Mu Cang Chai is located at the foot of Hoang Lien Son mountain of Yen Bai province, about 6-7 hours drive from Hanoi.
It is well known for its spectacular rice terraces which are best in June and September. It is a favorite destination for nature lovers and photographers.
Visitors can take a 3-day trip to Mu Cang Chai and its surroundings (Khau Pha pass, Nghia Lo, Tu Le commune, La Pan Tan, Kim Noi, etc.). You will be impressed by the beautiful Khau Pha pass road with the most winding passes on one side and the most beautiful terraced fields in the country on the other.
How to get to Mu Cang Chai
Mu Cang Chai is about 330 km northwest of Hanoi. With the improvement of the road network, it is now so much easier to access Mu Cang Chai by motorbike, tourist bus and especially by private car.
1. By motorbike
This can be a perfect method for those who love adventure and get familiar with winding mountain roads, as it is a long drive of 7-8 hours on uphill and winding roads.
Getting to Mu Cang Chai by motorbike can be a fun experience as it allows you to visit several places on the way that are too far for a walk and the paths are too small for cars. For safety reasons, you should not drive at high speeds and at night due to low visibility.
2. By tourist bus
There are local sleeper buses from Hanoi to Mu Cang Chai, such as Khanh Thuy, Thao Nguyen, Cuong Lan. Pick-up points in Hanoi are at My Dinh, Giap Bat and Gia Lam bus stations, and the drop-off point is in the center of Mu Cang Chai town.
The first bus is at 10 a.m. and the last at 11:30 p.m. It takes around 7.5 hours to reach Mu Cang Chai district. From the bus station, you have to rent a motorbike to access the rice terraces or Thai villages…. Even though the cost is quite cheap at around €8-12 one way, but very few people choose this option.
3. By private car
There is no doubt that traveling with a private car is the most convenient way. The driver will pick you up from your hotel lobby at your preferred time and take you to Mu Cang Chai for a 6-7 hour journey. It is flexible and you can stop along the way for a photo break. You don’t need to follow bus or train schedules. However, this option cost you a few extra dollars.
Best time to visit Mu Cang Chai
Mu Cang Chai itself is a beautiful place all year round. However, the best time to visit Mu Cang Chai is undoubtedly during the rice harvest, from mid-September to mid-October when the endless rice terraces turn from green to yellow. It is also a good time for hikers and photography enthusiasts. From a distance, the rice fields look like golden silk scarves flying in the wind above the green mountain slopes, making the mountain landscape astonishingly beautiful.
Between May and June, it’s watering time when the first summer rains begin to slide down the mountain to the terraces. Water flows into the fields making the arid soil softer and broken so that rice can be transplanted. During this period, local people start plowing for a new harvest. The surface of the terraced fields shines like a mirror reflecting the contrast between the reddish brown of the soil, the deep blue of the sky and the green of the surrounding forests creating a picture of natural beauty.
What to see in Mu Cang Chai
The Khau Pha Pass
Khau Pha is one of the four major passes in North Vietnam. Located just after Tu Le Town, Khau Pha Pass is over 30 km long and connects Mu Cang Chai District and Van Chan District.
By climbing the pass, by motorbike or by car, you will have the chance to see the magnificent landscapes of nature. The summit of the pass is 1,200 m above sea level and is covered in fog most of the time.
A climb up to the pass provides a perfect spot for beautiful views and the most striking moments are when the rice terraces are flooded for the next rice harvest and when the rice ripens.
The Tu Le Valley
Tu Le Valley is considered a tourist destination that should not be missed during a trip to Mu Cang Chai.
Here you will admire the terraced fields that stretch in beautiful yellows and greens. To capture beautiful images of the Tu Le rice terraces, you need to be at the top of Khau Pha Pass from 7am to 9am.
Tu Le is also a popular destination for an overnight stay in mini guesthouses, motels or a hike to visit beautiful Black Hmong and Thai tribe villages or homestay in Lim Mong village of Black Hmong.
Che Cu Nha Village
The village is located about 20 km from Mu Cang Chai. Che Cu Nha village is perfect for taking photos with its spectacular views, but the road to the rice terraces viewpoint is very steep and quite dangerous if you go there by motorbike. Che Cu Nha has a timeless quality while the local traditional style is still well preserved. A trip to Che Cu Nha brings a closer touch to local life.
Village By Xu Phinh
This is another village that you cannot miss during your trip to Mu Cang Chai. Like Che Cu Nha, the lifestyle of the people of De Xu Phinh is also well preserved. Local women still wear the typical ethnic clothing. The roadside location is cool and windy and is a well-known spot for tourists to stop and take photos.
La Pan Tan Village
La Pan Tan is a mountain village of the H’mong ethnic group in the district of Mu Cang Chai. The rice terraces here have been recognized as national landscapes by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Mam Xoi Hill
Mam Xoi Hill is a symbolic image of the golden season of Mu Cang Chai over the years. The hill is located in La Pan Tan, more than 8 km from the city center, the road is difficult, so you need to stop and park your car, motorcycle and hire a motorcycle taxi from local people to take it to the place.
On the big hill of Mam Xoi, if you go to the hut to take photos, it costs extra 5,000 VND per person. Going to the rice field adds 10,000 VND per person.
Horseshoe Hill
Horseshoe Hill in Sang Nhu, more than 2 km from Mu Cang Chai town, has picturesque semi-circular terraced fields. Every rice ripening season, this place attracts many photographers to take pictures. Tickets for each of the above cost 20,000 VND per adult, 10,000 VND per child. The price of motorcycle taxis to the place ranges from 60,000 to 100,000 VND per person, both ways.
Bamboo forest in Na Hang Tua village
The 60-year-old bamboo forest is located 20 km from the center of Mu Cang Chai town. It is also a place to provide bamboo shoot specialties for the region.
The road coming here on rainy days is very muddy and steep. Tourists often have to walk or hire locals to drive motorbikes to tourist spots because the dirt road is narrow, steep and slippery.
Tram Tau Hot Springs
The hot water from the natural underground circuit is very good for health, especially for people suffering from joint pain.
This place is also a homestay, so visitors who want to stay overnight should book in advance. Not far from the hot mineral baths area, there is a free spring bathing place of local people like in Coi village, Hoc village…
