More than 300 km north of Hanoi, Mu Cang Chai is one of the “must-visit” places during the ripe rice season in Yen Bai. This highland district captivates tourists not only because of its attractive ripe rice season but also with mineral hot spring spots, markets, festivals and many delicious specialties.
Coming to Mu Cang Chai in October, especially in the first days of the month, is when the rice begins to ripen, alternating layers of green and yellow appearing before the eyes of those with the Northwest dream is an unforgettable experience.
Table of Contents
1. Brief introduction about Mu Cang Chai
Mu Cang Chai is a small rural district located in the mountains of the Yen Bai Province in Northwestern Vietnam (about 300 km from Hanoi). This is an ideal destination for those who love nature and majestic mountains and forests.
Mu Cang Chai is an ideal destination for those who love nature and majestic mountains and forests.
Coming to Mu Cang Chai even once, visitors will feel the richness of nature, the uniqueness of culture, and the warmth of human love. The road to Mu Cang Chai is far and difficult, but very interesting. The scenery changes constantly on the road, from Thai stilt houses on the vast Muong Lo field with thousands of white daylilies to winding roads on steep hillsides.
Annually around September and October, thousands of tourists will come here to admire one of the most beautiful terraced fields in Vietnam. If you have never been to this land, pack your backpack and hit the road right away, you won’t regret it.
2. Best time to visit Mu Cang Chai
Mu Cang Chai is visually breathtaking year-round, but the planting and harvest seasons seem to draw the most attention. The Plating season (aka Water Pouring Season) falls from late May to early June, the fields are like “mirrors” reflecting the whole world. From September to October is the golden-yellow season (Ripe Rice Season) of Mu Cang Chai, attracting photographers and tourists to see the colorful highland paintings.
Mu Cang Chai in the plating season (aka Water Pouring Season) – ©Vietnam Tourism
3. Must-try activities when coming to Mu Cang Chai during the ripe rice season
3.1 Trekking and Hiking
Mu Cang Chai is a paradise for trekkers and hikers. There are many trekking trails that take you through terraced rice fields and into the surrounding hills and forests. These unofficial viewing place of the rice fields include Lung Cung peak, Khau Pha pass, Mam Xoi hill…. From here visitors can admire all their splendor. The road to get there is not easy to navigate, especially when it rains, so you should find a local driver or guide to help.
Trekking in Mu Cang Chai – ©Viet Action
Another great trekking destination that tourists cannot miss is Na Hang Tua Chu Bamboo Forest. This 60-year-old bamboo forest is located 20 km from the center of Mu Cang Chai town and is also a supplier of bamboo shoots specialties for the region. The road here on rainy days is very muddy and steep, you need to be very careful when moving. But once you get here, you won’t be disappointed as you walk among the giant bamboo stalks (some up to 30 feet tall) while the wind rustles and the birds serenade, immersing you in the chorus of nature.
Na Hang Tua Chu Bamboo Forest is a supplier of bamboo shoots specialties for the region
3.2 Paragliding
Khau Pha Pass – one of the four great passes of Vietnam, is where paragliding activities take place every year called “Flying over golden fields” festival. From here, pilots and tourists can parachute and experience thrilling experiences while also viewing the panoramic view of Lim Mong valley during the ripe rice season. Located right at the foot of Khau Pha pass, Lim Mong – Lim Thai valley is where the Thai ethnic people live. When coming here, in addition to sightseeing, visitors can ride among the ripe golden fields, watch the peaceful village during harvest time, engage with local people or play by the cool streams.
Paragliding in Mu Cang Chai – ©Vietnam Tourism
3.3 Biking
During this time, Mu Cang Chai offers you impressive cycling routes through lush valleys, along terraced rice fields and traditional villages. From Mu Cang Chai town to villages like Muong Lo Valley, La Pan Tan Village, De Xu Phinh Village, etc. will definitely not disappoint you. The golden-yellow rice terraces are a sight to behold, and biking allows you to get closer to these amazing landscapes. What’s more, you also have the opportunity to engage directly with local people, learn about their culture and even enjoy local dishes.
Biking along Muong Lo valley – ©Golden Holiday Travel
3.4 Enjoy Tu Le Com (green rice) – nature’s gift
Tu Le commune, Van Chan district, Yen Bai province, 3 km from Khau Pha pass, famous for its typical tan sticky rice variety. When the rice begins to ripen on the terraced fields, Thai people in Tu Le are busy preparing new batches of com to sell everywhere. Com is considered a gift from nature, with a mild sweetness and fragrant aroma. This can be considered a “specialty” that you cannot miss when coming to Mu Cang Chai during the harvest season.
To make delicious batches of green rice, early in the morning, Thai girls in Tu Le go to the fields to pick young sticky rice flakes to bring home – ©Tien Khanh/
3.5 Zipline
For those who love adventure, you can consider Aeris Hill. The longest zipline route in Vietnam (1.2 km) is located in the Aeris Hill adventure game area in Nuoc Nong village, Tu Le commune, Van Chan district. This zipline will give you the opportunity to enjoy the colorful harvest fields, forests and mountains of Mu Cang Chai from a different perspective. Along with zipline games, Aeris Hill also offers many other adventure games such as zorbing, high-wire walking, a variety of wall climbing systems, as well as swings which take you over the abyss.
 Zipline in Aeris Hill – ©Facebook: Aeris Hill |  Zorbing in Aeris Hill – ©Facebook: Aeris Hill |
3.6 Mineral hot spring
Further afield is Tram Tau, about 100 km from Mu Cang Chai. Although far from the center, this is still considered a famous hot mineral spring and is also a worthy place to be added to the itinerary to explore Mu Cang Chai during the ripe rice season. The hot mineral spring here has a natural underground vein and is very good for health, especially for people with bone and joint pain. Not far from the mineral hot spring, there are local spring bathing spots for free such as in Coi village, Hoc village…
The hot mineral spring here has a natural underground vein and is very good for health, especially for people with bone and joint pain – ©Vietnam Tourism/Internet
4. Travel tips
- Please be careful to act responsibly and not litter.
- Do not jostle to take photos, do not give money or gifts to children along the way.
- For those who often participate in outdoor activities such as trekking, hiking or biking, bring water to avoid dehydration.
- Mu Cang Chai’s weather is erratic, hot during the day, but cold at night. Please prepare a light jacket to avoid catching a cold.
Mu Cang Chai is a destination that combines the pristine beauty of nature with the richness of local culture waiting for you to explore. Hopefully the above tourist destinations in Mu Cang Chai in October will meet the research needs of those interested in traveling to the ripe rice season.
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