Mau Son is a majestic mountain range stretching over the two districts of Cao Loc and Loc Binh in Lang Son Province. Located about 180km from Ha Noi, Mau Son has been a popular tourist destination since the 20th century, with cool weather all year round.
It is the highest mountainous area in the northeast of Viet Nam, with an average altitude of 800-1,000 metres above sea level, made up of about 80 large and small mountains. The highest peaks are Phia Po of Cha Mountain at 1,541 metres high and Phia Me peak of Me Mountain at about 1,520 metres high.
Mau Son is the highest mountainous area of Lang Son Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Anh Tuan
In this unspoiled mountain region, the climate is typical of subtropical and temperate regions. Summer has an average temperature of between 16 - 21 degrees Celsius. Winter is much colder and temperatures can fall to -5 degrees Celsius, though average temperatures are between 7 and 13 degrees. Fog, ice and snow are not uncommon during the colder days.
The Mau Son mountain range is often covered with fog, ice and snow during winter. — VNA/VNS Photo Anh Tuan
Many people think that summer is the ideal season to travel to Mau Son because they can bathe in waterfalls and camp in primaeval forests with fresh and cool air. But according to the locals here, this northern mountainous region is beautiful all year round. Spring is the season of festivals, when pears, plums and peaches are in full bloom, while autumn is the season of golden terraced fields and the leaves in the forest change colour. Winter is the season for 'cloud hunting'.
'Cloud hunting' is a race against time to reach the top of the mountain before the sun has risen. At that time, the top of the mountain is covered with white clouds, making visitors feel like they have walked on clouds and arrived in a fairyland.
The top of the mountain covered with white clouds in the early morning, one of Mau Son's most well-known draws. — VNS/VNA Photo Anh Tuan
The best time for cloud hunting is from December to March. At this time, the temperature in Mau Son is ideal for the accumulation of clouds. Not only that, the clouds in this season are very stable, so visitors can admire a beautiful scene created by thousands of clouds.
Besides the magnificent scenery, this mountainous area also has dozens of large and small streams and waterfalls in the heart of the old forest, creating a majestic picture of the poetic natural landscape. These spots include Long Dau stream, Bay, Ngoc Bich Tien Nu and Ngan Tam waterfall.
The streams and waterfalls all originate from the Mau Son Mountain complex, flowing through the steep mountain slopes and old forests of Lap Pia Village, Mau Son Commune to the lower area of Long Dau and Pac Tang villages, Yen Khoai Commune.
Over thousands of years, the rocky beds of the streams and waterfalls have been smoothed by the rushing water. Now they are covered with green moss and have many different shapes, but all are part of the vivid, wild beauty of the area.
To admire the waterfalls in Mau Son or to immerse yourself in the cool spring waters, visitors should be in good health - it is quite a walk through the forest!
In the rainy season, the waterfalls are strong and fierce, but most of the time they are calmer, with clear, cool water running over the abyss.
Thanks to its fresh air and ancient forests, Mau Son creates a feeling of comfort and freedom. From the top of the mountains, visitors can enjoy the magnificent natural beauty, especially when watching the sunrise in the morning and the sunset in the evening.
Despite a natural landscape comparable to Tam Dao, Sa Pa, Ba Na Hills and Da Lat, Mau Son's tourism potential has not been fully exploited and has been likened to a 'sleeping giant' that has not been awakened yet.
Mau Son tourism has not yet been exploited to its full potential. — VNA/VNS Photo Anh Tuan
Lang Son Province is focusing on developing the area into a centre of entertainment, eco-tourism, cultural and spiritual tourism.
Based on the available strengths and potentials, the province also hopes to expand cooperation in tourism development with other provinces through attracting capital from domestic and foreign investors, contributing to building a charming image of Vietnamese tourism in the eyes of international friends.