Vietnam Rice Terraces: Deep Step Into Harvesting Season
Rice terraces in Vietnam during the harvest season allure every traveler who dreams of northern mountains of the country. August – October is the perfect time for you to immerse yourself in the beautiful golden carpet of ripe rice, but we believe you still have some considerations before embarking on a complete adventure.
Let’s find answers for a comprehensive trip during harvest season on our blog!
Maybe you will know some few famous names to admire the rice terraces, but Vietnam embraces more mysteries than that! You can find ripe rice throughout the northern mountainous region in this time span, but our team have selected some prominent destinations for you with overlapping terraces, beautiful shapes and impressive travel experiences.
- Mu Cang Chai – The most beautiful rice terraces in Vietnam harvest season
- Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang – Destination for trekking through rice terraced fields
- Sapa – Photographing route in the Northern mountain of Vietnam
- Pu Luong Nature Reserve – Rice terraces near Hanoi
Let’s take a look at these above names and keep surfing to take a deep insight into features of each land (weather, golden time and travel experiences). We hope that you will find a suitable spot for you based on below detailed information. And now, get started with us!
Best places to see ripe rice terraces in Vietnam
Where to go and what to do in rice harvest season in Vietnam 2024?
Mu Cang Chai - The most beautiful rice terraces in Vietnam harvest season
According to National Geographic magazine, Mu Cang Chai is one of the most beautiful rice terraces in the world that embraces iconic rice terrace shapes. In each season, Mu Cang Chai boasts its own unique beauty and colors. In August, the terraces are mostly covered in lush green, and the golden time will drop from late August to October. The temperature during this period averages between 15-23°C, refreshing, and heavy rains (or storms) often occur in late September and October (it is noted that you should check the weather or ask a local tour operator before you go).
Golden time in Mu Cang Chai – August to October
Plus, it is undeniable that golden season is the peak season in Mu Cang Chai, making it very crowded. However, don’t worry! Traveling with DCT Responsible Travel, we will take you to our beloved small village at the bottom of Khau Pha Pass, an off-the-beaten-track spot that very few travelers know about. As a sustainable community-based tourism project that we have been committed to for many years, local people here also are our friends, and we are proud to call this little corner of Mu Cang Chai our homeland. So, we believe that this will be an opportunity for you to closely connect with the serene locals and experience the tranquil rural life here.
Travel with local people in a sustainable community-based tourism project in Mu Cang Chai
Moreover, don’t hesitate to spend at least 3-4 days in this land to gain more profound experiences: trekking through terraced rice fields and jungles, enjoying motobike tours with experienced local drivers, paraliging above stunning view, immersing in vibrant traditional festival “Tet Xip Xi” with locals, traditional handicraft,…
Vibrant traditional festival “Tet Xip Xi” – Mu Cang Chai
A lot of amusing things awaits you, plan your trip now!
Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang - Destination for trekking through rice terraced fields
Hoang Su Phi is a western district of Ha Giang province, one of the most mysterious regions even for true adventurers, due to its winding mountain roads, steep slopes, and deep alleys! However, our team believe that this is a challenging trekking spot that will leave you in awe of its stunning harvest season. Here, you will have a chance to discover overlapping terraced rice fields, winding roads, majestic jungles, and thousand-year-old Shan Tuyet tea hills.
Harvest season in Hoang Su Phi – Ha Giang
Let’s seize this opportunity because Hoang Su Phi has only one rice season each year, with the most impressive golden time forecasted from September to early October. The average temperature during this period is 16-25°C, cooler at night and early morning. October is predicted to have less rain compared to August and September (to be more cautious, check the weather for the exact time you plan to go and feel free to ask us if you need).
To deeply discover this land, let’s take time to slowly travel on foot, with a trekking to see life and culture of the locals closely. Such a vibrant picture of harvest season! Hoang Su Phi is the gate to step into ancient villages, home to diverse ethnic groups such as La Chi, Red Dzao, Long-Shirt Dzao, and Nung. Don’t hesitate to participate in their farm work or listen to interesting cultural stories of handicraft, like how to make wine or Shan Tuyet tea which embraces the most exquisite taste. These promise to be incredibly authentic experiences alongside sightseeing!
