VI
EN
From the center of Cao Bang to the golden meadows of Vinh Quy
Ba Quang Grass Hill, also known locally as Ba Quang Burnt Grass Hill or Vinh Quy Grass Hill, is located in Vinh Quy commune, Cao Bang province. Approximately 70 km from the center of Cao Bang city, it lies on the border between Khum Din and Bac Vong hamlets, where gently sloping hills create a rare, open, and airy space. This is one of the few pristine natural destinations that still retains the original beauty of this highland region.
Ba Quang burnt grass hill is nestled amidst rolling hills and mountains, offering an open and airy space.
From the center of Cao Bang city, visitors can travel towards Ha Lang, passing through Thanh Nhat town, then turn onto a small concrete road for about 3 km to reach the parking area. From there, a walk of about 700 meters will lead you to a vast expanse of golden grass, dotted with a few solitary trees amidst the boundless mountain and forest landscape.
Visitors follow the trail for about 15 minutes to reach a viewpoint offering panoramic views.
If staying overnight, visitors can stay at Ba Quang Panorama - the only homestay currently available in the area, with room rates ranging from 250,000 VND to approximately 1 million VND. More than just accommodation, this homestay is also an ideal spot to admire the sunset over the grassy hills, or the golden sunrise spreading across the mist-covered slopes.
On the grassy hill, there is a single homestay where visitors can stay overnight with panoramic views.
Because it's located far from the city center, the food and beverage services here are quite convenient and friendly. Guests can order meals directly at the homestay, with prices ranging from 70,000 to 250,000 VND, mainly featuring local specialties prepared seasonally.
The dry grass season dyes the hillsides of Ba Quang yellow.
According to Tuyen, who visited Ba Quang at the end of October, this is the time when the grass hills begin to change color, from a vibrant green to a dark yellow-orange-brown, lasting for about three months at the end of the year. "Unlike the lush green season full of life, the dry grass season brings a more tranquil and profound feeling. For photography enthusiasts, this is the golden time to visit Ba Quang," Tuyen said.
The dry grass season in Ba Quang lasts for the last three months of the year, from October to around the end of December.
The gently sloping hills allow visitors to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Especially at sunrise or sunset, when the changing light makes the golden hues of the grass more vibrant than ever. As gentle breezes pass through, the grass sways softly, as if the golden color is gently rustling.
The color of the grass changes with the light at different times of the day.
From 3 PM to 6 PM, the time when the sunlight is gentle and the sky is turning towards sunset is considered the most beautiful time to capture impressive photos. Early in the morning, if you're "lucky," as backpackers often say, you can hunt for a sea of clouds covering the hillsides, making the scenery look like something out of a magical painting.
During this season, the weather in Ba Quang starts to get cold, especially in the mornings and evenings. Visitors should prepare warm clothing, comfortable walking shoes, and some water and light snacks. The highland winds are often strong, but that's precisely what makes the air so surprisingly clean and cool.
The grassy hill is situated high up, offering an open and airy space, but it quickly turns cold in the late afternoon and early morning.
Cold nights and dawn amidst the "golden season"
Perhaps a day trip isn't enough to fully appreciate the beauty of the burnt grass hills, Tuyen shared: "Ba Quang is most beautiful at sunset and sunrise, so staying overnight is a very worthwhile option. In the evening, amidst the quiet atmosphere with only the sound of the wind and the small lights from the homestay, one feels as if they are detached from the noisy everyday world."
The nights on the hill are cool and clear. If the sky is clear, you can see the vast starry sky above the mountain range, an experience rarely found in the plains. The next morning, as the sun rises from the mountaintop, its light slants across the golden grass, the lingering mist creating a soft, hazy atmosphere amidst the awakening of nature.
On calm days, standing on the grassy hill early in the morning, you can admire the sea of clouds.
Because it's located in a highland area, autumn and winter in Ba Quang are often cold and windy, so preparing warm clothes, sneakers, and drinking water is essential. For those who want to take photos, avoid wearing yellow clothing as it will blend in with the grass; instead, choose white, red, green, or brown to stand out more against the backdrop.
Because the area still retains its pristine, unspoiled beauty, visitors traveling in groups or staying overnight should bring essential items such as flashlights, snacks, and warm jackets. Above all, respect the natural environment: do not litter, do not harm the plants and trees, because with a little care, Ba Quang will forever remain a perfectly preserved burnt grassland in the memories of those who have visited.
After leaving Ba Quang, visitors can combine their trip with visits to other famous attractions in Cao Bang such as Lenin Stream, Thang Hen Lake, Phia Oac Mountain, or enjoy local specialties like sour pho, black olives, Ha Lang pork, and Na Po sticky rice. Each destination has its own unique character, but all contribute to creating a symphony of nature and culture in the Northeast region.
When the grasses on Ba Quang turn golden under the sun, that warm, deep brown hue signals the approach of winter. Lying on the hillside, gazing up at the high sky and the drifting clouds, one feels time slow down, leaving only the profound stillness of a golden season gradually drawing to a close in the old year.
