Mu Nau plum valley is one of a few places where the ancient plum trees are still intact in Moc Chau. Mu Nau Valley lies in sub-zone 13 of Moc Chau Town in Son La Province. Two kilometers south of Moc Chau center, the valley spans 200 hectares and comprises a 40-year-old apricot forest, a 25-year-old plum forest, and an old-growth forest. Moc Chau is mostly known for the poetic beauty of its enchantress, Na Ka plum valley. However, in the last two years, another hidden gem was discovered - Mu Nau plum valley. Fairy-like plum gardens stretch all over the hillsides of the valley, brightening up the Moc Chau plateau. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnam+) 
When spring comes, plum blossom covers Moc Chau plateau in a fragile and pristine colour. Visitors are left in awe after visiting the place. Coming to Mu Nau, visitors not only have the chance to relish a cool climate but also view immense plum gardens covered in clouds all year round. The road to Mu Nau valley is quite difficult with many steep slopes; nevertheless, visitors will be surely offset by its breath-taking scenery. Motorbikes are the only means by which to reach Mu Nau from Moc Chau Town. From the Moc Chau intersection, you can rent a motorbike taxi to Mu Nau. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnamplus) 
White Thai ethnic girls enjoy spring atmosphere in a plum garden during Lunar New Year festival. Son La province is a special land of not only majestic mountains but also distinct cultural values representing for the typical culture of ethnic minority groups in the Northwest Vietnam. It is home of 12 ethnic groups involving Thai, Kinh, H'mong, Muong, Dao, Kho Mu, Xinh Mun, Khang, La Ha, Lao, Tay, and Hoa. In which, Thai is the largest community in Son La province, accounting for 54% of the population. The province has been working to preserve and promote Thai culture in Vietnam’s northwestern region. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnamplus) 
The Thai ethnic girls are also members of an art troupe of Ang village. Ang village in Dong Sang commune pioneers community-based tourism in Son La province. Locals have upgraded traditional stilt houses into communal guest houses, planted flowers and vegetables, and organized tours. Most tourists to Moc Chau love the homestay service, the beautiful nature, and the clean farm produce. The Thai minority people living in Ang village are still making their traditional handicrafts, including weaving and embroidery, and teach visitors these crafts. A unique culture, a charming landscape, and friendly locals have made Ang village a required stop when you come to Moc Chau. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnamplus) 
Thai ethnic girls make up before performing a dance to welcome the spring. Son La province is 320 kilometers from the northwest of Hanoi capital. The province is a land of cultural diversity where is known as a home of 12 ethnic groups. Each of these groups has their own unique and valuable cultural treasure creating colorful and diversified culture for this land. As a convergence of 12 ethnic minority groups, Son La is a land of multi-colored culture having 47 cultural historical relics and scenic beauty. This is a land of fine dishes, captivating dances, sweet folk songs, and special festivals. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnamplus) 
The white Thai ethnic girls practice before showtime. Thai is the largest community in Son La province, accounting for 54% of the population. The Thai people have their own language, which belongs to the Tay-Thai language system. There are two Thai groups, white Thai and black Thai, who are differentiated by their other costumes and houses. Traditionally, the black Thai wear a black blouse with a high collar and a black skirt, while the white Thai wear a white blouse with a heart-shaped collar and a black skirt. In the northwestern region, the white Thai usually wear bright-colored costumes, such as white and pink. Their blouse has short sleeves and a heart-shaped collar. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnamplus) 
The girls are dressed up for a dance to welcome the spring. The captivating dance is one of the most special features giving people unforgettable experiences when visiting the locality. If Ban and peach flower is symbol of Son La, their dances are like hundreds of beautiful flowers in a garden. These dances bring their distinct cultural identity and presents for their pure souls. Son La is a special land of not only majestic mountains but also distinct cultural values representing for the typical culture of ethnic minority groups in the Northwest Vietnam. Being known as a convergence of 12 ethnic groups, Son La culture is the blend of different culture. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnamplus) 
Thai ethnic girls perform Xoe dance under blossoming plum trees. The plum flowers often bloom since January to early February. For people in Moc Chau district, the plum tree is a gift endowed by nature because this variety of tree grows very well on soil in the highlands and does not need to be tended carefully. Moreover, it brings high economic value. Recently, besides the economic value from selling plums, locals in Moc Chau can take more advantage of engaging in community-ecotourism. As reported, the management department of Moc Chau Tourism Area is investing in building a unique tourism program. The tourism model will take travelers to eat, live and harvest plums with the locals. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnamplus) 
Two kilometers south of the centre of Moc Chau district, Mu Nau valley spans 200 hectares and comprises a 40-year-old apricot forest, a 25-year-old plum forest, and an old-growth forest. Moc Chau is mostly known for the poetic beauty of its enchantress, Na Ka plum valley. However, in the last two years, another hidden gem was discovered - Mu Nau plum valley. Fairy-like plum gardens stretch all over the hillsides of the valley, brightening up the Moc Chau plateau. The road to Mu Nau valley is quite difficult with many steep slopes; nevertheless, visitors will be surely offset by its breath-taking scenery. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnamplus) 
