In October, Tà Chì Nhù is not only a popular spot for cloud hunting but also attracts hikers with slopes blanketed in vibrant purple flowers.
Conquering Tà Chì Nhù – The Roof of Yên Bái
Standing at 2,979 meters, Tà Chì Nhù is the seventh-highest peak in Vietnam, located in Xà Hồ Commune, Trạm Tấu District. First conquered by hikers in 2013, it has been dubbed the “cloud paradise on earth.” Last year, a series of photos showcasing the purple flowers on its summit went viral on mountaineering forums, bringing fame to the area. Locals, when asked about the wild purple flowers, simply call them “chi pâu” (meaning “unknown”).
Reaching the summit requires 7–8 hours of hiking with a lunch break. Our group of 17 drove from Hanoi the previous evening, staying in Trạm Tấu town (a 5–6 hour drive). Some other groups opted to take sleeper buses to Nghĩa Lộ, then continued by car or motorbike the next morning to the trailhead about 30 km away.
After breakfast in Trạm Tấu, we drove 15 km along rough roads to the Mỏ Chì area. After coordinating with our guides and handing over equipment to the porters, everyone packed light backpacks with water and snacks to start the ascent at 8 a.m.
Due to the weekend crowd, nearly 150 hikers were on the trail, and Mỏ Chì refused passage through their factory area. All climbers had to take a detour, crossing two large streams. The short section took about an hour to traverse because of the crowd and the strong currents.
After crossing the streams, the group passed several hills before stopping for lunch. Though not very steep, the hills quickly drained energy under the hot sun with no shade.
Around 12:30 p.m., all hiking groups paused in a cool spot to eat and rest, regaining strength to tackle the steepest section of the trek – the Hai Cây slope.
The climb was tough, but the mountain and cloud scenery along this section made it worthwhile. Everyone stopped frequently to take photos and videos of the white clouds drifting along the slopes and the ancient forest bathed in the afternoon sun, which extended the trek’s duration.
After conquering the Hai Cây slope, the group passed a small bamboo forest before reaching the base camp around 4:30 p.m. From there, the summit of Tà Chì Nhù was visible, and guides said it usually takes about two hours to reach the top.
The camp, built last year to accommodate up to 120 people, was already full on our weekend climb with around 150 hikers, so some had to sleep in tents outside. According to porter Giàng A Long, the busiest period saw up to 200 visitors.
The camp consists of two wooden buildings, two relatively clean restrooms, and hot water (50,000 VND per bucket) for showers. Due to the crowd, waiting in line was necessary.
We had dinner at 7 p.m. and went to bed early to save energy for the next day, planning to wake at 5 a.m. and start the summit ascent at 6 a.m., returning the same day.
The mountain weather at night was quite cold, with strong winds and rain. When we woke up, everyone assumed the heavy rain overnight would prevent us from reaching the summit due to slippery paths and possible flooding. However, Mạnh Chiến, the trip leader, explained that it had only rained lightly—the sound on the metal roof made it seem heavier. Relieved, we quickly had breakfast and prepared to set out.
We departed at 7:30 a.m., 1.5 hours later than planned. After more than 30 minutes of hiking, the group reached slopes covered with wild purple flowers. The light rain kept the blooms from appearing as vibrant as expected, but no one missed the chance to pose and take photos beside these unique flowers that grow abundantly only in this region.
After about another hour of hiking, we reached the summit, where more than a dozen young hikers who had started earlier were already taking photos at the landmark.
According to Mạnh Chiến, Tà Chì Nhù is not only famous for its purple flowers but also offers some of the most stunning cloud and sunrise views among the mountains he has visited.
“The purple flowers can also be found on Bạch Mộc Lương Tử, but in smaller numbers, so you won’t see entire slopes in full bloom like here. From September to early October is the best time to enjoy the chi pâu flowers, while from November to March, Tà Chì Nhù becomes an ideal spot for cloud hunting,” he said.
