Following the roads to the top of the hill
Wide grasslands, airy landscapes and fresh air have made Dong Cao plateau a familiar destination for those who love camping and cloud hunting. During a 2-day 1-night trip, Vi Phuong (Hanoi) and a group of friends came here to enjoy time amidst nature, watch the sunset on the hill and wait for the poetic sea of clouds the next morning.
To not miss the most beautiful moments of the day, the group departed from Hanoi early in the morning. After many hours of moving through mountain roads, everyone rested for a moment before continuing their journey to the top of the hill in the afternoon.
At about 4 pm, when the afternoon sun began to soften, Phuong's group continued their journey towards the camping area on the hilltop. The road to Dong Cao is currently quite convenient, but many tourists still choose motorbikes to fully feel the beauty of the journey. From the winding curves along the mountainside, the scenery gradually opens up with the green of the forest, valleys faintly visible in the distance and the vast sky beyond the reach of the eyes.
The higher you go, the cooler the atmosphere becomes. When Dong Cao appears before your eyes, many people cannot help but be surprised by the spaciousness of the high hills. The rows of grass stretch, the natural stone blocks scattered on the hillside and in the distance, the faint mountain ranges create a scene that is both pristine and peaceful. The wind blows strongly on the hilltop, bringing a rare feeling of relaxation after many hours of moving.
Tents and belongings have been prepared by services from local people. When the sun slowly fades behind the distant mountains, late afternoon sunlight covers the grass slopes with a layer of honey color. Groups of tourists gather around the tents, some light stoves, some make tea, some take the opportunity to capture beautiful sunset moments.
In the distance, horses leisurely graze on the hillside, occasionally not afraid of people but passing by the campsite. In the gentle orange color of the late afternoon, that scene has a peaceful look like a highland painting. Many tourists choose to sit for a long time on large stone slabs, quietly watching the sky gradually turn from golden to dark purple before night falls on the Dong Cao plateau.
Dawn on the sea of clouds
When night falls, Dong Cao enters the most favorite time of day for many tourists. Far from city lights, the sky on the hilltop appears with countless stars. In the sound of the wind blowing evenly on the grass, many people gather around tents, chatting with friends or simply admiring the night sky amidst the quiet space of the mountains and forests.
Nights on Dong Cao are cool, completely different from the hot, suffocating summer air in the city. For many tourists, the feeling of sleeping in nature, listening to the wind instead of the sound of cars is one of the most memorable experiences of the trip.
Early the next morning, when the sky had not yet dawned, many people woke up to hunt for clouds and wait for the moment of dawn. This is also the time when white clouds appear most clearly, covering the valleys below, creating a floating scene like sea waves.
As the sun gradually rises towards the horizon, the first rays of sunlight penetrate through the thin mist, dyeing the hillsides yellow and reflecting on the sea of drifting clouds. Looking down from above, the whole space seems to be covered by a layer of soft white clouds, stretching to the distant mountain ranges. For those who love photography, the harmony between early morning sunshine, clouds and mountain scenery creates countless impressive viewing angles.
After hunting clouds, many tourists choose to sit and sip a cup of coffee in the fresh air or continue to explore the villages at the foot of the mountain before returning.
For Vi Phuong, what remains after the trip is not beautiful photos or the feeling of conquering a famous destination, but the rare peace amidst nature.
What I like most is the feeling of slowing down. There are not too many entertainment activities here, but the simplicity and original nature make everything more special," she shared.
Leaving Dong Cao when the early morning sun has covered the hillsides, many tourists still carry the feeling of nostalgia for a night in the windy hills, the starry sky and the moment of dawn on the sea of clouds. Those seemingly simple experiences are enough to make people remember forever, wanting to return in the nearest day.
Dong Cao plateau is located in Phuc Son commune, Bac Ninh province, about 160km northeast of Hanoi. With an altitude of nearly 1,000m above sea level, this place has long been known as one of the famous camping and cloud hunting spots in the Northern region. Not having many large-scale tourism projects or entertainment services, Dong Cao attracts tourists with the pristine beauty of mountains and hills and a rare spacious space.
