Where and when to see the rice terraces in Vietnam ?
When you think of Vietnam, you think of impressive landscapes of rice terraces. Typically located in remote areas, on the sides of mountains or in the hollows of valleys, these beautiful landscapes are the dream of many travelers.
The rice fields have been shaped and preserved by ethnic minorities for generations. These true works of art are known as a unique culture and a famous tourist attraction that no visitor can miss during a trip to Vietnam.
Today, we reveal you our favorite sites in Vietnam to admire the rice terraces of the country.
1. Sapa
Located in Lao Cai province, on the Chinese border, Sapa is world famous for its rice terraces. It is a small paradise for those who like to take beautiful pictures of the lush rice terraces, dotted with ethnic villages. The rice terraces are an exceptional culture of this region. Travelers visiting Sapa often hike or trek to experience the beauty of the rice terraces and the culture of the minority people.
Best period: from May to mid-September. In May, the farmers pour water on the fields. The rice grows until August when it starts to turn yellow and is harvested around mid-September.
2. Mu Cang Chai
Mu Cang Chai is located in Yen Bai province, about 300 km from Hanoi. It is a popular destination for nature lovers and photographers who love rice terraces. The fields are vast, surrounded by mountains and hills of remarkable beauty. The villages with the most beautiful rice terraces are Che Cu Nha, La Pan Tan and De Xu Phinh, they have been distinguished as cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture and have been ranked among the most beautiful in the world.
Best period : from May to see the rice fields in water or before the harvest from September to October to see them yellow.
3. Hoang Su Phi
Lovers of off-the-beaten-path travel will prefer Hoang Su Phi, which is full of villages based almost exclusively on rice cultivation. Hoang Su Phi offers an incredible view of the various valleys adorned with rice terraces stretching to infinity. This masterpiece, combining hundreds of years of natural and human ingenuity, is born from the skilled hands of local ethnic minorities: Nung, La Chi, Dao.
Best period: It is advisable to go there from the end of April to mid-November.
4. Y Ty
Located in Bat Xat district, about 70 km north of Sapa, Y Ty is known as a small mountain village in the clouds. This village attracts travelers not only by its authentic ethnic people but also by its fabulous landscapes of rice terraces.
Best period: From summer to see them green and from September to see them yellow. Note that the rice fields are in water at the end of April before the rice is planted.
5. Pu Luong
Located in Thanh Hoa province, 150 km from Hanoi, Pu Luong is an ideal place for those who do not have time to go to Sa Pa to admire the rice terraces. The rice terraces of Pu Luong are less impressive than those of the previous places but still offer a nice view and are easier to reach from Hanoi.
Best period: Pu Luong has 2 harvests per year. The first one is from mid-June to early July and the second one from mid-October to mid-November. The best periods to take great pictures of rice terraces are February to May and September to November.
You can now start planning your trip, choosing the place and time that suits you best to admire the spectacular rice terraces in Vietnam.
