Let me tell you about a journey to conquer the peak of Lùng Cúng filled with surprises. There was a sea of clouds, ancient forests, bamboo groves, and smooth rocks inviting travelers to take a midday nap. At night, the mystical Milky Way shone over the forest by the stream, with campfires flickering as we grilled meat.
Lùng Cúng – an adventure travel destination to explore the sea of clouds 2024
There was also an unforgettable companion, a dog named Tun, who loved hiking through forests and tackling steep slopes, protecting us and sticking with us throughout the entire trip.
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We decided to conquer Lùng Cúng Mountain last winter. This peak, one of the most beautiful in Vietnam, stands at 2,925 meters and is named after a village nestled deep within the treacherous mountains of Nậm Có commune, Mù Cang Chải district, Yên Bái province. The journey was memorable, with four friends and a dog named Tun. The trek was challenging due to the rugged, rocky terrain and the cold, rainy weather, with much mist.
However, we experienced a mountain climb filled with emotions: friendship, love, self-discovery, and the immense joy of encountering the magnificent natural scenery. We drove from Hanoi to Tú Lệ town in Yên Bái, resting to prepare for the difficult journey ahead. The locals warned us that the path to Tu San village was arduous, with muddy, narrow, and steep paths. Facing bad weather would make the journey even more difficult. Despite our worries, we remained determined to find our way to the village closest to the mountain for trekking and conquering this beautiful peak.
As the locals had warned, we faced an arduous journey. We fell off our bikes due to mud and had to push them up steep slopes. Our belongings and clothes were soaked and covered in mud because of the slippery, wet path. The road was long and sparsely populated. Luckily, we encountered a local man named Hờ A Nhà who lived near the base of the mountain.
Communication was challenging due to his limited knowledge of the Kinh language. However, after some persuasion, A Nhà agreed to guide us up Lùng Cúng Mountain.
After overcoming the treacherous path, leaving behind the mist-shrouded, tranquil village of Tu San, we entered a vast field of reeds swaying in the wind. In the distance, a bowl of clouds rose thickly as the afternoon light began to fade. Past the slopes covered in white reeds tinged with the hues of sunset, we stepped into the forest as the day waned. The trees formed a dense canopy overhead, casting the forest into darkness.
A long day of driving had left us all tired and eager to rest. A Nhà guided us along a forest path for a while, then decided to stop at a flat area near the stream. We unpacked our gear, set up camp, built a fire, and prepared food for cooking. That was when the night descended quickly, enveloping the ancient forest in darkness.
Evening meals in the ancient forest are always memorable. Everyone had a task: some spread leaf mats in the tents for comfort, some fried bánh chưng, others skewered meat to grill, and some went to find firewood. The dinner was soon ready in the chill of the descending forest night.
Then, in the flickering light of the campfire, with the sound of the babbling stream and chirping insects, we sat beside each other, telling stories and chatting to keep the night less cold.
In the stillness of the night, we looked up at the sky and marveled at the beauty of the sparkling Milky Way. It was truly a feeling hard to describe. The sky seemed closer, and it felt as though we were in another world, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city outside.
A Hờ prepared firewood for warmth throughout the night. As the night deepened, it grew colder. We crawled into our sleeping bags, wearing hats and wrapping scarves tightly, then settled into the tents. Someone even brought a small speaker and played some old songs. Sleep drifted into the night. It was a pleasant dream.
The sensation was refreshing when we woke up in the morning to the coolness of dew, with sunbeams piercing through the forest dust, and everything was green. We packed up our belongings, and the group set out again with the goal of reaching the summit of Lùng Cúng by midday and returning to Tu San village before nightfall.
Trekking through the enchanting bamboo forests
The sunrise in the forest was truly stunning. It felt like we were traversing the most beautiful section of the Tu San forest. There were large, flat moss-covered stones. Streams and waterfalls interwove with dense foliage. A bit further along, we encountered unique plant life with tangled bamboo canopies in the sunlight, reminiscent of scenes from “House of Flying Daggers.” As we ascended higher, we encountered smaller trees with thin, interwoven trunks.
