Mu Cang Chai the most wanted visit place in the north of Vietnam

WHEN TO GO

Mu Cang Chai is beautiful all year round, but it is stunning during the planting and harvesting seasons (winter-spring). The planting season is from the end of May to the beginning of June, when the rice fields are filled with water and look like a mirror reflecting the world.

From September to October is the harvest season, which attracts lots of photographers and tourists who come to admire the colorful scene. At the end of December is the season for wild peaches to bloom.

The weather in Mu Cang Chai is quite unusual, hot during the day and cold at night. To avoid sickness, visitors are advised to bring a lightweight jacket.

WHAT TO EXPLORE

Khau Pha Pass

Khau Pha Pass is where annual paragliding activities take place and are dubbed “Flying over the yellow season”. Visitors can get panoramic view sof Lim Mong valley while soaring over the terrace fields during the rice harvest season. It is an experience that thrill seekers should absolutely not miss.

Lim Mong – Lim Thai Valley

Lim Mong – Lim Thai Valley is where Thai villages are located just below Khau Pha Pass, one of the four great peaks of Vietnam.

Going through the suspension bridge are small paths sloping up the mountain. Visitors to Lim Mong in the harvest season in September-November will see themselves surrounded by golden rice fields on both sides of the road. They can drive through these fields, see the peaceful village and have a chat with the friendly locals before taking a break by the cool streams.

Terraced fields

Terraced fields cover more than 2,200 hectares in Mu Cang Chai. Of them, 500 hectares are recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national heritage belonging to the three villages of La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha and De Xu Phinh.

Tu Le Commune

Tu Le Commune in Yen Bai Province’s Van Chan District is situated three kilometers from Khau Pha Pass and is famous for its glutinous rice variety. When the rice harvest season begins, the Thai people in Tu Le are all busy and excited about preparing a new batch of cốm or green rice flakes.

Mam Xoi Hill

Mam Xoi Hill has for long been a symbol of the rice ripening season in Mu Cang Chai. It is in La Pan Tan, eight kilometers from the town center. Because the road is difficult to traverse, visitors should get a motorcycle-taxi to safely reach their destination. There is also a buckwheat flower garden and an ethnic clothing rental service for tourists to take photos near the hill.

Mong Ngua Hill

Mong Ngua Hill in Sang Nhu village, two kilometers from Mu Cang Chai town, has picturesque semicircular terraced fields. It attracts a lot of photographers during the harvest season.

Bamboo forest in Na Hang Tua village

There is a 60-year-old bamboo forest 20 kilometers from Mu Cang Chai town. This is where locals go to collect bamboo shoots, a specialty of the region. The steep road is muddy on rainy days. Travelers cannot drive to the due to the narrow and slick road, and have to either walk there or hire locals to drive them there on motorbikes.