Sa Pa, Nghe An
Muong Long is a border highland commune of Nghe An, located at an altitude of over 1,500m above sea level, on the slope of the majestic Truong Son range, near the Vietnam - Laos border. This special location has created a cool climate for Muong Long all year round, with an average temperature below 25°C; fog often appears in the early morning and late afternoon. According to folk explanations, the name "Muong Long" originates from the Thai language, meaning "lost".
In the past, when roads were not yet developed, the terrain of high mountains, dense forests and thick fog made strangers very easy to get lost if they were not familiar with the area. That simple name not only reflects harsh natural conditions but also evokes the mystery and attraction of the land located in the middle of the clouds.
The road leading to the Heaven Gate of Muong Long today is more convenient, but still winds windingly between mountains and forests. On both sides of the road are ancient trees, corn fields, and cabbage fields of local people. In spring, the pink color of peach blossoms, the pure white color of plum blossoms blooming on the mountainsides, dotted with the green background of the old forest, creating a scene that is both majestic and poetic.
Unlike crowded tourist destinations, spring in Muong Long has a very unique rhythm. Early in the morning, clouds overflow the village, covering the walkways. When the sun rises, the fog gradually dissipates, revealing wooden roofs faintly visible in the valley. In the afternoon, the whole space is again submerged in a lingering, peaceful and quiet fog.
The people here, mainly Mong and Thai people, celebrate Tet in a simple but warm atmosphere. In the last days of the year, women in the village are busy embroidering brocade, preparing new clothes; men repair houses, taking care of fields. Young children play happily under the peach and plum trees that are blooming, creating a vivid and peaceful spring picture.
Tourists come to Muong Long this time not only to hunt clouds, take photos but also to feel a different spring - no brilliant fireworks, no bustling sounds, only the sound of wind blowing through the forest, the sound of footsteps on the dirt path and the warmth from the fire every afternoon.
Muong Long Heaven Gate is considered the highest point on the road to the commune, where visitors can take a panoramic view of the entire valley and mountains and forests in the distance. On beautiful days, standing here, a sea of floating clouds stretches out, rolling up at the foot of the mountain, creating the feeling of standing on the border between earth and sky.
That special scenery has made Muong Long Heaven Gate a favorite check-in point for young people and those who are passionate about experiential tourism. However, what makes the sustainable attraction of this place lies not only in its beauty, but also in its pristineness, not being overly commercialized.
In recent years, Muong Long has begun to form ecotourism and community tourism models such as Muong Long Village, Muong Long Eco Garden. These accommodation points are built in a direction that harmonizes with nature, limits concretization, and creates space for tourists to live slowly and immerse themselves in the local rhythm of life.
Precious gift of the mountains and forests
Amidst the brilliant spring colors of peach blossoms and plum blossoms, Muong Long brocade appears as a unique cultural color. The brocade embroidery profession of the Mong people in Muong Long 1 village has a long history, closely associated with the spiritual life and beliefs of the people.
Previously, brocade was mainly embroidered to sew traditional costumes, used in holidays, weddings, and funerals. Each pattern, each thread has its own meaning, reflecting the concepts of the universe, nature and people of the Mong people. Bright colors such as red, blue, and yellow are harmoniously combined, creating a beauty that is both strong and sophisticated.
For more than a decade now, along with the development of community tourism, Muong Long brocade has gradually become a commodity product. From scarves, bags, dresses to souvenirs, brocade not only carries aesthetic value but also contributes to creating stable livelihoods for people. For tourists, each brocade piece bought is not simply a gift, but a part of a memory of the remote border land.
Mr. Tran Xuan Cuong - Deputy Director of Nghe An Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism - said that Muong Long is a destination with many outstanding potentials thanks to its year-round cool climate, unique mountain and forest landscapes and Mong cultural identity that is still quite intact.
Muong Long fully converges the factors to develop ecotourism associated with the community. However, exploitation needs to be carried out step by step, with planning, focusing on the quality of experience instead of chasing after quantity. We encourage homestay models, community tourism, agricultural tourism, traditional craft villages such as brocade, local cuisine to develop harmoniously, avoiding excessive concretization and commercialization," said Mr. Tran Xuan Cuong.
