Hillside Terraced Field Festival: Promoting eco-tourism and community tourism

The terraced fields of Mien Doi (Thuong Coc commune) are known as one of the most beautiful landscapes of Phu Tho province in particular and the Northwestern provinces in general.

Stretching across the gentle hillsides, the terraced fields of the Hill Region are not only a testament to the creativity in farming of the Muong people but also a valuable landscape resource, bearing the mark of indigenous culture.

The Hill Region is located at an altitude of about 600m above sea level, with high mountainous terrain interspersed with valleys, with the majority of Muong ethnic people living. On the journey to the Hill Region from Mia Market along the Ho Chi Minh Road, visitors will be guided by winding roads, winding between vast forests and mountains.

The special highlight of the Hill Region is the system of more than 400 hectares of terraced fields, reclaimed and cultivated by the Muong ethnic people for hundreds of years. During the flooding season (May-June) and the rice harvest season (September-October), the entire hilly area is covered with a golden coat, winding along the mountain slopes to create a vivid landscape painting.

Compared to famous destinations such as Sa Pa or Mu Cang Chai (Lao Cai), the terraced fields of the Hill Region have a rustic beauty, not yet commercialized, very suitable for the trend of "slow living" tourism and finding pristine nature.

Terraced fields in Mien Doi, Phu Tho, are in harvest season. (Photo: Trong Dat/VNA)

The terraced fields are interspersed between green primeval forests, waterfalls and cool, clear streams. This creates a charming landscape and leaves a strong impression on first-time visitors.

In addition to the majestic terraced fields, there are also traditional Muong stilt houses that have been covered by the color of time, preserving intact cultural values.

The fresh, cool air, the warmth and the attractive traditional dishes of the local people promise to make the terraced fields of the Hill Region an ideal destination, attracting a large number of tourists.

In order to promote eco-tourism and community tourism in the Hilly Region, the 2025 Hilly Region Terraced Field Festival will take place on October 25-26 in Thuong Coc commune.

This is the second communal-level cultural-tourism event held, following the success of the first festival season in 2024. This year's festival has special significance as it takes place in the context of administrative boundary merger, opening up a new development space with more potential for the Hilly region.

The event is an opportunity to honor the labor value of the people, at the same time promote the unique culture of the Muong ethnic group in the new space of Phu Tho province; contribute to promoting the development of community tourism, towards the goal of building Thuong Coc into a destination of "Identity - safety - friendliness".

With many unique activities, the festival promises to attract thousands of locals and tourists to come and admire the beauty of ripe rice, layer upon layer, the vastness of the mountains and forests.

The ripe rice fields are like golden steps in the Hill Region. (Photo: Trong Dat/VNA)

Visitors will experience unique activities such as the New Rice Celebration Ceremony (rice procession); live art programs recreating the working life, terraced field cultivation and agricultural culture of the Muong people; Muong gong performances, expressing the unique sound space of Muong culture amidst the terraced fields.

There are also folk games such as bamboo rat and men's volleyball; cultural exchange programs; displays of OCOP booths and typical agricultural products, a food court and a rural market.

Terraced fields in the Hill Region are an invaluable asset of the ethnic cultural life, reflecting the intelligence and identity of the Muong people. This is a valuable resource for developing ecotourism and community.

The locality will plan to exploit the terraced field landscape into an experiential tourist destination, associated with seasonal agricultural activities, festivals and indigenous cuisine.

Along with that, the Thuong Coc commune government focuses resources, invests in infrastructure and construction; thereby creating a breakthrough in local economic development, creating sustainable livelihoods, increasing income for people; making the Hilly Terraced Fields a unique and attractive destination on the Vietnam tourism map in the coming time./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/le-hoi-ruong-bac-thang-mien-doi-thuc-day-du-lich-sinh-thai-du-lich-cong-dong-post1071835.vnp