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At an elevation of over 2000m, Y Ty leans against the cloud-hugged Nhiu Co San Mountain, whose peak is 2660m high. Leading to Y Ty is a zigzagging track covered by the lush green forest and dotted by houses under the clouds. That makes backpackers feel lost in another world where the hustle and bustle of life can’t touch. However, the path has been upgraded lately. It’s no longer a muddy mountain track. Like other highland tourist attractions, you should mind several points before your departure, and we – BM Travel Adventure have got you covered with the following things.
Y Ty is a highland commune in Bat Xat District with an area of 8654ha and 11.04km of borderline. The whole commune has nearly 800 families (including four ethnic groups of Mong, Ha Nhi, Dao, and Kinh) who live in 16 villages and a high rate of poor households (77.5%).
The climate here is cool all year round but much harsher than other communes in Bat Xat District in winter. The hibernal temperature sometimes drops to 0 Celsius, making Y Ty one of the snow-hunting spots of interest to young people.
This is the only place many people of the Ha Nhi ethnic minority live. Rich and unique in cultural identity and the ancient forest of Den Sang, the commune is compared to a “suspending forest” on the lofty rocky mountain. Generally, it is one of the attractive destinations for tourists and backpackers in and out of the country, especially youngsters who love adventures and going off the beaten track.
Depending on your schedule, you can take a trip to Y Ty anytime. Yet, to have the best trip, you should know about these things:
There are two options to get from Hanoi to Lao Cai. Traveling by train takes 8 hours while moving by a sleeper coach; takes just 5.
A motorbike is the best means of transport to Y Ty.
Minus the times of a stop for sightseeing and taking photos, it takes about 5 to 6 hours to reach Y Ty though it’s just 80km away from Lao Cai (along the route from Bat Xat to A Lu). The most popular vehicle getting around in Y Ty is a motorbike. If you don’t want to hire one, you can have the train carry your motorbike from Hanoi to Lao Cai.
The road from Bat Xat to Y Ty has been better than before. Nevertheless, landslides often happen in storm season. The floods might wreck the road, so it will be very hard to hit Y Ty then. Therefore, you should follow the local weather forecast before making your decision.
From Sapa, go toward Tram Ton Pass (O Quy Ho Pass) to a three-way crossroad with a direction signboard pointing to Lai Chau and Xeo Village. Turn right to the Xeo Village (DT155 Road shown on Google Maps). Continue onwards for a further 20km to another three-way crossroads. Turn left to Muong Hum Market. After crossing the market, you will meet the sign showing the way to Y Ty. Keep going straight along DT 158 for 30km to hit the spot.
Currently, Y Ty has many hostels and homestays run by locals for the needs of travelers. But the number of accommodations still can’t meet the high quantity of tourists during the peak season.
The destinations in this article are arranged in the direction from Lao Cai City to Bat Xat, then along the Red River to Lung Po, and finally Y Ty. Spend a night there, and on the next day, we will visit Den Sang, Den Thang, and Muong Hum before clearing Sapa and returning to Lao Cai City.
Lung Po's turning point is where the Nguyen Giang River (China) mixes into the Lung Po River and creates the Red River. Standing on the top of the Lung Po flag tower, you can get the best aerial views over the land and the clouds drifting across the sky.
Each of China – Vietnam Boundary Stones along the way to Y Ty has a great significance. It marks the national sovereignty and the soldiers who devoted their lives to defending the nation.
Dubbed as the roof of Y Ty, Lao Than Mountain is a perfect place for cloud-watching and trekking. The mountain’s height, along with the heavenly beauty, captivates the backpackers. You can see the cloud for most seasons with such a sky-high terrain. Surely, you will be stunned by the clouds flying over the valley or around the flanks once reaching here.
A Lu is a district near the China – Vietnam frontier and the Lung Po River. If you have time, drop in A Lu. The paved road now helps travelers find the place easier than before. A Lu’s nature is still untouched with the mighty mountains and the rice fields stretching as far as the eyes can see. The villagers are all endearing, hospitable, and warm.
Ngai Thau is a highland commune located on the north border. Residing in the temperate zone and covered by clouds all year round, Ngai Thau is worth your visit with its magical setting. Wake up early in the morning; you can eye-witness the light of dawn gradually dispelling the fog. The image of a sleepy village mixed with the sounds of playful children and the white blooms of the medlar trees will light up your new day. As for bikers, the journey will be much more exciting and thrilling than conquering the winding dirt roads to the villagers or crossing the hills. However, it’s not hard to hunt the clouds because they will come in droves after rain or daybreak.
The terraced rice fields in The Pa Valley are so spectacular that they are considered a great wonder of the Ha Nhi ethnic minority group. It is a harmonic combination of nature and human hands and brain. You can also join the ethnic group’s festivals such as “Kho gia gia” (means an abundant harvest), “Ga ma do” ceremony, and the Red Dao people’s “kho tim” ceremony.
Y Ty Fair sits in the center of the commune, held once a week on Saturday. Nowadays, it is not only a place for trading but also a tourist attraction. The regional fair is always colorful with the brocades and colorful costumes of the native girls. The fair can be said to be a vivid picture of a culture in the upland. Forget not to buy some souvenirs for your friends and family.
Comprehensive Travel Guide to Cat Cat Village Sapa by Motorbike
Intimately called the “land of clouds”, Y Ty is home to the ethnic minority groups of H’Mong, Ha Nhi, Dao, and Giay. Visit the villages in Y Ty and the beaten-cob constructions of Ha Nhi people to learn more about the local life. And you will inevitably feel small standing in front of the majestic and ancient spectacle.
