Long Coc Tea Hills

When it comes to Phu Tho, most people might immediately think of the historically significant and sacred Hung Temple. Did you know that there is a lesser-known gem in Phu Tho dubbed the "Halong Bay of the Midlands"? That place is none other than Long Coc Tea Hills, where you’ll be amazed by hundreds of hills shaped like upside-down teacups under the mist and winding roads along the hill slopes - the kind of scenery that came out of a painting.

It is also conveniently close to Hanoi, only a 2-hour drive will bring you to one of the most beautiful tea hills in Vietnam. Let us take you on a journey to discover Long Coc tea hills and give you all the information you need for your upcoming trip to Phu Tho.

About Long Coc tea hills

Long Coc Tea Hills are situated in Long Coc Commune, Tan Son District, Phu Tho Province, approximately 70km from the city center of Viet Tri and about 125km from Hanoi, to the Northwest. Long Coc, a source of pride for the people of Phu Tho, is one of the prettiest tea hills in Vietnam and is often referred to as the "Halong Bay of the midlands".

The photographer Ut Muoi was one of the first to discover and promote the Long Coc tea hills and was nicknamed the "ambassador of tea tourism" of Phu Tho. The initial photos he took of these hills (which we couldn’t find anymore, sadly) in April 2015 quickly gained popularity on social media, prompting many photographers and tourists to explore this region.

The tea cultivation area in the Long Coc commune covers about 600 hectares, with each hill being about one hectare.

What to see and do at Long Coc tea hills

Admire the breathtaking scenery and take photos

The tea hills of Long Coc seem to spread all the way to the horizon, and each tea hill is like a work of art created by the hands of the local farmers over a long period. Viewed from above, the Long Coc tea hills resemble giant upside-down green bowls, sometimes hidden, sometimes emerging in the mist, that’s why Long Coc tea hills earned the nickname "Halong Bay in the midlands."

As the Long Coc tea hills are most beautiful early in the morning, you should get up early to admire one of nature's masterpieces. Nothing better than wandering through the tea hills, observing the magical landscapes or touching the green tea leaves in the morning mist, feeling the fresh wind and breathing in the crisp air.

The Long Coc tea hills may not be as impressive as those in the shape of hearts in Moc Chau, but when nestled under the mist, these hills look rather ethereal as if they had just come out of a fairy tale.

Go tea picking

Your visit to Long Coc tea hills wouldn’t be complete without going tea picking and learning about the tea production process. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in tea farming alongside local farmers and get hands-on experience harvesting tea. You will also gain a deeper understanding of how a cup of Shan Tuyet or Bat Tien tea is made.

Of course with hard work comes great reward. Enjoying a delicious cup of hot tea that you harvested yourself while admiring the beautiful scenery is such an exquisite experience. You can also purchase the tea as a gift to bring back from your trip.

Discover the culture of the Muong and Dao ethnic minorities

After admiring the beauty of Long Coc tea hills, continue your journey to explore the culture of the Muong and Dao ethnic minorities in the Kha Cuu commune, where you easily come across ethnic women carrying heavy baskets of rice or tea leaves on their shoulders, cheerfully smiling at you.

You can spend a night or two with a local family, to fully immerse yourself in the culture, especially if you want a getaway from all the hustle and bustle. Kha Cuu is also an ideal destination to discover and experience the unique cuisine. Here are a few dishes you need to try:

- Banh tai: a dish that resembles banh cuon, but thicker and in the shape of an ear, hence the name (“tai” meaning “ear”). It has a minced pork and onion filling and is a common breakfast meal

- Thit chua (Sour meat): a dish made from thinly sliced pork; after being partially grilled, the meat is fermented in bamboo and with a special ingredient made from rice powder called “thinh”

Best time to visit Long Coc tea hills

The Long Coc tea hills are beautiful year-round, but around November, at the beginning of the cold and misty season, they become especially enchanting. The weekends are when Long Coc attracts the most visitors, you’ll come across young people trying to capture the perfect Instagram photos or fiancés taking their wedding photos. The summer is also a great time to visit Long Coc tea hills, but early in the morning when it isn’t scorching hot.

How to get to Long Coc tea hills

The Long Coc tea hills are located approximately 125 km from Hanoi. The ride from Hanoi to Long Coc tea hills will take about 2 to 3 hours. There are three main routes from Hanoi to Long Coc tea hills you can choose from:

- Nguyen Trai - Ring Road 3 - Thang Long Avenue - Yen Bai Bridge and Provincial Road TL87A - Dong Luan - Thang Son - Turn right onto QL70B/DT316 following route 322 - Long Coc Tea Hills, Phu Tho.

- Nguyen Trai - Khuat Duy Tien - Highway 08 - Lac Tri, Phuc Tho - Continue from Provincial Road TL87A similar to the first route to reach the tea hills.

- Take National route QL32 - Thanh Son - Continue towards Xuan Son National Park to reach Long Coc commune - Ask for directions to the Long Coc tea hills.

Conclusion

And lastly, here are some extra tips for a perfect experience! To make the most of your trip, you can combine the tour with Xuan Son National Park. Long Coc tea hills provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, however, be respectful and avoid trampling or picking tea without permission. Don't forget to bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and insect repellent when exploring Long Coc tea hills. And voilà, there you go, now you’re all set to pick up your bags and go explore one of the most beautiful tea hills in Vietnam!

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