Chu Va - A dreamlike climbing route in Vietnam but challenging for tourists

Located in Chu Va 12 village, Tam Duong district, Lai Chau province, Chu Va peak was discovered by trekkers only a few years ago. With an altitude of about 2,751m above sea level, Chu Va is a favorite destination for trekking enthusiasts because of its wild beauty, floating clouds and attractive challenges.

In particular, the area around Chu Va peak also has diverse vegetation, primeval forests, and many seasonal flowers, creating a majestic and poetic scene.

Recently, Mr. Nguyen Duc Hung (a tourist from Hanoi) shared his journey to conquer Chu Va peak.

Chu Va climbing route is steep, with many sections almost vertical.

Three peaks in one journey

According to Mr. Hung, the Chu Va climbing route actually consists of three close peaks: Mieu Thach Son, Chu Va, and Can Chua Thia Sang. Conquering all three peaks in 2-3 days (depending on the group's physical strength) is a great challenge in terms of endurance and physical strength, requiring careful preparation.

This route is all steep and steep, with many sections almost vertical. If the Po Ma Lung, Nam Kang or Pusilung routes have the "Three Hour slope" (which takes 3 hours for locals to climb), Chu Va has the "Five Hour slope". There are many sections where you have to swing up and down on ropes because the rocky terrain is slippery and there is no place to put your feet - a big obstacle, especially for women because their arm strength is usually weaker.

Mieu Thach Son peak requires climbers to follow the steep cliffs, where below is a deep abyss with no visible bottom. From Chu Va to Can Chua, climbers must cross the narrow dinosaur's back, where there are sections of road only 1-2 feet wide, with deep abysses on both sides.

"Unlike Ta Xua, the ridge at Chu Va is longer, more dangerous, and has absolutely no ropes. Strong winds and steep slopes force climbers to focus on each step, even crawling on their hands and feet at the most dangerous sections," said Mr. Hung.

To conquer Chu Va peak, the climbing team must go through steep and dangerous roads.

In return for the ruggedness, the majestic scenery on both sides of the dinosaur's back brings unforgettable emotions. All three peaks are open, with breathtaking 360-degree views. From the peaks, you can clearly observe the more distant peaks such as Fansipan or Ngu Chi Son.

Although it is not a paradise of clouds, if you are lucky, you can still catch beautiful scenery in favorable weather conditions.

The rhododendron forest here is also very prominent, but this year the crop failed, causing the flowers to not bloom as brightly as usual.

Anh Hung shared that the Chu Va climbing route faces a major limitation: lack of water. This season, the waterfall is dry, streams only appear in low areas, but after about 2 hours of climbing along the dry stream, water becomes very scarce.

This requires climbers to plan to bring enough water for the first day, and boil water taken from the stream leading to the resting area for the following days.

Resting camp area of ​​the climbing team when conquering Chu Va peak.

What to prepare to conquer Chu Va?

Currently, local people have set up rest huts in the cave area near Mieu Thach Son peak and Chu Va peak to serve tourists. The rest huts in the cave can accommodate about 15-20 people, while the two huts near Chu Va peak can accommodate up to about 40 people, meeting the resting needs of large climbing groups.

Goong Keng, a local porter (mountain climbing guide), said that the climbing route is difficult so there are few climbers, so the huts are not overloaded on weekends like other huts.

Wooden ladders and ropes are also installed by shack owners and locals to help climbers overcome dangerous sections with no handholds or footholds.

According to Mr. Hung, Chu Va mountain should only be conquered after getting familiar with difficult climbing routes such as Nam Kang or Pusilung.

"Safety is the top priority. You should hire more porters than other routes so they can help you carry your stuff. In addition, we always calculate so that the whole group can return to the shelter before dark and only depart when it's light," Mr. Hung shared.

Mr. Hung's group took photos at the Mieu Thach Son milestone at an altitude of 2735m.

Mr. Manh Chien, administrator of the Mountaineering Passion Forum with more than 150,000 members, said that climbing Chu Va requires good physical strength, technique, and a strong mentality. He emphasized that climbing in the rain is absolutely not recommended because the terrain is too dangerous.

The ideal time to conquer Chu Va is from October to April of the following year, when the weather is dry and the climate is cool. The period from May to August is not suitable because the hot sun can easily cause heat loss, sudden rains in the forest create slippery conditions, and snakes and centipedes often appear after hibernation.

For experienced climbers, don't miss the opportunity to conquer Can Chua before the first climbing season of the year ends at the end of April. This will definitely be a memorable experience for life, both physically and mentally!

Photo: Nguyen Duc Hung

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/chu-va-cung-leo-dep-nhu-mo-o-viet-nam-nhung-thach-thuc-du-khach-20250409094516719.htm