Hanoi to Ta Xua
A private car from Hanoi to Ta Xua covers about 230 km in about 4.5 to 5 hours. It takes you from your Hanoi hotel to your place to stay in Ta Xua, in Son La, usually by way of Bac Yen. Prices start at 2,200,000 VND (about 85 USD) for the whole car.
Photo by AlotripsQuick facts
| Distance | ~230 km |
|---|---|
| Drive time | ~4.5–5 h |
| Price | From 2,200,000 VND (about 85 USD) for the whole car |
| Pickup | Your hotel door, or any address you send us |
| Included | Car, driver, fuel and tolls. VAT included |
| Booking | One way, whole car. Same price for the way back, or 30% off if you return the same day |
| Cars | 5 to 29 seats. We check which cars suit this mountain road |
Choose your car
Included with every car
- Free drinking waterBottled water in the car for the whole trip
- Free change of carA similar car keeps the same price. If you choose a different class, you pay the price of that class
29-seat buses are restricted on the road up to Ta Xua, so the bus mostly stays put once you arrive. Ask your place to stay to arrange a smaller vehicle locally.
About this route
Ta Xua is harder to reach than Sapa, which keeps it quieter. Plan at least two nights, because the sea of clouds does not appear every morning.
Planning the trip from Hanoi
- Leave Hanoi by about 8:00 to arrive by mid-afternoon, before the last climb gets dark.
- A private car takes you all the way, including the last part of the road after Bac Yen.
- Two nights give you two sunrises, which improves your chance of seeing the clouds.
Clouds and the Dinosaur Spine
- Ta Xua is famous for its sea of clouds and the Dinosaur Spine ridge. Ta Xua Peak stands at 2,865 m.
- The Dinosaur Spine is narrow and exposed. Wear shoes with good grip and turn back if the weather changes.
- Longer treks on Ta Xua Peak use unmarked trails, so go with a local guide.
Ta Xua by season
| November to March | The best chance of the sea of clouds. Mornings and nights are cold. |
|---|---|
| April and October | In-between months. Clouds appear on some mornings, and the weather is milder. |
| May to September | The rainy season. Clouds are rarer, and rain brings a landslide risk on mountain roads. |
Clouds form at dawn and usually clear by mid-morning, so plan to be at a viewpoint early.
What’s included
- Private car and driver, door to door.
- Tolls included in the fixed price.
- Driver name, phone and vehicle plate sent before pickup.
- VAT included: 8% for trips to 31 December 2026, 10% from 1 January 2027. Invoice on request.
Not included: hotels, entrance tickets and your meals.
Good to know
- Prices and payment are in Vietnamese dong (VND). We explain how to pay once your booking is confirmed.
- One fixed price for the whole car. Tolls are included.
- Stops under 30 minutes are free. A stop of 30–60 minutes costs 50,000 VND, then 50,000 VND for each further 30 minutes.
Read our full prices and policies or see how booking works.
Frequently asked questions
Related routes
- Want mountain air without the long drive?Hanoi to Tam Dao
- Want more hotels and a cable car?Hanoi to Sapa
- Comparing northern mountain trips?Hanoi to Ha Giang
Written by Alotrips, with AI assistant Huyen My. Reviewed by Pham Ngoc Chien, Director, on 9 November 2026.
Updated 9 November 2026. Distances and times are estimates and depend on traffic. Check opening hours and rules with each site before you travel.