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Visit Moc Chau – A Charming Destination in Northern Vietnam
Situated approximately 200 km and a 4-hour drive from Hanoi, Moc Chau has long been considered one of the most attractive destinations in the Northern region, especially during the cherry blossom season at the beginning of the year.
Best Seasons to Visit Moc Chau Moc Chau experiences four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter, with mild weather and blooming flowers all year round. In January, the plateau is adorned with green tea hills and blossoms of peach, cherry, apricot, and plum flowers.
From mid-May, the plum season begins, and locals harvest the ripe plums, selling them to traders from the lowland areas. Although there are no flowers in summer, it is a perfect time for outdoor activities due to the fresh air and various outdoor pursuits.
The persimmon season in Moc Chau occurs from August to December each year. The crispy persimmons usually ripen earlier, from August to October, while the astringent variety ripens from October until the end of the year.
The white mustard season starts in November, and in December, the bright yellow flowers of wild daisies decorate the plateau.
Getting There Moc Chau is about 200 km away from Hanoi. If traveling by motorbike, it’s recommended to take the old National Highway 6 as it offers many beautiful sceneries, but be cautious of the road conditions. The journey takes around 4-5 hours.
If traveling by bus, you can choose routes from My Dinh or Yen Nghia bus stations to Son La, then get off at Moc Chau with high-quality bus tickets costing around 200,000 VND.
For those driving, don’t worry, the road is wide and relatively easy despite some steep slopes. Just remember to drive at a safe speed and be cautious when overtaking. During the summer, there is less fog on the roads, but visibility might be limited when it rains. The road with potentially more fog is the one leading to Thung Khe.
Accommodation Moc Chau offers numerous guesthouses. However, to secure a quality room during peak season, it’s best to make reservations in advance. Accommodations here range from eco-lodges (with hills, lakes, and stilt houses) to community-based homestays. Prices for a room typically range from 200,000 to 300,000 VND per night, but there are also budget options available.
Some recommended “chill” homestays include MAMA’s House, Le Chalet du Lac, Fairy House Moc Chau, House By Lake, The Nordic Village, and Moc Chau Retreat, with room prices ranging from 300,000 to 1,000,000 VND per night.
What to Do To fully explore Moc Chau, a two-day trip is sufficient. However, if you have more time, spending 3-4 days is ideal, giving you ample time to discover beautiful photo spots or explore nearby famous tourist areas such as Thung Nai, Mai Chau, and Hoa Binh hydropower plant.
Attractions when visit Moc Chau:
- Bản Áng Pine Forest: Located in Dong Sang commune, Moc Chau district, Son La province, Bản Áng Pine Forest covers an area of over 43 ha, with tall pine trees spread over brown hills, and a cool and clean lake, making it a new camping spot in the Northern region.
- Mu Nau Plum Valley: In early May, Mu Nau plums become ripe and even-colored, unlike some other plum gardens in Nà Ka or Phiêng Khoang. To get there, you should choose a motorbike over a scooter due to the difficult road conditions.
- Sunflower Garden: A new check-in spot in Moc Chau, located deep in the valley. Although there are no direction signs yet, you can find it by following National Highway 6 towards Son La and turning right at Km 106. The sunflowers start blooming in early May and become a beautiful photo spot a week later.
- Moc Chau Tea Hills: Moc Chau town, Son La, is surrounded by green tea hills. Moc Chau Farm (about 7 km from the town center) is an area with dark green tea hills or vast grass fields. Another popular spot is the S-shaped tea hill and heart-shaped tea hill along the road to Ngu Dong Ban On, about 15 km from Moc Chau Farm.
- Chieng Khoa Waterfall: To reach the waterfall, you will follow a dirt road, then go up the steep stairs, near a nearby water pump station. You should be careful as the path can be slippery, especially during the rainy season.
- Fairy Waterfall (Thác Nàng Tiên): This waterfall consists of three tiers, each with its distinct characteristics. The second tier requires walking upstream, making it a bit challenging, but the unique background of the waterfall flowing into the emerald lake creates impressive and one-of-a-kind photos.
- Dai Yem Waterfall: The waterfall is on the Vat stream, formed from two water channels in the Vat village, a long-standing Thai village. It is an imposing waterfall with a height of over 100 meters, divided into two parts: the upper part with nine tiers and the lower part with five tiers, separated by a flat area, ideal for visitors to play and enjoy the scenery.
- Dong Co 68 Grassland: A new favorite check-in location in Moc Chau, it was originally a grassy hill used for raising dairy cows.
- Primitive Village (Làng Nguyên Thủy): Located in Hang Tau valley, Ban Ta So 2, Xa Chiềng Hắc, Moc Chau, this village boasts an untouched, primitive landscape.
- Pha Luong Peak: Located 30 km from Moc Chau town, Pha Luong is known as the rooftop of Moc Chau, situated between the Vietnam-Laos border. The trek from the Pha Luong border guard post to the peak takes around 3-4 hours. The 2,000-meter-high peak offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes and mesmerizing clouds.
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Culinary Delights when visit Moc Chau
Renowned for its delicious cuisine and local specialties. Besides the well-known Moc Chau tea, strawberries, and dairy products, the region also offers mouthwatering dishes that shouldn’t be missed:
- Beef hotpot (Bê Chao)
- Fried stream fish (Cá Suối Rán)
- Different dishes made from lang fish
- Salmon hotpot (Lẩu Cá Hồi)
- Pork blood pudding (Tiết Canh Heo)
- Buffalo meat cooked in clay pots (Thịt Trâu Gác Bếp)
- Salad with fish sauce dressing (Rau Chấm Nước Sốt Lòng Cá)
- Five-colored rice (Cơm Ngũ Sắc)Popular tourist attractions
– Ba Be lake
– What to visit in Mai Chau
– What to visit in Lai Chau
