Mu Cang Chai is in its most beautiful season, many places are "sold out", guests book half a year in advance

(Dan Tri) - The number of visitors to Lao Cai in September to participate in cultural and tourism activities, see ripe rice, climb mountains... is estimated to reach more than 1 million. In many areas, visitors have difficulty booking rooms because the rice season is at its most beautiful.

Number of visitors to Lao Cai increased by 20%

Waking up early in the morning in Pung Luong commune, Lao Cai (La Pan Tan commune, Mu Cang Chai, old Yen Bai ), Thu Huong (26 years old, living in Hanoi) only took 10 minutes to move to Mam Xoi hill - a place praised by many as "the most beautiful terraced fields in the Northwest" - to admire the golden season scenery.

Huong said that to get a room at the resort near this tourist spot, she had to book half a year in advance.

“When I checked in, the receptionist said the resort was fully booked on weekends in September and October, and if I didn’t book in advance, there wouldn’t be any rooms left,” said the 26-year-old woman.

The Raspberry Hill area was crowded with visitors last weekend (Photo: Giang Hanh Phuc).

The ripe rice season in Mu Cang Chai is at its most beautiful, attracting a large number of tourists from all over to visit. Last weekend, at famous check-in spots such as Mam Xoi Hill and Mong Ngua, traffic jams occurred. Tourists spent many hours traveling and waiting to take photos.

“The small roads leading to the rice fields were packed with visitors. Around 6-7pm on September 20-21, many people and vehicles were still having difficulty moving,” said A Giang, a motorbike taxi driver.

Sharing with Dan Tri reporter, Mr. Ha Quoc Trung, Head of Lao Cai Tourism Management and Development Department, informed that the total number of visitors to Lao Cai in September (from August 16 to September 15) is estimated at 1 million, an increase of 20% compared to August.

According to Mr. Ha Quoc Trung, in September, the number of visitors to Lao Cai increased significantly compared to August, reflecting the growing attraction of the destination during the autumn-winter transition period.

Many tourists choose to visit the rice fields early to avoid the crowds (Photo: Lam Steven).

The reason for this increase comes from many favorable factors. First of all, September has a long National Day holiday on September 2, creating conditions for tourists to arrange long trips. The cool, pleasant weather with little rain and storms also helps sightseeing and experiencing activities become more convenient.

Besides, this is also the time when many unique local cultural and spiritual events take place such as Bao Ha Temple Festival, Nghia Do Temple Festival with traditional rituals and folk games imbued with Tay ethnic identity, attracting a large number of visitors from all over.

International visitors to Lao Cai in September increased thanks to the trekking season (hiking, exploring, climbing mountains) in Sa Pa, Ta Van, Y Ty, Ta Chi Nhu, Ta Xua, Lung Cung... In particular, the ripe rice season and favorable weather conditions suitable for outdoor activities have attracted tourists.

The famous terraced fields are sought after by many people (Photo: Lam Steven).

Accept to rent rooms 20-30km away from destination

Due to the attraction of the golden season in Mu Cang Chai, many resorts, homestays, motels, hotels… are also in the busiest season of the year. Rooms with views of the terraced fields are always sought after and booked early.

Garrya Mu Cang Chai representative said that September - October is the peak tourist season of the year in Mu Cang Chai, so the number of room bookings at the resort has increased sharply compared to previous months.

“Compared to summer, the number of visitors during the rice harvest season increases many times. Most weekends in September and October, the resort is almost fully booked, guests often book long in advance to secure a spot,” said the representative.

Mu Cang Chai's landscape attracts many tourists (Photo: Garrya Mu Cang Chai).

Owning 110 high-class resort rooms with a view embracing the majestic mountains and forests, only about 1km from check-in points of Mam Xoi hill, 2km from Mong Ngua... this place is chosen by many tourists to experience luxury tourism combined with exploring nature, culture and unique indigenous cuisine of Lao Cai and Yen Bai regions.

Mr. Giang Ho, owner of Trung Khanh - Khau Pha homestay, said that many guest houses at famous check-in spots such as Mam Xoi hill and Mong Ngua have been fully booked.

“It is very difficult to book rooms in those areas at this time. Many guests who cannot rent a room have chosen motels and homestays 20-30km away from the destination, accepting to travel an additional 1 or 1.5 hours by motorbike to visit and take pictures,” said Mr. Ho.

Room rental prices at locations far from Mam Xoi, Mong Ngua Hill... will be cheaper, from 300,000 to 500,000 VND/room. Meanwhile, according to a reporter's survey, at some motels about 4-5km from Mam Xoi, Mong Ngua, the rental prices are quite high, from 1 million VND or more for a room with 2 beds, simple furniture.

September and October are the peak tourist seasons of the year in Mu Cang Chai (Photo: Giang Hanh Phuc).

According to a representative of the Lao Cai Tourism Management and Development Department, in order to improve the quality of accommodation and services for tourists, in the previous months, the Lao Cai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism had issued a document to guide relevant units.

Accordingly, mobilize and encourage members (tourism businesses) to proactively innovate, improve service quality, and build unique and attractive tourism products associated with local cultural and historical values.

The People's Committees of communes and wards direct and urge tourism service businesses in the area to strictly implement the provisions of the law on tourism business, especially on posting prices and selling at the listed prices, not allowing the situation of arbitrarily raising prices, soliciting and forcing customers.

The units also strengthened the inspection and supervision of local tourism activities, promptly detected and strictly handled violations and negative acts that negatively affected the province's tourism image.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/mu-cang-chai-mua-dep-nhat-nhieu-noi-chay-phong-khach-dat-truoc-nua-nam-20250923084152217.htm