Summer in Vietnam truly kicks off in May when the scorching sun begins to make its presence felt. But don’t worry! The atmosphere now in Vietnam is incredibly lively and bustling from north to south! So, we’ll bring you suggestions for destinations with desirable weather and special once-a-year events that you don’t want to miss!
Ha Giang - Khau Vai Love Market & Pouring Water
Ha Giang is truly an ideal coolcation for your summer trips, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 28°C (while the average temperature of Vietnam is 30-37°C). Stepping here in May, you will have a chance to join a special traditional market that is only held once a year, associated with a touching love story – the Khau Vai love market. According to legend, Ba – a Nung man, and Ut – a Giay woman, fell deeply in love, but due to differences in social class and ethnicity, their love was opposed by their families. Khau Vai mountain is the place where they meet each year, and later, it has become a date spot for lovers, as well as people will come here to exchange information and goods.
Khau Vai love market | Source: vietnamtourism.gov.vn
Nowadays, Khau Vai is one of the biggest markets in Ha Giang with a colorful and vibrant atmosphere, where numerous ethnic groups from the surrounding areas gather with a variety of costumes, local specialties, folk music, and dance,… Then, take some time to follow us along the trails known only to locals to venture into the ancient villages and gain a deep insight into the true local life.
Especially, it will be an unmissable experience to admire the spectacular scenery of the rice terraces in the water-pouring season at Hoang Su Phi. Trekking Hoang Su Phi this season not only provides you an opportunity to conquer and immerse yourself in nature but also feasts your eyes with the charming landscape from the peak. You will see the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, which has been recognized by UNESCO as a pristine and fertile beauty with green shoots growing after the showers in May.
Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark
And don’t worry, the Ha Giang trip is not difficult, even for families because we will arrange for you a private car with an air-conditioner, creating favorable conditions for you to have an easy trip and unforgettable memories.
Let’s kick off your journey now: Ha Giang – An expedition following local paths
Mu Cang Chai - Paragliding & water pouring season
Mu Cang Chai is our homeland, and we can assure you that the rice terraces are not only enchanting during the golden season! Well-known as the place with the most beautiful rice terraces in the world, this land is also incredibly charming in the season of green rice and the water-pouring season when the rice fields are like sparkling mirrors reflecting the scenery of nature. May is the time welcoming the water-pouring season begins. This is also the ideal time to paraglide in Mu Cang Chai and participate in the annual “Paragliding Festival”. Let’s seize a chance to take to the skies with experienced instructors, feel the fresh air of nature in the high mountains and admire the colorful scenery of the valley.
Paragliding over Mu Cang Chai rice terraces
In particular, the paragliding spot is where the community-based tourism village that we have supported for many years. Without the noise of traffic or the crowds of other tourist destinations in peak season, this tranquil land will bring you Vietnam with its pristine beauty and authentic lifestyle.
Here, you will have the opportunity to meet the Black Thai, Hmong Hoa other ethnic groups, and accompany a local guide on trekking trails only known to locals to get close to the villages, jungles, and rice terraces. After many years of supporting our village in sustainable tourism, we are also proud that we have preserved the long-standing cultural traditions, which give you hands-on experience such as: staying in an old stilt house, beeswax with H’mong women and dyeing cloth with a Thai lady.
The community-based tourism village supported by DCT Responsible Travel
We also won’t let you miss the must-see destination which is the rice terraces shapes are perfectly formed by humans and nature. You will touch this area through a motorbike ride with local drivers who are familiar with the terrain!
View of Lim Long Valley in Mu Cang Chai
Make your plan now to enjoy a refreshing summer amidst the pristine and poetic beauty of the pouring rice fields!
Mu Cang Chai – Trekking & motorbike tour
Mai Chau - Season of plum & abundant waterfalls
Mai Chau, which is known as the gateway to the Northwest starts to welcome the poetic plum season and refreshing summer experiences amidst unspoiled nature. DCT Responsible Travel will take you to a serene corner of Mai Chau with the home of a Thai family, where we have been supporting sustainable community-based tourism for many years. Start your trip here with a bike ride around the green rice fields and encounter the locals when they are diligently working in their fields.
