Cloud hunting in Ta Xua Son La - a paradise on earth

If you are planning to “test your luck” with the Ta Xua Son La cloud hunting trip, don’t miss the detailed sharing below from 3 Regions Travel. It is guaranteed that your trip will be smooth, easy and a little more “lucky”.

Some interesting features about Ta Xua tourism

The wild and majestic beauty of the mountainous region always captivates travelers. Anyone who has visited Ta Xua once cannot forget the beauty of the Northwest mountains and forests and the simple, friendly lifestyle of the people here. The scene of the golden sunlight dancing on the green foliage of the vast forest seems to help you embrace the whole country in your heart, the undulating mountain ranges, above are white clouds floating.

Photo: Thanh Nien Newspaper

Where is Ta Xua address?

This place is actually a highland commune located on the border of Bac Yen district, Son La province and Tram Tau district, Yen Bai province. It is about 240km from the center of Hanoi and about 100km from Moc Chau district. Although it is a mountainous road, the route to get here is not too difficult.

Travel guide to Ta Xua Son La

If you need to find your way to this tourist destination, you can refer to some of the travel instructions below from 3 Regions Travel.

Travel to Ta Xua from Hanoi

Ta Xua Son La is 240km from Hanoi , so you can choose to travel along the following route: Hanoi City Center → Son Tay Road → Trung Ha Bridge → Thu Cuc, Phu Tho → Thu Cuc intersection (QL32) → turn left Phu Yen → Bac Yen (QL37) → Ta Xua. In addition to personal vehicles, you can also travel here by bus, Limousine, ... Hanoi Ta Xua bus : Xuan Trang bus (9 or 29 seats):

• Ticket price: 220,000 VND/person
• Departure times from Hanoi: 6:30, 7:00, 9:00, 12:30, 15:00, 17:00 and 19:00
• Phone number: 0981 559 551 or 0981 558 551

Bac Son Bus (40 seats):

• Ticket price: 220,000 VND/person

• Departure times from Hanoi: 10:00, 13:00, 17:00, 20:45, 21:15, 22:00, 22:30

• Phone number: 1900 6786

Limousine Hanoi Ta Xua – Limousine Khanh Thinh (29 seats ):

• Ticket price: 350,000 VND/person

• Departure time from Hanoi: 8:00, 13:00 and 18:00

• Phone number: 1900 9418

Suggested means of transportation in Ta Xua

In our experience, the most convenient means of transportation in this tourist destination is usually a motorbike. However, for those with weak driving skills who are not used to driving on mountain passes, you should choose trekking or hire a local motorbike taxi to ensure safety.

A trail to move up to Ta Xua village - Photo: Thanh Nien Newspaper

In addition, you can also refer to some motorbike rental locations in Ta Xua Son La below:

• Motorbike rental: 0941 256 888 or 0972 908 999; rental price 120,000 - 150,000 VND/vehicle/day; Bac Yen town, Bac Yen district, Son La province
• Nha San 88: 084 3769 499; rental price 120,000 - 150,000 VND/vehicle/day; QL6, Phieng Luong, Moc Chau, Son La
• Xuan Cuong: 0212 3766 997; rental price: 200,000 VND/car/day; Moc Chau town, Son La province

What to do in Ta Xua Nature Reserve?

Coming here, in addition to cloud hunting, you also have the opportunity to check in with many amazing scenes. Below are 7 experiences that visitors should not miss when coming here.

Experience cloud hunting in Ta Xua

When coming to this tourist destination, the first thing you must do is hunt for clouds. Currently, there are 7 cloud hunting locations in this tourist destination that visitors can visit and experience. The 3 most beautiful cloud hunting spots include: the three-way intersection to Hang Dong, the four-way intersection to Xim Vang and the center of Ta Xua commune.

