Four legendary top of the mountain passes of Northwest Pass - Pha Din Pass

Since ancient times, the story about a discussion to delineate the boundary of two localities by horse racing over Pha Din pass from people in Lai Chau and Son La is still there and has been passed down to the present. “After the arduous journey, the two brave warriors and the two handsome horses both had the same strength and will, so the distance they traveled to the meeting place on the pass was not much different. However, Lai Chau horses are better, so the part of the pass belonging to Lai Chau is a bit longer than the part of the pass belonging to Son La."

During the war, Pha Din Pass was also known as one of the extremely important lifelines in the supply of weapons, ammunition and food for our Dien Bien Phu campaign. Therefore, Pha Din Pass began to become a symbol of courage with thousands of young people volunteering to "die for the Fatherland".

Then, in 2005, the government decided to invest in upgrading National Highway 6 to the Northwest. In particular, the Son La - Tuan Giao section was constructed and completed within 3 years from 2006 to 2009, Pha Din Pass is divided into 2 old and new routes from the 3-way intersection at the top of the pass: In which, Old Pha Din Pass 32km long and Pha Din Moi Pass was built along the mountainside on the left side of old Highway 6 with a length reduced to 26km.

  Since being put into use, the new Pha Din pass has helped vehicles circulate more safely, while the old Pha Din pass route is only suitable for local people or tourists who like adventure.

Whether Pha Din Pass is old or new, visitors will still be satisfied with the majestic and breathtaking natural scenery. From afar, the pass looks like a tight rope connecting the mountains together, floating in the clouds. It's like a painting when the zigzags, curves, ups and downs of the pass blend into the beautiful nature.

  At the foot of the pass, visitors are fascinated with the many villages that appear rustic, simple, and peaceful in the middle of the valley with a lush green color. Halfway up the pass, the mist covers the carpet of Ban Luong forest, and there are glimpses of red, purple dots of rice flowers and myrtle flowers. Going to the 3-way intersection, a vast space opens up with the coldness of the highlands wrapping around tangerine, the carpet of tightly woven clouds floating, rolling mountains and hills in the distance...

Unlike ancient times, the vitality here is always present almost on the entire Pha Din pass, the desolation seems to have disappeared. Because in recent years, people in neighboring villages have held markets to trade local agricultural products and goods. People have also gradually increased the production of vegetables, fruits, orchids, and other animals. After stopping to enjoy, many tourists also choose to buy a few things as gifts.

  A prosperous life is coming to every house and alley of the Mong people at the top of Pha Din Pass covered in clouds all four seasons. Especially when the three species of coffee tree - cat apple - amomum are focused on development. Witnessing the changes here, we can see that the saying "Xa follows fire, Thai follows water, Mong follows fog" summed up by the ancients is still valid today.