A Nhà showed us the rat traps made from bamboo and wood. It was challenging to spot these dangerous traps as they blended with the brown and green colors of the bamboo and reeds. A Nhà wasn’t comfortable with the situation, so he found a vine to leash the dog Tun for guidance. Tun moved swiftly, seemingly familiar with the forest paths from his journeys with his owner, and was brave, unfazed by the challenges ahead.
Thanks to the dog’s sharp instincts, there were moments when we thought he had lost the group because he didn’t respond to our calls, but soon enough, we would see him waiting ahead for the rest of us. He knew the path, was cautious of traps, unafraid of the deep forest, and determined to follow his owner to the summit. This mountain dog left a lasting impression on us.
As we approached the summit, we encountered slopes covered in white flowers, with gusts of wind from the cliffs pulling us down. Despite the midday sun, the chill from the wind was intense. Crossing through the white flowers, we paused on the windswept slope to determine our direction.
The distant peak likely was the Lùng Cúng summit we were seeking. The wind grew stronger as we trudged along the yellow and brown grass-covered hills, facing the challenge of staying steady against the strong gusts from the valley below.
The hillside near the summit was extremely windy, and the sea of clouds rolled like waves.
We all held on tightly to the sturdy grass on the hill as we climbed against the strong winds. The sky grew increasingly clear, and the clouds drifted swiftly, resembling the time-lapse videos I often watch. These extraordinary moments of nature further fueled our determination.
We navigated the windy ridges, passing through white meadows bathed in sunlight. Surrounded by mountains with distant villages on the other side of the valleys, a sense of happiness filled our hearts when we heard our companions shout from a distance, “We’re at the summit of Lùng Cúng!” The anticipation and excitement surged, and despite the wind pushing us back, we quickened our pace to reach the top. Our eyes watered with emotion when we saw the red flag our friends had just raised.
The summit of Lùng Cúng offered expansive views. It felt as if there was an entire football field on top of the mountain. In the distance, the sea of clouds enveloped the village of Lùng Cúng. The scene was too magical for words. In that moment, each person found their own corner to stand in awe of the precious gift the mountain had bestowed upon those who endured the journey to reach this place.
The joy of conquering Lùng Cúng with amazing companions! In front of us was the sea of clouds, a true paradise.
The wind surged from the valleys below, bringing waves of clouds. The clouds billowed and enveloped the grass hills, winding up the mountain slopes. Truly, the few moments we spent admiring these breathtaking scenes were a gift for adventurers like us.
General Information
- Elevation: 2925 m, named after a village located deep within one of the most challenging mountainous areas in Nậm Có commune, Mù Cang Chải district, Yên Bái province.
- Location: Nậm Có commune, Mù Cang Chải district – the border between Yên Bái and Lào Cai.
- Coordinates: 21.902614, 104.230731
- Scenery Rating: 7.5 / 10
- Difficulty Rating: 7 / 10
- Terrain: Grass hills, dense forest, bamboo forest, grassy hills.
- Climbing Time: 2 days and 1 night.
Directions
Reaching the base of the mountain is extremely challenging due to its remote location in the mountains of Nậm Có commune. There are three routes to choose from: from Thào Chua Chải (Chế Cu Nha commune), from Tu San village (Nậm Có), and from Lùng Cúng village (Nậm Có). The difficulty increases progressively through these three routes, but the climbing distance will shorten. In the author’s opinion, the route from Tu San village offers the most diverse terrain and the most beautiful scenery.
Nậm Có commune is an offshoot from the center of Tú Lệ commune, located 250 km from Hanoi via National Highway 32. The journey takes 5 – 6 hours and can be traveled by bus, but a motorbike is the most convenient means of reaching the mountain base. From Tú Lệ commune, head to Nậm Có, then to Tu San village (20 km) and Lùng Cúng village (28 km), and to Chế Cu Nha commune (50 km).
This mountain region boasts diverse terrain (grass hills, dense forest, bamboo forest) with many stunning views. It is considered one of the most beautiful mountain destinations in the group of top 10 mountains.
