Moc Chau, a hilly town in Son La province, has long been regarded as the muse of Northwest Vietnam. Its magnificent natural beauty and fresh and pleasant air have captivated many visitors. Most recently, World Travel Awards named Moc Chau the World’s Leading Regional Nature Destination in 2022. So what makes this destination so popular? We will show you a list of the best attractions and things to do in Moc Chau.
About Moc Chau
Moc Chau is a district of Son La province, around 200 kilometers northwest of Hanoi. This place has become one of the most appealing locations in the Northern region thanks to the remarkable beauty granted by nature.
Moc Chau has four seasons, and each one has its unique charm. The Moc Chau Plateau transforms into a fairyland in the early spring thanks to the vivid color of plum and apricot blossoms in full bloom. Plums are ripe during the summer. The plums are vividly red, plump, and crisp to the mouth. The persimmon season will come in the autumn. The red persimmons shine like lanterns across the rocky terrain. And last, the highlands turn a bright yellow during the winter thanks to the canola blossoms and wild sunflower woods. Now let’s read about the top attractions in Moc Chau.
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Top attractions and things to do in Moc Chau
Dai Yem waterfall
(source: @vuquang)
This spectacular waterfall is one of Moc Chau’s gems. The name Dai Yem came from an ancient folklore about a couple’s tragic love story. They vowed to be faithful at the top of the waterfall before the boy had to go to the battlefield. Unfortunately, the boy did not return. The girl goes to the waterfall every day to wait for her beloved. Until one stormy day, the girl vanished, leaving only her Yem (an ancient Vietnamese bodice worn by women) on the waterfall’s ledge. As a result, the waterfall has been named Dai Yem in honor of this love story.
This waterfall is over 100 meters high and comprises two sections. The waterfall above is more than 70 meters wide and contains nine stories, which some think symbolizes the nine love stages. The waterfall below is only about 200 meters away and has only five floors. Each waterfall is unique in its beauty. The surrounding region is spacious and open, making it ideal for camping or picnics.
The months of April through October are ideal for visiting this waterfall. The volume of water flowing in is large and powerful at this point, and the white-forming water appears both lyrical and majestic.
- Address: Highway 43, Muong Sang commune, Moc Chau district, Son La province
- Entrance ticket: 2 USD/person
Nang Tien Waterfall (Fairy waterfall)
(source: @_im.rot_)
Even though it turned into a tourist attraction in 2020, this waterfall has attracted many visitors. Because it hasn’t been exploited, this waterfall has kept its wild, mysterious, and lyrical natural appearance. Nature is what draws all visitors here.
This waterfall has three levels, each with its beauty, but the second one is my favorite. Even though the stone floors are relatively high, the water flows slowly, gently, and clearly as a silk strip. Deep enough for bathing, a stunning blue lake lies at the waterfall’s base. You may also raft to the bottom of the falls for around $0.50. March through May is the optimum time to view the waterfall. The weather is pleasant, the water is gentle, and nature is green and serene at that time.
Suggestion: Chieng Khoa waterfall is only around 2 kilometers away; you can explore both waterfalls in one trip.
- Address: Na Cha village, Chieng Khoa commune, Van Ho district (adjacent to Moc Chau district), Son La province
- Ticket price: 1 USD/person
Ban Ang Pine Forest
This is a fairly natural woodland, approximately 43 ha in size, including flower fields, local pine species, and even Da Lat pine. It also offers a 5-ha clear natural lake surrounded by game areas and homestays for everyone to enjoy and relax.
You will undoubtedly love this location if you admire Da Lat’s pine forests, chilly climate, and serene ambiance. In the heart of the enormous Moc Chau plateau, this location resembles a tiny version of Da Lat. You can experience many exciting activities, such as biking through a pine forest or floating on a boat in the center of a tranquil lake. It’s also an excellent idea to camp here, around the lake.
By coming here, you may also experience the distinctive cultural sites of the regional ethnic communities and take part in their festivals and rituals. Don’t forget the local cuisine when you are here. You should try specialties like grilled fish, sticky rice cooked in bamboo called Com Lam, and dried buffalo meat.
