Every autumn, travelers and photographers eagerly head to the highland rice fields - where the rice fields gradually turn a shimmering golden color. However, the rice does not ripen at the same time, each region has its own unique beauty. This article will help readers summarize information about the most beautiful "golden" seasons in the North, and how to meet them on time.

Lying at the foot of the sacred Tay Con Linh mountain of the La Chi people, Hoang Su Phi is like a shy, pristine muse of the highlands of Ha Giang. Because of the rugged terrain and difficult roads, this place still retains its wild and poetic beauty. The road from Bac Ha (Lao Cai) through Xin Man (Ha Giang) to Hoang Su Phi is the road that backpackers still tell each other, praising as the most beautiful ripe rice road in Vietnam.

Unlike Mu Cang Chai or Sa Pa, where there are endless valleys of ripe rice fields at the foot of Hoang Lien mountain range, the terraced fields in Hoang Su Phi are precariously perched on steep mountain slopes. The terraced fields complex, which has been classified as a National Monument, stretches across many small communes and villages, the most prominent of which are Ban Luoc and Ban Phung, where there are the highest terraced fields in Vietnam.

Ban Phung Commune is a familiar name to nature photographers because this place possesses the most characteristic beauty of Hoang Su Phi. The terraced fields stretch along the mountainside, precariously overlapping each other; the soft curves of the rice fields, winding through each simple stilt house roof... The entire scene is hidden behind a thin layer of mist, sometimes blurred, sometimes clear, then pouring down to the small sea of ​​clouds at the foot of the hill. All create a majestic and enchanting landscape painting that makes anyone who witnesses it exclaim in admiration.

Rice ripening time:from late September to mid-October

Some other experiences:Explore the terraced fields in Ban Luoc, Thong Nguyen, Ho Thau, Nam Ty... or conquer the famous Chieu Lau Thi mountain peak

As a highland commune of Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province, Y Ty has long been a familiar place for "hunting" clouds and "hunting" ripe rice for travelers, especially young people who love to experience.

Located at an altitude of 2,000 m above sea level, leaning against the Nhiu Co San mountain range, Y Ty is covered in mist and clouds all year round, creating a magical landscape like a paradise. Every autumn, the "fairy" Y Ty puts on a brilliant yellow shirt of ripe rice season, dotted with pure white clouds, floating and wandering throughout the space.

The "golden season" in Y Ty is not as immense and boundless as Cao Pha valley, Mu Cang Chai, nor is it as precarious and dangerous as in Ban Phung, Hoang Su Phi. The steps of Y Ty are gentle, stretching from the top of the high mountain, down the slope and then down to The Pa valley, like an endless golden sea, undulating in gentle waves to the foot of the mountain. The road running along Ta Giang Phinh - Muong Hum - Sang Ma Sao - Den Sang and then to Y Ty is perhaps the most ideal route to admire the beauty of the ripe rice season in the entire Bat Xat region, Lao Cai.

Rice ripening time:from late August to late September
Some other experiences:Cloud hunting in Ngai Thau, climbing Nhiu Co San, Ky Quan San mountains or exploring the unique rammed earth houses of the Ha Nhi people in Lao Chai, Choan Then and participating in the Y Ty market every Saturday

In the list of the most beautiful terraced fields in Vietnam, Sa Pa must be mentioned - a place once ranked by the American travel magazine Travel & Leisure in the "Top 7 most beautiful and magnificent terraced fields in Asia and the world". Along with the beauty of the terraced fields, the ripe rice season in Sa Pa also enchants many tourists from all over the world.

If you want to fully enjoy the ripe rice season in Sa Pa, rent a motorbike, go out of town and wander through the villages of Lao Chai - Ta Van - Hau Thao, where the Muong Hoa valley stretches out immense, golden; where the H'mong people work diligently and children play and are mischievous all over the fields.

Or if you want an easier experience, choose to travel by train from the town center to Fansipan cable car station. Departing from the station, the red train runs across Muong Hoa valley, where the golden rice fields are waiting to show off their charming and proud beauty. Through the transparent glass of the passenger compartment, you can see the blue smoke rising from the simple houses of the H'mong people, located between the rice fields and small inter-village roads, hanging from one hill to another.

Rice ripening time:from late August to mid-September
Some other experiences:Visit "Heaven's Gate" on O Quy Ho Pass, enjoy Sa Pa specialties such as dried buffalo meat, salmon...

