Discover the most beautiful terraced fields in Lao Cai during the ripe rice season

Terraced fields in Y Ty valley. (Photo: Thanh Dat/VNA)

Every September, when the cool breezes of early autumn begin to blow in, Lao Cai puts on a golden coat - terraced fields aglow with the color of ripe rice.

In the ripe rice season, the rice fields are covered in a golden color under the autumn sunlight, stretching from the foot of the mountain to the clouds. The layers of rice fields are stacked like waves of rice, bringing a feeling of overwhelming and majestic.

The terraced fields winding on the mountainside are not only a symbol of mountain agricultural civilization, but also a natural masterpiece created by human hands.

Discovering Lao Cai in the ripe rice season is not simply a trip , but a journey back to the pristine beauty, peace and rich cultural identity.

1. Y Ty

Lying at an altitude of about 2,000 m above sea level, Y Ty is always covered in fog all year round. Especially, every time the rice harvest season comes, the whole village and hills seem to put on a "new coat" because of the bright golden color of the terraced fields.

Y Ty is famous for its fog and floating clouds, when combined with the yellow color of ripe rice, it creates a magical, poetic natural picture that cannot be found anywhere else.

Terraced fields are not only beautiful because of their scenery but also show the diligence and ingenuity of the ethnic minorities here in creating fields suitable for the steep mountain terrain.

Y Ty is not only a place with beautiful natural landscapes but also a land rich in cultural identity of ethnic minorities with many traditional festivals and long-standing farming customs. Visitors here can experience the life and culture of the locals, participate in activities such as harvesting rice, making green rice flakes, or enjoy special dishes.

- Time to come: From late August to mid-September is the best time to see ripe rice.

- How to get there: From the center of Bat Xat town or Sa Pa, visitors can rent a motorbike or car to go to Y Ty. The road to Y Ty is steep and winding, so you need to drive carefully.

- Accommodation: There are many ethnic homestays in Y Ty, helping visitors experience authentic local life.

- Interesting activities: Hunting for clouds at dawn, taking photos of terraced fields, participating in rice harvesting with locals, enjoying corn wine and dried buffalo meat.

2. Khau Pha Pass

Located in the "four great mountain passes" of the Northwest region, Khau Pha is famous not only for its ruggedness but also for its majestic beauty.

Khau Pha Pass is located at a high altitude. From the top of the pass, you can see the whole view of terraced fields winding like golden dragons on the mountain slopes.

From late September to early October, Khau Pha Pass terraced fields transform into a brilliant yellow color, stretching along the mountainside to form shimmering steps like soft golden silk strips.

Dawn and dusk are the most beautiful times of the terraced fields, when the sunlight creates a shimmering, magical effect combined with a light layer of mist.

Khau Pha Pass is not only famous for its terraced fields but also home to the Mong and Thai ethnic groups with many unique customs and practices. Visitors can participate in traditional festivals, enjoy special cuisine and learn about local life.

Khau Pha Pass is an ideal destination for paragliding enthusiasts, who can also admire the beautiful terraced fields. (Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA)

- Best time: From late September to early October, when the rice is at its ripest.

- Transportation: You can travel from Hanoi to Lao Cai, then to Mu Cang Chai. Khau Pha Pass is located on Highway 32, so it is convenient to travel by motorbike or car.

- Accommodation: There are many homestays and motels in Mu Cang Chai or in villages near the pass.

- Experiential activities: Hunting for photos of terraced fields, capturing sunrise, enjoying ethnic culture and traditional dishes such as bamboo rice and dried buffalo meat.

3. His Temple

Located more than 1km from the center of Bac Ha commune, Quan Din Ngai village is famous for its terraced fields stretching across the high mountain slopes, in the rocky plateau with a cool climate all year round. The terrain is characterized by limestone mountains and steep hillsides, creating a very unique landscape of winding terraced fields.

Around late August to early September, Quan Din Ngai terraced fields are covered in a golden color of ripe rice, creating a natural landscape typical of the Northwest.

The terraced fields in Quan Din Ngai are not only the source of livelihood for the ethnic minorities here but also a vivid picture reflecting the ingenuity and diligence in traditional agricultural cultivation.

Unlike other famous tourist destinations, Quan Din Ngai still retains its wild beauty, less affected by tourism, suitable for those who want to find tranquility and explore the original nature.

Ban Quan Din Ngai is mainly inhabited by Mong and other ethnic minorities, with unique customs, practices and festivals. Visitors can experience indigenous life, participate in traditional farming activities and enjoy highland specialties.

