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Phia Po Mountain, or Cha Mountain, is part of the Mau Son mountain complex in Lang Son Province, northern Vietnam. It is 30 kilometers from Lang Son Town and 200 kilometers from Hanoi. |
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The journey to Phia Po peak is divided into two stages. The first is trekking 3.5 kilometers from the foot of the mountain to a campsite, where tourists can rest and spend the night. The next day sees the ascent to the peak. The total distance is about 14 kilometers. |
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On the first day of the trip, it takes visitors three hours to travel from Hanoi to Loc Binh District, Lang Son. They can have lunch there before going to the foot of Phia Po Mountain and starting their trek journey in the afternoon. |
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The journey from the foot of the mountain to the camping site takes about two to 2.5 hours. It may take longer for those who are not physically strong or for photography buffs. |
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On the second day, the journey involves about three to 3.5 kilometers of walking through a steeper and denser forest. In the rainy season, mosquitoes and leeches are rampant, so visitors need to wear headscarves, long-sleeved clothing, and carry insect repellent. |
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Even on the weekend, visitors would encounter very few other trekkers. The biodiversity of the landscape, not to mention the ever changing cloud patterns, makes every step a surprise. |
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Trekking Phia Po peak in April, visitors can also catch some wild forest flowers blooming along the way such as pink Azalea, bell-shaped peach, orchids and many others. |
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The last stretch to reach the top of Phia Po resembles the back of a giant dinosaur, covered by shrubs, tall grass, and trees. During rainy days, visitors can enjoy a sea of clouds from here. |
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Next to the mountain is a forest of ancient Azalea trees with their roots and trunks under moss and lichen. On the second day, tourists ascend to the top in the morning, then return to the campsite for lunch, recover their tents and descend the mountain in the afternoon to return to Hanoi in the evening. |