Located nearly 200 kilometers from central Hanoi and about a four-hour drive away, Moc Chau has long been regarded as one of the most attractive destinations in northern Vietnam, especially during the plum blossom season at the beginning of the year.

If you want to capture beautiful photos, be sure to visit Moc Chau at the peak of its most beautiful season.

What is the most season in Moc Chau

Moc Chau experiences all four seasons – spring, summer, autumn, and winter – with a mild climate and flowers and fruits throughout the year. In January, the plateau is covered in green tea hills bursting with new buds, along with peach blossoms, plum blossoms, apricot blossoms, and wild cherry blossoms.

From mid-May, plums begin to ripen in abundance. This is the harvest season, when local farmers collect plums and sell them to traders from the lowland areas. Summer is not the season for flowers or strawberries, but it is still an ideal time for picnics thanks to the fresh air and a wide range of outdoor activities.

The persimmon season in Moc Chau lasts from August to December each year. Crisp persimmons appear earlier, from August to October, while astringent persimmons are in season from October until the end of the year.

The white mustard flower season in Moc Chau begins in November. By December, bright yellow wild sunflowers bloom across the plateau, adding vivid color to the landscape.

Where to take beautiful photos

1. Ang Village Pine Forest

Located in Ang Village, Dong Sang Commune, Moc Chau District, Son La Province, Ang Village Pine Forest lies about 2 km from the center of Moc Chau town along National Highway 43. Covering a total area of more than 43 hectares, the site features towering green pine forests stretching across reddish-brown hillsides, alongside a refreshingly cool lake. Thanks to this harmonious natural landscape, it has become a new and increasingly popular camping destination in northern Vietnam.

2. Mu Nau Plum Valley

In early May, Mu Nau plums are already quite large and evenly ripe, unlike some plum orchards in Na Ka or Phieng Khoang where the fruit may still be green. As the road to Mu Nau is difficult to navigate, it is recommended to choose a manual motorbike rather than an automatic scooter. If you happen to rent a low-powered bike, you should travel alone on one bike. For those who are not confident riders, hiring a round-trip motorbike taxi is a safer option.

When entering the orchard, visitors are free to walk around, pick plums, and take photos; however, picking unripe plums just for play is discouraged.

• Motorbike taxi: 120,000 VND per person.
• Entrance fee: 20,000 VND per person.

3. Sunflower Garden

This is a new check-in spot in Moc Chau, located deep within a valley. As there are no direction signs yet, it can be quite difficult to find. If you start from the town center and travel along National Highway 6 toward Son La, once you pass the Km 106 marker, you will see an uphill slope. This is the entrance road leading into the flower valley.

In the early days of May, the flowers are just beginning to bloom. However, within about a week, the flowers will be in full bloom, turning the valley into a stunning spot for photography.

Entrance fee: 30,000 VND per person.

4. Moc Chau Tea Hill

The entire town of Moc Chau is surrounded by lush green tea hills. Moc Chau Tea Farm, located just about 7 km from the district center, is home to endless emerald tea plantations and vast grasslands stretching as far as the eye can see.

Another popular attraction is the S-shaped tea hill and the heart-shaped tea hill along the road leading to Ngu Dong Ban On, approximately 15 km from Moc Chau Tea Farm town.

5. Chieng Khoa Waterfall

To reach the waterfall, you will follow a dirt path and then continue down a very steep staircase near a nearby water pumping station. After descending about 200 steps, you will see staff collecting an environmental sanitation fee before entering the waterfall area for sightseeing and photography.

Local residents also offer rafts for rent so visitors can take photos or have fun on the water instead of only taking pictures from the shore. Female visitors may choose boho-style outfits, maxi dresses combined with accessories to capture beautiful photos at the waterfall. However, the path leading down to the waterfall is extremely steep, so you should avoid wearing high heels and plan to go early in the morning to avoid the midday heat.

• Environmental sanitation fee: 10,000 VND per person.
• Parking fee: 10,000 VND per vehicle.
• Raft rental: 30,000 VND per person; photo-only rental: 10,000 VND per person.

6. Fairy Waterfall

Fairy Waterfall features three tiers, each with its own distinct character. The first tier offers a gentle and tranquil landscape, with a natural pool about waist-deep for adults, making it suitable for swimming. To reach the second tier, visitors must walk upstream against the flow of water. Although the path can be challenging, the reward is a stunning view and unique photo opportunities, with the waterfall cascading into an emerald-green pool.

The pools at the second and third tiers are quite deep, and the rocks are often covered with moss, making them slippery. Visitors should therefore be extremely cautious when moving around these areas. The estimated height from the base of the waterfall to the third tier is about 150 meters.

From the center of Moc Chau town, travelers follow National Highway 43 for approximately 25 kilometers. Upon reaching a junction with a sign indicating Fairy Waterfall (2 km), turn right and continue straight to reach the site. Continuing along this same route for another 2 kilometers will lead to Chieng Khoa Waterfall.

The best time to visit Fairy Waterfall is from March to May, when the weather transitions from spring to summer. The entrance fee is 20,000 VND per person. Motorbike parking costs 5,000 VND per vehicle, while car parking is 20,000 VND per vehicle. In addition to sightseeing and photography, visitors can check in and take photos with a wooden raft at the third tier, with a rental fee of 10,000 VND per person.

7. Pha Luong peak

Located about 30 kilometers from Moc Chau town, Pha Luong Peak is often described as the “roof of Moc Chau,” lying along the border between Vietnam and Laos. From the Pha Luong Border Guard Station at the foot of the mountain, it takes approximately 3–4 hours of hiking to reach the summit. Pha Luong rises to an altitude of over 2,000 meters above sea level.

The journey to conquer Pha Luong is quite challenging, requiring strong endurance and determination from true adventure seekers. Standing at the precarious summit, visitors can fully appreciate the breathtaking beauty of drifting clouds and vast open skies swept by mountain winds.