For many people, even Vietnamese, Yen Bai is somewhat of a disclosed location. The only thing that might be heard about Yen Bai is Mu Cang Chai as this has been known the place for adventure among young individuals. However, have you really dig down deep to find other attractions in Yen Bai? Have a look at this article to have a better idea on what to expect in Yen Bai.
If you find this article interesting, feel fre to check out part 2 and part 3 as well.
Mu Cang Chai
This might be familiar. Mu Cang Chai is 280km, a popular destination for young backpackers. Every harvesting season is the time when people start rumbling their motorcycles here to see the rice blossom. If you haven’t been here yet, I would suggest you to gear up and go. You won’t regret it.
The rice terraces
The specialty in Mu Cang Chai are the rice terraces. These are called “ruong bac thang”, rice fields that look like giant staircases, designed to take full advantage of the mountainous terrain. With over 700ha of rice, you won’t be able to resist the yellow of the blossoming rice fields.
Dream Waterfall (Thac Mo)
Thac Mo is located between the hills of Na Hang A and Na Hang B in Mo De village. In your quest to conquer Dream Fall, there are 7 pitstops for you to rest and enjoy the view.
Pu Nhu Waterfall
Pu Nhu Waterfall can be found in Pu Nhu village, 10km from Mu Cang Chai central to the West. Starts from the streams in the forest in Than Uyen, Lao Cai, the fall itself is 20m tall and divided in multiple levels.
Lim Mong Village
To get in Lim Mong, you must go pass the Thai people who live near the Nam Co stream. Across the stream is the dirt road to Lim Mong village. The road is steep and curved so make sure that your bike is up for the task. From the stream, it’s still 4km away.
In harvesting season, visitors will be blown away by the one of a kind specticle that is Ruong bac thang, the work of the locals farmers finally paid off after a whole year. The smell of rice in the air just makes all heat null and void.
When the sun starts coming down, that’s when Lim Mong is at its most beautiful, especially in harvest season. The clouds follow each other till they turn pink at the end of the skyline. The birds fly tirelessly on the endless blossoming rice fields. The animals are singing and the fruits are ripe. The kids are calling the buffalos.
Suoi Giang – Yen Bai
Suoi Giang Village has the altitude of 1.371m, very close to the mighty Fansipan. This is home to the ancient tea known as Shan and also 300 Mong people. The climate in Suoi Giang is fairly cold all the time.
From the top looking, it’s like you’re seeing a sea of rice. Here, visitors can take a look at the hundreds-year-old tea trees, talk to pretty Hmong girls, walk in Po Mu forest or trek the challenging Tap Lang waterfall.
Suoi Giang is famous for the infamous centuries-old Shan tea, whose diameter go up to 100cm, also know as snow tea. Snow tea here grow itself in the cooling climate, no need much attention. Many Mong families around here make a fortune out of these fellows. These can be seen as a gift for the people of the land.
Thac Ba lake
This has been proclaimed to be “Ha Long on the mountain”. Thac Ba is one of the three biggest freshwater lake in Vietnam.
Take a boat down the lake
Located in the border of Yen Binh and Luc Yen districts, Thac Ba lake is over 23.500ha with over 1.300 islands in it. The mysterious look of Thac Ba is added with the majestic caves in the limestone mountains. Take a boat ride in Thac Ba, you won’t only feel the wind in your hair, the cool air from the water, you’ll feel like you’re one with the surrounding, one with mother nature. Light up a shrine in Mau temple, put aside all problems and pray for peace, and then continue your journey to discover the magical beauty of the stalactites, of weird-looking work of nature that contains hopes and dreams of the people.
Cao Bien Mountain
Mount Cao Bien is the most obvious attraction in Thac Ba. From the top of Cao Bien Mountain, wait for the sunrise, there’s nothing like it. Feast your eye on the majestic scene that is nature. The lake is like a giant mirror reflexing the skyline. Look down from here to track back the trace of Ngoc and Nga markets that were busy trading locations right here in this lake.
Ngoi Tu Village
Ngoi Tu Village is located in Vu Linh, Yen Bai, is a village with multiple tribes living together, most of them are Dao people.
With their own originalities, Ngoi Tu attracts visitors not only with preferable geographics, but also this place is a mixture of so many different cultures. The entire area of Ngoi Tu village is part land and part endless lake. There is presence of different tribes in Ngoi Tu village such as Dao, Cao Lan, Nung, but you will most likely see Dao people in white pants.
Come to Ngoi Tu to savour the simple, yet delicious, local specialties. Not only that, indulge yourself in the romantic scenery, let yourself go in the singing and the traditional dances. Those who seek even more adventures can join a trekking trip to Mount Yen, Mount Cao Bien, or go around the village to learn more about the culture of the Dao people, as well as other tribes.