September – October is the best time
In September-October, the terraced fields turn bright yellow, becoming a destination attracting tourists to admire and take photos.
September-October is the most beautiful time to visit the northern highlands and admire the majestic and poetic beauty of the rice season.
Mu Cang Chai (Yen Bai), Sa Pa (Lao Cai), Hoang Su Phi (Ha Giang), Y Ty (Lao Cai) or Pu Luong (Thanh Hoa) are must-see destinations for travelers who want to plan their trip.
1. Mu Cang Chai (Yen Bai)
Mu Cang Chai is a highland district of Yen Bai province, about 300 km from Hanoi. To get there, visitors will pass through the Khau Pha Pass, one of the most beautiful and dangerous passes in Vietnam. This place is famous for its terraced fields that stretch across the entire hillside. The communes of Tu Le, La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha and Di Xu Phinh are the most popular places to see ripe rice.
The ripe rice season here begins from mid-September to early October, so visitors should consider not missing the best time of the year. Additionally, coming to Mu Cang Chai, visitors can witness traditional beliefs and farming methods and taste delicious flavors and delicacies from the Northwest mountains.
“Raspberry Hill» in Han Xung village, La Pan Tan commune is the most visited area for photography in Mu Cang Chai. The ideal time to admire the beautiful moment here is recommended early in the morning. The road up the hill is quite dangerous, you need to check the suggestions and experiences of local people.
From the view of Khau Pha Pass, visitors can completely admire the entire scene of majestic terraced fields in the air. If you want to enjoy and immerse yourself in nature here, you must hurry up and plan the trip just before people start harvesting the rice.
Chow to go to Mu Cang Chai
From Hanoi, you can travel alone by motorbike, car or bus from My Dinh bus station to Mu Cang Chai on the Hanoi – Lai Chau route. Upon arrival, you can choose to rent a motorbike and ride around Mu Cang Chai town and neighboring towns.
LThe best photo spots in Mu Cang Chai
There are many attractive places to view the beautiful terraced fields of Mu Cang Chai such as the valley of Tu Le, Che Cu Nha, La Pan Tan, Di Xu Phinh Or Mam Xoi Hill
Ou sleep
During the ripe rice season, the number of visitors increases, you must book in advance. Visitors can stay at You Or Nghia Lo, where there are many hotels and rooms priced from 300,000 to 500,000 VND/night.
To reduce costs, you can also choose a group homestay for around 100,000-200,000 VND/night. Before leaving, you must contact the accommodation in advance to avoid running out of rooms upon your arrival.
2. Sapa (Lao Cai)
Sa Pa (Lao Cai) is a famous tourist destination in the northwest mountains. Late August to late September is the time to attract visitors not only because of the cool weather but also because of the golden rice terrace fields.
Along the Muong Hoa valley, the village of Ta Van, Ta Phin… are picturesque fields. In some places, visitors can experience the bustling atmosphere of the harvest season.
The fields of Sa Pa have been voted among the seven most beautiful rice terraces in Asia and the world by the famous travel magazine Travel and Leisure of the US. Besides observing the ripe rice, visitors can also visit many other famous sites such as Mount Fansipan, Stone Church, Cau May Old Town, Love Waterfall, O Quy Ho Pass…
Chow to get there
Sa Pa is one of the main tourist destinations in the North, so it is not difficult to get there from the capital of Hanoi to here. The most popular vehicle for tourists is private cars, a bus or shuttles.
For shuttle buses, you can choose to take a seat with prices ranging from 220,000 to 450,000 VND/hour. Some renowned companies are recommended by people like Fansipan Express, Green Bus, Sapa Express, Sapa Limousine VIP
The bus ride to Sapa takes approximately 5-6 hours. They usually drop you off at the company offices. Most of these offices are located on Dien Bien Phu Street near Sapa Bus Station. You can book a taxi or rent a motorbike to get to the hotel.
To save time, the night travel schedule to Sa Pa is chosen by many tourists. You depart from Hanoi at 10:00 p.m. and arrive Sa Pa around 4-5 a.m., check in early to your hotel and can start your journey to explore the rice fields.
LThe best photo spots in Sapa
Want to see ripe rice, visitors should turn to the villages of Ta Van, Ta Phin, Hau Thao, Su Pan, Nam Cang, Trung Chai …where the most beautiful terraced fields are located.
Ou sleep
Visitors need not worry about finding accommodation as long-established hospitality services, hotels and accommodation establishments are concentrated in the city center as well as the villages of Ta Van and Ta Phine. Places with beautiful rice views include Topas Ecolodge, Sa Pa Jade Hill, Eco Palm House, Lee’s House, Rua’s House…
3. Y Ty (Lao Cai)
Y Ty is located in Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province, located at almost 2000 meters above sea level. Y Ty also attracts tourists with its golden terraced fields. Famous ripe rice viewing sites are Ngai Thau, Choan Than, Lao Chai, Khu Chu Lin, A Mu Sung…
This year, the rice ripening season here only lasts about 3 weeks, starting from the beginning of September, at this time, Y Ty fades into the aroma of rice everywhere, creating a special atmosphere. You can take a bus or train to Lao Cai. From there, tourists rent a motorbike, follow to Muong Hum Palace or Bat Xat to see the whole scene.