Suggestion: There is a strawberry farm called Chimi at the end of the lake where you can pick and taste strawberries and related products.
- Address: Ang village, Dong Sang commune, Moc Chau district, Son La province
- Opening hours: 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily
- Entrance ticket: 2.4 USD for adults and 1 USD for children
Heart-shaped Green Tea Hill
Moc Chau is also famous for its gorgeous green tea hills. One of the most appealing tea hills is undoubtedly the Heart-Shaped Green Tea plantation, often known as Taiwan Tea Hill.
Rows of straight, green tea are connected far and wide, as they are in other tea hills. But what distinguishes this tea hill from others is the presence of tea plantations formed into a gigantic heart. This unique feature has drawn many youngsters, and many couples come here to take wedding photos.
To capture the most stunning images, you can hire traditional clothes from the Mong and Thai ethnic peoples here. The best time to visit is between March and April when the tea buds are blossoming, and the entire tea hill is wearing a brand-new shirt. And early in the morning is the perfect time to visit, when the sun has just risen, and the dew drops are still on each tea bud. What a beautiful piece of scenery!
- Address: On village, Nong Truong Moc Chau town, Moc Chau district, Son La province
- Free entrance ticket
Na Ka Plum Valley
This plum valley has recently risen to the top of Moc Chau’s list of popular check-in spots. This valley still keeps its natural tranquil and untamed beauty because it hasn’t been untouched by mass tourism. You can explore the local communities and immerse yourself in the paradise of white plum blooms here. Local people still reside in traditional and simple homes. They still go about their daily lives in the traditional clothing of their ethnicity. Amid the breathtaking natural surroundings, this location is truly like another planet. There is no hurry and bustle here, only calm and simplicity.
There are two popular times to visit here. The first runs from the beginning of January until the end of February. During the plum blossom season, the entire valley is picture-perfect white. The second is from April to May, which is the ripe plum season. During this time, you can go plum picking and savor the delicious ripe red plums. Since plums are a specialty fruit of the Northwest, you can purchase them right from the garden to give as gifts to your loved ones.
Suggestion: Nearby is the Na Ka persimmon garden, which you can combine into your trip.
- Address: Provincial Highway 104, Nong Truong Moc Chau town, Moc Chau district, Son La province
- Ticket price: 1.2 USD/person for adults, free for children
Conquer Pha Luong Peak
Pha Luong Peak, at a level of more than 2,000 meters above sea level, is also known as the roof of Moc Chau. This peak is also the natural border between Vietnam and Laos. Although this mountain is not as steep or dangerous as other mountains in the Northwest, conquering it needs endurance because it requires a 6km journey. But the payoff is worth it: from here, you can view the gorgeous mountains, valleys, and colorful foliage of both Vietnam and Laos.
Spring and autumn are the ideal time to visit here. When the flowers bloom, you can completely appreciate the splendor of the vibrant flower valleys from the top of the mountain in the spring. In addition, many enjoy climbing mountains in the fall when the air is crisp and chilly and then sitting back and admiring the clouds floating above the mountaintop.
- Address: Chieng Son Commune, Moc Chau District, Son La Province
Visit Lao Long Sap market
This is a small market at the Long Sap border gate, a center for cultural exchange between Vietnam and Laos. However, because the market is located entirely in Laos, you must follow some simple processes to cross the border. To obtain an exit stamp, present your citizen ID or passport. Then all you have to do is provide the paperwork to enter Laos. The price for a successful exit is roughly 1.5 USD.
This market is divided into two sections, one for Lao products and the other for Vietnamese goods. So, you may tour both countries and sample their cuisines in one spot. How wonderful. Even though it is a trading location for both countries, there is no linguistic barrier. You only need to point at what you want to purchase. You won’t have to worry about exchanging money because this market takes Vietnamese and Lao currency. The market primarily sells clothing, souvenirs, and food. You can sample whatever cuisine appeals to you, but one drink you should try is Lao beer.
- Address: Pa La village, Long Sap commune, Moc Chau district, Son La province, Vietnam.
- Opening hours: 7 am to 5 pm daily
These attractions in Moc Chau will surely not disappoint you. Pick up your backpack and tell us which attractions in Moc Chau you visited!
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