Dinh Gio, located about 3 km from Ta Xua commune center, is among the highest peaks in Son La. Standing over 2,800 m tall, locals call it the "cloud paradise", attracting many visitors for cloud hunting, especially from October to April each year.

Diep Huu Dat, a photographer and tour guide in Ta Xua, stated that Dinh Gio is a destination for young people who enjoy vast spaces, long routes, and adventure travel. To reach Dinh Gio, visitors must navigate a challenging path. However, upon arrival, they receive a worthy reward.

Cloud-hunting spot on Dinh Gio. Photo: Diep Huu Dat

Recently, Dat shared images of the sea of clouds captured from a cliff edge on Dinh Gio, garnering community interest. Many messaged to inquire about the coordinates for checking in. This natural opening offers a unique, deep perspective, captivating with its floating sea of clouds. Visitors can experience "a sense of absolute relaxation" or "conquering majestic nature" at this place where heaven and earth merge.

To ascend Dinh Gio, visitors should rent a motorbike from homestays or tourist service providers. Dat advised that Ta Xua's terrain is challenging with steep slopes and sharp turns. Therefore, hiring a local motorbike taxi driver, who has a steady hand and is familiar with the terrain, will ensure safety.

Dinh Gio also boasts a diverse ecosystem, featuring a garden with various trees, flowers, and vegetation. Each season, different flowers bloom along the roads to Dinh Gio.

Currently, the weather in Ta Xua is turning cold, and a sea of clouds often appears early in the morning, especially "when humidity is high and there is a temperature difference between day and night", Dat said. The ideal cloud-gazing time is from 5h30 to 7h30, when the sun rises, its rays pierce through the clouds, creating a brilliant scene. With luck, visitors might also catch the sea of clouds in the afternoon, around 16h-17h, or even after dark.

Check-in spot at Mi Oi cafe. Photo: Diep Huu Dat

In the Dinh Gio area, visitors can choose from many homestays and cafes to enjoy the scenery. Some prominent cafes offer beautiful panoramic views of the mountainsides and sea of clouds, including Nha cua An Coffee, Cloud Forest Coffee, Tiem ca phe Mi Oi, Hien Cafe, Panorama Coffee, Chill Coffee, and Nha H'Mong Coffee.

Restaurants and home-style eateries with cloud views include Thao Coffee, Xuan thi, and A Chen. Thao Coffee, the first cafe in Ta Xua, currently has two branches in the center overlooking the valley and one near the hydropower plant, offering views of the hydropower lake and mountains.

For homestays, visitors can choose Miami Moutain Retreat, considered one of the highest in Ta Xua, making cloud hunting easier. Many lower-lying homestays also offer sea of clouds views, such as Ta Xua Clouds Homestay and Ta Xua Lu Tre.

According to Dat, besides Dinh Gio, all destinations in Ta Xua with valley views offer beautiful cloud-gazing opportunities.

Over the past two weeks, the sea of clouds has appeared continuously in Ta Xua. Some visitors who captured clouds or the Milky Way shared feelings like "a dream", "truly healed", or "you have to see it to believe its beauty; missing it would be a huge regret". The weather forecast indicates that visitors will have many opportunities for cloud hunting in November due to favorable conditions.

Tam Anh