Mountain climbing

A mountain climbing event will be held for journalists to discover the beauty of Tà Chì Nhù Mountain of Trạm Tấu District in Yên Bái Province on September 29-October 1. — Photo courtesy of Pháp Luật Việt Nam newspaper

HÀ NỘI — The mountain climbing event "Footsteps on Clouds" later this month will be an opportunity for Yên Bái Province to publicise its beautiful landscape to larger local and international communities.

The Pháp Luật Việt Nam (Việt Nam Law) newspaper and the Hưng Việt Trading and Tourism Company along with the provincial People's Committee have announced the event slated on September 29 to October 1.

As many as 100 journalists will take part in the event to discover the so-called "Heaven on Earth" landmark, Tà Chì Nhù Mountain in Trạm Tấu District.

Starting from Sáng Pao Village, the participants will trek about 10km up to the top of the mountain. The 2,980m peak, dubbed the "Roof of Yên Bái", is Việt Nam’s seventh highest and it mesmerizes people with majestic natural scenery.

On the way to the top of the mountain, climbers will meet with herds of cattle of local residents. — Photo courtesy of Pháp Luật Việt Nam newspaper

They will pass through jungle, low-canopy forests, grasslands and flower fields. Halfway up the mountain, they can meet with herds of horses and goats raised by the local people. And finally, they will reach the top of Tà Chì Nhù to touch the clouds.

"Trạm Tấu is one of the poorest districts in Yên Bái. People are very poor and face a difficult life, while their land has a lot of potential for tourism development," said Trần Ngọc Hà, deputy editor-in-chief of Việt Nam Law cum deputy head of the organising committee.

"Trạm Tấu is so beautiful, especially during the blooming seasons of wild flowers. Once you visit the district, which is in the middle of the Northwest mountains and forests, you will enjoy an unforgettable experience in life," Hà said.

A trail to the top of Tà Chì Nhù mountain is not easy to trek but an attractive challenge to competitors. — Photo courtesy of Pháp Luật Việt Nam Newspaper

"With our love for journalism and nature and the Vietnamese people, the Việt Nam Law newspaper has cooperated with Trạm Tấu District People's Committee and Việt Hưng Company to organise the mountain climbing tournament to conquer Tà Chì Nhù Mountain," he said.

Hà said it was the first event of its kind for the press, and it lured a hundred journalists nationwide. Through the eyes of these special competitors, the organisers hoped that the beautiful images of Trạm Tấu and its people would be widely spread, and it would help promote the local tourism industry.

A view of the Việt Nam's seventh highest mountain peak. — Photo courtesy of Pháp Luật Việt Nam newspaper

At a press conference on the event, Hoàng Long, deputy director of the Yên Bái Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: "Through the event, every journalist-athlete will be an ambassador to promote Yên Bái tourism. Trạm Tấu has received a number of tourists but is still unknown to many others. Hopefully, journalists will help introduce the district in particular and Yên Bái in general to more people."

He added that this was also an opportunity to create motivation and raise awareness about mountain climbing in Việt Nam.

All journalists participating in the tournament will be supported by the organisers for travel, accommodation and insurance.

After 10km of trekking, people will reach the top of Trạm Tấu District's Tà Chì Nhù mountain which is still little known to many local and international tourists. — Photo courtesy of Pháp Luật Việt Nam newspaper

Hà said due to the limited room for overnight stays on Tà Chì Nhù, only 100 presspersons could compete in this tournament. In the future, organisers will find more destinations and welcome more participants.

A purse of VNĐ150 million (US$6,200) in cash will be awarded to the winners. In addition to the top three winners, the organisers also present awards to the oldest participant and best journalistic works about Trạm Tấu tourism and the event. — VNS