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How to get to Moc Chau?

Moc Chau is 180km away from Hanoi. Moving along the National Road 6 (Quoc Lo 6) normally takes between four and six hours. Thanks to the width and surface flatness, Moc Chau is relatively accessible. Thus, there are many transportation options available.

Coach (Xe khach)

Coaches from Giap Bat, My Dinh, Yen Nghia, Thanh Xuan Stations depart from 4 AM to 11 PM. There are two types:
+ 16-29-seat-coach mainly runs during daytime: 130 000VND/passenger
+ Space coach runs both day and night: 160 000VND/passenger
+ Prices are subject to change during holiday seasons, especially in Tet Holiday
* Schedule:
+ Giáp Bát: 7h30, 8h30, 9h00, 16h00
+ Mỹ Đình: 5h30 - 20h00; every 30 minutes
+ Yên Nghĩa: 5h30 - 13h
+ Thanh Xuân: 4h - 7h (35 Nguyễn Tuân)
* Phone numbers of several coach agencies:
+ Bắc Sơn: 022.355.1559
+ Hải Vân: 0122.226.2626
+ Hưng Thành: 0989.264.264
+ Ngọc Thuận: 0913.017.079
+ Sánh Lê: 0914.898.906 (Mỹ Đình)
+ Khánh Thu: 0947 869 169 (Thanh Xuân)
There are pros and cons regarding traveling during daytime or nighttime.
+ If passengers travel during the daytime, they can view the beautiful scenery of Northwest amidst the fog, the villages on both sides of the road, the forests, the peach trees.
+ If you opt for the night, you can rest in preparation for the next day full of new experiences in coaches which provide beds.

 Rented taxis, motorbikes

+ Rented motorbike: 250 000VND/bike/day
+ Rented taxi: 400 000VND -> 1 200 000VND/trip depending on the time and destination.
Some rented taxi agencies’ phone numbers:
- Liên Thao: 0973.562.809
- Thân Gái: 01687.447.292

Personal car or bike

There are two ways to drive:
+ Nguyen Trai -> Ha Dong -> National Road 6 (Quoc Lo 6)
+ Lang Hoa Lac, Xuan Mai -> National Road 6 (Quoc Lo 6)
+ Take caution of fog and slippery

Where to stay in Moc Chau?

A place to stop by overnight is essential to anyone traveling. Being a mountainous itself, Moc Chau still caters for tourists adequately as of accommodation. Below is a list of recommended spots.

Bo House

Good news for vintage fans, you will get to experience your paradise her in Bo House amidst the pristine scenario of nature. This antique accommodation comes with everything at hand from the shared kitchen to the laundry area. Comes with a variety of room types such as single, double or triple rooms, travelers will have no qualms regarding their stay.
Address: Xóm 2 Tiểu khu cơ quan, Phiêng Luông, Mộc Châu, Sơn La
Phone: 097 585 89 89

Nha Ta Homestay

Located in downtown Moc Chau, the mountain-inspired wooden houses provide tenants with the most pristine but still luxurious stay.
Address: Trần Huy Liệu, TT. Mộc Châu, Mộc Châu, Sơn La
Phone: 097 822 72 38

Moc Chau Arena Village

Sitting on the greenery of a hill, Moc Chau Arena Village is a cluster of rooms built on gigantic containers, boosted by unbeatable amenities. Each container has its own color such as white, pink, yellow, thus creating a youthful vibe. All containers facing toward plum gardens and tea hill is a huge bonus that always satisfies even the most difficult guests.

Address: Phiêng Luông, Mộc Châu District, Sơn La
Phone: +84 97 162 26 07
Website: mocchauarena.com

Where to go in Moc Chau?

Moc Chau not only offers a wide range of specialties for tourists to savor but also a variety of places to visit to fulfill your traveling experience the most. Compiled below is an exclusive list of where you definitely should pay a visit to whether it is for photography, relaxation or adventure.

Dai Yem Waterfall

Dai Yem Waterfall is also known as Lady Waterfall (Thac Nang) or Ban Vat Waterfall. The name Dai Yem derives from the tale that the fall is the shirt of the lady who rescues the man from the raging flood. It is ideal to visit from April to October for the powerful and impressive flow, embellished by the dazzlingly white foam.

