Hang Kia Pa Co: Perfect Cloud Hunting In Vietnam
About 160km from Hanoi, Hang Kia Pa Co is an amazing place for cloud hunting in Mai Chau, Vietnam.
I recently visited Pa Co and was impressed by the floating sea of clouds. The mountains stand out like huge islands floating in the sky in the middle of the ocean of clouds.
About Hang Kia Pa Co
Hang Kia Pa Co is located at the gateway of the Northwest with an altitude of 1200 to 1500 meters above sea level, covered with clouds almost all year round.
Hang Kia means “Bat Cave,” and Pa Co means “Goat Forest” in Thai language. The two communes were formerly the villages of the Thai people and now are the residence of the Mong people.
However, because it is not suitable for farming and living practices, the Thai people here have moved elsewhere.
The beauty of Hang Kia Pa Co
This land is endowed by nature with majestic northwest highlands, impressive mountains, ancient forests, and chilly weather.
Coming here, you’ll see the villages lying peacefully in the valley.
There are houses of the Mong people hidden in the clouds, surrounded by plum and apricot gardens blooming white and pink, forming an idyllic picture.
After stressful days, nothing better than setting aside some time to escape the hustle and bustle of life.
Pa Co is the ideal location for unwinding, taking in the fresh air, sipping hot tea, savoring the local cuisine, and watching the sunrise.
Cloud hunting point
The cloud hunting spot is in Hang Kia, Pa Co commune, Mai Chau, Vietnam. The entrance ticket is 20,000 VND per person.
At the top of the mountain, you can easily see the clouds covering the whole valley. At this altitude, clouds are usually thicker, more buoyant, and take longer to dissipate.
When the sun rises, the sun rays cast a delicate orange-pink hue on the sea of clouds.
The sea of clouds transforms again into a vast blue-white tint stretching to the edge of the sky between 7 am and 9 am, covering almost all of the high undulating mountains.
Best places to stay in Hang Kia Pa Co
For Mai Chau, I recommend Mai Chau Ecolodge, a beautiful resort with comfortable rooms, excellent services, and friendly staff.
If you’re on a budget, check out Little Mai Chau Homestay. I love their homemade dinners, and the rooms have great views too.
If you decide to stay in Pa Co check out A Páo homestay (0987631048) and Y Sao homestay (0977378288). For Hang Kia, Y Múa homestay (0355466801) is a popular choice.
The people in the area can’t speak English, so you should use Google Translate or learn some basic Vietnamese on your trip.
You can contact us if you’d like to study a Vietnamese crash course. We offer 1-1 online lessons.
How to get to Hang Kia Pa Co
You can take a bus from Ha Noi to Mai Chau, where you can rest. You can reserve a motorbike early the following day and travel to Hang Kia (about 30 km).
From Mai Chau, follow National Highway 6 in the direction of Moc Chau. You will arrive in Pa Co commune first, then go another 10km to reach the beautiful valley of Hang Kia.
You will see Hong Nhung gas station in Pa Co town. Follow the road opposite the gas station to get to the cloud hunting spot. Check Google Maps for Hang Kia Cloud Hunting Peak to navigate.
Best time to visit Hang Kia Pa Co
You can hunt clouds in Hang Kia Pa Co at any time of the year. However, the best time for cloud hunting is from October to April.
Clouds are often abundant and beautiful from 5 am to 7 am. On certain days, though, clouds linger until nine in the morning. If you visit in spring from January to April, you may even see clouds all day.
If you are unlucky and visit during the days without clouds, this place also offers a panoramic view of the valley.
- Cloud hunting season: October-April.
- Time to hunt clouds during the day: 5 am to 7 am
- Entrance ticket: 20,000 VND/person.
Cloud hunting tips
Check the weather forecast.
The weather affects the quality of clouds, so you should check the weather forecast before going.
The best conditions are between 3 and 20 degrees Celsius, with a maximum wind speed of 8 km/h, clear sky, and sunny weather.
Rain is also an important factor. If it’s reported that it will rain or the northeast monsoon is coming, check when it ends and see the following day’s weather. If it is sunny, there will be clouds.
Wake up early
The sea of clouds usually appears around 5 am to 9 am. Therefore, it’s best to get up early to enjoy the view to the fullest.
Stay warm
At altitudes above 1000m, Hang Kia has a lower temperature, especially in the winter. So be sure to get your coats and gloves ready so you can remain warm.
Check your bike
Examine your motorcycle carefully for damage, a gas shortage, or other issues. Your timetable and enjoyment may be impacted by a broken-down vehicle.
Drive carefully
The road to the cloud hunting site in Hang Kia has bends and turns. Also, one side is a cliff, and another is a mountain.
So, drive carefully to ensure the safety of yourself and other travelers. It is best to keep a steady speed throughout the trip rather than accelerate quickly.
Cloud hunting tour
I booked a private cloud hunting tour with De, and he was fantastic. He was knowledgable and friendly, and I learned a lot about the cultures and the areas.
You can contact him on WhatsApp for any inquiry: +84 38 3520006.
