Discovering Pha Din - from legendary pass to tourist destination in Son La

Located on the road connecting Son La and Dien Bien, Pha Din Pass has long been known as one of the "four great passes" of the Northwest region. With an altitude of over 1,000 m, the pass winds in the clouds, opening up a majestic mountain space and a fresh climate year-round.

Not only possessing natural beauty, Pha Din is also associated with historical imprints in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. The pass was once a "blood vessel" transporting food and weapons to the battlefield. In 2020, this place was recognized as a National Historical Relic.

The first highlight on the journey is the Martyrs' Temple in the Pha Din Pass historical and cultural area, Muong E commune. The project carries a deep gratitude meaning, with a harmonious architectural space between mountains and forests, becoming a place for visitors to offer incense, learn about history and feel the tranquility in the great forest.

Continuing the journey, Pha Din Top is a prominent stop. At an altitude of over 1,600 m, this place is likened to a "bancoon" in the Northwest sky. From above, visitors can admire overlapping mountain ranges, villages hidden in the fog, especially beautiful in the early morning and late afternoon.

Mr. Bui Ngoc Thang, Director of Pha Din Tourism Cooperative, said that Pha Din Top is nearly 30 hectares wide, operating since 2018, achieving 4-star OCOP provincial level in 2020. Each week, it welcomes about 600 visitors. The unit regularly plants flowers seasonally, supplements photography services, camping, and upgrades the landscape to serve tourists.

Ms. Nguyen Diep Huong (Hanoi tourist) shared: "The tourism here is still very natural, the air is cool, suitable for resting. If the pristine beauty is preserved, Pha Din will continue to attract long-term tourists.

Along the pass route, dozens of stalls stand close together on both sides of the road selling many local specialties such as peaches, plums, forest medicinal herbs and brocade scarves and bags made by people themselves.

Not only is it a stopover, this place also brings visitors close experiences with the life and culture of the highlands.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hien, owner of Hien Dieu restaurant, said that during the tourist season, the number of customers stopping to shop, take photos, and enjoy specialties increases sharply, contributing to improving income for businesses along the pass.

At the foot of the pass, lush green tea hills and seasonal flower roads add accents to the journey. Peaceful, airy space suitable for tourists who like to experience lightness and closeness to nature.

Some models such as Binh Thuan Farm, Thu Dan fingerprint tea hill, and the national flag route initially combine agriculture with tourism, contributing to diversifying local products.

Mr. Duong Gia Dinh, Chairman of Binh Thuan Commune People's Committee, said: "The locality identifies tourism development as an important and sustainable direction. Community tourism associated with organic agriculture, landscape and indigenous culture is suitable for reality.

In the coming time, Binh Thuan commune will continue to complete the planning, improve service quality, and gradually make the area an attractive destination on the Northwest tourist route.

In the late afternoon, when clouds cover from the top of the mountain down to the valleys at the foot of Pha Din pass, the space becomes blurred and peaceful. From a dangerous pass, Pha Din today is gradually transforming, exploiting the harmonious advantages between natural, historical and cultural values to develop sustainable tourism.

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