Traveling to the Northwest, each destination here creates its own special features. Visiting Ngoc Chien Muong La is no exception, a place with magnificent hydroelectric constructions and villages rich in diverse cultural identities. To reach Ngoc Chien, you can travel from the direction of Mu Cang Chai (foot of Khau Pha Pass) or follow route TL 106 from Son La city to Muong La and then to Ngoc Chien.
Ngoc Chien is situated at an altitude of about 1600 meters above sea level, nearly 80 km from the center of Son La city. Ngoc Chien Muong La is home to various ethnic groups such as the Thai, H’Mong, La Ha, etc. Therefore, Ngoc Chien Muong La possesses a blend of different cultures, making it an attractive destination not only for its natural beauty and scenery but also for its unique and novel cultural aspects passed down through generations.
Ngoc Chien also boasts a mesmerizing golden rice harvest season (Collected Photo)
Visiting Ngoc Chien, travelers can immerse themselves in daily activities with the hosts. Particularly, visitors will have the opportunity to savor local specialties such as sticky rice, bamboo cooked rice, grilled meat, grilled fish, and roasted chicken. Additionally, guests can freely enjoy hot mineral baths at the water springs in Khau Vai village and Chien stream in Muong Chien village. If time permits, exploring the traditional crafts of the locals here is also a must.
This region is considered a hidden gem, showcasing the stunning beauty from the unique cultures of the Thai, H’Mong, and La Ha ethnic groups, to the therapeutic hot springs and especially the aromatic wooden stilt houses.
When is the best time to visit Ngoc Chien?
A visit to Ngoc Chien, Muong La, is incomplete without exploring the Son La hydroelectric power plant in It Ong commune, Muong La district. The Son La hydroelectric power plant is the largest in Southeast Asia. In It Ong, you can also visit the Co Noong cave relic, where you’ll be amazed by the breathtaking natural scenery bestowed upon this place.
- You can plan a trip to Ngoc Chien anytime during the year except for the rainy season in the North, which can make the journey challenging. Rainy weather can cause slippery roads and landslides, especially when traveling from Mu Cang Chai.
- The rice harvest season in Ngoc Chien, and the Northwest in general, occurs around September-October, coinciding with the harvest time in Mu Cang Chai. It’s convenient to combine these two locations in one trip. With the natural hot springs, a visit to Ngoc Chien during the cold weather towards the end of the year can be particularly exhilarating as you soak in the warm waters.
Directions to Ngoc Chien
Via the Mu Cang Chai route
The road to Nam Khat (Photo: Google map)
From Hanoi, head towards Mu Cang Chai. At the foot of the Khau Pha Pass on the opposite side, you will see a sign directing to Nam Khat. Continue for about 10km more to reach Nam Khat, turn left for the road to Ngoc Chien – Muong La. The road to Nam Khat is well-paved with concrete, suitable for cars. After the concrete road ends, there’s a turnoff for Muong La. Keep going until you see a sharp bend, remember to slow down and ask locals for directions to Ngoc Chien or check the map accurately.
Via Son La – Muong La route
From downtown Hanoi, head to Son La via National Highway 6, then towards Muong La. From Muong La, follow road 106 until you see a sign to turn into Ngoc Chien (about nearly 30km).
Accommodation in Ngoc Chien
This area is a renowned community tourism spot and also has many homestays offered by the locals. In the center of the commune, many households provide services including homestays, hot spring baths, and food.
All-inclusive, one-stop services are provided for visitors to Ngoc Chien (Collected Photo)
Currently, the road to Ngoc Chien has improved significantly, so the guesthouse and homestay services here are also developing strongly.
What to do in Ngoc Chien?
Hot Springs Bathing
Visiting Ngoc Chien, you cannot miss the experience of soaking in a hot spring. This hot water source has served the local community for generations. Moreover, in Luot village, there are now wooden hot mineral water bathing rooms available.
Locals here mostly bathe in the hot springs daily, resulting in beautiful skin (Collected Photo)
Additionally, visitors can freely bathe in the water at Khau Vai village, Chien stream in Muong Chien village, and explore the traditional crafts of the villagers…
Enjoying Delicious Dishes in Ngoc Chien
Besides bathing in the hot springs, visitors to Ngoc Chien can enter any household to be warmly welcomed as honored guests, experiencing daily activities and enjoying local delicacies such as sticky rice (fragrant and chewy), bamboo-cooked rice, grilled meat, and grilled fish…
Son La Hydropower Plant
The Son La Hydropower Plant is located in It Ong commune, Muong La district, Son La. It is the second step in the cascade system on the upper Da River. This hydropower project, with a capacity of 2,400MW, includes 6 units (6 x 400 MW). It is estimated to produce an average annual electricity output of 10.246 billion kWh (including an increase for the Hoa Binh Hydropower Plant of 1.267 billion kWh).