- Best time: Late August to early September, when the rice is ripe.

- Transportation: From Bat Xat center, you can travel by motorbike or car through the mountainous roads to Quang Kim commune and continue on foot or motorbike to Quan Din Ngai village.

- Accommodation: Homestay in the village or neighboring areas helps you experience ethnic culture.

- Interesting activities: Hunting for photos of terraced fields, participating in rice harvesting, interacting with local people, enjoying corn wine and traditional dishes.

4. Mugwort

Ngai Thau is one of the highland communes famous for its large terraced fields, located on steep mountain slopes, at an altitude of over 1,600 m above sea level. The characteristic limestone terrain and steep slopes have created soft, artistically curved terraced fields.

Around late August to early September, the terraced fields in Ngai Thau turn a brilliant yellow color, spreading across the mountain slopes like a bright yellow carpet, creating a majestic and impressive natural landscape.

The highlands often have light fog, especially in the early morning and late afternoon, helping to create unique "golden clouds and ripe rice" moments, very attractive to photographers and tourists.

The terraced fields here not only have economic significance but are also a work of art by the skillful hands of the Ha Nhi ethnic people, creating soft steps interwoven between the mountains and forests.

Ngai Thau is home to the Ha Nhi people - one of the ethnic minorities with a long tradition of terraced rice cultivation. Coming here, visitors can experience the unique culture of the Ha Nhi people, from customs, festivals to daily activities such as harvesting rice, making corn wine, and weaving brocade.

- Ideal time: Late August to early September is the time when the rice is at its most beautiful golden ripe, the gentle sunlight in the early morning or late afternoon creates a wonderful scene.

- Transportation: From the center of Bat Xat or Sa Pa, visitors can ride a motorbike or rent a car to A Lu, then continue to Ngai Thau. The road up here can be a bit difficult to travel with steep and winding sections.

- Accommodation and experience: There are many homestays of the Ha Nhi ethnic group with cultural spaces, where you can sleep, enjoy local cuisine and interact with the locals.

- Activities to try: Join in rice harvesting, take photos of sunrise and sunset on terraced fields, learn about traditional occupations of the Ha Nhi people.

5. The Devil's Sieve

Sang Ma Sao is a highland commune located in Bat Xat. With terrain mainly of high, steep rocky mountains and a cool climate, Sang Ma Sao is famous for its gently winding terraced fields on the mountainside.

From late August to mid-September, Sang Ma Sao terraced fields transform into a shimmering golden carpet, spreading across the mountain slopes, creating a beautiful and impressive landscape.

Combining majestic mountains and golden terraced fields, Sang Ma Sao brings a peaceful but also wild and rustic feeling.

Early morning and late afternoon, a thin layer of fog covers the rice fields, blending with the golden sunlight to create dreamy, magical landscape photos.

In Sang Ma Sao, the Mong, Dao, and Ha Nhi ethnic groups in Sang Ma Sao not only preserve the tradition of terraced rice cultivation but also maintain many unique customs and festivals. Visitors coming here can experience local life, learn about the culture, and enjoy unique traditional dishes.

- When to go: Late August to mid-September is the best time to admire the ripe rice season.

- Transportation: From Bat Xat center, visitors can travel by motorbike or car to Sang Ma Sao. The mountain road is steep so visitors need to pay attention to safety.

- Accommodation: Homestays in the village help visitors experience the local living space and culture.

- Interesting activities: Take photos of terraced fields, participate in rice harvesting, interact with locals, enjoy corn wine and ethnic dishes.

6. Muong Hum

Muong Hum is located at an average altitude of over 1,500 m, with a cool climate all year round, famous for its terraced fields stretching across steep rocky mountainsides.

Muong Hum terraced fields are covered in the brilliant yellow color of ripe rice, stretching like shimmering golden silk strips on the mountain slopes.

This place still retains its wild, peaceful beauty, with small villages nestled next to terraced fields, creating a natural landscape blended with unique culture.

Early morning when the fog still covers the fields, the first sunlight shines through creating a hazy, shimmering scene, very suitable for taking photos.

Muong Hum is home to the Mong, Dao, and Ha Nhi ethnic groups with a long tradition of terraced fields and many unique customs and practices. Visitors can learn about the culture, participate in festivals, and experience the daily life of the people.

- Best time: Late August to mid-September, when the rice is golden ripe.

- Transportation: From Bat Xat center, you can ride a motorbike or car along the mountain roads to Muong Hum. The road up has steep and winding sections so you need to drive carefully.

