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Moc Chau Plateau is a destination of cool temperature, 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 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. Our Moc Chau Vietnam travel guide will show you everything there is to know to make a perfect Moc Chau trip where you can enjoy both nature beauties and culture charms of the land.

Best time to visit

During spring, Moc Chau boasts a lush, poetic beauty when the plum and peach flowers bloom all over on the green hills. Come to the villages of Thai, Hmong, Dao minorities for such sights. In summer, pine forest in Ang village offers shades for picnics while Dai Yem waterfall is its finest beauty. Come to a tea plantation for a refreshing taste of the most famous Vietnamese tea. In autumn, Moc Chau changes for its most important fair market and festivals - “Love Market”, “Independence Day” and “Het Cha” festival. It would be a wonderful experience if you can join the joyous, festive and lively atmosphere of the people here.

  • January – February: peach blossom and damson flower season
  • March: ban flower season
  • April: tea field harvesting season
  • April to August: peach and damson fruit season
  • September: Tet Doc Lap – the biggest holiday and cultural festival of Moc Chau people 
  • October to February: kale flower, da quy flower season (peak on November)

Independence Day Celebrating of H’ Mong people

Since year 1945, H’Mong people in Moc Chau, Son La have developed a new festival – the Independence Day Celebration which is to be held in 1st of September every year. Thousands of thousands people from many ethnic minorities in north Vietnam and some from Laos come and gather in Moc Chau to celebrate this glory day of Vietnamese history. September 1st is also the day of an annual love market in Moc Chau where girls and boys meet wearing their best costumes and sing their songs. Foods and all kinds of goods are displayed in the market. If you are planning to visit Moc Chau on September, you should not miss such an event!

Praying-for-rain festival of Thai people

This is the most important festival of Thai people in Moc Chau. In 15th century, the festival was popular then lost until 2011 by when it was restored. The festival is held on 15th of February of Lunar Calendar annually to wish for a new bumper. Thai people prepare very carefully for this important day and one thing that can’t be missed is the Neu tree which is believed to send the messages of the people to the gods above. An altar full of fine foods and votive is made and put out in the outside. A shaman will use a bamboo leave to splash water on everyone symbolizing that the gods shall give rain to the people.

Check the below table for the general idea of Moc Chau weather throughout the year.

Month Avg. High (°C) Avg. Mean (°C) Avg. Low (°C)
Jan 20.2 14.7 10.3
Feb 23.9 17.6 12.3
Mar 27.2 20.9 15.8
Apr 29.2 23.6 18.8
May 30.9 25.6 21.3
Jun 30.3 25.8 22.4
Jul 29.8 25.4 22.4
Aug 29.9 25.3 22
Sep 29.6 24.7 21
Oct 27.5 22.4 18.3
Nov 24.8 19.3 14.8
Dec 21.3 15.8 11.6

Moc Chau’s current weather and 7-day forecast

MỘC CHÂU WEATHER

Mộc Châu 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. Mộc Châu 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.

Here are top things to do in Moc Chau:

Thung Cuong Village

Thung Cuong (Thong Cuong) is a H’mong village located between Dong Sang commune in Moc Chau district and Xuan Nha commune in Van Ho district. You must traverse a vast valley covered with white mustard flowers on your way to Thung Cuong Village. This is one of the favorited wedding photography spots of young couples.

Pa Phach Village

Located on Highway 6, Pa Phach Village is five kilometers away from Moc Chau town. Pa Phach is the home of the Thai and H’Mong people. The local people grow white mustard flowers to sell the seeds which are used to make oil. Therefore, big white mustard flower fields cover the entire village. In particular, the village is full of thick fog in the evening. When spring comes, the plum blossoms replace the white mustard flower and make the village beautiful in a different way. 

Ban Ang Pine Forest

Ban Ang Pine Forest is located in Dong Sang commune, Moc Chau district, Son La province. From Moc Chau town, follow Highway 43 for two kilometers to get there. Ban Ang has a natural lake with an area of five hectares surrounded by green pine forests planted on reddish brown ferralsol hills. In the distance, the scenery of Moc Chau plateau with the tea hills and colorful flowers is romantic and stunning.

Ban Ang is home to the Thai people who live mainly on farming, livestock breeding, and handicraft. In Ban Ang village, you will have the opportunity to experience daily life with the villagers such as staying in the stilt houses, picking the tea on the hill, fishing in the stream, and eating local dishes. 

