Nestled in the majestic mountains of Northwest Vietnam, Ta Xua is a captivating destination for those who love to explore and seek new adventures. With its stunning landscapes, from floating clouds to winding mountain roads, Ta Xua promises unforgettable moments. However, to have a perfect trip, thorough preparation and useful travel tips are essential. In this article, we will share comprehensive Ta Xua travel tips from A to Z, ensuring you make the most of your journey and don’t miss out on any amazing experiences.
Overview of Ta Xua
Ta Xua is a hidden gem located in the Northwestern region of Vietnam, known for its stunning landscapes and unique experiences. This mountainous area is famous for its breathtaking scenery, lush greenery, and cool climate. The best time to travel to Ta Xua is during the spring or autumn months when the weather is pleasant and you can enjoy clear skies and beautiful views.
The best time to travel to Ta Xua is during the spring or autumn months. During the spring, you can witness the region’s lush greenery and enjoy mild temperatures. The autumn season offers clear skies, beautiful foliage, and a comfortable climate, making it an ideal time to explore the area. The summer months can be hot and humid, while the winter months can be chilly and wet, so these may not be the best times to visit Ta Xua.
Experience Moving to Ta Xua
There are various transportation options to reach Ta Xua, including motorbikes, private cars, coaches, and tourist buses. From Hanoi, heading towards Son Tay, crossing Trung Ha Bridge, then reaching Thu Cuc intersection via QL32, turn right towards Phu Yen, Bac Yen on QL 37. The main road to the center of Ta Xua has been paved with concrete, making travel much easier than before. 16-seater vehicles can reach the summit.
Limousine services offered by companies like Khanh Thinh, Quang Nghia, and Nguyen Hang to Ta Xua are priced at 700,000 VND per person (round trip). These typically depart from Hanoi around 10:00 PM and arrive at Ta Xua after 5 hours, with stops along the way.
In Ta Xua, you can rent motorbikes to explore the area conveniently. However, if you’re not confident in your driving skills, consider hiring a local motorbike taxi as the roads are steep, narrow, and winding.
Where to Stay in Ta Xua?
Ta Xua is a newly developed tourism area with no large hotels and limited modern accommodation facilities. There are approximately 20 homestays and guesthouses in the area, ranging from 200,000 VND to 1 million VND per night.
Accommodations mainly concentrate in the central or nearby areas, offering communal-style houses (stilt houses) and some private rooms. Some homestay options include Xa Homestay, Nam To Homestay, Mua Tru Homestay, Bao Chau Homestay, and Long Anh 1 Homestay. Guesthouses include Phu Hoa, Tra May Ta Xua, Thu Bien, Hai Hang, and Nguyen San.
Located at the highest position among lodging facilities in Ta Xua, Lu Tre Homestay is about 7 km from the central area. Some high-ground vehicles and motorbikes can reach the entrance, while others park below and guests must climb about 300 meters or use motorcycle shuttle services. Lu Tre offers bungalows (single or two floors), detached houses, and stilt houses.
Ta Xua is an ideal place for camping. Choosing the right spot offers the opportunity to admire the sunrise or romantic sunset from the mountain peaks.
Top 9 Places to Explore in Ta Xua
Ta Xua is a treasure trove of natural wonders, offering a diverse range of breathtaking landscapes and unique attractions. Below are 9 attractions in Ta Xua that visitors should not miss:
Dinosaur Spine
Located in the Chong Tra commune, approximately 5km from the center of Hang Dong township, lies the “Dinosaur Backbone” area. Its terrain resembles the spine of a dinosaur, hence its name.
This is a sought-after destination for travelers looking to “hunt for clouds,” with ethereal sea of clouds floating in the mesmerizing light of dawn and stunning terraced rice fields.
Dolphin Beak
The unique shape of Dolphin Point is formed by two large rocks that look like two dolphins swimming among the clouds. The surface of the cliff is covered with moss, creating a wild, pure beauty and blending harmoniously into the surrounding natural landscape.
From the center of Bac Yen town, when going up towards Ta Xua commune, you will encounter a fork with signposts: one direction to “Song Luong Cloud Paradise” 8 km away, one direction to the tea hill. Ta Xua. Turn right towards the tea hill to reach Dolphin’s Beach and the lone tree. Tourists staying at Homestay Lu Tre will find it more convenient to go towards the hydroelectric dam to reach Mom Ca Dol.
Turtle’s Beak
In addition to the Dinosaur Spine, Turtle Head Rock is also a destination that attracts the attention of many tourists because of its uniqueness.
Turtle Head Rock is a rock emerging from the ground, shaped like a turtle head, located at an altitude of about 2100 meters. From the top of this cliff, you can see the beauty of the mountains and forests, creating a feeling of fun and excitement.
Camel’s Beak
Camel’ Beak is about 7km from the center of Ta Xua commune. This is a new check-in location in Ta Xua, attracting the attention of many tourists. Camel rock is located in the opposite direction from the spine of the dragon. The view will be most beautiful in the morning, so visitors should arrange their schedule in the most convenient way to admire the beautiful scenery here.
Lonely Tree
On a small hill at Gio peak, at the intersection of Xim Vang – Hang Dong, more than 1 km from the center of Ta Xua, there is a lone cat apple tree that stands out. From the position of the tree, you can see the Suoi Sap River, the water is clear and blue on nice weather days. The lonely cat apple tree has become a symbol of perseverance and resilience in the pristine land of Ta Xua, called “living soul” by backpackers.
