Mu Cang Chai
Mu Cang Chai is a well-known destination for those seeking breathtaking natural scenery in Yen Bai. It offers a peaceful escape into the pristine nature of the northwestern highlands of Vietnam.
Every year, around September, Mu Cang Chai enters the rice harvest season, which is also the ideal time to visit. The terraces glow with a golden hue, bringing a vibrant energy to the entire region. Witnessing this spectacular sight will surely leave you in awe and full of praise.
Muong Lo Fields
The Muong Lo Fields are the second-largest in the northwestern mountains of Vietnam. Muong Lo is often likened to a giant basin nestled among towering mountains and hills, encompassing the entire town of Nghia Lo. From a distance, on the winding roads of the pass, you’ll be greeted by the serene and lustrous beauty of the fields stretching to the horizon.
With its romantic landscape of rice fields, Muong Lo is also a cultural melting pot, home to 12 ethnic groups, including Thai, Kinh, and Muong. Its captivating beauty has earned it a place as a recognized intangible cultural heritage site in need of preservation.
During the rice harvest season, from mid-September to mid-October, Muong Lo transforms into a vibrant attraction with golden fields and a bustling harvest atmosphere. When visiting Muong Lo, don’t miss the opportunity to explore Mu Cang Chai, the terrace masterpiece at the foot of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range.
Tu Le
Tu Le is located about 50km east of Mu Cang Chai. If you’re traveling on National Highway 32 from Nghia Lo and suddenly catch a whiff of fragrant young rice, you’ve arrived in Tu Le.
Tu Le, nestled against the Khau Pha Pass, is actually a valley surrounded by three towering mountains: Khau Song, Khau Than, and Khau Pha. One of its unique features is its accessibility; both cars and motorcycles can easily reach and navigate this area. The valleys, fields, and rice terraces are mostly located along National Highway 32 from Nghia Lo to Mu Cang Chai.
Tu Le is ideal for a 2-3 day weekend getaway and can be easily arranged at any time of the year. If you stay overnight in Tu Le, you’ll have the chance to witness the breathtaking scenery under the moonlight, with the entire region immersed in a mystical glow, creating a majestic and romantic atmosphere.
Khau Pha Pass
Khau Pha Pass is part of the “Big Four Passes” of northwestern Vietnam and has emerged as one of the most attractive destinations in Yen Bai. With an impressive height of 1,200 meters, the highest in the Mu Cang Chai area, Khau Pha Pass stands like a “horn piercing the sky.” Its beauty is further enriched by the surrounding mountain ranges and the floating clouds.
Not only famous for its winding and steep roads, Khau Pha Pass offers a majestic experience as you ascend to the peak, revealing a highland landscape surrounded by impressive mountain ranges, winding roads through dense forests, and the ethnic minority’s terraced fields.
The best time to visit Khau Pha Pass is during the rice harvest season, from September to October, when both Muong Lo and Mu Cang Chai are blanketed in the golden hue of ripe rice.
Suoi Giang
Suoi Giang in Yen Bai is renowned for its vast and lush tea hills, and visitors are often awe-struck by the ancient tea trees that are over 100 years old. The snow tea trees, with their strikingly white trunks, have left a lasting impression on many.
Beyond its famous ancient tea trees, Suoi Giang also surprises visitors with its unique cultural and lifestyle traits of the ethnic minorities living in the northwestern region. A visit to Suoi Giang offers a valuable opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and traditions.
Thac Ba Lake
Thac Ba Lake was formed by the construction of Thac Ba Hydropower Plant, Vietnam’s first hydroelectric project. As such, it stands as a testament to the country’s proud history. Thac Ba Lake is also recognized as the largest artificial lake in Vietnam, boasting over 1,300 large and small islands.
During a boat tour of the lake, visitors can breathe in the fresh air while taking in the vast expanse of emerald water and the endless islands of lush trees. Thac Ba Lake is undoubtedly one of the must-visit check-in spots in Yen Bai.
Before concluding your journey on Thac Ba Lake, make sure to pay a visit to the Thac Ba Temple, a renowned spiritual destination. Additionally, the area features limestone mountains and caves associated with various legends and long-standing stories. This trip will undoubtedly leave you with a sense of peace and tranquility.
Ta Chi Nhu
Ta Chi Nhu, also known as Phu Song Sung by the Thai ethnic minority or Chung Chua Nha, is a mountain peak belonging to the Pu Luong mountain range in the Hoang Lien Son range, located in Tram Tau district, Yen Bai.
With a height of 2,979 meters and a complex terrain featuring steep slopes, Ta Chi Nhu is an ideal destination for adventurers and mountain climbers. It is also known as the kingdom of cloud-hunting journeys, as the peak is often enveloped in a “forest of clouds.”
The Golden Season of Mù Cang Chải and Hoàng Su Phì Remains Unaffected by Storms and Floods
The rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai and Hoang Su Phi in Northern Vietnam remain unaffected by the recent storms and floods. However, travelers are advised to visit these popular tourist spots within the next one to two weeks to witness the stunning golden rice fields.
Springtime Splendor: A Journey to Mù Cang Chải to Witness the Blooming Glory.
This spring, don’t miss the stunning display of pink rhododendron flowers that blanket the mountains of Mu Cang Chai. It’s a sight to behold, with the vibrant blooms transforming the already picturesque landscape into a sea of pink. Join us as we explore this natural wonder and discover the beauty that lies within the mountains.
