At 6 a.m. on Sunday (October 13), Thua Hoa from Hanoi and his group of friends arrived at Ta Chi Nhu, which stands at an elevation of 2,979 meters above sea level. They were surprised to find many people already there.

"After weeks of postponing due to the effects of super typhoon Yagi, we finally went on a weekend trip, only to find that the number of visitors climbing Ta Chi Nhu was overwhelming, around several hundred people. As soon as one group came down, another went up," shared Thua Hoa.

The young man explained that when his group reached the summit, the entire area was covered in dense fog. After the journey from the 2,400-meter rest stop, they were exhausted and a bit disappointed by the lack of a visible sea of clouds.

However, just 30 minutes later, the sun began to rise, and as its rays broke through, the fog quickly dissipated, revealing an awe-inspiring sight.

"Everyone was in awe as they witnessed the stunning interaction between the weather phenomena. The sun peeked through, the fog gradually faded, and a rolling sea of clouds appeared," Thua Hoa added.

"Everyone hurried to find the perfect angle to capture this magical moment atop Ta Chi Nhu."

For his first climb to Ta Chi Nhu, Thua Hoa and his friends chose the route from Tram Tau and descended via Nam Nghiep. This is the most popular path, considered easier than other routes, and is manageable for most visitors, even those not typically into sports.

At 8:45 a.m. on October 12, the group began their self-guided hike from Tram Tau, stopping for lunch at 11:45 a.m. They then hiked for two more hours to the 2,400-meter rest stop, where they spent the night.

Early the next morning, the group set out again at nearly 4 a.m. and reached the summit of Ta Chi Nhu by 6 a.m. They spent about an hour taking in the view, checking in, and cloud hunting before descending via the Nam Nghiep route.

Thua Hoa said that although the trek from the rest stop to the summit was foggy, the climbers used flashlights to locate those ahead of them. They were rewarded with a surreal sunrise view upon reaching the top.

Ta Chi Nhu is the highest peak in Tram Tau district, Yen Bai province, and the sixth-highest mountain in Vietnam, located in the Pu Luong massif of the Hoang Lien Son range.

Nicknamed the "roof of Yen Bai," this peak attracts large numbers of mountaineers annually who come for trekking, cloud hunting, and admiring the bloom of chi pau flowers (also known as dragon grass).

The best time to conquer Ta Chi Nhu is from September to April.

Thua Hoa advises future climbers to monitor the weather before their trip and only set out on clear days.

Hikers should prepare properly by packing suitable clothing, including windbreakers and lightweight jackets, as temperatures can fluctuate significantly between day and night. At the rest stop, the nighttime temperature can drop to 13-14 degrees Celsius.

Additionally, if it’s your first-time hiking, it's recommended to build up endurance by walking a few kilometers or using stairs daily to improve stamina.

To avoid the crowds during peak season, climbers can tackle Ta Chi Nhu on weekdays.

Moreover, even if you're traveling with a group, hiring a local porter is recommended. These porters know every incline by heart and can guide you to the best photo spots, ensuring a safe and enjoyable trip.

"You should choose bright-colored outfits such as red, yellow, or blue and bring a standard-sized Vietnamese flag to capture the best check-in photos at the Ta Chi Nhu summit marker," Thua Hoa suggested.

Thao Trinh