Chasing the sunrise on Phu Tho's most beautiful bowl-shaped tea hills

In the late summer days, Long Coc tea hills emerge from the mist, likened to a "fairytale land" that draws photographers to capture the sunrise.

Tea plants have been integral to the people of Long Coc for generations and are now the local area's main crop. Many tea regions produce according to VietGAP standards, creating products like Dinh Bat Tien tea, Shan Bat Tien tea, and other safe tea varieties for the market.

Long Coc tea hills are located in Lai Dong commune, Phu Tho province, approximately 125 km from Hanoi and 70 km from Viet Tri city center. The contiguous bowl-shaped tea hills create a landscape often described as the "Ha Long Bay of the midland region." This area holds significant potential for tourism development, attracting numerous visitors and photography enthusiasts.

According to many photographers, Long Coc is one of Vietnam's most beautiful tea regions. Sunrise is the ideal time to capture the tea hills' beauty, as a thin layer of mist blankets the tea leaves, creating a captivating scene. The best times to capture the Long Coc scenery are from 6h to 8h or from 17h to 18h, when the gentle sunlight creates contrast and highlights the unique bowl-shaped hills.

The sunrise over Long Coc tea hills was captured by photographer Cao Nhu Thuy (TP HCM) on the morning of 30/6.

Each tea hill spans about one hectare, forming continuous, sprawling green stretches. Following the paths to the hilltops, visitors can gaze upon the winding tea rows amidst the vast landscape. Cao Nhu Thuy (TP HCM) shared that he has often chased sunrises at tea hills in Da Lat, Bao Loc, and Nghe An, but Long Coc left a special impression with its successive hills, forming layers of green waves amidst the early morning mist.

"When the sunlight pierces through the thin mist, the entire hill appears covered in a layer of crystal. The scenery was so beautiful that I almost couldn't stop taking pictures," Thuy stated.

According to photographer Cao Nhu Thuy, the road leading up to Long Coc tea hills is steep and rocky. Therefore, those unfamiliar with riding motorbikes should hire a local motor-taxi. The cost is approximately 100,000 VND per person for both the ascent and descent, with the driver waiting while visitors explore and take photos.

Mornings are often preferred by many photographers due to the thin mist covering the tea hills. As the morning sun penetrates the fog, rays of light become visible on the hillsides, creating a scene with depth.

From Hanoi, visitors can take National Highway 32 to Thanh Son district, then continue towards Xuan Son National Park to reach Long Coc commune. First-time visitors should ask locals for directions to the best viewpoints of the tea hills.

Currently, Long Coc tea hills are at their most beautiful time of the year. To experience the mist and welcome the sunrise, visitors should plan a two-day, one-night trip. For an overnight stay, visitors can choose local homestays for convenience in catching the sunrise, observing the Milky Way, and experiencing the life and culture of the Muong ethnic group. Many choose to camp on the hills for convenient viewing and photographing of the Milky Way at night, as well as greeting the first rays of the new day.

On clear nights, from approximately 0h to 4h, the sky in Long Coc is dark enough to observe and photograph the Milky Way. Visitors should consult locals for advice or use weather forecasting and sky map applications to determine the best time for the Milky Way's clearest appearance.