Touch the clouds in Northwest Vietnam

Over recent years, hiking and climbing have becoming increasingly popular activities for young Vietnamese backpackers, photographers and anyone with an urge to explore their country. For many, Fansipan, Located in Lao Cai Province in Northwest Vietnam, remains the ultimate destination.

Years ago, Fansipan – a 3.143 meter mountain known as the Roof of Indochina – was considered a challenge for experienced climbers and hikers thanks to its dangerous and treacherous terrain. Hair-raising cliffs, deep abysses, dense tropical jungles and treacherous weather thar changes by the hour still make Fansipan a trial, although development has made the peak far more accessible than in the past. Three routes from Sapa are available to set out on your journey to Fasipan, each of which is different but still difficult. However, local authorities upgraded the route from Tram Ton upgrade, saving much hard work and time of hikers. It is no longer necessary to sleep in tents in the forest or worry about lack of provisions, as stops at 2.200m and 2.900m can now accommodate around 100 climbers at a time. Hmong porters are now friendlier and much more skillful in cooking than ever, and the paved road is now wider and safer, equipped with handrails, solid ropes on slopes and wooden fences on cliffs.

Although cable cars have also been put inte operation, personal hiking is still a big delight for many. Only by hiking and climbing over the challenging terrain can one fully embrace the beauty of nature here. Carpets of azaleas in full and radiant bloom, skyscraping trees that sometimes shed ethereal white petals, wild flowers little known to many that remain half-shut beneath a thick shrub, straks of silver clouds roaming the sky, or the azure vastness of the sky unexpectedly unwinding are sights to be savored. And of course, to set foot on the highest peak of Indochina without any support is a source of pride and accomplishment.

Not far from Fanshipan, straddling the borders of Lai Chau and Lao Cai is Bach Moc Luong Tu Mountain, which proves equally enticing for climbers. Rising 3.045 meters high, the mountain is alluring because of challenges ahead as well as its breathtaking landscape. No standard road is paved as hikers must walk a trail and need local guider. Bringing tents, food and medical gear, hikers should spend at least three days and two nights to reach the peak. Dangerous but equally splendid. Bach Moc Luong Tu is an ideal cloud hunting arena where photographers find incredible shots of hovering clouds that range from soft and cotton-like to brilliantly colored straks at sunrise.

Another attraction is Pu Si Lung Mountain in Pa Ve Su Commune, Muong Te Distrct, Lai Chau. Hiking groups usually gather in this hamlet, and trek nearly 20 kilometers on forest trails to reach Milestone 42, Known as “the borderline roof”. The best approach is to ask soldiers of the border guard station of Pa Ve Su to lead. It takes another forest trail of 6 kilometers long to reach Pu Su Lung Mountain. The distance sounds like a stone’s throw, but the journey requires genuine guts and skill. Slipperry and dangerous mountain passes only graced by porters, forest edges completely shrouded from the sun and swarms of insects are all natural odds to test one’s bravery. But after several hours later, Pu Si Lung welcomes its guests with the open azure sky and clouds racing to infinity, where it feels like you can touch the sky simply by raising your hands.

Many other mountains awail in the Northwest and Northeast of VietNam. Some are religious like Yen Tu, others magnificent like Ta Xua, which boasts a treacherous and marvelous backbone trail or Hoang Lien Son Mountain capped in clouds all year long. No mountains are similar in nature, and each of them is a rewarding test for Vietnam’s intrepid climber.