Ngu Chi Son Legend:
Legend has it that from the time of the creation of the world, there was a giant god on this land. This god had a muscular body, and wherever he went, the ground would sink. However, he was a kind and benevolent god who loved the people. He took pity on the poor people, so he worked day and night to level the land for farming. Over time, the earth and rocks piled up into a large mountain range that reached up to the roof of heaven.
When the Jade Emperor saw this, he was furious and ordered the Thunder God and the Lightning God to strike down the giant god’s mountain range. However, even after five days, the Thunder God and the Lightning God were unable to destroy the mountain range. They were exhausted and returned to the Jade Emperor to confess their guilt.
The mountain range, which had been battered by thunder and lightning, stood up straight like five fingers challenging the heavens. From then on, the mountain range still exists and stands tall to this day.
The people living in the Ta Giang Phinh Valley named the mountain range Ngu Chi Son, which means “five fingers”. Every early morning, Ngu Chi Son is hidden and revealed in the early morning mist and clouds covering the mountaintop, creating a very beautiful scene. In the late afternoon, the color of the mountaintop changes from light green to blue and finally to dark purple. This makes visitors who enjoy the beauty of the place think of the spiritual and magical things here.
Geography Location
Ngũ Chỉ Sơn is a mountain range located in the Hoàng Liên Sơn mountain range, on the border between Sơn Bình commune, Tam Đường district (Lai Châu) and Tả Giàng Phình commune, Sa Pa district. Ngũ Chỉ Sơn has 5 main peaks, standing upright at an altitude of nearly 2850m above sea level.
25km from the center of Tam Đường town, and nearly 40km from Sa Pa tourist area, the Ngũ Chỉ Sơn mountain range looks like five fingers spread straight up to the sky. It is considered the most majestic mountain range in the Northwest. It is surrounded by white clouds all year round, and the vegetation in the primeval forest is rich. It is a dream destination for many adventure tourists.
Best time to trek to Ngu Chi Son
Ngu Chi Son is located in the Northwest region of Vietnam, and it experiences similar weather to Sapa and Lao Cai. Visitors can conquer Ngu Chi Son in all four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each season, the mountain range has its own unique beauty and charm. Therefore, you can visit here at any time of year.
From April to May, the weather is cool at Ngu Chi Son. At this time, the weather is neither hot nor cold, but very cool and refreshing. However, you should still be well prepared for your trekking trip. Sudden rain showers in the forest can be quite dangerous and can occur at any time.
From September to October is the time of the waterfall season on the high slopes of the Northwest. Visitors will have the experience of admiring the beautiful scenery that is as colorful as an oil painting. In addition, the weather at this time is also very pleasant. The gentle autumn winds make the trekking route quite comfortable and enjoyable.
When is the best time to conquer Ngu Chi Son? Spring comes from December to March of the following year at Ngu Chi Son. The weather will be quite chilly as winter is not over yet. This is the time of late winter and early spring, when plants are budding and sprouting. All of them combine to create a natural landscape full of vitality. Visitors to Ngu Chi Son at this time will be able to enjoy the natural flowers and grasses and the beautiful scenery on this mountain range.
How to go to Ngũ Chỉ Sơn
Hanoi – Sapa section
We will move to Sapa by BUS (about 5 and a half to 6 hours). The reason for choosing to take a bus is because the first road from Hanoi to Sapa is very far, if you travel by motorbike for too long, it will make us tired, so save your energy for trekking and hunting clouds.
Trekking route of Ngũ Chỉ Sơn
Day 0: Hanoi – Sapa / Sleeper Bus
11:00 PM: Board the sleeper bus to Sapa.
Day 1: Sapa – Ta Giang Phinh–Shelter
5:00 AM: Have breakfast and leave any unnecessary items.
7:00 AM: Take the bus to the trekking point in Ta Giang Phinh village, about 25km from Sapa.
8:45 AM: Arrive at the starting point at the foot of the mountain, meet the H’Mong porters who will help the group. The journey begins.
Noon: Rest and have lunch.
5:30 PM: Arrive at the shelter, and rest after the first day’s journey.
6:30 PM: Have dinner, socialize, and share with the other members of the group, then continue to enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the mountain forest.
Day 2: Ngũ Chỉ Sơn Peak / Sapa – Hanoi
5:30 AM: Wake up, have breakfast, enjoy coffee or a hot cup of ginger tea.
6:30 AM: Start the final climb to the summit. In this section, you will leave your belongings at the shelter and go up to the top without them.
8:30 AM: Reach the top of Ngũ Chỉ Sơn, rest and enjoy the scenery from the top of the mountain. After lunch, you will return to the campsite.
11:00 AM: Arrive at the shelter, pack up your belongings, have lunch, and prepare to go down the mountain.
4:00 PM: Take the bus to Sapa.
5:00 PM: Arrive in Sapa, take a Dao herbal bath, soak in a hot water bath, and relax after a long journey.
7:00 PM: Have dinner , enjoy the sturgeon hotpot with many fresh vegetables
11:00 PM: Get on the sleeper bus to return to Hanoi, and arrive at My Dinh bus station at 4:30 AM the next morning.