Thien Sinh Bridge is at the end of Lao Chai Village, 10km away from the center of Y Ty Commune. In Ha Nhi ethnic language, its name Thien San Shu means “born by God”. Back then, it was just a natural 1m stone bridge spanning a ravine. Hundreds of years ago, the stone was cracked, forming the ravine that marks the border between the two neighboring nations, Vietnam – China. The people built a concrete bridge not long ago to replace the old one. Casting downwards from the bridge, you will see a hundred meters of cliffs abrasive by water.
Den Sang is a land rich in the culture of the Red Dao people with fresh and cool air. After 20 minutes of walking, you will meet a rocky expanse where you can sit back and relax while admiring the immense green forest, blooming Rhododendrons, and orchids.
Muong Hum Market is held every Sunday, which is 44km away from Lao Cai City. This market is crowded with the indigenous people’s trading activities.
When the first rains pour down to Y Ty in April and May, the villagers will gather many shiitake mushrooms and put them on sale. This kind of mushroom is soft, aromatic, and delicate.
The wholesome beer is manually traditionally made by the Ha Nhi people. The entire process is finical, and the yeast is extracted from many forest fruits. The longer it is brewed, the better taste it brings.
Ha Sin Co looks like the sweet potato. Its meat is lightly golden, juicy, sweet, and firm.
The followings are implicative itineraries for a stunning Sapa motorbike tour to Y Ty. You can add to it some famous landscapes nearby for a long-day journey. Consider them as references and customize them to make them suitable for your plan.
Day 1: Depart from Hanoi to Lao Cai by train along with your motorbike using the transfer service.
Day 2: Lao Cai – Bat Xat (1km) – Trinh Tuong (26km) – Lung Po (19km) – A Mu Sung (7km) – Ngai Thau (5km) – Y Ty (7km)
Travel for a distance of 80km on half of the second day. You can stop at milestone no. 92 – where the Red River enters the territory of Vietnam. The road from A Lu to Y Ty looks beautiful in the rice season. The Thien Sinh Bridge (milestone no. 87) near China. If you have time, come by several villages like Sin Chai, Lao Chai, or further is Hong Ngai.
Day 3: There are two options: turn back to Sapa or cross Ban Xeo Village to Bat Xat, then finally hit Lao Cai City.
Option 1: Y Ty- Den Sang (29km) (or Den Thang, both ways lead to Muong Hum) – Muong Hum (10km) – Vuoc Village – Sapa (42km)
Option 2: Y Ty- Den Sang (29km) (or Den Thang, both ways lead to Muong Hum) – Muong Hum (10km) – Vuoc Village – Bat Xat – Lao Cai
Make your way to Muong Hum after going along the ancient in Y Ty. Don’t pass by Muong Hum Market if you arrive on Sunday.
Travel for a distance of 80km on half of the second day. You can stop at milestone no. 92 – where the Red River enters the territory of Vietnam. The road from A Lu to Y Ty looks beautiful in the rice season. The Thien Sinh Bridge (milestone no. 87) near China. If you have time, visit several villages like Sin Chai, Lao Chai, or further Hong Ngai (9km away from Y Ty Commune).
Day 3: Y Ty – Den Sang (29km) (or Den Thang, both ways lead to Muong Hum) – Muong Hum (10km) – O Quy Ho (35km) – Than Uyen (90km) – Mu Chang Chai (50km)
Visit Muong Hum Market if you arrive on Sunday. Go over one of the four greatest passes in Vietnam – O Quy Ho and have a short break in Mu Cang Chai.
Day 4: Mu Cang Chai – Khau Pha Pass – Tu Le – Nghia Lo – Thanh Son – Son Tay – Hanoi
On the last day, conquer Khao Pha Pass – also one of the four greatest passes in Northwest Vietnam and behold the terraced fields from Tu Le before heading back to Hanoi.
Following this itinerary, you should come here in September – the rice season in both Y Ty and Sa Pa. And you need to travel by your motorbike from Hanoi and go back by train along with your vehicle.
Day 1: Hanoi – Bac Ha
Bac Ha is about 300km away from Hanoi. From Hanoi, go across National Highway 70 to Bac Ngam. Turn to Road 153 and keep going onwards to Bac Ha. Start your journey early in the morning, or you will be late on arrival. Begin your first day on Saturday to have time hanging around Bac Ha Market on Sunday.
Day 2: Bac Ha – Sapa
In the morning, visit Bac Ha Market, Hoang A Tuong Residence. Depending on the season, there will be fields of plum flowers, peach blossoms, and buckwheat flowers. Leave Bac Ha at midday, make it to Lao Cai, then Sapa. It’s up to you to stay here for 1 or 2 days.
Day 3: Sapa – Muong Hum – Y Ty
Wake up your whole day with a cup of coffee in Sapa before clearing O Quy Ho to reach Muong Hum and then Y Ty. If the 3rd day is Sunday, do not forget to stop by Muong Hum Market for a while. Stay overnight in Y Ty.
Day 4: Y Ty – A Lu – Bat Xat – Lao Cai
Go for a ride along one of the tracks with the most beautiful terraced fields in Y Ty. Back to Bat Xat, across Lung Po and milestone no. 92. End the trip in Lao Cai, and return to Hanoi by train.
You may also like to read more Vietnam Destinations
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