Muong Hum is my base for Y TY. A permit is still needed for Y TY and it takes a week or more to get one from the immigration office in Lao Cai. I have taken the time for a permit on a couple of occasions but I am often fluid in my travels based on weather and rice field conditions. Also the area around Muong Hum is rich in photographic opportunities. The ride from Muong Hum to Y Ty is also beautiful and with the improved roads its an easy drive.
The ride from Sapa takes you past Ta Phin. It’s worth a stop at the abandoned french church. There are two ways to get to Muong Hum with one going via Lao Cai. I tend to save the Lao Cai route for the way back and enjoy a nice hotel in the modern city after roughing it in the countryside. Aslo Lao Cai is a good gateway to Hoang Su Phi via Bac Ha Si Ma Cai.
In Muong Hum there’s a homestay and a nice 2-star hotel. Close by there is a Sunday market in town, a nearby lookout point and impressive gorge. There is a large rice field called San Ma Sao very close to town that has good sunset views. Cross the small bridge in town to the right of the one on DT158 (the road to Y TY). Take the left up the mountain about 1km past the river for a nice lookout point.
DT158 takes you to Y TY and past the large Den Sang. There are lots of photo opportunities here. On the way back from Y TY take the left in Den Sang that will take you on back roads to Muong Hum. I use Tiem Nha Yen coffee shop on Google maps as a waypoint to this road.