Address: QL43, Mường Sang, Mộc Châu, Sơn La
Tel: 0168 936 2458

Pha Luong Summit

Pha Luong Summit is located near the boundary of Vietnam and Laos, peaking almost 2000 meters. You will have to spend at least four hours walking to conquer the Summit. It is not without difficulty to negotiate your way through the path but the fruit you achieve at the end of the day never fails to satisfy the champions. Upon reaching the top, you will be able to stand on blocks of enormous rocks piling against one another to view the cloud and floristic composition, the forest, the villages of not one but two countries Viet-Laos, which proves to be a lucrative bonus! There is just a little obstacle is that you can only complete your Pha Luong Summit trip within one day since you cannot stay overnight here. Nevertheless, experience you have the chance to go through will leave you under spell.

Address: Chiềng Xuân Việt Nam, Tân Xuân, Mộc Châu, Sơn La

Heart Tea Hill

Sounds romantic, right? Nothing short of your expectations, Moc Chau offers not only one but many of these signature Tea Hills that, from high above, resemble the shape of the heart. In addition, the Tea Hill area is fully covered in green so any photos taken here are guaranteed to be nicely greenly captured.

Address: Nông trường Mộc Châu, Mộc Châu, Sơn La
Tel: 091 279 39 22

Ang Village

Located right in the middle of Moc Chau Town, Ang Village’s Pine Forest, a 60 hectares area of greenery, is tailor-made for camping, minorities’ traditional homestay or pure relaxation. In addition, if you have the chance to drop by Ang Village duing Independence Tet Holiday, this village will have much more than just Pine Forest to entertain as annually, the village is selected to organize numerous cultural activities such as “Het Cha” festival reconstruction, cuisine festival or brocade exhibition.

*Ang Village’s Pine Forest
Address: Đông Sang, Mộc Châu, Sơn La
Tel: 097 694 79 99

*Ang Village’s Tourist Area
Address: Đông Sang, Mộc Châu, Sơn La, Việt Nam

Ngu Dong Ban On (On Village’s Five Caves)

Time to satiate adventure thirst! Especially suitable for trekking gurus, Ngu Dong Ban On is not something anyone can handle whether access-wise or beauty-wise. Despite being named wonders by a wide range of sources, Ngu Dong Ban On is a category of its all thanks to its pure primitiveness. Reaching Ngu Dong Ban On, travelers will be able to feel first-hand the mightiness of the five caves closely attached to Eastern five basic elements philosophy (Metal-Wood-Water-Fire-Earth). Another merit of taking up this attraction is that on your way, you can experience directly the life of Thai Tribe in the most genuine manner.

Address: Nông trường Mộc Châu, Mộc Châu, Sơn La

Happy Land

Recently popular to not only locals but also tourists alike, this newly constructed Happy Land will add more fun to your journey as its name conveys. At Happy Land, you will be able to view flowers blooming all year around. Moreover, to get yourself acquainted with the place, there are a wide variety of activities organized to assist you.

Address: Quốc lộ 43, Mường Sang, Mộc Châu, Sơn La
Phone: 097 758 88 86

Overall, if you want to fully embrace Moc Chau’s beauty, it is strongly advisable to prepare well ahead of time in order that when you reach your desired destination, all left to do is enjoy!

What and where to eat in Moc Chau?

Mountain’s Foody Heaven: Moc Chau is famous for being the most scenic region of the North of Vietnam. It is fortunate to be endowed by nature with a variety of flowers such as cherry blossom, white colza, white plum. Moc Chau captures the hearts of its visitors by its sheer beauty, temperate climate, serenity, people. But that is not all Moc Chau has to offer. There is still another hidden gem lying in Moc Chau: food. However, it is not simple to just get out of the car and find the right things to eat immediately. That is why we, MAZE, are with you to provide you some sneak peek into what you shouldn’t miss in the adventure to this rural land.

Milk

Well, it goes without saying that almost you can find milk just everywhere. However, Moc Chau’s fresh milk has made a name for itself across the country for being perfectly creamy and nutritious. You can drink it within only three days but no worries, we are certain that you will finish it in a day or two since being able to start a day with a cup of warm creamy milk in the chilly morning is a undeniably blessing feeling, rendering you warm as well as refreshed.

