Visitors have been flocking to the district to capture the distinctive beauty of rice terraces during the “mùa nước đổ” or water season.

During this time, as locals begin transplant rice seedlings, the surface of the waterlogged fields shines like a mirror under the sun. The reddish brown soil, the deep blue sky, the light green young rice and the colourful skirts of the Mong people form a breathtakingly beautiful picture of Mu Cang Chai.

Terraced fields in Mu Cang Chai are beautiful all year round. Visitors in March are treated to the sight of glittering ponds from April to May. After May, the hills are covered in green until the fields start to turn yellow with ripe rice in early September. 

Mu Cang Chai has 500 hectares of rice terraces in La Pán Tẩn, Chế Cu Nha and Dế Xu Phình communes, cultivated by the H'mong people for centuries. The local terraces are among the 2,500 hectares recognised as national heritage sites in 2007 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Mu Cang Chai is about 1,000 metres above sea level, making it impossible to grow rice as in a delta. Thus, local residents grow their own rice on terraced fields to prevent water from flowing downhill. 

These fields lay among rugged green mountain valleys under clear blue sky, with imposing scenery and serving as a big attraction to photographers and trekkers. 

Terraced paddy fields during May and June are filled with Mong ethnic people working, portraying a peaceful daily life of the local people, inspiring visitors and photographers to take stunning pictures.

VNA