RICE-TERRACED FIELDS – GOLDEN HEAVEN STAIRS
Vietnam’s Northen mountains provide a wealth of inspiration to photographers and travellers. Referring to Mu Cang Chai, Sapa and Hoang Su Phi, people think of yellow-ripened terraced fields stretching like stairs to the sky.
The history of terraced fields is associated with the history of residence of ethnic groups in there. Their cultural values are reflected in the farming experience, production customs, the formation of terraced fields of each ethnic group. According to geological researchers, the terrain in here is a strongly divided, with a large slope, the land is mainly red yellow feralite soil. This explains why the ethnic group have to take advantage of low hills with large areas, moderate slope, and both rain and water from streams leading from high elevations to low fields to form terraced fields.
Arrive to Mu Cang Chai, you might have breath taking views on Rice Tray Viewpoint (Mam Xoi pass) – which is one of the most beautiful place to contemplate yellow-ripened rice fields in the North of Vietnam. The right time to explore Mu Cang Chai from middle August to middle October. Golden heaven stairs cover all over every corners of Mu Cang Chai in Yen Bai province.
Another place not to be missed is rice-terraced fields in Sapa. The best rice fields of Sapa can be found in the Muong Hoa Valley. The whole valley is covered by paddy fields, a few villages and communes to indicate where the best places are to view them. Golden time to visit Sapa is about August to November.
Last but not least, you ought to explore Hoang Su Phi rice-terraced fields in Ha Giang province. Specially, H’Mong, Dao, La Chi ethnic groups cultivate rice as well as palm trees that make an unique feature in here. Cause of the cold weather, rice productivity gain to once per year. Buckwheat flowers stand for cultivation right after rice production, which is a new symbol of Ha Giang. As a result, rice-terraced fields are cinematic effect in movie set of Pao’s story in Dong Van Global Karst Plateau. Please come to discover Hoang Su Phi from August to October.
To be continuous…