Son La Hydropower Plant (Collected Photo)
With its capacity, the Son La Hydropower Plant is the largest in the cascade on the upper Da River (Hoa Binh Hydropower: 1,920 MW; Lai Chau Hydropower: 1,200 MW); the largest in Vietnam and the largest in Southeast Asia. Impressive, isn’t it?
Moreover, the Son La Hydropower Plant has the largest construction volume in the region: Basin area: 43,760 km2; Reservoir volume: 9.26 billion m3; Normal water level: 215m; Flood season water level: 217.83 m; Dead water level: 175m.
Co Noong Cave
This is a rare archaeological site in It Ong town. To reach the cave, from the Son La Hydropower Plant police station, go straight up the mountain to a point about 250m west of the cave entrance. The site is a natural cave with a circular shape like a giant beehive located on a limestone mountain range near the Son La Hydropower Dam.
Main entrance of the cave overlooking the downstream of the Da River (Collected Photo)
From the cave entrance, visitors can view the entire hydropower project and enjoy the fresh air, beautiful natural scenery harmoniously blending clouds, mountains, and rivers. Co Noong Cave truly is a “natural” home chosen by ancient Vietnamese people to reside in during the late Neolithic – early Bronze Age.
Cat Linh Village
Less than 20 km from the center of Muong La district, Cat Linh Village of the Hmong people is situated on the slope of Pu Tha Keng Mountain (khen dancing mountain) more than 2,500m above sea level. During the ripe rice season, the terraced fields are in full bloom, looking from afar like a multi-colored yellow painting layer upon layer stretching far and wide.
Cat Linh Rice Waves (Collected Photo)
From Cat Linh, visitors can gaze down into the deep valley to view the entire panorama of the three Nam Chien hydropower levels sparkling with lights at night; each morning, waking up to watch the floating clouds drift from beneath the hydroelectric lakes, gradually rising and stretching across the mountain peaks like ink-washed paintings.
Visiting Cat Linh, guests are not only serenaded by the music of the streams but can also bathe in the cool, clear spring waters, breathe in the fresh air, and immerse themselves in the endless high mountains. Importantly, visitors will experience the life of the friendly, hospitable Hmong people, join in harvesting rice, chasing free-range chickens, catching fish in terraced fields, sleeping in wooden houses, and enjoying wine infused with herbs along with other forest delicacies.
New Rice Offering Ceremony
Making Green Rice Flakes at the New Rice Festival (Collected Photo)
Travel Itinerary for Ngoc Chien Muong La
Hanoi – Ngoc Chien – Muong La – Son La – Moc Chau
Day 1: Hanoi – Nghia Lo – Khau Pha Pass – Nam Khat – Ngoc Chien
Consider combining a trip to Ngoc Chien with Mu Cang Chai or Moc Chau (Collected Photo)
- 7 AM: Depart from Hanoi via QL32 towards Trung Ha Bridge – Thanh Son – Van Chan – Nghia Lo. Take a lunch break in Tu Le or Nghia Lo town.
- Continue over Khau Pha Pass, make sure to check in and enjoy the scenic view before reaching Nam Khat. Near the foot of the pass, you’ll see a sign directing to Nam Khat. Ask locals for directions to Ngoc Chien (Muong La). Spend the night in Ngoc Chien, where you can enjoy Thai sticky rice or bathe in the hot springs.
Day 2: Ngoc Chien – Muong La – Son La – Moc Chau
- 7 AM: Wake up early for breakfast, then head from Ngoc Chien back to Muong La. Visit the Son La Hydroelectric Plant on the way. Then, continue to Son La city via route 106. In Son La city, consider visiting the Son La Prison relic. Have lunch in Son La city.
- 1 PM: Travel from Son La city to Moc Chau via QL6. If you have time, visit Dai Yem Waterfall, explore the Heart-shaped Tea Hill, or the Pine Forest of Ban Ang and enjoy Moc Chau’s specialties in the evening.
Day 3: Moc Chau – Hanoi
- 7 AM: Have breakfast in Moc Chau before exploring small villages like Thong Cuong, Pa Phach on the way back to Hanoi.
- 1 PM: Depart for Hanoi, stopping to take photos at Thung Khe Pass along QL6.
See more: Son La Travel Essentials: What You Need to Know Before You Go
See more: Ultimate Guide to Moc Chau: Tips for First-Time Visitors
See more: Conquering Pha Luong Peak: A Complete Trekking Guide
Discussion about this post