When descending in rainy and slippery conditions, it’s important to move slowly and turn your feet sideways. This is also when many hikers experience knee, ankle, toe, and thigh strain, as body weight continuously presses on these areas. Even with good fitness, it’s recommended to wear knee and ankle supports and use trekking poles to reduce the risk of injury.
The first group reached the trailhead at 3:30 p.m. and took motorbikes back to Trạm Tấu town to enjoy a hot mineral bath while waiting for the rest of the team. The entire group departed Trạm Tấu at 7 p.m. for Hanoi, concluding a memorable 2-day, 1-night Tà Chì Nhù trek.
What to Prepare Before Trekking Tà Chì Nhù:
-
Physical Fitness: Endurance is extremely important. Tà Chì Nhù has many long, steep slopes, so you should train for at least 2 weeks beforehand. Stair climbing is one of the best exercises to prepare your legs for hiking.
-
Essential Gear: Shoes, rain jacket, trekking poles, backpack, gloves, and hat. Choose shoes with deep soles and strong grip—regular sneakers may slip on wet or muddy slopes. Avoid tight shoes to prevent bruised toenails when descending. A rain jacket protects against drizzle, fog, and cold. Backpacks should have support straps, be medium-sized, and only carry essentials to save energy. Wool hats are necessary in winter; temperatures at the summit can drop to 1–5°C, and a hat covering your ears prevents cold wind from causing pain.
-
Food & Drinks: Carry at least 2 liters of water for Day 1. You can boil water at the camp or use a filter to drink from streams. Bring energy snacks, fruits, and electrolyte drinks—sweet bars, ginger tea, or electrolyte powders are recommended to replenish energy and fluids.
-
Basic Medical Supplies: Painkillers, anti-fever medicine, stomach medicine, bandages, alcohol wipes, ointments, heat pads, and cream for dry skin or chapped lips.
-
Personal Items: Bring a power bank and camera equipment to capture your trekking memories.
Conquering Tà Chì Nhù in the Purple Flower Season
In October, Tà Chì Nhù is not only a popular spot for cloud hunting but also attracts hikers with slopes blanketed in vibrant purple flowers.
Conquering Tà Chì Nhù – The Roof of Yên Bái
Standing at 2,979 meters, Tà Chì Nhù is the seventh-highest peak in Vietnam, located in Xà Hồ Commune, Trạm Tấu District. First conquered by hikers in 2013, it has been dubbed the “cloud paradise on earth.” Last year, a series of photos showcasing the purple flowers on its summit went viral on mountaineering forums, bringing fame to the area. Locals, when asked about the wild purple flowers, simply call them “chi pâu” (meaning “unknown”).
Reaching the summit requires 7–8 hours of hiking with a lunch break. Our group of 17 drove from Hanoi the previous evening, staying in Trạm Tấu town (a 5–6 hour drive). Some other groups opted to take sleeper buses to Nghĩa Lộ, then continued by car or motorbike the next morning to the trailhead about 30 km away.
After breakfast in Trạm Tấu, we drove 15 km along rough roads to the Mỏ Chì area. After coordinating with our guides and handing over equipment to the porters, everyone packed light backpacks with water and snacks to start the ascent at 8 a.m.
Due to the weekend crowd, nearly 150 hikers were on the trail, and Mỏ Chì refused passage through their factory area. All climbers had to take a detour, crossing two large streams. The short section took about an hour to traverse because of the crowd and the strong currents.
After crossing the streams, the group passed several hills before stopping for lunch. Though not very steep, the hills quickly drained energy under the hot sun with no shade.
Around 12:30 p.m., all hiking groups paused in a cool spot to eat and rest, regaining strength to tackle the steepest section of the trek – the Hai Cây slope.
The climb was tough, but the mountain and cloud scenery along this section made it worthwhile. Everyone stopped frequently to take photos and videos of the white clouds drifting along the slopes and the ancient forest bathed in the afternoon sun, which extended the trek’s duration.