Moc Chau Happy Land

Moc Chau Happy Land is a tourist area located in Lung village, Muong Sang commune. It is built on five hectares of land with many beautiful spots for photography such as the heart-shaped garden, windmill, colorful flower garden, and more. This place also has accommodation and food services for visitors to rest and enjoy the peaceful life in Moc Chau.

Dai Yem Waterfall

Located in Muong Sang commune, Moc Chau district, Dai Yem Waterfall is the most beautiful from April to September. A big amount of water pours into the waterfall in the rainy season, making the scenery majestic and poetic with the white color of frothing water. The waterfall consists of two parts. The upper waterfall is 70 meters wide and there is a distance of 270 meters between the upper and lower waterfall. The vegetation on the top of the waterfall is rich and beautiful. 

Son Moc Huong Cave

Son Moc Huong Cave is also known as Hang Doi, Bat Cave in English. Located to the north-east of Moc Chau town with an area of 6,915 square meters, the cave is remarkable with strange stalactites and a twisty pathway leading to it. From Highway 6, you have to climb 240 steps to reach the cave. 

Ngu Dong Ban On

Ngu Dong is deep in the canyons of On Village and quite insulated from the outside. It consists of four main caves perched on a hill and an independent cave on the next hill. These five caves are often compared to the theory of China’s five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The stalactites have formed crystals over thousands of years which has contributed to many unique shapes. The third cave is the most extensive and the only one equipped with an electrical system, but this system is only used during holidays. Therefore, you need to have a flashlight when exploring the cave.

Heart-shaped Tea Hill – Doi Che Trai Tim

Tan Lap commune is famous for the most beautiful tea hills in Moc Chau. These green tea hills are likely unlike anything you have seen before. The most beautiful tea hill in Tan Lap is Doi Che Trai Tim, also known as Doi Che Moc Suong. Many couples choose this place to take their wedding photos and record their happiest moments. Besides tea hills, there are plum blossoms and yellow mustard flower gardens in the commune. 

Pha Luong Peak

At an altitude of over 2,000 meters, Pha Luong is thought to be the roof of Moc Chau Pha Luong. It is also known as Bo Lung, meaning big mountain in the Thai language. It is located in the east of Tan Xuan Commune, in the border area of Vietnam and Laos. At the peak, there is a flat area of about 10 hectares which is suitable for camping or group activities. However, camping activities are not allowed overnight due to safety. If you want to go trekking to Pha Luong Peak, you need to ask permission from the border guard station and be accompanied by a local. The local authorities will also only allow you one day of trekking.

Dairy Farm – Trang Trai Bo Sua

Dairy cows in Moc Chau are unique. Naturally bred, you will see these cows roaming the landscapes, not confined to cages. At this dairy farm, you can explore the large farms with thousands of healthy cows lined up in beautiful rows. You can even visit and feed the cows, witness the milking process, and even do the milking with your own hands.
Moc Chau Tropical Flower Garden – Vuon Hoa Nhiet Doi Moc Chau

With an area of over 12 hectares, the tropical flower garden is located in Bua village, Dong Sang commune, Moc Chau district. The flower garden has been expanded and diversified. You can see how the local people grow and take care of flowers in this area. Let’s visit the flower garden to observe and enjoy the peaceful time in this flower paradise.

A place to stop by overnight is essential to anyone traveling. Being a mountainous itself, Moc Chau still caters for tourists adequately as of accommodation. Below is a list of recommended spots.

Bo House

Good news for vintage fans, you will get to experience your paradise her in Bo House amidst the pristine scenario of nature. This antique accommodation comes with everything at hand from the shared kitchen to the laundry area. Comes with a variety of room types such as single, double or triple rooms, travelers will have no qualms regarding their stay.

Address: Xóm 2 Tiểu khu cơ quan, Phiêng Luông, Mộc Châu, Sơn La

Phone: 097 585 89 89

Nha Ta Homestay

Located in downtown Moc Chau, the mountain-inspired wooden houses provide tenants with the most pristine but still luxurious stay.

Address: Trần Huy Liệu, TT. Mộc Châu, Mộc Châu, Sơn La

Phone: 097 822 72 38

Moc Chau Arena Village

Sitting on the greenery of a hill, Moc Chau Arena Village is a cluster of rooms built on gigantic containers, boosted by unbeatable amenities. Each container has its own color such as white, pink, yellow, thus creating a youthful vibe. All containers facing toward plum gardens and tea hill is a huge bonus that always satisfies even the most difficult guests.