Five-color sticky rice

Moc Chau is one of the most vibrant hubs for minorities in Vietnam. Each tribe represents an exquisite color that it is proud of. Dao people add to the fun with their five-color sticky rice which is made of rice mixed with a range of herbal leaves, creating an irresistible dish for the local as well as tourists.

Cải mèo

As simple as his town, Cai Meo is a one-ingredient dish featuring Cai Meo. Rest assured since it won’t disappoint you with numerous tastes your tastebuds will feel with only a bite of it. A little bitter at first but it will pass soon, leaving a clear sweetness in your mouth. Although Cai meo Moc Chau can be used to add in hotpot, fried dish, chicken, its favorite style is the easy boiling and then served with a bowl of soy sauce or fish sauce.

Buffalo’s meat (Thịt trâu gác bếp)

The “leader” of Moc Chau’s specialties, Thit trau gac bep, originally of Thai tribe, must never be missed in Moc Chau’s big events such as Tet Holiday or Wedding. Few have left Moc Chau without buying a little Thit trau gac bep for souvenir. Generally, its price will be approximately 600000VND/kg, sold at Tiểu Khu 32, Chiềng Đi or intersection 73 (ngã ba 73), Peach Garden.

Grilled Stream Fish (Cá suối nước)

One merit of Grilled Stream Fish is that you can eat both the meat and the bone. In addition, the Grilled Fish is tasty with the company of spicy fish sauce (mắm tỏi ớt) or chili sauce. It is highly recommended to eat Grilled Stream Fish with sticky rice, which never fails to amaze the diner.

Calf meat (Bê chao)

Soft sweet calf meat “chao” by hot oil in the pan, letting out the most irresistible taste that entrances anyone passing by. You can easily catch sight of “Be chao” restaurants along the National Road 6 (Quốc lộ 6), Tiểu Khu Chiềng Đi or Công Trường Mộc Châu town (Moc Chau Site Town). Prices for small dish range from 100 000VND-150 000VND, 150 000VND to 200 000VND for big one.

Green tea

Not only serve as a spectacle for beholders, Green Tea Hills, occupying up to 3000 ha of Tea Land in Moc Chau, offer delicate tea cups not only for the local people but also across Vietnam.

Peach

Available at the end of May annually, peach from Moc Chau can be found sold by street vendors along National Road 6 (Quoc lo 6). Moc Chau’s peach brings about pleasant sense of sweetness and mild sourness, refreshment at every crunchy bite.

Shopping in Moc Chau

Moc Chau creates endless opportunities for travelers to make enduring memories. So as to help you remind of this journey in the future, the place offers countless specialties and souvenirs, ready to be taken home dearly. BElow is the list of several distinguished souvenirs and specialties shops.

Moc Chau Lien Thao

Here, you can buy Moc Chau’s exclusive gifts of this Northwestern mountainous region for family and friends or simply for yourself or book car ticket for Hanoi and other Northern provinces.

Products:
+ Tea: O Long (Black Dragon Tea), Bat Tien (Eight Fairies), Shan Tuyet, Giao Co Lam…

+ Milk cake, milk biscuit, yogurt, milk…
+ Apple (Tao Meo), Banana (Chuoi Hot), Mang Kho, Mang Ot, Ngo No…
+ Northwestern Traditional Medicine
+ Traditional clothes (Trang phuc Tho Cam)

Lan Duc Store

The store is known for offering products at a relatively competitive price compared to other stores with its slogan “Our customer’s pleasure is our honor.”

*Products:
+ Sweets: Moc Chau Peanut Candy, Sesame Candy, Flexible Banana (Chuoi Deo), Dried Banana…

+ Moc Chau Tea: Green Tea, Lotus Tea, San Tuyet Tea, Bat Tien Tea…

+ Honey, nectar

+ Milk, milk biscuit, butter…
+ Sáo mèo, khèn…

+ Chẳm chéo Mộc Châu, popcorn

Moc Chau Farm

With Moc Chau Farm, you don’t have to worry about what you should get as souvenirs for those waiting back home because Moc Chau Farm offers almost everything exclusive to Moc Chau. This store is ideal for visitors for its wide selection and quality of the products and affordability. In addition, the Farm lies right at the Ban Bo Bun Intersection, right in the center of Moc Chau town, thus a great place for travelers to rest and enjoy a cup of fresh yogurt.

