Mu Cang Chai is a picturesque rural district situated in northwest Vietnam, famous for its breathtaking rice terraces that cascade across the hills. Declared a national heritage site, these natural wonders draw visitors from globally to marvel at the scenery and delve into the customs and traditions of the local ethnic communities.
Transportation
From Hanoi to Mu Cang Chai is about 300 km - not too far but the road is more difficult to travel than Sa Pa and Moc Chau because of the passes and slopes from one road to another.
Mu Cang Chai, Van Chan, Tram Tau, Nghia Lo town are four districts in western Yen Bai, located separately on the western slope of the Hoang Lien Son - Pung Luong range. To get here, the only road is Highway 32, the rest are branch roads only for backpackers and local people.
Coach
On rainy days, when traveling on steep mountain passes in the Northwest, you need to pay attention to your speed to ensure safety. Photo: Doan Manh
- The first way: If traveling from Hanoi, you can catch a bus at My Dinh bus station. Passenger buses to Mu Cang Chai mainly go through Nghia Lo town. A few will follow the Noi Bai - Lao Cai highway to "win" tourists from the province, but mainly follow Route 32.
- Second way: Travel by shuttle bus from resorts. But there is only one resort here, the unfinished Mu Cang Chai Resort. Therefore, if you want to stay at the resort, you should choose Le Champ Tu Le, then rent a car to go to Mu Cang Chai.
Private car
Tourists should choose the traditional route which is route 32. Suggested route: My Dinh - Nhon - Son Tay - Trung Ha Bridge Ba Vi (or Dong Quang bridge from Son Tay turn left towards K9) - Thanh Thuy - Thanh Son Phu Tho - Tan Son Thu Cuc - Ba Khe - Van Chan - Nghia Lo town - Tu Le - Khau Pha Pass - Kim Nga Ba - Mu Cang Chai town. You should leave at 5am to arrive just in time for lunch.
The route from Hanoi follows the Noi Bai - Lao Cai highway - National Highway 279 - National Highway 32, moving smoothly on the highway section, but is more than 50 km long and the road is bad.
Best times to visit
Mu Cang Chai is beautiful all year round. In spring, young seedlings shine on the water; In the warm summer months, green terraced fields brighten the mountains and hills. Most impressive during the watering season (seeding season) and rice ripening season (Winter-Spring harvest). The pouring season falls from late May to early June, the fields are like "mirrors" reflecting the whole world.
From September to October is the golden season of Mu Cang Chai, attracting photographers and tourists to see the colorful highland paintings. In winter, the fields are like a watercolor painting of the mountains and forests. The end of December is the season of wild peach blossoms.
KHAU PHA PASS
This is where the annual paragliding activity called the Flying over the Golden Season festival takes place. From here, pilots and tourists can parachute to experience the thrill while also admiring the panoramic view of Lim Mong valley during the ripe rice season. If you are interested, you should book a tour in advance to have a chance to parachute.
LIM MONG AND LIM THAI VALLEYS
These valleys are home to Thai villages located in the valley right below Khau Pha pass - one of the four great mountain passes of Vietnam.
Crossing the romantic suspension bridge, you will reach the small, thread-like roads that slope up the mountain. Coming to Lim Mong in September and October, visitors will be able to travel in the middle of the golden season with both sides of the road filled with ripe rice fields.
Visitors can ride between golden rice fields, see peaceful villages during harvest season, meet everyone from children to the elderly or play by cool streams.
TERRACED FIELDS
Terraced fields cover more than 2,200 hectares of land in Mu Cang Chai. Of these, 500 hectares have been recognized as national heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, belonging to three villages: La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha and De Xu Phinh.
TU LE COMMUNE
It is located in Van Chan District, Yen Bai Province, 3 km from Khau Pha Pass, is famous for its distinctive sticky rice variety. When the rice begins to ripen on the terraced fields, the Thai people in Tu Le are busy preparing new batches of green rice to sell everywhere. Each kilo of green rice costs 120,000 VND.
You can stay overnight in Tu Le or go straight from Tu Le to Mu Cang Chai town. Community guesthouses and homestays in Mu Cang Chai rent for 100,000 - 400,000 VND per person per night. If you stay in Mu Cang Chai at night, you can go to the market to enjoy Thai ethnic food and there are more restaurants to choose from.
MAM XOI HILL
Mam Xoi Hill has been a symbol of the golden season in Mu Cang Chai for many years. The hill is located in La Pan Tan, more than 8 km from the town center. The road is difficult, so stop and park your car and hire a motorbike taxi from the locals to take you there. In addition, near the hill there is a buckwheat flower garden and a service for renting ethnic costumes for tourists to take photos. At the big Mam Xoi Hill, if you go up to the photo booth, it will cost an additional 5,000 VND per person. Going into the rice fields will cost an additional 10,000 VND per person.
BAMBOO FOREST IN NA HANG TUA VILLAGE
The 60-year-old bamboo forest is located 20 km from Mu Cang Chai town center. This is also the place that provides bamboo shoots as a specialty for the region. The road to get here on rainy days is very muddy and steep. Visitors often have to walk or hire locals to take them by motorbike to the tourist destination because the dirt road is narrow, steep and slippery and cannot be used by car.
TRAM TAU HOT SPRING
Tram Tau is about 100 km from Mu Cang Chai, but is a suitable destination if you decide to explore Yen Bai in the ripe rice season. There is a natural underground hot spring here that is very good for health, especially for people with aching bones and joints. This place also doubles as a homestay, so visitors who want to stay overnight need to book in advance. Not far from the hot spring bath area, there is a free hot spring bath spot for locals like in Coi village, Hoc village...
Hot water from natural underground springs is very good for health, especially for people with aching bones and joints. This place also doubles as a homestay, so visitors who want to stay overnight need to book in advance. Not far from the hot mineral bath area, there are free local spring baths such as in Coi village, Hoc village...
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