Every autumn, travelers and photographers alike eagerly flock to the highland rice paddies – where endless stretches of rice gradually turn a shimmering golden hue. However, the rice doesn't ripen all at once; each region boasts its own unique beauty. This article will provide readers with information about the most beautiful "golden" seasons in Northern Vietnam and how to experience them at the right time.

Nestled 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 Ha Giang highlands. Due to its rugged terrain and difficult roads, it has retained its wild and romantic beauty. The road from Bac Ha (Lao Cai) through Xin Man (Ha Giang) to Hoang Su Phi is the road that travelers often praise as the most beautiful rice-ripening road in Vietnam.

Unlike Mu Cang Chai or Sa Pa, where endless valleys of ripening rice stretch at the foot of the Hoang Lien mountain range, the terraced rice fields in Hoang Su Phi are perched precariously on steep mountain slopes. The terraced rice fields of Hoang Su Phi, a National Monument, stretch across many small villages, with the most prominent being Ban Luoc and Ban Phung, home to some of the highest terraced rice fields in Vietnam.

Ban Phung commune is a familiar name to nature photographers because it possesses the most distinctive beauty of the Hoang Su Phi scenic area. Terraced rice paddies stretch across the mountain slopes, overlapping precariously; the curves of the rice stalks gently wind and weave through the simple stilt houses... The entire scene is hidden behind a thin layer of mist and clouds, sometimes clear, sometimes hazy, then cascading down into a small sea of ​​clouds at the foot of the hills. All of this creates a magnificent and enchanting landscape that leaves anyone who witnesses it in awe and admiration.

The time when the rice ripens:from the end of September to mid-October

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

Located in the highlands of Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province, Y Ty has long been a familiar destination for travelers, especially young people who love adventure, to "hunt" for clouds and ripe rice fields.

Located at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level, nestled against the Nhiu Co San mountain range, Y Ty is shrouded in mist and clouds year-round, creating a mystical landscape like a heavenly paradise. Every autumn, the "fairy" Y Ty dons a vibrant golden cloak of ripening rice, adorned with delicate white clouds that drift lazily across the landscape.

The "golden season" in Y Tý is not as vast and expansive as the Cao Phạ valley in Mù Cang Chải, nor as precarious and rugged as in Bản Phùng, Hoàng Su Phì. The terraced fields of Y Tý gently slope down from the mountaintops, descending the slopes and cascading into the Thề Pả valley, resembling an endless sea of ​​gold, gently undulating to the foot of the mountains. The road running along Tả Giàng Phình - Mường Hum - Sàng Ma Sáo - Dền Sàng to Y Tý is perhaps the most ideal route to admire the beauty of the ripening rice fields throughout the Bát Xát region of Lào Cai.

The time when the rice ripens:from the end of August to the end of September
Other experiences include:Go cloud hunting in Ngai Thau, climb Niu Co San and Ky Quan San mountains, or explore the unique rammed-earth houses of the Ha Nhi people in Lao Chai and Choan Then, and participate in the Y Ty weekly market on Saturdays.

Among the most beautiful terraced rice fields in Vietnam, Sa Pa certainly deserves a mention – a place once ranked by the American travel magazine Travel & Leisure in the "Top 7 most beautiful and magnificent terraced rice fields in Asia and the world". Along with the beauty of the terraced fields, the rice harvest season in Sa Pa also captivates countless tourists from all over the world.

To fully enjoy the rice harvest season in Sa Pa, rent a motorbike, leave the town, and wander through the villages of Lao Chai, Ta Van, and Hau Thao, where the vast Muong Hoa valley stretches out, shimmering golden; where the H'mong people work diligently and children play mischievously in the fields.

Alternatively, for a more relaxed experience, choose to travel by train from the town center to the Fansipan cable car station. Departing from the station, the red train runs through the Muong Hoa Valley, where golden rice paddies seem ready to display their captivating and elegant beauty. Through the transparent windows of the passenger compartment, you can see the faint smoke rising from the simple houses of the H'mong people, nestled among the rice paddies and small inter-village roads winding from one hill to another.

The time when the rice ripens:from the second half of August to mid-September
Other experiences include:Visit the "Heaven's Gate" on O Quy Ho Pass, and enjoy Sa Pa's specialties such as smoked buffalo meat and salmon...

