Trekking in Mu Cang Chai
Mu Cang Chai is appreciated by travelers who like authenticity and moments of escape on rice terraces. It is an ideal place to trek other than in Sa Pa, Bac Ha or Ha Giang regions.
Located more than 300 km northwest of Hanoi, Mu Cang Chai is known as the “kingdom of rice terraces” and has some of the most scenic rice fields in Vietnam. While trekking in Mu Cang Chai, you will be immersed in the spectacular scenery, culture and friendliness of the local people.
Less frequented than Sa Pa, Mu Cang Chai also offers several trekking itineraries over one or more days, through rice fields, Hmong villages, streams, suspension bridges, schools… The landscapes are of an exceptional beauty with cultivated valleys, mountains with rice fields on their slopes.
During a trek in Mu Cang Chai, you can go off the beaten track and discover a part of the northwest region of Vietnam. The paths will take you to remote villages to discover the daily life of the ethnic groups of this region still wild and authentic.
Where to go trekking in Mu Cang Chai ?
Che Cu Nha village
Located about 20 km from the main town, Che Cu Nha village is one of the three villages with the most beautiful terraced fields in Mu Cang Chai. Che Cu Nha village is ideal for a trek with spectacular views of the rice fields. This village is home to Hmong people who preserve their culture and traditions well. The trek allows you to get closer to the local life by meeting the inhabitants.
De Xu Phinh village
This is another village that you cannot miss during your trek to Mu Cang Chai. Like Che Cu Nha, the way of life of the people in De Xu Phinh is also well preserved. Local women still wear their traditional customs. With high mountains in the distance and endless rows of rice terraces, the panoramic views here are among the most spectacular in Mu Cang Chai.
La Pan Tan village
15km from Mu Cang Chai, La Pan Tan is a typical village of the Hmong ethnic group. The rice terraces here have been recognized as national landscapes by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The easy trek to La Pan Tan offers you endless views of the rice terraces.
Lim Mong village
Located on the side of Khau Pha Pass, Lim Mong village is hidden in the mist and clouds. This village is famous not only for its traditional Hmong culture but also for its breathtaking scenery during the harvest season.
When to go trekking in Mu Cang Chai ?
Due to its pleasant and cool climate, Mu Cang Chai is an ideal place to trek at any time of the year. However, the two seasons, May – June and mid-September – mid-October, are considered the best times for wonderful photos of the rice terraces.
From mid-September to mid-October, it is the rice harvesting season. The rice fields covered with bright yellow with the blue sky in the background form a celestial staircase.
From May to June, it is the water season, the rice fields are flooded to allow the transplanting of seedlings raised in nurseries. The rice terraces, where the color of the sky mixes with the water, are one of the characteristics of northwestern Vietnam.
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