Throughout October, 35-year-old photographer Vu Ngoc Thien journeyed across Da Lat City, capturing scenes of morning mist blanketing the landscape. He has photographed sunrises across Vietnam.
Rising before dawn, he reaches three city hills - Da Phu, Thien Phuc Duc, and Ngo Quyen - by 5:30 a.m.
"Chasing mist in Da Lat isn't as challenging as in Ta Xua (in northern Vietnam), you just need to wake up early," Thien said.
Morning mist mingles with clouds over Da Phu Hill on Oct. 20.
Da Phu Hill is located in Ward 7, about 10 kilometers from Da Lat's center. Accessible by motorbike, the best time to catch the clouds and mist is between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m.
However, locals advise that the path up requires a powerful vehicle, because the road is challenging to navigate with a standard vehicle.
As dawn broke over Da Phu Hill, sunlight pierced through the mist, revealing rows of pine trees on the slopes.
Beyond its mist, Da Phu is also popular among visitors for cloud hunting.
By around 7 a.m., the sun rises high, the mist fades, and a clear view of Da Lat appears below.
Along Da Phu Road in Ward 7, several breakfast spots await, including Hang Restaurant, Ngon Banh Mi, Uyen Pho, and Dalat Eden Café, which serves both breakfast and coffee.
Ngo Quyen Hill, another mist and cloud-watching spot, provided breathtaking views of Da Lat shrouded in mist, captured by Thien at 5:30 a.m. on Oct. 15.
The city of Da Lat, as seen from Ngo Quyen Hill, emerges as the morning mist dissipates.
Just 4-5 kilometers from the city center in Ward 7, Ngo Quyen Hill is easier to access than Da Phu. Despite its charm and a reputation as one of Da Lat's most picturesque sunset spots, it remains unknown among tourists.
A third mist-hunting location is Thien Phuc Duc Hill, photographed at 6 a.m. on Oct. 10.
Situated about 6 kilometers from Da Lat, it is known for its challenging path, but the refreshing atmosphere makes it worthwhile.
Since photos are taken later here than on other hills, the mist on Thien Phuc Duc Hill has mostly dispersed, not lingering as densely as on Da Phu or Ngo Quyen Hills.
Sunrise on Thien Phuc Duc Hill.
From the hill, visitors can spot the top of Da Lat's iconic Langbiang mountain.
Da Lat as seen from Thien Phuc Duc Hill on Oct. 10.
"You have to wake up very early to catch the mist, but once you get that perfect shot, all the effort feels worthwhile," Thien said.
Thien Phuc Duc is a bare hill with grassy slopes and pine trees, making it an ideal camping spot for visitors looking to chase clouds, mist, and enjoy the sunrise.