After conquering the Hai Cây slope, the group passed a small bamboo forest before reaching the base camp around 4:30 p.m. From there, the summit of Tà Chì Nhù was visible, and guides said it usually takes about two hours to reach the top.
The camp, built last year to accommodate up to 120 people, was already full on our weekend climb with around 150 hikers, so some had to sleep in tents outside. According to porter Giàng A Long, the busiest period saw up to 200 visitors.
The camp consists of two wooden buildings, two relatively clean restrooms, and hot water (50,000 VND per bucket) for showers. Due to the crowd, waiting in line was necessary.
We had dinner at 7 p.m. and went to bed early to save energy for the next day, planning to wake at 5 a.m. and start the summit ascent at 6 a.m., returning the same day.
The mountain weather at night was quite cold, with strong winds and rain. When we woke up, everyone assumed the heavy rain overnight would prevent us from reaching the summit due to slippery paths and possible flooding. However, Mạnh Chiến, the trip leader, explained that it had only rained lightly—the sound on the metal roof made it seem heavier. Relieved, we quickly had breakfast and prepared to set out.
We departed at 7:30 a.m., 1.5 hours later than planned. After more than 30 minutes of hiking, the group reached slopes covered with wild purple flowers. The light rain kept the blooms from appearing as vibrant as expected, but no one missed the chance to pose and take photos beside these unique flowers that grow abundantly only in this region.
After about another hour of hiking, we reached the summit, where more than a dozen young hikers who had started earlier were already taking photos at the landmark.
According to Mạnh Chiến, Tà Chì Nhù is not only famous for its purple flowers but also offers some of the most stunning cloud and sunrise views among the mountains he has visited.
“The purple flowers can also be found on Bạch Mộc Lương Tử, but in smaller numbers, so you won’t see entire slopes in full bloom like here. From September to early October is the best time to enjoy the chi pâu flowers, while from November to March, Tà Chì Nhù becomes an ideal spot for cloud hunting,” he said.
When descending in rainy and slippery conditions, it’s important to move slowly and turn your feet sideways. This is also when many hikers experience knee, ankle, toe, and thigh strain, as body weight continuously presses on these areas. Even with good fitness, it’s recommended to wear knee and ankle supports and use trekking poles to reduce the risk of injury.
The first group reached the trailhead at 3:30 p.m. and took motorbikes back to Trạm Tấu town to enjoy a hot mineral bath while waiting for the rest of the team. The entire group departed Trạm Tấu at 7 p.m. for Hanoi, concluding a memorable 2-day, 1-night Tà Chì Nhù trek.
What to Prepare Before Trekking Tà Chì Nhù:
Physical Fitness: Endurance is extremely important. Tà Chì Nhù has many long, steep slopes, so you should train for at least 2 weeks beforehand. Stair climbing is one of the best exercises to prepare your legs for hiking.
Essential Gear: Shoes, rain jacket, trekking poles, backpack, gloves, and hat. Choose shoes with deep soles and strong grip—regular sneakers may slip on wet or muddy slopes. Avoid tight shoes to prevent bruised toenails when descending. A rain jacket protects against drizzle, fog, and cold. Backpacks should have support straps, be medium-sized, and only carry essentials to save energy. Wool hats are necessary in winter; temperatures at the summit can drop to 1–5°C, and a hat covering your ears prevents cold wind from causing pain.
Food & Drinks: Carry at least 2 liters of water for Day 1. You can boil water at the camp or use a filter to drink from streams. Bring energy snacks, fruits, and electrolyte drinks—sweet bars, ginger tea, or electrolyte powders are recommended to replenish energy and fluids.
Basic Medical Supplies: Painkillers, anti-fever medicine, stomach medicine, bandages, alcohol wipes, ointments, heat pads, and cream for dry skin or chapped lips.
Personal Items: Bring a power bank and camera equipment to capture your trekking memories.