This is one of the spots considered “the most beautiful to watch the sunset in Ta Xua”. If you are lucky, the sunset can be seen on top of the sea of clouds. The golden time to enjoy this scene is around 5:30 p.m.
Primary Forest
Ta Xua primeval forest is located in the southeast of Hoang Lien Son range, stretching from an altitude of 2,600 m to the top. The primeval forest has a wild and mysterious beauty, its altitude changes continuously along the Phu Sa Phin range. This place is home to many rare animals, especially the moss forest known as the kingdom of moss. Small paths in the forest combined with rays of sunlight will take you into a land like in a fairy tale.
Ancient Tea Hill
Ta Xua ancient Shan Tuyet tea is one of the most famous teas in Vietnam. At an altitude of more than 1500m above sea level, this place is covered with clouds, mist and snow all year round, damp and cold.
Ancient tea trees over a hundred years old are rarely exposed to sunlight, have high medicinal properties and special flavor. Ta Xua tea wings have a layer of fur as white as snow. When brewed, the tea is clear and viscous yellow. The initial taste of the tea is smooth and astringent, with a sweet and fragrant aftertaste.
Ta Xua Steppe
Ta Xua steppe is located on the same path to dolphin cape and lonely tree, about 10 km from the commune center. The road is wide, with few curves. Near the dolphin’s cape, you will see a sign leading to Ta Xua steppe. This is a place with vast natural landscapes, not only a place to admire natural beauty but also an ideal spot for fun, sports and camping activities.
Cloud-Watching Cafes
Ta Xua has many cafes with beautiful views, easy to hunt clouds and is an ideal virtual living place for young people. We can mention coffee shops such as Mi Oi, Hien Coffee, Thao Coffee, H’mong Coffee, Ban Coffee,… Even when there are no clouds, these are still beautiful places to sip a cup of hot tea. , admire the majestic natural landscape, watch the sunset gradually fall or simply sit and relax. Drink prices are also only average, from 30,000 to 60,000 VND.
Top 8 Dishes to Try When Traveling to Ta Xua
Ta Xua’s rich culinary heritage is a reflection of the region’s diverse cultural influences and the abundance of local ingredients. Below are the top 8 specialties that tourists should try when coming to Ta Xua:
Dried Buffalo Meat
Dried buffalo meat is a signature dish of the Ta Xua region, renowned for its rich, intense flavor and tender texture. This traditional delicacy is a staple in the local diet and a must-try for visitors to the area.
Mắc Nhung Congee
Mắc Nhung congee is a comforting and nourishing rice porridge, made with a variety of local ingredients including mushrooms, herbs, and dried meat. This soothing dish is a beloved comfort food in Ta Xua.
Nậm Pịa
Nam Pia, a unique dish in Ta Xua, is made from animal organs such as intestines, intestines, stomach, blood, meat and tail. These ingredients are carefully simmered with spices from the mountains until they form a thick mixture. It is the fresh liquid in the internal organs that is the decisive factor that creates the special flavor of this dish. With a characteristic bitter taste, Nam Pia is often eaten with bananas and mint leaves to add flavor.
Rosacea (Táo Mèo)
Rosacea is an outstanding fruit originating from the Ta Xua land. This fruit has significant medicinal value, known to aid digestion, strengthen the immune system and fight cancer, among other benefits. It is commonly used in tincture infusions, jam making and various culinary applications.
Shan Tuyet Tea
If talking about Ta Xua’s specialties without mentioning Shan Tuyet tea, it is truly a big omission. This is a pure tea, processed entirely by hand. The tea has a characteristic aroma, sweet taste and cool feeling, and when mixed with water, the color of the tea remains the same from green to red.
Pickled Meat
Sour salted meat is also one of the Ta Xua specialties that you should try. This is a unique dish, harmoniously combining the salty taste of salt and the delicious taste of meat, creating a special flavor that cannot be found anywhere else.
Buffalo Skin Salad
Buffalo skin salad is one of Ta Xua’s specialties, with the sour taste from bamboo shoots combined with the characteristic toughness of buffalo skin. Unique and attractive flavor when enjoying.
Lam Rice
Lam rice is a traditional staple in the Ta Xua region, made by cooking glutinous rice in bamboo tubes over an open fire. This fragrant, sticky rice is often served with savory dishes or enjoyed as a standalone snack.
Things to Keep in Mind When Traveling to Ta Xua
Exploring the wonders of Ta Xua requires a bit of preparation and mindfulness to ensure a seamless and rewarding experience. Here are some key things to keep in mind when planning your trip to this captivating region.
- It is not always easy to hunt clouds because it depends on the weather. Therefore, priority is given to choosing days with low temperatures at night and high temperatures during the day.
- Determine the location to hunt clouds to get the best angles.
- Avoid traveling to Ta Xua in the evening and do not go in a large group.
- Always ask carefully and negotiate the price when using motorbike taxi service.
- Estimate the cost per person during the travel period.
- Book in advance, especially on holidays or New Year.
Conclusion
Ta Xua is a hidden gem in the Northwestern region of Vietnam, offering a truly unique and captivating travel experience. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a foodie, or simply someone in search of a peaceful and rejuvenating getaway, Ta Xua is a destination that is sure to leave a lasting impression. By following these Ta Xua travel tips and embracing the rich diversity of the region, you’re sure to have an unforgettable adventure in this enchanting corner of Vietnam.
