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Nguyen Thuy Duong, also known as Keo Nguyen, an experienced tour guide from the "Ba Dua Minh" company, who has accompanied many tourists to explore this amazing region, shared: "I chose to visit Mu Cang Chai at this time because it's the most beautiful rice season of the year."
The rice has begun to turn yellow across the terraced fields.
The golden season of Mu Cang Chai - The ideal time for a trip.
According to Kẹo Nguyễn, Mù Cang Chải is currently experiencing its most vibrant golden rice harvest season, from around September to mid-October. This is considered the most beautiful time of year in Mù Cang Chải, where the terraced rice fields – one of the symbols of the farming culture of the Northwest mountainous region – are adorned with a magnificent golden hue.
Kẹo shared: "I often bring tourists here during the rice season. The rice is green from August to September, and from mid-September to October, it starts to turn yellow and becomes an endless 'golden carpet'. This year, although many people were worried about the weather after the storm, Mu Cang Chai wasn't really affected much. There were only a few minor landslides on the road, which have been repaired, so the journey went smoothly."
The picturesque scenery captivates the hearts of many tourists.
Besides admiring the most beautiful golden rice fields, Kẹo Nguyễn also guides tourists through many other interesting activities. One of them is the experience of making cốm (roasted rice flakes) in Tú Lệ, where tourists have the opportunity to participate with the locals in the process of pounding cốm - a famous specialty of this mountainous region.
Pounding rice flakes in Tú Lệ
In addition, Kẹo also suggests that tourists shouldn't miss the opportunity to paraglide at Khau Pha Pass, one of Vietnam's "four great mountain passes." The feeling of floating in the sky, looking down at the terraced rice fields stretching below, is truly an unforgettable experience. This is also an ideal way to appreciate the majestic beauty of nature in this area.
Paragliding at Khau Pha Pass
Must-see places
With years of tour-leading experience, Kẹo Nguyễn lists prominent destinations in Mù Cang Chải such as Horseshoe Hill and Raspberry Hill – places whose names alone evoke images of picturesque landscapes. In addition, visitors can relax in the hot springs of Ít Thái village, explore the Kim Nọi bamboo forest, and discover many other interesting photo spots.
Kẹo didn't forget to offer advice on preparing for the trip: "Since this is peak tourist season, visitors should book services like homestays and transportation in advance to avoid overcrowding. Choose carefully as some transportation companies tend to overcrowd passengers. In particular, popular destinations like Mam Xoi Hill or Kim Noi Bamboo Forest have regulations regarding entrance fees and ancillary services, so visitors should be prepared."
Walking through the rice fields, the air is filled with the fragrant scent of ripening rice.
Mu Cang Chai tourism - An opportunity for development for local people.
Although the natural beauty of Mu Cang Chai is breathtaking, Kẹo Nguyễn also frankly shared the limitations of tourism there. "Services in Mu Cang Chai are still not fully developed. Homestays are expensive, but the quality is limited. Transportation services also fail to meet the needs of tourists, with overcrowding still occurring. Furthermore, some check-in points charge excessive fees, causing considerable inconvenience for visitors."
Visiting Mu Cang Chai is also an opportunity to explore the local culture.
Despite the many difficulties, the female tour guide remains optimistic about the tourism development potential of this region. "The locals here engage in seasonal tourism, only for a short period from August to October. Therefore, I hope that more people will get to know Mu Cang Chai, helping the locals improve their income."
Mu Cang Chai, with its vibrant golden rice fields, is not only a destination for nature lovers but also an opportunity to explore the culture and people of Northwest Vietnam. With diverse experiences ranging from sightseeing and enjoying the scenery to engaging with the local people, the trip will be a memorable experience for every visitor.