Thai is the largest community in Son La province. They account for 54% of the population. The Thai people have their own language, which belongs to the Tay-Thai language system. There are two Thai groups, white Thai and black Thai, who are differentiated by their other costumes and houses. Traditionally, the black Thai wear a black blouse with a high collar and a black skirt, while the white Thai wear a white blouse with a heart-shaped collar and a black skirt. In the northwestern region, the white Thai usually wear bright-colored costumes. In the photo: Thai girls performing a traditional dance to welcome spring. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnamplus) 
Son La is a mountainous province located in the heart of the Northwest of Viet Nam, over 300 km from Ha Noi. It borders the provinces of Yen Bai, Lao Cai to the north, Phu Tho and Hoa Binh provinces to the east, in the west by Lai Chau and Dien Bien and Thanh Hoa province to the south. The province shares 250 km of borderline with Laos. Son La terrace is divided into small sub-regions with different ecological characteristics. The province has two plateaus, which are Moc Chau and Na San. In the photo: Thai girls performing a traditional dance to welcome spring. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnamplus) 
Moc Chau Plateau is in Moc Chau District, Son La Province, about 200km northwest of Hanoi. Moc Chau Plateau has the average height of 1,050 meters above the sea level. It is characterized by sub-temperate climate with fertile soil, which is quite favorable to develop tea tree, fruit trees and dairy farming. It is cool in summer with average temperature of 20oC, a bit cold in autumn, freezing in winter and warm in spring. Coming here in winter or spring – the most beautiful season in Moc Chau, tourists will have chances to contemplate the breathtaking scenery of blooming flowers. In the photo: the artists pose for a souvenir photo with a visitor from Hanoi (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnamplus) 
Son La is a special land of not only majestic mountains but also distinct cultural values representing for the typical culture of ethnic minority groups in the Northwest Vietnam. Being known as a convergence of 12 ethnic groups, Son La culture is the blend of different culture. At present, the province has still preserved over 100 cultural historical relics and archaeological relics, in which, nine of them were recognized in the national level. The Thai are the biggest ethnic group in Son La province. They make up 54% of the province’s population. In the photo: Thai girls pose for a selfie group photo (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnamplus) 
Son La City is formerly known as Son La Town established on October 26th, 1961.The administrative boundary when the town was newly established consisting of Chieng Le Street and Chieng Coi Town. On August 26th, 1945, under the leadership of Vietnam Party, citizens of Son La Town along with citizens in Son La Province in particular and in the whole country in general bravely fought against French colonialism and Japanese fascists to protect the country. In the war against the US, Son La Town won many glorious victories and contributed a lot to the victory in Spring 1975 to liberate the South and make national reunification. On September 3rd, 2008, the Government issued a decree on the establishment of Son La City. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnamplus) 
According to the plan of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Son La was planned in Northwest tour (Hanoi - Hoa Binh - Son La - Dien Bien - Lai Chau - Lao Cai). The province is also the gateway to visit the northern region of Laos. Son La tourism has favorable conditions to develop because the province is well endowed with diverse ecological zones. Son La has pure and wild beauty of majestic mountains, dense forest, gentle streams, and spectacular natural landscapes. In spring, Ban flowers burst into bloom and and make Northwest forest become beautiful in white colors. Some spectacular sceneries in Son La are Hang Doi (Bat Cave), Thac Dai Yem (Thai Yem Waterfall), Hang Trau (Buffalo Cave), Hang Bia Que Lam Ngu Che, among others (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnamplus) 
With 54% Thai ethnic people, Thai language is the most common language in Son La Province. Thai language belongs to Thai - Tay language. The second popular language in the province is Kinh language (official Vietnamese language) because Kinh group is the second largest community in Son La. In addition to Thai and Kinh language, Mon-Khome and Viet - Muong are widely used by other ethnic groups. Moc Chau Plateau is in Moc Chau District, about 200km northwest of Hanoi. When spring comes, the whole Moc Chau is bright with colorful blooming white pumpkin and apricot flowers. Warm sunlight is spreading across the steppe, and then sometimes gives way for light cold drizzles. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnamplus) 
When spring comes, plum blossom covers Moc Chau plateau in a fragile and pristine colour. Visitors are left in awe after visiting the place. For people in Moc Chau district, the plum tree is a gift endowed by nature because this variety of tree grows very well on soil in the highlands and does not need to be tended carefully. Moreover, it brings high economic value. Recently, besides the economic value from selling plums, locals in Moc Chau can take more advantage of engaging in community-ecotourism. Local authorities is building a unique tourism program. The tourism model will take travelers to eat, live and harvest plums with the locals. (Photo: Xuan Mai/Vietnamplus) VNA