Bac Son town, Lang Son in the ripe rice season has a very unique and charming beauty, like a landscape painting that is both majestic and immense, and also has the rustic and simple features of mountain life. Bac Son rice fields appear with different colors, brilliant in the summer sun. That is the golden color of ripe rice fields waiting to be harvested, the green color of young rice fields, the brown color of the land that has just been harvested early or the blue color of the small canal winding along the field, reflecting the light of the earth and sky. All create a giant "brocade", spread over the valley hidden behind the mountain ranges of the Northeast region.

In those fields, Tay, Dao, and Nung farmers are diligently harvesting the fruits of a year of hard work. Far away at the foot of the mountain is an ancient village with red tiled roofs lingering in the afternoon smoke. The poetic and peaceful countryside scene will surely captivate even the most demanding visitors.

Na Lay Mountain is a place you should not miss when coming to Bac Son, it is the most perfect location to admire the panoramic view of the ripe rice valley. Even more impressive, every dawn, from Na Lay, you can hunt for the sea of ​​clouds, the "specialty" of Bac Son that has fascinated many generations of photographers at home and abroad.

Rice ripening time:late July or mid-November, in July there will be more sunshine and more brilliant. The ripe rice in Bac Son is not uniform, so you have to monitor and time it very precisely to have the best photos.
Some other experiences:Visit the ancient village of Quynh Son of the Tay people or explore the eco-tourism area of ​​Dang Mo Waterfall. Enjoy the famous specialties of Lang Son such as roast pork, roast duck, black banh chung...

Mu Cang Chai has long been known as one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam. The mountainous district of Yen Bai province is famous for its terraced fields, which are precariously located between the mountains and hills, and are a must-see destination for backpackers during the rice harvest season.

The beauty of the golden season in Mu Cang Chai is not confined to a district or a commune, but stretches like a backpacking route, with each passing point having its own unique features. Tu Le Valley is the first destination of the golden route. The fields here are immense; the golden color spreads from the small town, covering the roads, to the foot of the high mountain where there are small villages covered in blue smoke in the afternoon. Passing Tu Le is the foot of Khau Pha Pass, one of the famous "four great mountain passes". The pass is 30 km long, winding through old forests, connecting many famous landmarks of the golden season. After passing the dangerous mountain pass, don't forget to spend time in Mu Cang Chai town and enjoy the famous specialties of the H'mong people such as grilled local pork, five-color sticky rice or wild bee pupae.

To start a day of “hunting” for ripe rice in Mu Cang Chai, drive along the road to Kim Noi, find an open space to welcome the sunrise. In the late afternoon, you will have to conquer a steep and dangerous road to reach Mong Ngua Hill, Sang Nhu commune, where there are curved terraced fields, shining golden under the sunset.

Rice ripening time:from the second half of September to the first half of October
Some other experiences:Discover the beauty of the villages in Che Cu Nha, Ze Xu Phinh and especially La Pan Tan, where there is a raspberry hill with unique beauty of the Northwest.

Being actively exploited by Thanh Hoa province to become an eco-tourism destination, Pu Luong is also a new "hunting" destination for ripe rice that has been sought out by many travelers recently.

Pu Luong Nature Reserve is surrounded by primeval forests, with pleasant weather all year round. Nature also creates conditions for people here to cultivate two rice crops a year, so Pu Luong also has two golden seasons. But perhaps the most ideal time to "hunt" for ripe rice will take place in early October, when the autumn breeze combined with gentle sunlight contributes to adding energy to tourists' nature exploration activities.

Pu Luong is a vast mountainous area, the fragmented terrain has created unique features for each terraced field. In Ban Hieu, you can immerse yourself in the pristine scenery, where there are rustic homestays of the Muong people. Just open the window of the stilt house to see a small golden season right before your eyes, breathe in the air filled with the fragrant scent of ripe rice and listen to the sound of the Hieu stream babbling day and night. Or in Ban Don, the scene of the golden terraced fields valley stretching on the top of gentle hills, surrounded by majestic, green mountains will overwhelm you.

Rice ripening time:from late May to early June and from late September to early October; the fall period is ideal
Some other experiences:Visit Kho Muong village, conquer Son - Ba - Muoi slope and enjoy specialties such as steamed mountain snails with lemongrass, grilled Co Lung duck...