Photo: Collected

The way to get here is quite simple, from the restaurant in the tourist center, follow the small road up the mountain to reach this cloud hunting route. In particular, the route to Hang Dong is chosen by many tourists as a stop to hunt for the Ta Xua sea of ​​clouds because the wind is calm here, so the clouds stand still and take longer to dissipate ( you can admire the sea of ​​clouds here from early morning until 10 or 11 am). Note: When stopping your car on the side of the road to take pictures of the sea of ​​clouds, you should pay attention to park your car neatly or find a place deep in the roadside to park your car, to avoid affecting traffic.

Check in at Ta Xua ridge

Dinosaur's spine is also known as Chong Tra mountain, located in Chong Tra village. Dinosaur's spine is actually a small trail in the middle of the mountain top connecting Ta Xua and Hang Dong communes, looking from afar like the back of a giant sleeping dinosaur. This is also an ideal place to hunt clouds in Ta Xua because the scenery here is very beautiful at any moment of the day.

Photo: Dan Viet Newspaper

If at dawn, you can see with your own eyes the floating clouds, the golden rays of sunlight seem to penetrate the clouds and shine down on the mountains and forests, then in the evening, the whole space becomes more romantic when immersed in the purple-orange light of the sunset. Beautiful as it is, the road leading to the dinosaur spine of Ta Xua is quite dangerous and difficult to travel, the top of the mountain is about 200 - 300m from the valley, so most visitors choose to trek to ensure safety and have many experiences.

Check in at turtle head rock

Turtle Head Rock is located at an altitude of 2100m above sea level, so from here you can easily see the whole view of this place, where mountains overlap throughout the space covered in green. In particular, this is also a beautiful check-in location in Ta Xua for many tourists, because the feeling in the middle of the frame is like you are floating in the middle of the mountains, extremely "chill".

Trekking through the primeval forests

Photo: Viettrekking

If you are a nature lover, you definitely cannot miss the ultimate experience of trekking in the primeval forest when coming to Ta Xua Nature Reserve, Son La. Crossing the small trails in the forest by yourself, exploring each winding stream, listening to the birds chirping and feeling the moisture of the forest gently embracing your body will definitely be an unforgettable experience for many tourists. In addition to the discovery route from Son La, trekking Ta Xua Yen Bai is also an option for many trekkers, although the climbing route from Tram Tau Yen Bai will be more difficult and is usually only for experienced trekkers. In return, you will be able to admire the extremely pristine beauty of Ta Xua, seemingly untouched by humans.

Ta Xua Yen Bai landscape – Photo: Viettrekking

Note: If you choose trekking, you should hire a local guide to avoid getting lost in the forest. Don’t forget to bring a jacket, raincoat, first aid kit, and insect repellent.

Check in lonely tree Ta Xua Son La

There are many tourist destinations in Vietnam that possess beautiful lonely trees, which are loved by many tourists to check in and Ta Xua Bac Yen Son La also possesses such a lonely tree. This is a cat apple tree located in the middle of Gio peak, Hang Dong commune, Bac Yen district.

Photo: Dan Viet Newspaper

The wild apple tree stands alone on the windy peak of Ta Xua tourist area next to a small, simple house, creating a peaceful yet somewhat melancholy scene. Standing on the mountain top, feeling the cool breeze blowing on your skin, watching the red horizon as the sunset falls, makes many travelers reluctant to leave.

Conquering Ta Xua peak

Ta Xua Peak, located at an altitude of 2,865m above sea level, is a fascinating challenge for tourists. This is also one of the highest peaks in Vietnam and a challenge for many climbers in the Northwest mountainous region.

Photo: Collected

After a long journey through the forest and streams, the view of Ta Xua peak will certainly not disappoint you because it feels like you are just one step away from heaven. Standing at this position, you can see a vast sea of ​​clouds as if blending into the sky, the undulating mountain peaks, sometimes hidden, sometimes appearing behind the magical sea of ​​clouds.

