to Lao Cai, you will pass by empty roads with many curves. Suddenly, you will be touched by the white plum forest nearby the road that makes the road more striking. All embellishes the immense forest. In the picturesque scenery, you will feel emotional when wandering in Ham Rong mountain, turning your face to the cold wind and witnessing blooming plum and peach flowers.
With a spring travel here, you will have a chance to join in fabulous festivals of ethnic people such as Long Tong festival of H’Mong people in Ta Van, Roong Pooc festival of Giay people and water or soil possession of Tay ethnic people, jumping festival of red Dao people, new rice and banana flower festivals of Xa Pho people.
+ There are three trains from Hanoi to Sapa in a day: 19:40, 20:35 and 21:50. Tickets are priced 135,000VND – 515,000VND. You should book two or three days prior your journey. You can also take a passenger car such as Hai Van (0988862020), Vietbus (0436272727) at 150,000 – 200,000VND.
+ As the main tourist site of the Northwest with 25 ethnic groups, Lao Cai has been also a favorite destination of international guests with its magnificent nature, untouched ecological features and special cultures.
+ You can travel to Lao Cai at any time of the year because the accommodation services always satisfy the higher demands of guests.
+ Remember to take unique photos by the white plum flower forests when enjoying your spring travel in Lao Cai.
Suoi Giang in its spring flowers
Suoi Giang (Yen Bai) is known as the land of Shan Tuyet ancient tea trees. Once coming here in early spring, you will be allured in the pink cherry blossoms in the morning wind.
In Suoi Giang, you will feel like you were floating in the clouds on the way to Chong Pao Mua peak. On first days of the new year, when wandering under the green ancient tea trees of H’Mong people, you can visit Gau Tao festival to pray for a prosperous new year. Then, you can join in traditional games of ethnic people or witness boys and girls singing, dancing and glancing at each other to find their lovers.
Transportation:
From Hanoi, you can ride a motorbike or take a car from My Dinh station to Nghia Lo. Cars often depart in the morning or at noon. From Nghia Lo, you can take a motorbike to Suoi Giang.
Accommodation:
Visitors should stay in Nghia Lo with efficient accommodation services, and then travel to Suoi Giang for sightseeing. Suoi Giang is about 25km from Nghia Lo.
Hoa Ban hotel: Trung Tam ward, Nghia Lo, Yen Bai. Tel: 029. 387 0008.
Mien Tay hotel: Dien Bien, Nghia Lo, Yen Bai. Tel: 029. 387 1223
Muong Lo hotel: 93, Dien Bien, Nghia Lo, Yen Bai. Tel: 029.3879666
Food:
There are not many options for food in Nghia Lo and Suoi Giang. You can have a meal in the market or roadside restaurants, which often do not serve after 8p.m.
+ Currently, tours to witness spring flowers in Suoi Giang are provided by many companies such as Saigontourist, Fiditour, TST, Ben Thanh tourist or Vietravel. If you like to view peach blossoms and sip a cup of peach blossoms as well as enjoy steamed sticky rice, pork meat and chicken of local people, you will surely enjoy your time here.