Meet diverse ethnic groups such as La Chi, Red Dzao, Long-Shirt Dzao, and Nung
Are you excited to embark on our trekking route here with a local guide? Let’s see more here!
Sapa - Photographing route in the Northern mountain of Vietnam
Sapa, also an ideal destination for rice terraces, is a familiar name to every traveler when exploring the northern mountains of Vietnam. However, due to rapid and overwhelming tourism development, it has become more challenging for travelers to find the authentic beauty of Sapa nowadays. As a local tour operator tightly collaborating with local guides and local businesses, our DCT Responsible Travel Team will accompany you to re-discover the genuine beauty of Sapa’s villages and people, far from the town with its fancy buildings.
Golden time in Sapa
The golden time for ripe rice terraces in Sapa lasts from September to October, with temperatures ranges from 14°C to 25°C. It will be colder and rainier at night and early morning. So,it is better for you to check the weather for the specific time you plan to travel to Sapa for a complete exploration in this land.
Enjoy trekking routes with various levels in Sapa, led by local people
Plus, don’t hesitate to join our trekking route, which are designed flexibly with various levels to suit your needs to experience the beauty more profoundly. Feel free to tell us any of your intentions, and we will suggest a suitable trekking route for you! And don’t stop there; let’s take time to explore the famous photography route connecting two highlights of the Northwest – Sapa and Mu Cang Chai. Covering about 158 km (4.5-5 hour drive) via National Highway 32, you will have a chance to admire the spectacular scenery on both sides of the road, with majestic mountain ranges, rice fields, and terraced valleys in their golden peak.
Moreover, this will be a memorable local experience if you want to try the local bus in Vietnam with genuine locals (but we need to note that the local bus may not be well-equipped, can be crowded, and occasionally lacks air conditioning).
Discover more about unique experiences in Sapa here!
Pu Luong Nature Reserve - Rice terraces near Hanoi
Pu Luong Nature Reserve is also a must-visit destination for those dreaming of beauty of terraced rice fields. It is located just about 3 hours by car from Hanoi, making it easily accessible if you are limited on time.
Rice Terraces in Pu Luong Nature Reserve
With our team, Pu Luông is a particularly flexible spot with a variety of diverse experiences, as it is surrounded by many interesting lands such as Moc Chau, Mai Chau, Van Ho – Son La, and more. Here, you will have a chance to fully immerse yourself in the pristine yet lush nature of ripe rice fields through activities like trekking through the fields and villages, waterfall exploring, hot spring bathing, cycling. Located at the gateway to the Northwest, this land also boasts authentic beauty of an array of Vietnam’s ethnic minority groups.
Cycling around the rice fields and enjoy harvest season in Mai Chau
Besides, just about 1-hour drive from Pu Luong Nature Reserve, you will reach our small village in a peaceful corner of Mai Chau, far from the noisy tourist spots. Welcoming you is the Tân family, genuine and hospitable Thai people, our team are supporting in a sustainable community-based tourism. Mrs Tân and her family members will connect you with the life and culture of the White Thai people: staying in traditional stilt houses, farming in the fields, dyeing fabrics with natural colors, watching women spin cotton, weave cloth, and more. Plus, if you want, let’s check the schedule with us and we will take you to the authentic and colorful local markets of the Blue H’Mong and Thai people here!
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The above lands are highlight attractions for the rice harvest season, but in reality, these places are worth traveling to at any time, each with its own unique beauty. From the time the rice is newly planted, to the terraces are covered in lush green, to the golden harvest, and even after the harvest during the fallow season. Each phase has its own distinct charm, accompanied by the changing rhythms of local life. Take the opportunity to visit at different times to explore the diverse natural landscapes and vibrant cultural stories!
