Moc Chau, which is home to the world's longest glass bridge in the mountainous province of Son La, was crowned as 'Asia's Leading Regional Nature Destination' and ‘Vietnam’s Leading Regional Nature Destination' for the second consecutive time.

Last year, Moc Chau was also named the World's Leading Regional Nature Destination.

The WTA was launched back in 1993 to acknowledge excellence in the travel and tourism industry. The annual event has been dubbed the ‘Oscars’ of global tourism.

This destinaiton represents the gateway to the northwest and is the stopover for inter-regional tours such as Hanoi - Son La - Dien Bien Phu - Sa Pa - Lao Cai, transnational tourism routes such as Hanoi - Son La - Luang Prabang of Laos – Thailand, and Son La - Lai Chau - Yunnan of China.

The average local temperature is 20 degrees Celsius. In the winter, from Pha Luong and Mt Van Ho, visitors are able to view the beautiful 50,000-ha plateau through a thick fog.

The site typically charms tourists with many beautiful and unique natural landscapes such as majestic Mt Pha Luong, poetic Dai Yem Waterfalls, and Doi Cave with its magnificent natural stalactite system.

Meanwhile, Cuc Phuong National Park, a scenic tourist destination located in the northern province of Ninh Binh, was named ‘Asia’s Leading National Park’ by the World Travel Awards for the fifth consecutive year.

Situated 120 kilometers from Hanoi, Cuc Phuong is the country’s first national park and founded on July 7, 1962.

Covering an area spanning 22,000 hectares of land in 14 communes of four districts under the three provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, and Thanh Hoa, the national park boasts enchanting scenery and offers a stunning range of biodiversity.

According to surveys, Cuc Phuong boasts 2,234 floral species of 931 genera and 231 families. Included in these are 430 species of medicinal plants and 229 species of edible plants, with 57 species being listed in the Vietnam Red Book of Endangered Species and also in the IUCN Red Book.

Moc Chau

Vietnam is synonymous with two colors: the red of the flag, and the green of its lands. From the emerald waters of Halong to the verdant rice paddies of SaPa, visitors are struck by scenes so green, they look almost too beautiful to be true. This is indeed the case in one area that’s less on the tourist map than others – Moc Chau, the mountainous area 200 km from Hanoi, dubbed “the green pearl” of the Northwest.

Photo: Pham Duc Anh

Moc Chau Plateau is a destination of cool temperatures, tea hills, and ethnic villages. On a height of 1000m above sea level, Moc Chau pleases its visitors with its average temperature of 20 Celsius degree even in the middle of summer heat. As the capital of Son La, Moc Chau lies 200km away from Hanoi, making itself the best choice for a weekend escape from hustling, busy cities.

Moc Chau offers you a world of intense tranquility and breathtaking nature. It is therefore not surprising that many groups of young Vietnamese travel to this place during the weekend or during their holidays to escape the hectic city life. Moc Chau is known for its bright green tea plantations, which you can find on every hill. Newlywed Vietnamese wedding couples often travel to this area to have their wedding photos taken here in one of the countless flower fields.

Photo: Vinpearl

One of the highlights that you can do is visit the tea plantations in Moc Chau. Tea plantations can be seen almost immediately upon arrival in the city from the east. Some large tea plantations can be found in Chi Lon Village, Doi Che Trai Tim, about 20 km north of the town. There is an excellent vantage point and here you can find the heart-shaped tea hill. Many couples come here to take wedding photos. More of the famous tea plantations in Moc Chau can be found in the Dai-loan area and the Tan-Lap area. Search for “Doi Che Tra Tim”.

Cuc Phuong National Park

Established in 1962, Cuc Phuong is the oldest national park in Vietnam. Located only 120km southwest of Hanoi and nestled between the provinces of Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh and Thanh Hoa, Cuc Phuong boasts an engaging cultural and wildlife heritage and enchanting scenery. Magnificent Limestone Mountains rise up majestically from the green rice terraces and traditional stilt houses of the Muong hill tribe.

Covered in a dense forest, this landscape forms the habitat for some of Asia's rarest animal and plant species. It is no wonder that researchers, naturalists, enthusiasts, and conservationists alike are drawn to this corner of the world.

The ancient forest harbors over 2234 vascular and non-vascular plants, 122 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 135 species of mammals, including the Clouded Leopard, Delacour's Langur, Owston's Civet, and Asian Black Bear. There are also an incredible 336 documented bird species. Visitors in April and May should be blessed with the chance to see literally thousands of vibrant butterflies.

Located on 2 limestone mountain ranges, the landscape of Cuc Phuong contains a wonderfully rich ecosystem. The rocky outcrops of Cuc Phuong form the site of valuable pale ontological and anthropological vestiges, including a fossilized sea reptile dated 200 - 230 million years old, while the remains of prehistoric people who lived in the forest some 7500 years ago are also to be found in the numerous mountain caves.

Photo: Culture Pham Travel

In earlier times, Cuc Phuong was home to the Muong minority people and to this day a few scattered villages around the park's periphery still house these interesting people and their unique culture. If you visit these communities you can still see their traditional stilt houses, waterwheels, bamboo rafts, and brocade looms.

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