Xin chao!: Y Ty

Overview

Y Ty is still a strange name to many Vietnamese people. Located at an altitude of over 2,000m above sea level, this lovely land is a must-see destination for photographers and nature lovers who dont want to be in the crowd of Sapa.

Highlights: Terraced rice fields (May to September), Culture of Ha Nhi, Dao, Hmong ethnic people, Mountain and white clouds (January, February), Primary forest, Sin San wine, Y Ty market on Saturday with Ha Nhi ethnic group...

Y Ty is about 70Km from Lao Cai city. Its also about 70Km from Sapa (Therefore, you can start your journey from Sapa where you can rent cheap motorbike, about 70,000 - 100,000VND/day)

3-night 2-day Itinerary from Hanoi by train and motorbike
Friday evening
Take train from Ha Noi to Lao Cai city

Saturday
Motorbike takes about 3 - 4 hours: Lao Cai - Bat Xat - Trinh Tuong - Lung Po - A Mu Sung - A Lu - Ngai Thau - Y Ty. Overnight in Y Ty (70Km)

Sunday
Motorbike: Y Ty - Muong Hum sunday market - Can Qui Ho - O Qui Ho - Sapa (70Km) - Lao Cai (+ 38Km) = 108Km
Take train from Lao Cai to Hanoi

What to see:
* Lung Po: where the Red river flows into Vietnam (Red river or Sông Hồng in Hanoi capital city)

* A Lu: beautiful large terraced rice fields

* Y Ty: market on Saturday, Thien Sinh bridge (next is China)

* Muong Hum: Primary forest and golden rice fields

* O Quy Ho: One of four great passes in Vietnam

Road condition to Y Ty: 50% is good, 45% is bad, 5% is very bad

Travel permit: Y Ty share borders with China. Bring your passport / ID and show up at Y Ty police office when you arrive

Guesthouse
There are just some basic guesthouses in Y Ty. Three of them are: Thu My, Si and Minh Thuong (nhà nghỉ Thu Mỹ + nhà nghỉ cô Si + nhà nghỉ Minh Thương).

Minh Thuong is near market with nice room, hot shower and clean (200,000VND/night). It also offers Dao herbal bath.

Note
I have been in Northwest for many times but havent visited Y Ty yet. All the information about Y Ty is from Vietnam newspaper and www.phuot.vn, ttvnol.com (two of the largest travel forums in Vietnam)

(http://www.phuot.vn/threads/950-V%C3%B9ng-cao-Y-T%C3%BD/page3)
(http://ttvnol.com/f_233/p-17871549)

Pictures of Y Ty in spring on Tuoi Tre newspaper

Pictures of Rosy, Black, Chitto, Windysmile, Imim, Sbn, Gianker, June, Nguoilangbat, Midnight on www.phuot.vn and pictures of Harchitect on ttvnol