Mu Cang Chai in harvesting season

September is the season when the rice-terraced fields are turning yellow and are ready for harvest in the mountainous district of Mu Cang Chai, in the northern province of Yen Bai. The place has become a magnetic attraction enchanting any visitor who has ever been there during the season of grain.

Mu Cang Chai is famous for its terraced fields spreading out over beautiful mountain slopes, which has been recognised as a national landscape alongside Hoang Su Phi and Sa Pa.
Mu Cang Chai is famous for its terraced fields spreading out over beautiful mountain slopes, which has been recognised as a national landscape alongside Hoang Su Phi and Sa Pa.

Mu Cang Chai is a mountainous district of Yen Bai province located at the foot of the Hoang Lien Son Mountains and is about 300km far from Hanoi. Visitors must travel through the Khau Pha Pass – one of the most dangerous and beautiful passes of the Northwestern region to arrive in Mu Cang Chai.

In mid-September, the yellow colour of ripe rice begins to cover all the terraced fields in the district.

The most well-known tourist attractions in Mu Cang Chai are the terraced fields in the three communes of La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha and Ze Xu Phinh. The locals still preserve and practice customs, rituals and beliefs related to rice cultivation on the terraced fields.

The magnificent layered fields express the well-off lives of the local people.

The Nam Kim stream winds around the yellow fields.

Peaceful villages nestle on the mountain slopes.

Developed by the locals, the terraced fields not only reflect the unique way of farming but also feature local historical and cultural values.

Ethnic minority people are harvesting ripe rice on the fields.

In addition to admiring the stunning natural scenery, visitors can also explore the cultural identity and join the daily lives of local ethnic minority groups.