* Products:
+ Milk biscuit

+ Tea

+ Thit trau gac bep (Buffalo jerky)

+ Wine

+ Herbs

+ Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables

Itinerary

You will never know what is waiting on your adventure as surprise always makes a trip memorable. However, you will gain more if you are well-prepared. Therefore, a carefully planned itinerary is your greatest aid to fully enjoy yourself.

DAY 0: Pick your favorite transportation schedule and hop on the road

DAY 1:

• 7:00 AM: Get up and take a deep breath. This is an extraordinary step to kickstart your journey in Moc Chau with such fresh air that only available here in this pristine surroundings.
• 7:30 AM: Breakfast like a local with five-color sticky rice (Xoi Ngu Sac) and fresh milk straight from the farm!
• 8:15 AM: Off we go to the Pha Luong Summit. This challenge is a must for the ones who are truly in love with travelling, with nature, with adventure and with Moc Chau. Conquering this gigantic creation, you will be able to attain a moment of refreshment, of unforeseen “enlightment”, the sentiment is similar to one that you feel when rewarded for your hard work!
• 13:30 PM: Climbing up and it is time to go down as well. It is advisable that you start returning when the sun is still up!
• 16:45 PM: Whether it’s buffalo meat (thit trau gac bep), grilled stream fish (ca suoi nuong) or calf meat (be chao), you can freely choose even all for dinner. Eat a lot to build up yourself!
• 18:00 PM: Rest well! There is more lying ahead!

DAY 2:

• 7:00 AM: Start off your day like yesterday.
• 7:30 AM: Breakfast with whatever you fancy. In case you cannot decide, these are among the most popular in town:

• Pho Moc Chau (Moc Chau Rice Noodle)
• Chao Luon
• Bun Ca
• 8:30 AM: Once you are fully charged, head to Heart Tea Hill and enjoy unmatched fresh tea. Here, you can shoot the dreamiest photos without much effort as wherever the camera snaps at, the scenery is just too heavenly. One lucrative tip is that traditional Mong tribe costume is on rent here with only $2! (20 000VND for clothing and 10 000VND for the paper umbrella)
• 10:30 AM: Move on to Moc Chau Dairy Farm. Time to quench your thirst for milk as well as fill your souvenir lots. This Farm is the origin of most milk consumed in the entire Northern Region of Vietnam. That said, you must know the popularity of this farm’s produce. Thus, don’t forget to drink a lot in order not to regret later!
• 12:00 AM: Your stomach may be somehow filled thanks to the milk from the Dairy Farm earlier, so either eat some fruit or if you are still not satiated, eat proper lunch at a restaurant
• 13:00 PM: Travel to Cua Khau Loong Sap (Loong Sap Gate) to witness the boundary between Vietnam and Laos. If possible, you can even walk through the gate and into the land of Laos. In just two seconds, congratulations, you have been to another country on this trip!
• 15:00 PM: After hanging around the gate, head to Thac Dai Yem (Dai Yemm Waterfall). If there is water then you are lucky!
• 17:00 PM: Head back and toast on … yogurt!!! Its deliciousness is increased tremendously by the fogginess around in the afternoon!
• 18:30 PM: If you are travelling during festival period, take some time at night to see the locals celerating and dancing.
• 19:30 PM: Return to your accommodation and rest well

DAY 3:

• 7:00 AM: Start your day
• 7:30 AM: Have breakfast. Until now, you should know fairly well about this area to select breakfast of your likings.
• 8:30 AM: Pack up for Ngu Dong Ban On. Only go to this attraction if you are in healthy condition since the journey will be tough. There, you can immerse yourself in flower paradise, feeling closer to nature more than ever.
• 11:00 AM: Lunch time downtown. There is an array of restaurants catering bun, lau, com etc.
• 12:00 AM: Head to Happy Land where visitors can find flowers blooming all year around. Besides, there are a selection of activities provided to get used to this place
• 15:00 PM: Have a break at Moc Chau Cafe. Even though it’s coffee, it can taste different depending on the place you drink, you know!
• 17:00 PM: Return to your accommodation and have dinner. Pack for tomorrow’s return

The post An Ultimate Guide to Moc Chau, Son La | Vietnam Travel Guide appeared first on Maze Vietnam.