Photographer Bui Xuan Viet, based in Dong Nai, spent several years capturing cloud-chasing photography across Vietnam. He describes cloud chasing as a “game of chance,” as even with careful calculations, there were times he returned empty-handed.
Ha Giang is a location he has visited four times for cloud chasing. In Hoang Su Phi, September 2023, he captured a breathtaking moment of a sea of clouds engulfing the rice terraces (pictured). He mentions that visiting during the rainy season increases the chances of witnessing this phenomenon.
Also in Hoang Su Phi, a year earlier, Viet visited Nam Hong, home to 40 Dao Do households. He captured the ethereal beauty of floating clouds amidst the mountains and rice fields, which has since become a popular tourist destination for those seeking community experiences and breathtaking views while trekking.
“Cloud chasing is a beloved experience for photographers,” Viet says, “There’s an exhilarating feeling when you stand atop a mountain, gazing at the clouds.”
In November 2020, while in Ngai Thau, the highest commune in Lao Cai, Viet encountered two children herding buffalo, playing amidst the clouds descending into the valley. The clouds were so low, he recalls, that they seemed “within reach.”
Returning to Bat Xat in August 2023, he chased clouds over the rice terraces of Muong Hum. The misty clouds enveloped the mountains and fields, occasionally parting to reveal the golden rice terraces during the harvest season.
No cloud-chasing journey in Lao Cai is complete without a visit to Fansipan peak. However, it took Viet eight attempts over four years to capture the perfect moment—a sea of clouds engulfing the peak at sunset in December 2021.
“The clouds were stunning, but the winds were fierce,” he recounts, “I flew my drone, knowing I might lose it at any moment.” After capturing two remarkable photos, he had to land the drone, swap memory cards, and continue flying to preserve the images.
In Viet’s opinion, Sa Pa is the most beautiful cloud-chasing destination in Lao Cai. However, the weather in Sa Pa is notoriously unpredictable. Some days start with clear skies, only to be shrouded in mist by the afternoon. To capture the perfect cloud photo in Sa Pa, he once stayed there for an entire week.
O Quy Ho Pass, a majestic 50-kilometer-long pass connecting Lao Cai and Lai Chau, also offers impressive cloud-chasing opportunities. The image of clouds hugging the pass was captured by the author in December 2018.
Although Viet acknowledges that cloud chasing relies on luck to some extent, he believes that possessing adequate knowledge improves your chances. He has chased clouds in Dalat hundreds of times and understands the conditions for success there. If it rains heavily during the day or after sunset, the humidity will be sufficient. This moisture rises at night, forming fog, and with the crucial element of light wind (around 5 km per hour), Dalat will have beautiful clouds.
“While there is an element of chance, being well-prepared significantly increases your chances of success,” he says.
The photo above depicts Dalat’s pink grass hill area in November 2021. The pink grass season, unique to Dalat, occurs only once a year, from early November to the end of December.
The cloud scene at Du Sinh hill, captured by Viet in September 2019, around midnight. The photographer recounts trekking through the Du Sinh cemetery at night to reach the summit and waiting until dawn to capture this image. Visitors are advised to choose the rainy season, from June to October, for the best cloud-chasing opportunities in Dalat.
Ho Chi Minh City’s cloud season occurs from June to August. According to Viet, during this period, heavy rains in the evening can lead to low-lying clouds at dawn, creating a stunning backdrop of skyscrapers piercing through the clouds.
Viet recommends that travelers research weather conditions before visiting to increase their chances of capturing the perfect cloud photo. He also suggests using long exposure techniques with filters to capture the motion of the clouds, adding a sense of soul to the images.
Viet considers his cloud-chasing photography journey across Vietnam to be a work in progress, as he hopes to add Moc Chau to his collection, having visited five times without success. He has also experienced unsuccessful cloud-chasing attempts in Lang Son and Cao Bang, three and two times, respectively.
