With its spectacular flowers and watercolor scenery, it’s easy to see why tourists are flocking to this delightful little town.

Strolling around West Lake in Hanoi this morning, I spotted some tiny white peach blossoms. The little buds, quietly catching the sunlight, reminded me of the charming mountainous town of Moc Chau in Son La provinceduring the early spring season.

Located 200 km from Hanoi, Moc Chau town is 1,000 meters above sea level, and has a wonderfully temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Famous for its beautiful landscapes, tea plantation and dairy farming, Moc Chau has quickly become an attractive tourist destination. The town is also well-known for its hospitality and savory inexpensive specialties like milk cake, yogurt, taro and tea, just to name a few.

The local mountains slope gently creating rolling hills and valleys. Flowers bloom brilliantly while plants and trees burst in all shades of green. Herbs grow wild alongside golden flowers which compete for every ray of sunlight. The winter season brings the first glimpse of the beautiful peach blossoms.

Arriving in Moc Chau in the spring, peach and plum blossoms are out in full, creating magnificent photo opportunities. Behind the blossoms, the villages of Mong, Dao, Kho Mu, and Xinh Mun peoples can be seen. At this time of year, the rice has already been harvested leaving behind yellow fields of dry vegetation. Smoke from the communal houses’ chimneys drifts out slowly making a soft haze on the horizon. 

In the sunny morning, clothes are hung outside to dry in the sun while the local women set to work making colorful brocade – a type of woven fabric. Nearby, young children dressed in vibrant clothes teach each other to ride bikes, their cheeks turning rosy. A group of lively young girls push each other on a set of swings, gossiping and laughing. Elsewhere, cows can be seen grazing leisurely on grass.

Moc Chau is indeed a charming place full of character and natural beauty. It’s also a great opportunity to see how local villagers live while taking in the exquisite splendor of the surrounding vegetation.

Reported by Phuong Lan

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