Chancing luck hunting clouds in Vietnam

Photographer Bui Xuan Viet has spent years traveling across Vietnam capturing photographs of clouds, which he said "is a game of chance."

Bui Xuan Viet, a photographer based in the southern province of Dong Nai, has dedicated numerous years to photographing clouds across Vietnam. He described cloud hunting as an “unpredictable pursuit” that requires meticulous planning often only to return home empty-handed.

One of Viet’s favourite spots to hunt for clouds is the northernmost province of Ha Giang, where he’s visited four times.

In the September 2023 photo above, Viet captured a moment when clouds enveloped the terraced fields of Hoang Su Phi (a mountainous district in west of Ha Giang). Viet suggested visiting during the rainy season for the best chances of capturing such scenes.

In a previous visit to Hoang Su Phi last year, Viet visited Nam Hong village, home to a community of 40 Red Dao households (the Red Dao, one of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, mainly reside in the northern mountainous region). Here, he captured scenes of clouds floating down the mountaintops. This location also attracts tourists interested in community experiences, trekking through mountains, and viewing fields of terraced rice paddies.

"Cloud hunting is a top experience for every photographer," Viet said. "There's a real sense of exhilaration standing atop a mountain, gazing at clouds."

During a visit to Ngai Thau, the highest commune in Lao Cai, a mountainous province about 286 km northwest of Hanoi, in November 2020, Viet met two boys leading cattle home and playing amidst the low-hanging clouds that blanketed the valley. "The clouds were so low, it felt like you could touch them," he said.

In August 2023, he went cloud hunting over the terraced fields of Muong Hum commune in Bat Xat District in Lao Cai. He described how mist surrounded the mountains and the rice fields, with scattered clouds revealing golden ripe rice beneath.

Hunting for clouds in Lao Cai is not complete without Mount Fansipan, the highest mountain peak in Vietnam. It took Viet eight visits over four years to finally capture a satisfying moment in December 2021: this view of the sunset above the clouds from above Fansipan’s peak summit.

"On that day, the clouds were beautiful, but the wind was strong. I was flying my drone, fearing I might lose it at any moment," he recalled. After capturing two photos, he landed the drone immediately to change memory cards before continuing.

Viet considers Sa Pa the most beautiful place for cloud hunting in Lao Cai. However, Sa Pa's weather is unpredictable. Some days, the morning clouds are beautiful, but by the afternoon, it becomes foggy. He once stayed a week to capture a perfect cloud photo over Sa Pa.

O Quy Ho, the majestic mountain pass spanning nearly 50 km between Lao Cai and Lai Chau, also offers impressive cloud-hunting scenes. Viet photographed clouds draped over the pass in December 2018.

While capturing beautiful cloudscapes depends on luck, Viet advised it’s better to go hunting after thorough research. Having hunted clouds in Da Lat in the Central Highlands hundreds of times, he said there were conditions for success. If it rains heavily during the day or after sunset, there will subsequently be sufficient humidity for photogenic clouds. The moist air rises at night to form dew, and that, combined with the essential factor of a light wind (around 5 km per hour), creates beautiful clouds in Da Lat, according to Viet.

"Luck still plays a role, but with careful preparation, success rates are usually high," he said.

This photo of Da Lat was captured by Viet in November 2021.

These clouds over Du Sinh Hill, Da Lat, were captured by Viet in September 2019, at around midnight. He crossed the Du Sinh cemetery to reach the peak and stayed there all night. He recommended visiting in the rainy season, from June to October, for successful cloud hunting.

Cloud season in Ho Chi Minh City falls between June and August. According to Viet, during this time, if there is heavy rain in the evening, there will likely be low clouds at sunrise the next day, creating scenes of high-rise buildings piercing through the sky of clouds.

Viet advised tourists to research local weather conditions to capture satisfying cloud photos. He emphasized factors such as wind, humidity, cloud height, and rain. Technically, he suggested using long exposure with a filter to capture cloud movements and create soulful photographs.