Long time ago, the breath-taking beauty of the Northern Vietnam is always an unlimited attraction for tourists, a symbol of Vietnamese tourism. However, most of tourists just know about Sapa, and forget that there’s also another beautiful destination in the North of Vietnam, that’s Moc Chau, of Son La province. So why don’t we add this fantastic destination into our list of must-go places for a wonderful and unforgettable Vietnam Tour?
However, if you still hesitate to choose Moc Chau to be one of your stops in the journey to Vietnam, then let’s follow me and find why it can be that fantastic!
An eco-tour to Ang Hamlet in Dong Sang commune, Moc Chau district in the northern mountainous province of Son La will enable tourists to explore stunning features of the Mother Nature and the Thai ethnic people’s unique culture.
Ang hamlet in Moc Chau
One of the must-see destinations of the eco-tour is a pine forest near a poetic lake that forms a peaceful scene for Ang hamlet. Here, the lake is considered a mirror of the weather during the four seasons.
In the early morning, the lake wears a light mist layer while it looks brilliant with sunlight at noon. At sunset, the mist comes back and covers the lake, bringing the cold air of winter.
However, the lake is most beautiful on moonlit nights with the shade of pine trees reflected on the water, the whispering sounds of pine trees and sweet melodies from bamboo flutes performed by ethnic young men to call their girlfriends.
Visiting the hamlet, tourists learn about many unique customs, habits, dances, ancient folk songs, rites and festivals, such as “New Rice” and “Het Cha” (a festival for the solidarity of the ethnic community before spring comes) of the Thai ethnic people which have been well preserved over the years.
Furthermore, they can gain interesting experiences when living with the locals, enjoying their delicious dishes and drinking Fructus Crataegi wine.
The beautiful lake in Ang hamlet in a romantic moonlit night
Located 300 km northwest of Hanoi, Son La province has become a popular tourist destination in recent years because of its various ethnicities, festivals, historical relics and scenic spots. Son La Museum, the Son La Hydro Power Plant, and hot springs in Mong villages, and peach blossoms, apricot and bauhinia flowers inspire tourists near and far.
There are more than 100 historical and cultural relics in Son La of which Son La prison and Son La museum are the most popular. Classified as a national relic in 1962, Son La prison is perched atop Khau Ca hill. Covering an area of 500 m2, Son La prison was built in 1908 by the French colonialists to imprison Vietnamese communists. Known as hell on earth, its cells were built with solid stones and its high walls were covered with barbed wires and broken glass. Despite the barbaric tortures, Vietnamese communist soldiers turned their cells hell into a place to communicate Vietnam’s resolution. The prison has recently been renovated and become a tourist mecca in the northwestern region.
Son La prison
Son La Museum was also built in 1908 by the French. There, distinctive cultures of 12 local ethnic minority groups in the province can be discovered through thousands of pre-history artifacts.
The Son La Hydro Power Plant is also an attractive destination in the city. Surrounded by a verdant forest, Son La Reservoir impresses visitors with its incomparable beauty.
Hidden in a mountain range, Mong village in Hua La commune, 6km from the center of Son La, is also a tourist destination.
Seeing is believing. Go and explore the wide nature by yourself!
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