Cu Vai Village, in the northern province of Yen Bai, is growing in popularity amongst adventure travelers in Vietnam.

The village at Hang Xe Hamlet in Xa Ho Commune, Tram Tau District, is currently houses 56 families atop its flat mountain peak and in its lower areas. 

From above, the arrangement of the village resembles a makeshift airport, with a strip of houses flanking either side of the main road that runs through the village.

An aeriel photo of Cu Vai’s houses flanking its main street in the northern province of Yen Bai. Photo: Ngoc Quang / Tuoi Tre

The ever-present clouds that seem to cloak the village day in and day out only add to Cu Vai’s majestic natural beauty. 

Visitors to Cu Vai typically plan their trips for the region’s flood season – normally from May to June – when the local terraced paddy field are filled with water in preparation for a new crop of rice. 

During this time, the water in the fields serves as a massive mirror, perfectly reflecting the sky above and the landscape around.

A bird’s eye view of the terraced paddy fields in Cu Vai Village in the northern province of Yen Bai during flooding season. Photo: Ngoc Quang / Tuoi Tre

Reaching Cu Vai is no easy task. Only about a third of the road leading up the mountain is paved. Plans to pave the rest are still in consideration. 

Such a challenging route has likely contributed to the village being able to maintain its pristine beauty.

A bird’s eye view of Cu Vai Village in the northern province of Yen Bai. Photo: Ngoc Quang / Tuoi Tre

Cu Vai’s main street runs between two rows of houses in the northern province of Yen Bai. Photo: Ngoc Quang / Tuoi Tre

Giang Thi Ve, Cu Vai’s village chief, is turning 100 this year. Photo: Ngoc Quang / Tuoi Tre

A woman and children walk through Cu Vai Village in the northern province of Yen Bai. Photo: Ngoc Quang / Tuoi Tre