Mount Mau Son
Mẫu Sơn
Mount Mau Son
Mẫu Sơn
The "Sleeping Forest Princess" with a unique subtropical climate and ruins of French villas in Lang Son province.
Lang Son
Mountain
Hiking
Mau Son is a mountain range located in Lang Son province, near the border with China. This place attracts travelers with its cool subtropical climate—having the lowest average annual temperature in Vietnam—and the atmosphere of a "lost world." Here you can see the ruins of stone French villas from the early 20th century, as well as visit ancient temples and ethnic villages of the Dao and Nung peoples.
- Visit duration
1–2 days
- Average budget
from $25
- Admission
Free (extra services paid)
- Current
15 °C, foggy
- Best months
Sep – May
- Local language
Vietnamese
What you need to know
The Mau Son mountain range includes about 80 peaks with the highest point being Phia Po (1,541 m). In the early 20th century, the French turned this place into a mountain resort, building stone villas here, the ruins of which have survived to this day and give the mountain a mystical charm. Today it is a popular spot for "cloud hunting" and observing blooming gardens in spring. Sacred sites have been preserved within the complex: a pagoda on the summit, the Mau Son temple, and ancient stone tombs. The region is also famous for traditional Dao herbal baths, which help warm up after walks in the fog.
In autumn, visibility is ideal for landscapes. In winter and spring, the mountain turns into a misty fairy tale, with occasional rare frosts and blooming fruit trees.
On site
- How to get there
Bus from Hanoi to Lang Son, then taxi
- Overnight stay
Guesthouses
- On site
Foot hiking
- Cash
Mandatory
- Connectivity
Unstable
- With children
Possible