Check in Ta Xua Son La dolphin cape

This rocky outcrop shaped like a dolphin opening its mouth wide and rising out of the water is about 10km from the commune center. This is one of the favorite check-in spots for many tourists. Standing at the Ta Xua dolphin rock, you can admire the majestic Northwest mountains and forests, the blue sky and the white clouds floating lazily. If you are skillful in posing and shooting at the right angle, you will get a picture of fishing in the middle of the sea of ​​clouds here.

Experience of traveling to Ta Xua Son La 2023

What is the best season to go to Ta Xua?

The best time to travel and hunt clouds here is from November to March of the following year. Because this is the time when the weather is dry, there is little rain and it is a bit chilly at night, so it is very suitable for cloud hunting, checking in or outdoor activities of tourists. At the same time, this is also the ideal time for tourists to combine visiting Moc Chau to see peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, and plum blossoms blooming brightly in a corner of the sky.

Spring scenery in Ta Xua – Photo: Collected

You might also consider two other times of year:

• April to July: Water pouring season in Ta Xua terraced fields, although there are not many opportunities to hunt for the sea of ​​clouds, the scenery of terraced fields in the Northwest during the water pouring season is also very wonderful.
• August to November: This is the time when the rice terraces are ripe and very beautiful. Moreover, the weather here is quite pleasant in late summer and early winter, not too hot but not too cold, so it is very suitable for traveling.

What to eat in Ta Xua Son La for a complete trip?

In addition to sightseeing, the cuisine here is also one of the attractions for tourists from near and far because of the rich flavors of the mountains and forests, dishes that you will never forget after just one taste. Including:

• Mac chung porridge: The slight bitterness of mac chung combined with the sweet aroma of broken rice makes the dish even more unique. At first, when you are not used to the bitter taste, you will find it a bit difficult to eat, but the more you eat, the more attractive it becomes. Especially in the chilly weather of Ta Xua Bac Yen Son La, what could be better than enjoying a bowl of hot porridge?
• Buffalo skin salad: This specialty attracts diners with its sweet and sour taste mixed with the soft and chewy buffalo skin that is extremely appealing to eat. Adding a little bit of the characteristic sour taste of pickled bamboo shoots will definitely make you eat it forever.

Buffalo skin salad specialty – Photo: Collected

• Nam pia, a specialty of Ta Xua: This is essentially a dish made from cow's organs and typical spices of the mountains and forests such as mac khen, doi seeds, etc. When eating, you will feel the slight spiciness and heat of mac khen seeds, the meat is chewy and crispy, and the smooth, golden brown sauce is fragrant.
• Pa pỉnh tộp: This dish has a strange name or is actually a dish made from fish. After cleaning, the fish will be opened, marinated with spices, then clamped and grilled over charcoal until both sides are golden brown and have a light aroma. This is also an indispensable dish on the Thai people's offering tray on every important occasion.
• Ta Xua Son La Tea: One of the famous specialties of this land, fresh Shan Tuyet tea buds are picked from tea trees that are decades old and are hand-roasted. When drinking, you can feel the sweet, slightly bitter taste and the sweet aftertaste.

Where to stay when traveling to Ta Xua?

For those who want to stay here, you can refer to some suggestions below from 3 Regions Travel.

Homestay Ta Xua

Ta Xua Clouds Homestay

Photo: Ta Xua Clouds Homestay

The homestay space is designed with 100% wood material, bringing a cozy feeling, close to nature. Along with that is the delicate combination of brocade fabric for you to easily feel the beauty of the mountainous region. Especially the mountain view with the sea of ​​clouds drifting is extremely top notch.

• Address: Bac Yen district, Son La province
• Phone number: 039 300 0008
• Room price: 100,000 - 120,000 VND/person/night

Homestay Ta Xua Lu Tre Homestay has a mountain view and simple interior like a local's house. In addition, you can also take virtual photos with swings, tea tables, ...

• Address: Bac Yen district, Son La province
• Phone number: 090 427 51 75
• Room price: 400,000 - 1,500,000 VND/room/night

Ta Xua Hills Homestay Homestay is designed like a small, pretty house with a thatched roof, garden and shared yard. Thanks to being built on the top of a hill, from here you can enjoy an extremely attractive panoramic view of the mountains and forests. In particular, there are also separate bungalows for visitors who need privacy.

