At 1600m, on top of M'u Son Lang Son province in the northern border provides a bewitching view of the surrounding valley. Through the clouds, tourists can see the rugged countryside of Lang Son, with China in the north, Na Duong to the east, and Dong Dang on the west.
This is all this vista that first attracted the French to Mau Son, in which some 170km from Hanoi. To take advantage of the mountain overlooking the landscape of the gate of the north-east China, France has built a military base at start of the 20th century. This original site's residents, members of ethnic groups the minority, has moved away from French settlement. Only employees authorized to allow the import of French.
Then, French, tourists were also welcome in this hill station. In January 1936, Dr. O. pilot, a student of the famous bacteriologist Dr. Alexandre Yersin, visited Mau Son. Some locals say that the first doctor to paint to collect traditional medicinal plants, which used to be cultivated in this region.
Dr pilot was to impressed by what he found that he petitioned the governor for permission to build tourist villas at the site. In 1936, he has to go first to buy land and begin construction. For six or seven years, thousands of local people working on this project, implementation, breach and stone to build a large number of villas.
Today, the villa has crumbled to ruins. The moss-covered stones scattered across the site, and is located between the old foundation where it can still identify the 'former kitchens, fire places and staircases.
Like Sleeping Beauty, the fairy tale princess is put under a spell, M'u Son has slept, all but forgotten, for almost five decades. Until 1987, even motorcycles were not allowed to torturous road that wind, like a snake, on the mountain.
Finally, the M'u Son is getting up. Residents around the area first to admire the views, followed by visitors from China and Vietnam lowland.
When the French built their villas, they did not imagine a day when the M'u Son will be free to welcome all visitors. Today, M'u Son by residents to share their home with the beauty of the secluded world. They want tourists to explore the Pristine Tam Thanh Cave, the weaving shop in the market full of color cells of ethnic minorities, and hike the many mountain trails.
In the year 1930, the only way to reach the M'u Son on the horse. Today, local people still use horses to carry goods up steep mountain slopes. However, guests can leave their car's M'u Son drive 30km to Lang Son town from elsewhere, it will take six hours to reach Hanoi.
The narrow road twists along steep mountain ridges, overlooking the valley of the Emerald. Some of the girls, dressed in festive embroidered clothing, flags down the car for a rise. With their traditional tight and bright smiles, they are naturally as beautiful mountains as their homeland.
