VI
EN
A vibrant painting of nature in shades of yellow.
Ban Phung commune is located about 30 km from the center of Hoang Su Phi district, Ha Giang province. Perhaps it's no coincidence that this place is named Ban Phung. "Phung" in Chinese means meeting, so when visiting here, tourists feel as if they are visiting a place where nature and the earth meet, with majestic mountain scenery and breathtaking terraced rice fields.
Ban Phung commune is located about 30 km from the center of Hoang Su Phi district, Ha Giang province.
Ban Phung is a land of endless terraced rice fields, interwoven with poetic and romantic shades of yellow and green.
Having the opportunity to visit Ban Phung during the golden rice harvest season, Hoang Minh Duc (29 years old, Da Lat) was amazed and impressed by the picturesque scenery: "When I arrived in Ban Phung, I was particularly impressed by the village, I had to exclaim 'wow' because of the beauty combining terraced rice fields, majestic mountain and forest nature, and the houses of the La Chi ethnic people amidst the dreamy clouds and sky."
Ban Phung is where heaven and earth meet, a place where majestic nature intertwines with the local people. It covers an area of approximately 17.04 square kilometers.2The landscape consists mostly of terraced rice fields that are cultivated and arranged in a seemingly random manner. However, when they blend together, they create a beautiful, fairytale-like scene, especially during the rice harvest season.
The entire village was bathed in a golden hue, becoming even more vibrant under the highland sunlight during the rice harvest season.
During the rice harvest season, the entire village is bathed in a shimmering golden hue, becoming radiant under the highland sun. The whole valley sparkles with the color of abundance and prosperity during the harvest season for the local people. From above, visitors have the opportunity to admire a vibrant natural landscape with terraced rice fields peeking out from behind swirling clouds, and glimpses of wooden houses.
When viewed from above, Bản Phùng is as beautiful as a painting of a fairyland.
The road to the "fairytale land"
To reach Bản Phùng, people usually travel about 40 km from Cốc Pài, following the Red Stream, then turn off and continue for another 12 km. Because this road has been carefully maintained, it is now quite easy to travel.
“On this trip, wanting to explore more of Hoang Su Phi, our group chose to go through Diu village instead of the easier route below Suoi Do stream. The road up to the village is quite steep, winding, narrow, and there were many sections where we had to stop to ask for directions. Therefore, our travel time was double that of normal. But in return, we got some beautiful photos in Diu village and it can also be considered a new experience,” Minh Duc shared.
Visitors must navigate many winding slopes and treacherous bends to reach Bản Phùng.
In particular, during the trip, Minh Duc had joyful moments laughing and chatting with his travel companions. Nine people from five different provinces and cities, each with their own life and profession, but sharing a common passion for exploring new lands.
The majority of the people here are from the La Chi ethnic group, with many unique cultural features that are still preserved quite intact.
The best time to admire the beauty of Ban Phung.
According to Mr. Minh Duc, the best time to visit Ban Phung is during the rice planting season and the rice harvest season. From the end of April to the beginning of May, people pour water into the fields, preparing for a new planting season. The terraced rice fields appear like mirrors reflecting the sky, the beauty of the land, mountains, and hills. For the season of young green rice with the fragrant scent of ripening grains, July and early August are the most beautiful times. The golden rice season falls between the end of August and mid-September.
The best time to visit Ban Phung is during the rainy season and the rice harvest season.
The terraced rice fields appear like mirrors reflecting the sky, mirroring all the beauty of the land, mountains, and hills.
However, visitors shouldn't mistake the rice harvest season in Ha Giang for the rice harvest season in Ban Phung. The rice in Ban Phung ripens earlier each year than in other places. You should visit around the beginning to middle of September to see the entire field of golden ripe rice that hasn't been harvested yet. If you arrive too late, the locals will have already harvested all the rice, and the entire field will be just a grayish-black color of mud.
Sharing more with Travellive readers, Minh Duc advised: “Travel isn't about how many places you go or how many people you meet. Travel is about learning about life, broadening your worldview, and especially about how many memories you create during the trip. Because the greatest treasure you'll have later in life is the memories you've experienced.”
The houses, partially hidden in the ethereal mist, create a captivating and enchanting atmosphere.
