Yen Bai is a mountainous province located deep inland, one of the 13 northern mountainous provinces, between the two Northeast and Northwest areas. It is bordered to North by province of Lao Cai, Phu Tho province to the south, the east bordered by Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang, Son La province to the west. Yen Bai has nine administrative divisions (one city, one town and 7 districts) with a total of 180 communes, wards and townships (159 wards and 21 communes and towns). Yen Bai is the focal point of traffic lines, railway, waterway from Hai Phong, Hanoi to Lao Cai border gate, which is an advantage in trade exchanges with other provinces, large domestic and foreign markets.
Yen Bai is located in the northern mountainous area with higher terrain gradually rising from southeast to northwest and are created by three major mountain ranges running Northwest to Southeast: the west is the sequence Hoang Lien Son – PU Luong located between Red River and Da River, next to the old Elephant Mountains located between Red River and Chay River, the east is the limestone mountains located between Chay River and Lo River. The terrain is relatively complicated but it can be divided into two major areas: the high and the low area. The high area has an average altitude of 600 m or more, accounting for 67.56% of the province. This is a thinly populated region with potential resources of land, forest products, minerals, which are advantages for socio-economic development. The low region with the height below 600 m is mostly mountainous terrain, low valley basin, accounting for 32.44% of the natural are of the province.
Bus To Yen Bai
Almost buses from Hanoi to Yen Bai City depart from My Dinh Bus Station (No. 20 Pham Hung Street) with bus fare around 120,000 VND per person.
+ Tuan Nhung Bus (29 seaters) departs from My Dinh at 6h15 – 8h45 – 17h – 18h.
+ Dung Thao Bus (30 seaters) departs from My Dinh at 13h20 – 16h.
To reach Mu Cang Chai from Yen Bai City, you should wake up early to catch the local bus that departs at 5.30 am. Buses pass by many tea fields and the beautiful Khau Pha pass. You can get around Mu Cang Chai easily by renting a motorbike there. Motorbike for rent is around 150,000 VND/day and you have to deposit your ID Card to rental shop owners.
Mu Cang Chai limousine bus:
In recent years, there are several bus companies offers luxury buses between Hanoi and Mu Cang Chai. The bus ticket ranges around 300,000 – 350,000 VND/ per way. These limousine cars offer bigger leather seaters to bring more comfortable journey for all passengers.
+ Toan Anh Limousine (9 seaters) – 6 hour journey.
=> Pick up/drop off points in Hanoi: Lotte No. 8 Dao Tan Street – Vincom No. 54A Nguyen Chi Thanh – Big C Thang Long No. 222 Tran Duy Hung Street.
=> Pick up/drop off points in Mu Cang Chai: Mu Cang Chai Post Office.
+ Daily Limousine.
=> Hanoi to Yen Bai: 7h – 14h, pick up point: No. 78 Tran Nhat Duat Street, Hanoi.
=> Yen Bai to Hanoi: 11h – 18h, pick up point: KM 114 Rest Stop, Noi Bai – Laocai Highway.
Tourist attraction in Yen Bai
Khai Trung Green Plain
Located on the height of 700m above sea level and surounded by high rock mountains, Khai Trung commune is a plain in Lục Yên district of Yên Bái province.
Van Hoi lake tourist area
Van Hoi lake is an artificial lake formed 30 – 40 years ago. It is about 20 km from Yen Bai city. The surface is over 400 hectares wide and adjacent to some communes in Tran Yen and Hien Luong commune in Ha Hoa district, Phu Tho province. The water of the lake belonging to Vân Hội commune occupies over 100 hectares with nearly 20 large and small islands.
Mu Cang Chai terraced fields
Coming to Mu Cang Chai, which is 300km from Ha Noi capital in the Northwest, tourists will be surprised at the majestic terraced fields by the Mong people.
Thac Ba lake – The historical relic and scenic area
Thac Ba lake is one of the three largest artificial lakes of Vietnam. It was formed as Thac Ba Hydropower Plant was completed in 1970 when blocking the Chay river.
Na Hau natural Reserve
Na Hau natural Reserve is located in 4 communes including Nà Hẩu, Đại Sơn, Mỏ Vàng, Phong Dụ Thượng in Văn Yên district of Yên Bái province, in the geographic coordinates from 21051’35’’ to 21057’00’’ north latitude, and from 104030’50’’ to 104036’55’’ east longtitude, with a total planned area of 16950 hectares, of which strictly protected area accounts for 7250 hectares and the ecological restoration area accounts for 9700 hectares.
Suoi Giang – The attractive ecotourism spot
Suoi Giang is a commune situated 12 km from Van Chan district in the North. It has an area of 5.922 hectares and 4 ethnic people living together including Mong people (accounting for 98,5%), Kinh peole, Dao people, Tay peole.