- Accommodation: There are homestays in the village or neighboring areas where visitors can experience local life and culture.

- Interesting activities: Participate in rice harvesting, take photos of terraced fields at dawn or dusk, interact with local people and enjoy traditional dishes.

7. Ta Phin

Ta Phin is famous for its vast terraced fields, stretching across steep mountain slopes, cultivated by the Red Dao and Mong people for generations. The mountainous terrain interspersed with low valleys creates a diverse and unique landscape.

The rice harvest season in Ta Phin usually takes place from late August to mid-September, when the terraced fields turn a brilliant yellow, stretching far and wide on the mountain slopes.

This place still retains its wild and peaceful features with traditional villages interspersed among terraced fields. The stilt houses, small trails and kitchen smoke create a picture imbued with the Northwest mountains and forests.

When a light mist covers the fields, the sunlight creates a shimmering, magical scene that is perfect for taking photos.

Home to the Red Dao and Mong people, with many unique cultural features such as traditional costumes, festivals, brocade embroidery and unique customs, visitors here can explore indigenous culture, participate in life experience activities and enjoy traditional cuisine.

- Ideal time: Late August to mid-September, the rice season is ripe.

- Transportation: From Sa Pa, you can rent a motorbike or taxi about 12 km along the winding mountain pass to Ta Phin.

- Accommodation: There are many homestays in the village with cozy spaces and close to nature, helping to experience ethnic culture more deeply.

- Interesting activities: Visit terraced fields, experience rice harvesting, discover the brocade embroidery craft of the Red Dao people, enjoy thang co, stream fish, and participate in cultural exchanges.

8. Ta Van

Ta Van is a commune located in the South of Sa Pa, about 7-8 km from the center. With steep mountainous terrain and cool climate all year round, Ta Van stands out with its large, softly curving terraced fields stretching across the mountain slopes.

The terraced fields here are not too steep, have soft lines, in harmony with the mountains and forests and the small, pretty villages interspersed.

Today, Ta Van still retains the peace and simplicity of the Northwest highlands, where ethnic minorities live with traditional customs and practices, creating a vivid cultural picture alongside the natural beauty.

Ta Van is home to the Mong and Red Dao communities with many unique cultural features such as traditional costumes, brocade embroidery, and traditional festivals. Visitors can experience local life, participate in cultural activities, and enjoy highland specialties.

- Best time: Late August to mid-September is the best time to admire the golden terraced fields.

- Transportation: From Sa Pa town center, you can rent a motorbike, bicycle or walk along the trails to Ta Van.

- Accommodation: Many homestays in the village help visitors experience the culture, life and traditional cuisine of the Mong and Red Dao people.

- Interesting activities: Visit terraced fields, take photos, experience rice harvesting, learn brocade embroidery and enjoy specialties such as thang co and grilled stream fish.

9. Happiness

Happiness is a mountainous area with many steep slopes where ethnic minorities have long cultivated terraced fields. The climate here is cool, suitable for growing rice on winding terraces, creating a very unique natural landscape.

The terraced fields in Hanh Phuc are covered in a golden color of ripe rice, stretching along the mountainside, creating a beautiful and warm landscape.

Compared to other famous terraced fields, Hanh Phuc still retains its pristine beauty, is less exploited for tourism, and is very suitable for those who love peace and exploring original nature.

Bao Yen district is home to many ethnic groups such as Mong, Tay, Nung, Dao with many unique customs and festivals. In particular, the villages around the Hanh Phuc terraced fields still maintain traditional cultural features, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the local life and culture in an authentic way.

- Best time: From September to early October, when the rice is golden ripe.

- Transportation: From Bao Yen center, you can ride a motorbike or car through the mountainous roads to Tan Tien and nearby villages. The road can be a bit difficult to travel in some sections so you need to prepare carefully.

- Accommodation: You can choose homestays in nearby ethnic villages or in the district center for convenient travel.

- Interesting activities: Hunting for photos of terraced fields, participating in rice harvesting with the locals, learning about customs and enjoying typical cuisine of the people.

Exploring Lao Cai terraced fields in the ripe rice season is a journey to discover the natural beauty, culture and people of the Northwest. It is a wonderful combination of traditional farming art and majestic natural landscape. In the modern pace of life, that beauty is like a reminder to everyone of the value of peace, attachment to the land, and strong community spirit./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/kham-pha-cac-ruong-bac-thang-dep-nhat-lao-cai-vao-mua-lua-chin-post1062119.vnp