On the roads of clouds and rice in Y Ty

Located in Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province, close to the Vietnam - China border, Y Ty is deep in the mountains at an altitude of 2,000 meters, leaning to Nhi Co San range where clouds cover all year round. In that peaceful valley is the scenery of a deep valley, where clouds, mountains, old forests, terraced fields and rammed earth houses, colorful skirts weave a beautiful natural picture in the fresh, pleasant air.

There are two roads to Y Ty for you to choose from and you can go by motorbike or car. You can rent a car from Lao Cai to drive, leisurely enjoy the scenery, and stop wherever you like. The longest route goes from Lao Cai through Trinh Tuong, along the Red River to Lung Po, where the Red River flows into Vietnam, then through mountains, forests, through the villages of A Mu Sung and A Lu to reach Y Ty. Another shorter route goes from Sa Pa to Muong Hum temple, through Den Sang and then to Y Ty. The distance is only over 70 km but there are many beautiful landscapes on both sides of the road, making you often have to jump off the car.

After a long journey of practicing your arms and buttocks, Y Ty appears under the golden sunlight. The town has only a few dozen houses, located on high ground, surrounded by terraced fields in the sparkling water pouring season. In the distance, under the bends is the road to Hong Ngai, the most remote village in Lao Cai province. Finding accommodation in Y Ty is not difficult because the locals here have had homestay services for many years, sleeping in stilt houses with a simple mattress, a warm blanket and shared toilets.

The ideal way to come to Y Ty is to be here on Saturday morning to participate in the colorful market of the Ha Nhi and Mong women. The market is not as crowded and colorful as Bac Ha market, but attractive enough for anyone. The products brought on the basket to the market are home-grown agricultural products and handmade brocade pieces. The market ends at noon, now you can drive down to visit Lao Chai 1 and Lao Chai 2 villages, where there are beautiful Trinh Tuong houses (special houses of ethnic people ) considered the most beautiful in Lao Cai. The rammed earth houses are made of rammed earth with walls up to 40 cm thick, helping to keep the houses warm in winter and cool in summer. These typical houses help ethnic people cope with the harsh weather of this highland region.

After dinner and a good night's sleep in the cool air, wake up early in the morning and breathe in the fresh air. And if you're lucky, you'll find yourself standing in a fairyland when the entire valley is covered by clouds. White fluffy clouds under the deep blue sky embrace the entire valley. The sun's rays reflect the sparkling seven-color rainbow. The clouds are below your feet and you can touch them.

A 2-day trip to Y Ty is just enough to not go too fast, to rest, and not lose any extra days off. When you get here, prepare some food to eat on the road in case you get hungry before reaching your destination and bring warm clothes to wear at night.

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Illustrations from various sources