After a four-hour drive from Hanoi, Nguyen Hong Nhat and his wife were amazed by the brilliant yellow sunflower fields unfolding before them in Nghe An Province. For Nhat, the real-life scenery was even more beautiful than the photographs he had seen online.

Nhat, a Hanoi-based architect born in 1990, visited the fields in early October. Rows of sunflowers stretching across the hills, their golden petals standing out against the lush green mountains, made the trip particularly memorable for the couple.

It was their first visit to the sunflower fields at a dairy farm in Nghia Lam Commune, where they spent around two hours walking and taking photographs.

The deeper they ventured into the flower-filled valley, the more Nhat appreciated its immense scale. Tall sunflowers swayed gently in the breeze, their golden blooms extending into the distance. Standing among them, he felt both small in the vast landscape and completely immersed in its beauty.

"I had seen some pictures online before the trip, but I was still amazed when I arrived. The scenery was much more vibrant and beautiful than it looked in the photos," Nhat said.

Covering approximately 150 hectares, the site is believed to be Vietnam's largest sunflower field. The fields extend for about two kilometers along National Highway 48E, creating sweeping patches of yellow across the Phu Quy region of Nghe An.

Few visitors realize that the sunflowers were originally cultivated as feed for dairy cows. Over time, the fields became a popular sightseeing destination during the blooming season.

This year, the flowers were planted in three successive batches, allowing different sections to bloom at different times rather than having the entire area flower and fade simultaneously.

For Nhat, another memorable sight was a colorful hot-air balloon standing out against the vast sea of sunflowers.

"The weather was dry and pleasantly sunny when we visited, which was perfect for walking and taking pictures," he recalled. "However, there were quite a lot of visitors over the weekend, so finding a spot without people in the background took some time. I had to wait patiently to get the shots I wanted."

Rather than leaving immediately after their photo session, the couple stayed to watch the sunset over the sunflower-covered hills.

They also visited a grassy hillside near the dairy factory and Yen My Lake. Nhat said the lake's clear blue water and peaceful surroundings added another enjoyable dimension to their journey.

The couple traveled from Hanoi in their own car, covering approximately 250 kilometers each way in around four hours.

Nhat combined expressways and national highways to reach the fields, describing the route as relatively flat and easy to navigate.

The couple spent approximately $27-31 on fuel for the round trip, around $15 on road tolls and about $19 on meals. Their total expenditure came to roughly $61-65 for two people.

They chose to eat at local restaurants, sampling regional specialties such as banh muot, delicate steamed rice rolls served with a pork offal dish known as xao long, along with Nghe An's well-known eel dishes.

Based on his experience, Nhat recommends allowing two days and one night for visitors who want to combine the sunflower fields with nearby attractions.

This would also help avoid the fatigue of spending eight hours driving in a single day.

He advised travelers to check the weather forecast, the condition of the flowers and the visitor schedule before setting off.

According to Nhat, the reddish soil in the fields can become sticky and muddy after rain, making walking difficult.

In dry weather, however, visitors can enjoy a much more pleasant experience, strolling leisurely between the rows of sunflowers before watching the sun set over the golden landscape.

Thu Hien