Tu Le commune, also known as Tu Le valley, located near the Khau Pha pass, has long been a popular destination for tourists visiting Yen Bai province. Tu Le valley in Vietnam is surrounded by three majestic mountains: Khau Song, Khau Than, and Khau Pha. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities, this is the perfect place to be.
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1. When is the best time to visit Tu Le valley?
In May, Tu Le experiences its water season, which showcases a unique beauty with calm and reflective terraced fields nestled among the northwest mountains.
If you wish to see the golden-coloured rice paddies painting the valley, the best time to visit is September and October. During this period, you can also enjoy the delightful aroma of ripe rice. Towards the end of October, if you have an interest in professionally taking photography, it's a favourable time to visit Tu Le valley.
Terraced rice fields during September - October
2. How to get to Tu Le, Vietnam?
Tu Le commune is located around 250 km away from Hanoi, and the journey usually takes about six hours. To save time and ensure you arrive in time for lunch, it's recommended to start your trip early in the morning.
If you have a private car, there are two routes you can take. The first option is to drive from Hanoi to Yen Bai town on the Hanoi-Lao Cai highway, continuing towards Nghia Lo. However, be aware that some roads on this route may be in poor condition, and it is considered taking more time.
The second route starts from Lang Hoa Lac and goes through Son Tay, Ba Vi, Trung Ha bridge, and then follows National Road 32 through Thanh Son and Van Chan to Nghia Lo.
From Nghia Lo, it's another 50 km to reach Tu Le commune in the valley. If you don't have a car, you can either rent one or take a motorcycle to explore this area. Alternatively, you can go trekking to enjoy the scenic mountain landscapes.
Terraced rice field in water season (May)
3. Where to stay in Tu Le?
Typically, when visiting Tu Le valley, travellers also visit nearby tourist sites like Mu Cang Chai and Che Cu Nha. So, you can plan your accommodation based on your itinerary. If you decide to stay overnight, there are various options available such as Le Champ resort (with mineral water baths) and Pho Nui hotel. Luxury resorts can be booked online, but for other accommodations, it's recommended to directly contact the local establishments, especially during the peak tourist season in September and October.
La Champ Tu Le resort
4. Things to do in Tu Le, Vietnam
Admire the beautiful sunrise
In the morning, visitors can wake up early to see the beautiful sunrise. The sun comes up from the hills and shines its light all over the valley, mixing with the foggy clouds that slowly disappear. This makes room for a new day. During the water season or harvest season, the sunrise makes the Tu Le landscape look even more stunning.
Sunrise over the curved rice field
Visit Tien Nu cave (Fairy Cave)
Tien Nu Cave is located near the town centre. The entrance ticket is 50,000 VND for adults, while children under 12 can enter for free. According to a Thai people’s legend that has been passed down for over 300 years, fairies used to descend to this cave to admire the beautiful land and bathe in the Nam Lung and Nam Hon streams on the Tu Le land across from the cave. The area where the fairies changed clothes is known as Tien Nu Cave (Fairy Cave).
According to the legend, every year on December 30th, white smoke rises from the cave, indicating the arrival of the fairies. Inside the cave, where it becomes illuminated, you can explore the fairy baths and see variously shaped stalactites.
Tien Nu Cave, Tu Le Valley
Conquer the Khau Pha pass
Khau Pha is one of the most famous passes in North Vietnam. It is known for being very curvy, but compared to the other three passes, it's the easiest to conquer. Khau Pha means "horn of heaven" in Thai language. The Thai ethnic group calls it "horn of heaven" because it often has mist, and its top looks like it's above the cloud sea.
The pass is about 30km long and stretches through Van Chan and Mu Cang Chai districts. During the ripe rice season, the pass boasts the stunning views of many famous places like Tu Le, La Pan Tan, Mu Cang Chai, Che Cu Nha. For many years, the summit of Khau Pha has been chosen for the "Flying over golden rice fields at Mu Cang Chai" paragliding festival.
Khau Pha Pass
Learning ethnic villages’ culture
Visitors have the opportunity to explore the nearby villages of Lim Thai and Lim Mong, which are located less than 3km away from Tu Le. By visiting these villages, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the local people's way of life and their culture. Many tourists find these villages to be incredibly beautiful, and they are considered to have some of the most stunning landscapes in Yen Bai. It's important to be aware that the road leading to Lim Mong village can be slippery on rainy days, but it rewards visitors with amazing views of terraced fields on both sides during the water season.
Lim Mong village, Mu Cang Chai
Outdoor bathing
One of the top things to do in Tu Le is to take a dip in the hot springs. The bathing area is spacious and filled with hot water at around 35oC. It's a popular spot for both domestic tourists and Thai people to unwind after a tiring day. When capturing photos, it's important to be respectful and maintain a reasonable distance to preserve the naturalness of the local people. If you prefer a more private experience, you can opt for a comfortable bath at a resort in the town centre instead of bathing in the open air.
Taking Zipline
Nuoc Nong Village, located in Tu Le commune, has an adventure playground where visitors can have fun with thrilling activities like zip-lining, mountain climbing, and walking on tightropes. The highlight of the playground is a 1-km-long zipline that offers a fantastic view of the Van Chan - Mu Cang Chai road and its surrounding natural scenery.
Taste the specialties of Tu Le
In Tu Le valley, you can find many special foods like steamed sticky rice, tasty grilled pork, smoked buffalo meat, fresh fish from the stream, black chicken, and the highlight is Com, which is young pounded sticky rice. Tourists really love Tu Le's Com because it has a nice smell, sweet flavour, and a soft texture. It's made from rice grown locally and only harvested between September and October.
Com - a specialty of Tu Le valley, Vietnam
>>Check the real price of Vietnam package tours visiting Tu Le & Mu Cang Chai
To see more about authentic Vietnam beauty:
>> The Distinct Cultural Beauty of Ethnic Groups in Mu Cang Chai
>> Top 10 Attractions in Mu Cang Chai Vietnam
>> Nam Hong Village - Amidst the Beautiful Nature of Ha Giang
01 Comment
Australia
Such a magnificient place! Hope that Tu Le is not touristic until the day I will have traveled to Vietnam.
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