How to get to Y Ty
Tourists travel from Hanoi to Lao Cai, then rent a motorbike along Muong Hum or Bat Xat streets. To save time, you can choose to go there by car which goes directly to Y Ty. However, you won’t be able to see the beautiful scenery along the way when choosing this move.
The best photo spots in Y Ty
Early morning is also a good time to watch rice at Y Ty. If you want to take the best photos during the rice season, you can go to Ngai Thau, about 7 km from Y Ty. Other points such as To Read, the region of Chu Lin, the valley of Thien Sinh are also famous places to see the most beautiful terraces in this northwest land.
Ou sleep
You can choose to stay with homestays in Y Ty such as A Co, A Ho, Co Si, Xa Ha Nhi, Y Ty Clouds…
Accommodations here are still rare and not abundant. Room rates are around 300,000-500,000 VND/night.
4. Hoang Su Phi (Ha Giang)
Hoang Su Phi (Ha Giang) is always a favorite place for travelers. The two most beautiful seasons here are the rainy season (March-May) and the ripe rice season (September-October). Hoang Su Phi Road is divided into two lanes, from Route 2 through Tuyen Quang to Ha Giang across, or from the Bac Ha (Lao Cai) side of the road to Xin Man.
This year, the rice ripening season lasts from mid-September to mid-October. The special feature of Hoang Su Phi during the ripening rice season is that the terraced fields are stacked evenly. Moreover, in Ha Giang, visitors do not forget to visit the Dong Van Stone plateau, ancient houses, Meo Vac market… and taste the specialties here.
The terraced fields in Ha Giang were transplanted late, so the rice is ripe later. The ripe rice season in Hoang Su Phi is around the end of October.
How to get to Hoang Su Phi
Tourists have to travel 300 km from Hanoi to Ha Giang. Depending on the different route, the time in Hoang Su Phi also changes. You can take a bus or train to the mountainous provinces and then rent a motorbike to travel. This way of moving is quite practical and does not require much effort.
The best photo spots in Hoang Su Phi
The terraced fields of Hoang Su Phi are concentrated in the villages of Luoc, Phung, Nam Ty, Thong Nguyen, San Sa Ho and Ho Thau. The two most beautiful places to watch rice are Lo Doc and Phung. Due to its popularity, these 2 destinations are equally popular with visitors.
Ou sleep
Guests can stay overnight in popular hotels in Ha Giang City with an average price of 170,000 to 400,000 VND.
You can also request a stay with a homestay or homestay in Hoang Su Phi for convenience in traveling and sightseeing. Some nice homestays you can refer to like Hoang Su Phi Lodge, Chi Tai homestay, Kinh homestay…
5. Pu Long (Thanh Hoa)
Pu Luong belongs to a nature reserve, located in Ba Thuoc and Quan Hoa districts, about 130 km northwest of the city center. The north and northeast of Pu Luong are bordered by Mai Chau, Tan Lac and Lac Son districts of Hoa Binh province.
Situated in a secluded location, Pu Luong is known as a resort paradise, “Vietnamese’s version of Bali”. Coming here, you can not only relax in the tranquil natural surroundings, but also admire the poetic beauty of the terraced fields.
In September-October, Pu Luong is in the rice season, you can arrange a schedule to take a rice tour here.
Chow to go to Pu Long
The road that goes straight ahead and leads directly to Pu Luong is at 15C. If you start from Hanoi and Northern provinces, you go to Ban Lac, Mai Chau then continue driving towards Co Luong and Dong Do. Then you turn onto Route 15C which runs along the Ma River to reach the Pu Luong Nature Reserve.
The best photo spots in Pu Long
To see the ripe rice and check in the beautiful Pu Luong, you can visit Ban Cong commune, the heart of the nature reserve like Don village, Hieu village, Kho Muong village…
Visitors can choose the trek through Pu Luong. Starting from Kho Muong village, you pass through 4 villages of Pok – Thanh Cong – Cao Hoong – Kem to explore the life, culture and customs of the local people.
If you follow the Kho Muong – Uoi – Pho Doan trail, you will arrive at Quan village. Experience the peaceful, simple and slow life here.
Where to sleep
Pu Luong is an ecotourism destination with a diverse accommodation system, so you can choose to stay with a homestay, stay with a homestay in Kho Muong, Kem, Bang or relax at the resorts.
6. Bac Son (Lang Son)
Unlike Sa Pa, Y Ty and Mu Cang Chai, which have only one ripe rice season per year, Bac Son Valley has two seasons in May-June and August-October. In particular, autumn is between end of August and beginning of October with cool and favorable weather, which often attracts many tourists.
The best view point for rice as well as chasing clouds, sunsets and sunrises in Bac Son is Na Lay Peak, where there is a mobile broadcast station.
Although there are no terraced fields, Bac Son rice is planted throughout the valley, at the foot of the same limestone mountains. In autumn, each field is a different color, the alternation between the harvested soil and the earth which turns yellow creates a magical color palette.