During the rice harvest season, Bac Son town in Lang Son province boasts a uniquely picturesque landscape, like a majestic and vast painting, yet also reflecting the simple and rustic charm of mountain life. The rice fields of Bac Son are bathed in vibrant colors under the summer sun: the golden hue of ripe rice ready for harvest, the green of young rice plants, the brown of early-harvested fields, and the emerald green of the small canals winding through the fields, reflecting the light of the sky and earth. All of this creates a giant "brocade fabric" spread across the valley nestled behind the mountains of the Northeast region.

In those fields, Tay, Dao, and Nung farmers are diligently harvesting the fruits of a year's hard work under the scorching sun. In the distance, at the foot of the mountains, lies an ancient village with its vibrant red tiled roofs, its smoke rising in the evening breeze. This idyllic and peaceful rural landscape is sure to captivate even the most discerning travelers.

Na Lay peak is a must-see destination when visiting Bac Son, offering the perfect vantage point to admire the panoramic view of the ripening rice valley. Even more impressive, at dawn, from Na Lay, you can witness the sea of ​​clouds, a "specialty" of Bac Son that has captivated generations of photographers both domestically and internationally.

The time when the rice ripens:The best time to visit is in late July or mid-November; July is sunnier and more vibrant. The rice ripens unevenly in Bac Son, so you need to carefully monitor and time your shots to get the best photos.
Other experiences include:Visit the ancient Tày village of Quỳnh Sơn or explore the Đăng Mò Waterfall eco-tourism area. Enjoy famous Lạng Sơn specialties such as roasted pork, roasted duck, and black sticky rice cake...

Mu Cang Chai has long been known as one of Vietnam's most beautiful scenic spots. This highland district in Yen Bai province is famous for its charming terraced rice fields perched precariously amidst rolling hills, making it a must-visit destination for backpackers during the rice harvest season.

The beauty of the golden rice fields of Mu Cang Chai is not confined to a single district or commune, but stretches like a winding road, with each point along the way possessing its own unique characteristics. Tu Le Valley is the first destination on this golden route. The rice paddies here are vast and expansive; the golden hues extend from the small town, covering the roads, to the foot of the high mountains where small villages are shrouded in the evening mist. Passing through Tu Le leads to the foot of Khau Pha Pass, one of the famous "four great mountain passes." This 30-kilometer-long pass winds through ancient forests, connecting many famous landmarks of the golden rice season. After conquering the treacherous mountain pass, don't forget to spend time in Mu Cang Chai town and enjoy the famous H'mong specialties such as grilled local pork, five-colored sticky rice, or wild bee larvae.

To begin a day of "hunting" for ripe rice fields in Mu Cang Chai, drive along the road to Kim Noi and find an open spot to watch the sunrise. In the late afternoon, you'll have to conquer a steep and treacherous road to reach Horseshoe Hill in Sang Nhu commune, where the terraced rice fields, shaped like arches, shimmer brilliantly golden under the sunset.

The time when the rice ripens:from the second half of September to the first half of October
Other experiences include:Discover the beauty of the villages in Che Cu Nha, Ze Xu Phinh, and especially La Pan Tan, home to the unique and breathtakingly beautiful "raspberry hill" of Northwest Vietnam.

Currently being actively developed by Thanh Hoa province to become an ecotourism destination, Pu Luong is also a new spot for travelers to "hunt" for ripe rice fields in recent times.

The Pu Luong Nature Reserve is surrounded by pristine forests and enjoys pleasant weather year-round. Nature also allows the local people to cultivate two rice crops a year, resulting in two golden rice seasons. However, the ideal time to "hunt" for ripe rice is probably in early October, when the gentle autumn breezes and soft sunshine energize visitors exploring the natural beauty of the area.

Pu Luong is a vast mountainous region with a fragmented terrain that creates unique features for each terraced rice field. In Ban Hieu, you can immerse yourself in the pristine scenery, where you can find rustic homestays of the Muong people. Just open the window of a stilt house to admire a small, beautiful golden rice field right before your eyes, breathe in the fragrant air of ripening rice, and listen to the sound of the Hieu stream gurgling day and night. Or in Ban Don, the sight of the golden terraced rice fields stretching across the gentle hills, surrounded by majestic, lush green mountains, will leave you in awe.

The time when the rice ripens:From late May to early June and from late September to early October; the autumn period is the most ideal.
Other experiences include:Visit Kho Muong village, conquer the Son-Ba-Muoi slope, and enjoy local specialties such as steamed mountain snails with lemongrass and lime, grilled Co Lung duck, etc.