Visiting Mu Cang Chai during the rice harvest season.

The terraced rice fields of Mu Cang Chai show off their colors in the autumn sun.

A masterpiece of nature and human craftsmanship.

Following National Highway 32 from Hanoi to Yen Bai, passing through Tu Le commune (Van Chan district) and beginning with the Khau Pha Pass – one of the "Four Great Mountain Passes" of Northern Vietnam – to reach Mu Cang Chai, a journey of approximately 300km, the terraced rice fields begin to appear in the Cao Pha valley (Cao Pha commune, Mu Cang Chai district). After crossing the pass, before reaching the town, and passing through the communes of Pung Luong, La Pan Tan, and Che Cu Nha, the terraces change color from green to yellow, and even show shades of reddish-brown from harvested fields, creating a colorful and impressive picture of nature and human ingenuity.

Mu Cang Chai is a district in the western part of Yen Bai province, located at the foot of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, at an altitude of over 1,000 meters above sea level. The terrain is mountainous and rugged due to strong dissection; the average slope of the entire district is 40 degrees, with some areas reaching 70 degrees. Terraced rice fields are a way for people to adapt to nature in this hilly and mountainous terrain, creating flat fields suitable for rice cultivation. From a distance, the fields on the hills and mountains look like steps. Only upon closer inspection do these "steps" become apparent, reaching meters high, winding endlessly, seemingly reaching for the sky, showcasing the admirable perseverance and patience of the people.

The terraced rice fields, stretching from high to low, create a majestic and romantic landscape, breathtaking and overwhelming, especially during the rice harvest season. During the harvest, the terraces in Mu Cang Chai are not only beautiful with their vibrant colors but also come alive with the farmers' harvesting activities. The unique topography, climate, and hydrology of the area cause the rice to ripen unevenly, resulting in a harvest period lasting weeks, even months, making the landscape even more dynamic.

The terraced rice fields of Mu Cang Chai are not only a testament to the production methods of the local ethnic minorities (the Mong ethnic group accounts for up to 90%) but also contain a rich and long-standing indigenous culture; a unique heritage, a masterpiece created by nature and human hands over hundreds of years. The Mu Cang Chai terraced rice fields were classified as a National Scenic Site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2007, concentrated in the communes of La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha, and De Xu Phinh, covering an area of ​​approximately 330 hectares out of a total of 2,200 hectares in the entire district. In 2019, the Mu Cang Chai terraced rice fields were classified as a Special National Monument.

In 2018, the renowned British magazine Telegraph published a list of the 12 most beautiful terraced rice fields in the world; among them, the terraced rice fields of Mu Cang Chai were one of two representatives from Vietnam to be included in this list.

The unique features of the rice harvest festival.

In recent years, Mu Cang Chai has become a "hot" tourist destination in Northern Vietnam. Mu Cang Chai is a vast paradise for nature lovers, backpackers, photographers, and photography enthusiasts. Recognizing this, the local government and tourism managers have researched and invested in transforming Mu Cang Chai during the rice harvest season into a unique brand.

First is the Paragliding Festival, first held in 2012 at Khau Pha Pass (Cao Pha commune), beside the Cao Pha valley with its rolling rice paddies. This activity has become an annual event, attracting hundreds of domestic and international paragliders. This paragliding spot is considered one of the 5 most beautiful paragliding spots in the world. The image of "flying over the golden season" has become familiar in Mu Cang Chai. To organize the paragliding activities effectively, Mu Cang Chai district has invested in building viewing platforms for visitors, a gathering point for pilots, and parking areas with food and beverage services.

Since 2015, every September, during the rice harvest season, Mu Cang Chai hosts the Mu Cang Chai Terraced Rice Fields National Special Scenic Area Discovery Festival to introduce and promote the tangible and intangible cultural values ​​and unique tourism products of Yen Bai province. The festival features many exciting activities such as a night of traditional folk art performances, a Mong flute festival, an exhibition of photos of Mu Cang Chai terraced rice fields and the cultural identity of the Mong ethnic group; a rural market space showcasing highland specialties; and hands-on farming experiences with locals on the terraced fields. In addition, there are many traditional folk games such as goat fighting, throwing the "con" (a type of ball), bamboo pole jumping, pao throwing, stick pushing, and crossbow shooting. These activities, rich in folk traditions and local culture, allow visitors to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere and the golden harvest season of Mu Cang Chai, making them reluctant to leave.

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