Moc Chau – The green plateau of Son La

Top must-visit places in Moc Chau

1. Moc Chau tea hill


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The geological and geographical movements in Moc Chau created red-brown frealite soil, which contains a lot of humus suitable for dry crops, especially tea. Plus the year-round cool weather, Moc Chau Plateau has become one of the best places to grow tea in Vietnam.

The tea hills here are gradually improved and formed in different interesting shapes to attract tourists. During the tea harvest season, the hospitable farmers here will invite tourists a cup of tea made from freshly picked tea buds, while talking about how they take care and harvest the tea most effectively.

2. Ngu Dong Ban On ( 30,000 VND /person)
Ngu Dong Ban On is a system of 5 magnificent caves likened to the five living elements of Kim, Moc, Thuy, and Hoa, which was discovered by the ethnic residents after the historic flood in 2006. Since the terrain here is quite dangerous, mostly narrow and winding dirt roads exploited by a few spontaneous people, this place is still unfamiliar to many visitors, but thanks to that, it still retains the pristine features, which attract those who want to explore and conquer Moc Chau nature most.


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If other caves are usually situated deep in the great mountain peaks, the 5 caves are all on the same hill, making a long way to conquer this place to the fullest. As a reward for that, you will experience diverse natural landscapes along the way; green tea hills from the beginning of the road; followed by dreamy seasonal flower hills; and finally, you have to face small, steep roads along the primeval forest to reach those rare caves full of bright stalactites forming many years ago; just slightly knock to the stalactite, the melodious sounds will echo throughout the cave.

Due to the lack of investment, the electric light system in the caves is quite limited, mainly lit with an electric generator, making it difficult for visitors to see the sights. For this reason, without a guide, it turns out a bad experience in the dark. Moreover, to explore all this complex, you also need to spend a whole, along with well-cared health to conquer the harsh roads.

3. Ang Village (30,000 VND / person)

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From Moc Chau farm town, along Highway 43 about 2km south, visitors will reach Ban Ang. Thanks to its location on the plateau, this place has a fresh climate with romantic scenery of a natural lake surrounded by green pine forests planted on reddish-brown feralit hills.

Ang village is the residence of the Thai ethnic group, who live mainly by cultivation (tea, cabbage, corn, rice), husbandry, and traditional handicrafts (brocade weaving, knitting, cotton cushioning). The people here still preserve their unique ethnic cultural identities in traditional stilt house architecture, genuine costumes, ancient folk tunes and games, and typical festivals, like Het Cha or New Rice celebration.


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The locals have renovated their shabby houses into rustic homestays, offering visitors a stay while going through daily peasant activities, such as lying on rice cotton mats, picking tea, catching fish, especially riding a horse around the pine forest, and enjoying specialties like Can wine, Lam rice, and Pa Ping Top (grilled fish), Be Chao, wild vegetables, etc.

The villagers believe that the majority of tourists will prefer to stay in their “hotel-houses” because of both the clean living conditions and a great opportunity for tourists to better learn the Vietnamese ethnic minority’s authentic culture.

4. Dai Yem Waterfall (50,000 VND /person; the parking ticket: 10,000VND)
Dai Yem waterfall is a historical landscape, associated with the Thai people in Muong Sang for a very long time. The name Dai Yem comes from a story about a young girl who uses a pink yem (a traditional Vietnamese women’s camisole) to save her lover during a flood.


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The time from April to September every year is the rainy season in Moc Chau, also when Dai Yem waterfall has the most water. The waterfall consists of two levels, the upper waterfall is more than 70m wide and has 9 floors; the other has 5 floors and is about 200 meters away. At the foot of the two waterfalls is a vast expanse of water with countless rocky tissues creating unexpected slope flows. Visitors can trek to the top of the second waterfall to explore the rich vegetation and have a panoramic view of Moc Chau mountain.

The area isn’t really big, it might be pretty overwhelmed in peak season. Since more or less influenced by humans, besides newly-added convenient passways and toilets, there are a few unnecessary things for such natural landscapes, namely the glass staircase and the artificial park.

5. Mount Pha Luong (20,000 VND / person)
If you love conquering treacherous roads to set foot on high mountains for breathtaking sceneries, Pha Luong Peak is really an ideal name. About 30km from Moc Chau, located on the border between Vietnam and Laos with an altitude of nearly 2,000m, Pha Luong is a challenging mountain, requiring much stamina and courage.


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A border post permit is a prerequisite to begin the journey only on a day. Although the distance to the top of Pha Luong is only about 10 kilometers, taking at least 2-3 hours if it is dry and slow, the terrain is super varied. Visitors will experience changes in scenery along the way, which can be a moment of bowing under the rows of bamboo forests, then pass a path of tall maple trees, or step cautiously on unstructured slippery roads.

Hard work paid off; as soon as reaching the peak, you can not only see the majestic scenery but also the natural vegetation boundary between Laos and Vietnam. It’s good to enjoy the fresh air here but remember to avoid the strong winds on the upper edge. Plus, prepare water and some snacks to avoid exhaustion during trekking!

6. Suoi Bang ghost cave (20,000 VND)
Suoi Bang commune is a famous destination for not only original beauty but also the mysterious existence of hanging coffins on the cliffs and relics dating back hundreds of years ago.

Curiously, these ancient coffins made of hollow tree trunks are only found in caves along craggy cliffs, facing east. According to the researchers, such locations would prevent other ethnic groups or wild beasts from damaging the coffin, as well as preserve them in the best condition thanks to a lot of wind and sunlight.


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Legend has it that these are ancestral coffins hidden by the Xa people after they lost in the division of the territory with the Thai. Some other studies have suggested that the hanging coffins may have belonged to the ancient Dao in the upper reaches of the Da River, as they are proficient in both crafting and climbing.

To get to the ghost caves, you have to go through the tangled roots and vines. Inside are the aged coffins guarded on the tree branches, surprisingly dry and untouched, making tourists wonder why such large blocks of wood can be moved into the cave and lasted almost intact over thousands of years.

7. Bat Cave (10,000 VND/person)
Another attractive destination in Moc Chau is Doi cave (Son Moc Huong ), found in the limestone range in the Northeast, with an area of ​​more than 7000 square meters. The place contains a lot of historical value because it used to be inhabited by the ancient Vietnamese (more than 3000 years ago) and was the base of the Vietnamese army in the wars against France and America.


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Bat Cave is made up of three main parts, which is likened to the three parts of a dragon, head – body – tail. The stalactites of all shapes and sizes drop to the ground, stimulating the imagination of visitors. Deep inside, at the ceiling, you may see many bats hanging – that’s the reason for the name Bat cave. Water droplets on the cave’s dome steadily create a non-stop gentle sound. There is a stalactite compared with mother’s breast; people here think that if you patiently catch a drop of water, you will have good luck.

Although the cave is airy, a lot of spaces inside are still dark, therefore, you had better equip a flashlight to have a better view.

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