• Address: Provincial Road 112, Bac Yen District, Son La Province
• Phone number: 0969 868 484
• Room price: 150,000 – 500,000 VND/room/night

Homestay & Coffee Ta Xua Peak

Photo: Homestay & Coffee Ta Xua Peak

The cafe and homestay model in the same location helps visitors save maximum travel time. Sitting here, you can also easily admire the dinosaur spine and the majestic Northwest mountains and forests. In addition, there is also an extremely interesting outdoor BBQ service.

• Address: Bac Yen district, Son La province
• Phone number: 0918 614 486
• Room price: 100,000 – 220,000 VND/night

Y Xoa Homestay From here you can see the whole view of the dinosaur's spine, one of the top cloud hunting spots in Ta Xua. Here you can also see many beautiful flowers of the Northwest mountains and forests such as: To Day flowers, Tam Giac Mach flowers, ...

• Address: Chong Tra village, Hang Dong commune, Bac Yen district, Son La province
• Phone number: 0914 972 278
• Room price: 300,000 – 700,000 VND/room/night

Ta Xua Hotel – Dong Tam

The hotel has a prime location right in the center of Bac Yen town with a simple design. The rooms provide all the amenities you need for your trip.

• Address: QL37, sub-area 1, Bac Yen town, Bac Yen district, Son La province
• Phone number: 034 558 2468 or 0982 949496
• Room price: 250,000 - 400,000 VND/room/night

Suggested Ta Xua tour itinerary

A cloud hunting cafe here – Photo: Thanh Nien Newspaper

For tourists who do not know how to arrange their travel schedule, they can refer to the tour suggestions below from 3 Regions Travel: Ta Xua Tour 3 days 2 nights :

• Day 1: Travel from Hanoi to Tram Tau, Bac Yen
• Day 2: Travel from Tram Tau to hunt clouds, check in at dolphin rock, turtle head rock, dinosaur spine
• Day 3: Grassland, trekking to the top of the wind, checking in at the lonely apple tree.

Ta Xua 2 days 1 night tour :

• Day 1: Travel from Hanoi to here, then check in and rest. Check in at Dolphin Point, lonely tree on Wind Peak
• Day 2: Check in at the dinosaur spine, visit Pu Nhi Farm, then return to Hanoi.

What to buy as gifts when traveling to Ta Xua?

At the end of the trip here, you can also buy specialties of the Northwest mountains to give to your loved ones such as: buffalo jerky, Shan Tuyet tea, Can wine, Hang Dong chili bamboo shoots. In particular, if you have time, you can also refer to the tour to learn about the tea trees that are over a hundred years old and the extremely elaborate tea cake production process. Hopefully, the travel experiences of Ta Xua Bac Yen Son La that we have just shared have answered your questions, and at the same time helped you gain more experience for your upcoming trip. In addition, you need to remember the following points: There is still no ATM at this location, so you need to prepare enough cash before going or withdraw money at the center of Bac Yen town first!

Is the road to Ta Xua dangerous?

The roads here are mainly narrow mountain passes, so they are quite dangerous. Those with weak driving skills should consider carefully when choosing to travel by motorbike. Especially, on days of heavy rain and storms, you need to be careful of landslides.

Ta Xua in Yen Bai or Son La?

This is a small village located in the natural border area of ​​Yen Bai and Son La provinces.

Cost of going to Ta Xua?

The cost for a trip to this location will normally range from 1,500,000 VND - 2,000,000 VND/person.

What month should I go to Ta Xua?

The months from November to March of the following year are the best time to travel here.

How high is Ta Xua?

The mountain peak is 2,865m high.

What to wear to Ta Xua?

To have the best photos here, you should choose costumes with bright colors and simple designs for easy movement. Visitors should also not forget to prepare jackets, scarves, thin raincoats, and sun hats.