Ngoc Chien - A Hidden Gem in Northwest Vietnam

Ngoc Chien is a commune in Muong La district, Son La province, Vietnam, hidden in the majestic mountains of the Northwest. This place is famous in the tourism community for its picturesque scenery, nestled in majestic high mountains. Coming to Ngoc Chien, you will see a peaceful land, likened by tourists to a fairyland in the mountains of the Northwest. Below are some experiences and notable points when traveling here:

Ngoc Chien hot mineral spring Ngoc Chien is a natural mineral spring located at an altitude of over 1,500 meters above sea level. Bathing in Ngoc Chien hot spring has many health benefits, and can cure some skin diseases, rheumatism, heart disease and many other diseases. Coming to Ngoc Chien, you will be surprised by the stilt house architecture of the Thai people, 100% made from Po Mu trees. In Luot village, you can experience bathing in hot mineral springs in a bathroom made of Po Mu wood. You can travel to Ngoc Chien hot mineral springs in all seasons of the year. However, the most suitable time is around September and October, when you can combine it with visiting Mu Cang Chai terraced fields.

Ngoc Chien is not only famous for its beautiful scenery but also a culinary paradise. Here are some delicious dishes you should try when you come here: Thai-style grilled fish (pa pỉnh tộp): Grilled fish is made from fresh, delicious fish, often marinated with spices and grilled over charcoal or wood fire; Sticky rice with smoked pork: Sticky rice is a traditional Thai dish, combining sticky rice and attractive smoked pork. In addition, you can try local specialties such as sticky rice, bamboo rice, grilled meat, grilled fish.

Some places and cultures you should experience:

Son La Hydropower Plant: located on the Da River in It Ong town, Muong La district, Son La province, Vietnam. The plant has an installed capacity of 2,400 MW, with 6 units, construction started on December 2, 2005. After 7 years of construction, Son La Hydropower Plant was inaugurated on December 23, 2012, 3 years ahead of schedule, becoming the largest hydropower plant in Vietnam and Southeast Asia at that time.

Co Noong Cave: is a karst cave located in a limestone mountain in Hua Lon village, It Ong town, Muong La district, Son La province, Vietnam12. This cave was discovered and excavated in 1997. This is a large cave with many niches and beautiful stalactites. During the excavation, 11 stone relics were collected, including 5 horizontal hammer tools, 2 stone cutting tools, and 4 stone chisel tools. These relics reflect the life of ancient residents 11,000 years ago. In addition, on the cave floor, there are 4 pieces of coarse sand combined with quite small sand grains. The excavation results show that the landscape of Muong La area from the land reclamation period has been clearly recreated and proves that this is a land with a long history of formation and development. Co Noong Cave is also a beautiful landscape, associated with the legend of the loyal love of the Thai people here. In 2008, Co Noong cave was ranked at provincial level.

Cat Linh Village: is a village located in Muong La district, Son La province, Vietnam. In the 70s of the last century, Mong people from Ngoc Chien and Chieng An regions reclaimed land and established a village here. Cat Linh is embraced by clouds, wind and sunshine, preserving the pristine beauty of its original form. Cat Linh Village is located on the slopes of Pu Tha Kenh peak, more than 2,500 meters above sea level. To explore the wonderful nature of this place, you will have to overcome a bumpy, rocky road and face difficulties with every step. In the ripe rice season, Cat Linh stretches out in layers, creating a colorful picture from one mountainside to another, down to the deep valley. Exploring terraced fields, admiring the dreamy natural scenery, and enjoying the friendliness of the Mong people in Cat Linh Village will be a memorable experience for you.

4. Ngoc Chien has many interesting tourist activities, depending on the season of the year:

Buckwheat flower season (September - October): This is the time when buckwheat flowers bloom, creating a picturesque scene. You can join trekking to admire the natural scenery here.

Winter (November - February): If you love cold air and snow, winter is a good choice. You can explore the local villages, enjoy the special cuisine and enjoy the peaceful space.

Spring (March - April): Cherry blossoms are in full bloom, creating a poetic scene. This is an ideal time for sightseeing and photography.

Summer (May - August): Summer in Ngoc Chien is quite cool, suitable for sightseeing, bathing in hot springs and enjoying local dishes.

Holiday season:

+ The New Rice Festival in Ngoc Chien is an agricultural worshiping belief, imbued with cultural identity and honoring the traditional values of the ethnic groups here. Every year, at the end of August and the beginning of September, when the rice flowers turn yellow, signaling a bountiful harvest, people and tourists from near and far come to participate in this festival.

+ Gau Tao Festival: A harvest festival of the Mong people, held in the second lunar month.
+ Xen Muong Festival: New rice festival of the Thai people, held in the 10th lunar month.

5. How to get to Ngoc Chien: Ngoc Chien is located about 80 km from Son La city center, about 40 km from Mu Cang Chai (Yen Bai), and nearly 300 km from Hanoi center. To get to Ngoc Chien, you can choose 2 directions:

From Son La city: Travel from Hanoi to Son La city, then you can follow provincial road 106 about 40 km northeast to It Ong town, then go through Sam Sip pass and the bridge over the stream to reach Ngoc Chien commune.

From Khau Pha Pass: Go through Khau Pha Pass, you will reach Muong La, then continue towards Ngoc Chien.

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