Completely being immersed into nature in Mai Chau
Then, Hang Kia – Pa Co, the land covered in white plum blossoms will welcome you with a small Blue H’Mong village nestled on the mountainside, with refreshing weather as a perfect hidden gem for you in summer. Especially, if you come here on the weekend, you will have the opportunity to join a colorful local weekend market, and we believe that it is not easy to find an authentic experience of the local market as here!
After this slow cultural exploration in this hidden village, we will take you to a truly refreshing summer experience – waterfall bathing. The waterfall right after this lush field will be an unmissable fun experience for both you and the kids.
Tat Nang waterfall – Mai Chau
Moreover, you can easily extend your trip to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, admire the majestic rice terraces in the water-pouring season and give your family a chance to explore the rich biodiversity of this land.
Pu Luong Nature Reserve in the water-pouring season
Catch your chance to move to nature here:
Tam Coc, Ninh Binh - Lotus & Rice Season
May is the ideal time to admire nature at Tam Coc – Ninh Binh with the poetic and lush beauty of the ripe rice fields, and especially the lotus flowers, which are considered a symbol of this land. Sitting on a sampan with the locals, you will be treated to a sensory feast: the fresh air with the gentle breezes and sunshine of early summer, the harmonious and colorful rice scenery, and the refreshing scent of lotus and ripe rice. A small note for you is to visit in the morning to catch the most beautiful moment of lotus flowers.
Visit Ninh Binh to catch the most beautiful moment of lotus flowers
Beyond it, you can take the time to travel to Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve, a lesser-known but perfect place to witness the beautiful scenery of nature. Traditional boat trips here will give you a chance to see the blooming lotus flowers, and above all, to learn about more than 100 species of birds and animals such as Bonelli’s Eagle, Gray Heron, Great Egret, Red-wattled Lapwing, Cattle Egret, White Egret, Cormorant,… and numerous species listed in the Red Book. Van Long promises to be a fun and rewarding experience for you and the kids during the summer holidays.
Embark on a traditional hand-rowed sampan in Van Long – Ninh Binh
Moreover, don’t hesitate to enrich your trip with deeper values of nature conservation in Ninh Binh. We will take you deep into the heart of Cuc Phuong National Park to discover the biodiversity of this land, especially the poetic butterfly season here in May. In addition, wildlife exploration also awaits you when stepping into the Ninh Binh Bear Sanctuary to delve deeper into Vietnam’s illegal wildlife trade and learn about the rescue and animal welfare efforts here.
Ninh Binh Bear Sanctuary
Ninh Binh holds many precious natural values that need to be preserved and developed, let’s venture into its heart to discover together!
Mekong Delta - Beginning of Fruit season
Entering the rainy season, Southern Vietnam welcomes a refreshing new breath of nature, especially the Mekong Delta the fruit & rice bowl of the South and the whole country. With the tropical climate and fertile silt of the Mekong River, we believe that fruits are what all visitors look forward to and cannot resist when setting foot on this land.
Riding on a traditional boat (sampan) with the locals, you will have a chance to admire the green hue of the rice fields, orchards and coconut trees, and also feel the bustling atmosphere of local life on both sides. The boat will take you to authentic floating markets, where you can freely choose delicious and juicy fruits and there are certainly many types that are hard to find in other countries. Let’s enjoy: Mangosteen, Star Fruit, Rambutan, Longan, Dragon Fruit, Star Apple, Durian, and Jackfruit,… in one of the most authentic floating markets – Long Xuyen market.
Long Xuyen floating market
The trip is also enriched when you go ashore and visit the traditional craft villages here, especially Mang Thit village, often known as the “Red Kingdom” which used to be the largest producer of red bricks and pottery in this region. With its centuries of history, this architectural marvel boasts clustered brick kilns resembling a captivating miniature kingdom when viewed from afar. On a bike ride around this village, you will witness firsthand the works with traces of the three cultures Khmer, Kinh, and Chinese.
Mang Thit village | Source: daidoanket.vn
Moreover, as a bridge connecting you with local craftsmen, DCT Responsible Travel will take you to meet artisans and take a deep insight into the traditional crafts here, which have been passed down for generations such as making bricks, laying floors, weaving bamboo trays, crafting bamboo baskets, and weaving fabrics, etc. This promises to be a flavorful trip for you and your family!
Start your unmissable trip now:
Summer is just around the corner! Plan your travel now for you and your family so as not to miss the beautiful natural scenery of the North or the sweet fruit gardens that are starting to bear in the South!
