Top 8 destinations to see golden rice season in Vietnam

The dazzling golden rice season in Vietnam is coming! It will take place over a short period from the beginning of September until the first days of October throughout northern Vietnam. Whether in the valleys or on the steep slopes of the mountains, the Vietnamese people will harvest their rice, which gives the rice fields a dusting of gold when they’re ripping. An extraordinary season for the beauty of the landscapes and to be able to observe Vietnamese farmer life at its peak during this glorious time of the year. Where to go during a tour in Vietnam to be able to attend such a spectacle?

Come and discover with us the best places to contemplate beautiful rice fields in northern Vietnam!

1. Mu Cang Chai

To get to Mu Cang Chai, you need to cross the immense rice-growing valley of Nghia Lo, one of the largest in northern Vietnam. Then, you take the famous photographers' route. Over a hundred kilometres, this road reveals magnificent landscapes of rice terraces such as the Khau Pha pass which offers a spectacular view of the rice terraces of Tu Le town. The show continues in Mu Cang Chai, a district that offers incredible amphitheatres of rice terraces.

Here is a nice video of Mu Cang Chai to share:

2. Sapa and Ta Phin

Push further north from Mu Cang Chai to get to the Sapa area. The surroundings of this former climatic station of the colonial era offer its visitors breath-taking rice terraces carved with the sole force of the hand of man. At the end of September, the rice fields are teeming with activity. The rice is cut, beaten, sorted and transported. Hiking remains the best way to admire these fabulous terraced rice fields and to meet the Hmong and Dao ethnic groups in Sapa. Do not miss spending one or more nights with locals to immerse yourself in the traditions to which these ethnic groups are fiercely attached.

3. Bac Ha

The Bac Ha area also offers splendid rice terraces in this golden rice season in Vietnam. In addition, Bac Ha and its region are home to many ethnic markets. These picturesque markets are the place many ethnic minorities go. The colourful Hmong women splash colour in these markets with their shimmering traditional costumes.

4. Hoang Su Phi

From Bac Ha, continuing East, you enter Hoang Su Phi, a rural district of Ha Giang province. Officially recognized as a national natural heritage in 2012 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the rice terraces of Hoang Su Phi are among the most spectacular in all of northern Vietnam. The rice farmers in Hoang Su Phi have created wonderful scenery on the mountainside, to the delight of travellers. Hiking is also one of the top activities there and allows you to be at the heart of these stunning landscapes and meet the Dao, Nung, Hmong and La Chi ethnic groups who live in these beautiful natural settings. If you have more time during your Vietnam tour, don't miss this beautiful region!

5. At the foot of Tay Con Linh mountain

Still further East and still in the Ha Giang province, the villages at the foot of the Tay Con Linh mountain are surrounded by magnificent rice terraces. Here, the harvest is later and begins at the end of October. It’s perfect for latecomers and for those who then wish to explore the fabulous karst plateau of Dong Van.

6. Cao Bang Province

This province with its rough and chaotic terrain, where the dense forests on the top of limestone mountains will give visitors mesmerizing landscape pictures during the golden rice season in Vietnam. At the foot of the stone giants are carpets of rice fields where farmers are busy harvesting. Note that Cao Bang province is home to two natural jewels of Vietnam: the spectacular Ban Gioc waterfalls and the superb Nguom Ngao cave, more than two kilometres long and contains impressive geological formations. Territory marked by the imprint of history, Cao Bang shelters, in particular along the famous RC4, some vestiges of the Indochina war as well as the historical site of Pac Bo where the father of the nation Ho Chi Minh found refuge in 1941 and began his fight for the independence of Vietnam under the yoke of French colonialism.

7. The rice-growing valleys of Mai Chau and Mai Hich

Located just 3 hours by road from Hanoi, the rice-growing valleys of Mai Chau and Mai Hich are two beautiful destinations, neighbouring each other by about fifteen kilometres, you can admire the agricultural activities and the breath-taking panoramas. On foot or by bike, travellers can explore these two wonderful rice-growing oases inhabited by the White Thai ethnic group. Let’s enjoy their legendary hospitality by staying in their beautiful traditional wooden house on stilts.

8. Pu Luong Nature Reserve

It is close to about thirty kilometres from Mai Chau and Mai Hich. This superb natural setting is home to very beautiful rice terraces nestled between limestone reliefs, mountains and tropical forests. There are many hiking routes there, as well as opportunities to stay with locals, of the Thai and Muong ethnic groups.

Choose one or a few destinations to be able to enjoy the golden rice season of Northern Vietnam! It is worth it during your trip to Vietnam.

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