Address: Phiêng Luông, Mộc Châu District, Sơn La

Phone: +84 97 162 26 07

1. Deep-fry Calf – Be Chao Moc Chau

Deep-fry calf is made of calves just born a week ago. Using deep-fry calf with some vegetable and a little soy source will make you hard to forget the wonderful taste of it. The price of deep-fry calf is average VND 150,000 per dish.

Where to eat deep-fry calf

***QUAN 70 – NAM HUNG RESTAURANT

Address: Moc Chau town, Moc Chau district, Son La province

Tel: (+84) 212-376-9558

***QUAN 181 – XUAN BAC RESTAURANT

Address: Moc Chau town, Moc Chau district, Son La province

Tel: (+84) 223-669-466

***DONG HAI RESTAURANT

Address: Moc Chau town, Moc Chau district, Son La province

Tel: (+84) 163-682-8666

2. Cow milk – Sua bo Moc Chau

Apart from tea, cow milk is also a famous dairy product of Moc Chau. Nowadays cow milk which is produced in Moc Chau is being sold all over Vietnam and even exported to other countries. However, trying the fresh milk immediately in Moc Chau is still much more delicious. You can buy fresh milk in every farm in which raising cow or buy directly through the company.

Where to buy Cow milk

***MOC CHAU JOINT STOCK COMPANY

Address: Moc Chau town, Moc Chau district, Son La province

Tel: (+84) 243-736-8114

3. Buffalo smoked-meat – Thit trau gac bep Moc Chau

Buffalo smoked-meat is the way ancient people use to preserve the meat to prevent it from becoming stale. Nowadays buffalo smoked-meat becomes one of the most popular local food in Moc Chau. Buffalo-smoked meat is made by mixing the meat with pepper, chili, and ginger and placing above the fire. 

Some reliable contact to buy buffalo smoked-meat:

***MRS. LAN

Address: Moc Chau town, Moc Chau district, Son La province

Mobiles: (+84) 941-211-486

Price: VND 750,000 /kg

***LAN DUC GROCERY STORE

Address: 19/8 Moc Chau town, Moc Chau district, Son La province

Mobiles: (+84) 974-699-734

Price: VND 700,000 /kg

4. Corn Alcohol – Ruou Ngo Moc Chau

Corn is raised in the rock mountain, harvested after four months then distilled to become wine. The corn alcohol Moc Chau is average 36o with corn flavor. Using corn alcohol with other local food as deep-fry calf and buffalo smoked-meat will increase the flavor and also the taste of the dishes. 

Here is a recommended place to buy corn alcohol:

***THAO NGUYEN FARM

Address: 168 Le Thanh Nghi, Moc Chau town, Moc Chau district, Son La province

Tel: 0923 983 555

5. Salmon – Ca hoi Moc Chau

Salmon has been raised in Moc Chau for many years and now becoming one of the must-try dishes when arriving in Moc Chau. The price of this dish is around VND 250,000/kg The fresh salmon here costs VND 250,000 /kg. In Moc Chau, there is only a restaurant which serves salmon is in the Peach Garden, a restaurant of mr.Tu. Just VND 200,000 per person, a traveler can taste 6 types of a dish made of salmon.

Where to eat:

***CHIENG DI RESTAURANT

Address: AH13, Phieng Luong, Moc Chau district, Son La province

Tel: (+84) 919-155-181

How to get to Moc Chau from Hanoi

About 200km from Hanoi and more than 100km from downtown Son La, now you can only move to Moc Chau by road.
Located on Highway 6 to some North West provinces. You can use the public transport route through this area. The bus lines from Hanoi to Son La or from Hanoi to Dien Bien will go through this destination. However, because these vehicles usually depart from Hanoi around 19-20h, so time to Moc Chau. At night, if you go this way you remember to choose the hotel or motel in Moc Chau near Highway 6. It’s will be easier for you to find when you arrive.

If you arrange the day bus, from My Dinh bus station will have a bus to go directly Moc Chau around 12 noon. You can contact Tuan Huyen Bus for more information (0212) 3867478 – (0212) 3668558 – 0947 867478 – 0986 373999

We recommend you check the latest bus schedule and price via rome2rio.com

Get around

To explore the different corners between mountains and forest, villages and valleys, a motorbike or a bicycle is a nice way and quite thinkable in Son La and especially in Moc Chau, its main attraction. It is, therefore, in Moc Chau that you can easily find a motorbike or a bicycle at your hotel and in nearby points.

Contact us to get more information

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