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Ta Van - A golden painting in the Muong Hoa Valley
Nghĩa's first stop was Ta Van village, located in the Muong Hoa valley, about 12 km from the center of Sa Pa town. On his small motorbike, he followed the winding roads, suddenly overwhelmed by the sight of golden terraced rice fields curving along the hillsides, below which stood the rustic wooden houses of the ethnic people, and in the distance, a babbling stream flowed through the village.
"It was like a golden autumn landscape unfolding before my eyes. I asked the children in the village to take a few pictures to capture that moment," Nghia recounted.
The rice harvest season in Sa Pa usually lasts from the end of August to the end of October, with the most beautiful period being from mid to the end of September. This is also when Ta Van is at its most vibrant, when the entire valley is covered in a golden hue, the morning mist blending with the sunlight, creating a harmonious and evocative natural landscape. It's no coincidence that many tourists call Ta Van "the place with the most beautiful terraced rice fields in Sa Pa," where the beauty of the rice paddies blends with the villages to create a postcard of autumn in the highlands.
The "golden autumn" scenery in Northwest Vietnam is like autumn postcards from the highlands.
Sa Pa - Coffee by the rice fields and the red train through the mountains.
During his stay in Sa Pa, Nghia didn't rush to visit many places, but chose to admire the ripening rice fields from different perspectives. In the mornings, he visited famous cafes like Lá, De Mong, and Sailing Coffee. Sitting with a hot cup of coffee, he gazed at the layers upon layers of terraced rice fields in their golden hue, each ray of sunlight like honey sprinkled on the vast landscape.
Amidst that scenery, Nghia sat silently, gazing at the striking red train – the mountain railway connecting the town with tourist attractions, traversing the mountain slopes and sea of clouds in Sa Pa. “The feeling of admiring that scenery was both modern and romantic, like a moving painting,” he shared.
The red train travels through the mountains and forests of Sa Pa.
Sa Pa during the rice harvest season is already familiar to many tourists, but by stopping to admire it for a long time, choosing moments in the early morning and late afternoon, Nghia found peace for himself, separated from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Y Tý - The land of clouds, terraced rice fields, and challenges.
From Sa Pa, he continued his journey to Y Tý – a highland commune in Bát Xát district, located at an altitude of over 2,000 meters, about 80 km from Sa Pa. Known as the "land of clouds," Y Tý has long been famous for its magnificent terraced rice fields, considered among the most spectacular in Vietnam.
In late August, the road to A Lu village was rainy, slippery, and lacked phone signal. Nghia was fortunate to meet an enthusiastic local police officer who guided him along the "national" routes often mentioned by backpackers, and then stopped beside two majestic "happiness trees" standing tall amidst the hills. The smoke from the evening cooking fires drifted gently amidst the endless golden rice paddies, creating a peaceful scene that lightened the heart of the traveler.
September and October are the rice harvest season, and Y Tý transforms into an endless sea of gold. Terraced rice paddies wind along the high mountain slopes, interspersed with gently floating white clouds. For Nghĩa, Y Tý is beautiful not only because of its pristine nature, but also because of the rare sense of tranquility, where all weariness seems to vanish amidst the vast expanse of sky and land.
"The trip helped me relieve stress after days of work. Y Tý is beautiful and peaceful; my soul was relaxed and I felt nostalgic after returning," he said, as if to affirm that simplicity is sometimes the most precious medicine.
Some tips for a more fulfilling autumn trip.
Viewing the ripening rice fields of Northwest Vietnam is not just a sightseeing trip, but also a journey that requires careful preparation to be truly fulfilling. The golden time to see the ripening rice fields is from the end of August to the end of October, with the most beautiful times being mid to late September. Early morning and sunset are considered the ideal times, when the light bathes the valleys and mountains in golden hues, creating a poetic scene.
For transportation, motorbikes remain a popular choice due to their independence and the opportunity to stop anywhere to admire the scenery or take photos. During the journey, travelers can choose homestays with rice field views or visit cafes overlooking the ripening rice paddies, enjoying a warm drink while gazing out at the vibrant golden fields.
Motorbikes are the ideal way for tourists to enjoy the golden autumn scenery even while on the go.
Another important point is the connection with the local people. In Ta Van or Y Ty, tourists will easily receive genuine help, from directions and invitations to take photos to sharing small stories about life. This is what makes the journey to see the ripening rice fields beautiful not only in terms of scenery, but also in terms of the warmth and hospitality of the people of Northwest Vietnam.
Pham Trong Nghia's journey through Ta Van, Sa Pa, and Y Ty is like an autumn love song, where the golden hues of rice fields blend with mist and clouds, creating unforgettable memories. It was a trip of challenges and peace, of wonder and tranquility, and upon returning, one's heart still lingers with the shimmering golden hues stretching endlessly through the mountains and forests of Northwest Vietnam.
