Peaceful Mu Cang Chai amidst the mountains and forests of Northwest Vietnam.

Pham Tu is currently a young photographer in Hanoi, and many of his photo series have garnered attention online. Recently, he visited Mu Cang Chai during the time when the area was bathed in the golden hues of the ripening rice fields.

Sharing with Travellive, Pham Tu said: "If you're going for an experiential trip, you can visit Mu Cang Chai all year round, in any season. But if you're going to check in and take photos, you should visit Mu Cang Chai during the rice harvest season, around September to October. The rice fields are very beautiful at this time and attract many tourists from all over."

Captivated by the beauty of the terraced rice fields.

Mu Cang Chai in autumn is picture-perfect, with its terraced rice fields shimmering in the late afternoon sun. Looking out towards the horizon, one is met with the endless charm of the region's natural landscape. On the high hills, the terraced rice fields resemble golden sashes, gracefully embracing the villages and small houses scattered along the hillsides. In autumn, Mu Cang Chai is always filled with the fragrant aroma of ripening rice, freshly roasted rice, and the rich scent of steaming hot rice...

If you love the rustic beauty of mountainous regions and enjoy exploring peaceful rural villages, you certainly won't be able to resist the beauty of the terraced rice fields here. Visiting Mu Cang Chai during the golden season, Pham Tu couldn't help but exclaim: "The terraced rice fields here during the harvest season are truly beautiful, and this is also a characteristic feature of Mu Cang Chai tourism. The people here are friendly and kind, and the service system is relatively diverse and thoughtful. Besides that, the mountains and highland scenery here are also one of the interesting things to discover."

The terraced rice fields in Mu Cang Chai are not only beautiful photo spots but also deeply connected to the life and culture of the Hmong people, who live in this region. When visiting, tourists can not only take stunning pictures but also experience and gain a deeper understanding of the daily life and culture of the Hmong people.

Amidst the vast expanse of closely packed terraced rice fields, the terraced fields in the three communes of La Pán Tẩn, Chế Cu Nha, and Dế Xu Phình are particularly impressive to visitors who have once set foot here.

Peaceful highland villages

In August, Mu Cang Chai is breathtakingly beautiful. The entire hilly region is ablaze with the vibrant green of rice paddies in their prime. Visiting Mu Cang Chai at this time, tourists will experience the peace and simplicity of the northern mountainous region. From mid-September to mid-October, the rice paddies are no longer submerged in water, but instead, the symbol of autumn is the dazzling golden terraced rice fields.

Along the roads, visitors can come across a few traditional houses of the local people. Hmong women sit on the porches embroidering and sewing, while children climb the hawthorn trees in front of the houses, laughing and playing. Colorful Hmong dresses hanging on fences create a vibrant picture in the autumn colors.

"The route is quite winding with mountain passes, and the weather is unpredictable, with alternating sunshine and rain. Furthermore, getting to check-in points like Mam Xoi Pass, the Dinosaur's Backbone, or the Bamboo Forest... is quite dangerous and arduous due to the steep mountain roads. Tourists should hire a motorbike taxi from a local for safety," Pham Tu shared.

Ha Mai Trinh - Photo: Pham Tu