Mu Cang Chai terraced fields cover an area of about 2,200 hectares in Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai province. In 2007, 330 hectares of terraced fields in the three communes of La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha, and De Xu Phinh were ranked as a National Monument by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and in 2019, Mu Cang Chai terraced fields were ranked as a special National Monument by the Prime Minister.
In 2018, the majestic beauty of Mu Cang Chai terraced fields reached international level when it was honored by the prestigious British newspaper Telegraph in the list of 12 most beautiful terraced fields in the world. This is one of two representatives of Vietnam in this prestigious ranking, affirming the unique landscape and cultural value of the Northwest region.
Masterpiece of Mong art in the middle of the jungle
Mu Cang Chai terraced fields are not just ordinary fields but also an inseparable part of the life and customs of the Mong people here. With rugged terrain and lack of flat land for cultivation, the Mong people have painstakingly reclaimed each small field on the mountain slopes with altitudes from 800 to 1,700 meters. With diligence, intelligence and love of nature, they have turned the steep mountain slopes into softly curving terraced fields, creating a giant, majestic "work of art" in the middle of the vast space, defying the harshness of nature to survive.
Mu Cang Chai terraced fields have an area of about 2,200 hectares in Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai province.
This is also the time when farmers are busy going to the fields, taking advantage of every sunny day to sow young rice seedlings, covering the terraced fields with green, opening the main rice crop of the year.
With the unique climate and mountainous terrain, each year, the Mong people in Mu Cang Chai only grow one rice crop. From May to June is the "watering season", when the first rains of summer and the upstream streams bring water to irrigate the fields to serve plowing, sowing and transplanting rice. In September and October, the whole sky of Mu Cang Chai transforms brilliantly in the "ripe rice season" - the harvest time. Therefore, these two periods are considered the most beautiful moments, attracting a large number of tourists to visit.
In 2007, 330 hectares of terraced fields in the three communes of La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha, and De Xu Phinh were ranked as national monuments by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Visitors coming here not only admire the majestic natural scenery, but also have the opportunity to experience rice planting with the locals, participate in cultural activities, and light a campfire in the middle of the village.
The flooding season (May - June) gives Mu Cang Chai a pure, wild yet equally charming beauty. The terraced fields at this time have the deep color of the soil, blending with the blue of the sky and the clear water, sparkling and reflecting the light like giant mirrors. During the day, the fields shimmer under the bright sunlight; at night, they are magical under the silver moonlight, creating magical patches of light and dark, turning this place into a vivid, unique ink painting that is hard to compare to anywhere else.
These days, the first rains of the season are pouring water all over the terraced fields in Mu Cang Chai. The water gradually spreads along each step of the field, reflecting the sunlight, creating a sparkling natural picture in the mountains and forests of the Northwest.
Just like that, the colorful fields in Mu Cang Chai stretch across the majestic mountainsides, that moment is as beautiful as a giant autumn painting, capturing the hearts of tourists lucky enough to admire it once.
When autumn comes, in the ripe rice season (September - October), Mu Cang Chai turns into sparkling "golden steps", beckoning crowds of tourists to come and admire. All over the hills, the rice fields are stacked layer upon layer, stretching as if reaching up to the sky. Because they are planted at different times, each rice field has a distinct shade, some are shimmering yellow, some are lush green mixed with golden yellow. All create a giant, multi-colored autumn picture stretching across the majestic mountain slopes, deeply engraved in the minds of those lucky enough to admire it.
Seen from above, the terraced fields in the flooding season appear like a vivid mosaic with interwoven color patches, some with shimmering water like a mirror, some with moist brown soil, and some with young green rice. The blend of sky color, soil color and tree color creates an attractive beauty, leaving visitors amazed.
Honoring heritage and developing sustainable tourism
In order to honor the Mu Cang Chai terraced fields, promote the unique cultural values of the Mong people, raise awareness of heritage conservation and attract tourists, since 2015, Yen Bai province has organized many unique cultural and tourism activities. Outstanding events such as goat fighting festival, rice pounding festival, food fair, along with spectacular paragliding performances "Flying over the golden season" and "Flying over the pouring water season" at Khau Pha peak or Mam Xoi hill have become a brand, bringing unforgettable experiences to tourists.
Not only famous domestically, Mu Cang Chai is also voted one of the 10 most beautiful terraced fields in the world.
The National Scenic Landscape of Mu Cang Chai Terraced Fields in particular and the Northwest region in general are not only a fertile rice granary or a majestic natural picture. This place is also a symbol of the strength of solidarity, the resilient spirit and the unique creativity of the highland people in the journey of transforming nature, building life for generations, becoming an immortal heroic epic in the heart of the Northwest mountains and forests.
