Vietnam is one of the largest rice producers and consumers in the whole world. The country holds the second position in rice production after Thailand and ranks seventh in rice consumption. Rice farming plays a fundamental part in the life of many Vietnamese farmers as their main source of income with most of them going to the farms as early as 5.00 a.m. and departing the paddies as late as 10.00 p.m.

The harvesting season that falls in June has attracted most photographers and tourists to the country. That’s the summertime in Vietnam when the terraced rice fields display the stunning green-yellow rice which is a wonder to behold. This beautiful scenery can also be seen until September on the highland areas. Here below are the best amazing places to see rice terraces in Northern Vietnam.

Hoang Su Phi, located in the west of Ha Giang province, has attracted a great number of tourists by wonderful views of terraced rice fields. This place was recognized as the rice terrace National Relics in 2012. Different seasons portray different colors along these terraces. Apart from a tranquil atmosphere, Hoang Su Phi also remains deep cultural values embodied in the farming experiences

Photo by Tung Cao

Sapa, located in the northwest of Vietnam, is one of the most famous tourist attractions for rice terrace. Due to climate, only one crop per year is produced. You can see the rice terrace fields in the Muong Hoa valley between Sapa town and Fansipan Mountain. The best time to tour around Sapa should be from June to early October, which is also in harvest season when the terraced rice fields turn into yellow bloom.

Mu Cang Chai is 300 km away from Hanoi. This place has a fame for its 700 hectares of terraced rice fields that attracts a stream of tourist and photographers visiting between September- October when it’s in the ripe rice season. Soaking up in the aroma of ripened rice crops and the images of stretching terraced rice fields would be unforgettable experiences for anyone reaching this land.

Y Ty, located about 100 km away from Lao Cai province, is named “foggy land” with amazing terraced fields and beautiful earth walled houses belonging to Ha Nhi ethnic group. This place was listed among best mystical destinations in Asia by The US’s Thrillist website. The best time to visit Y Ty is in harvest season around September when the land is entirely covered in the bright yellow crop.

Apart from the mentioned locations, Northern Vietnam tours have much more to offer tourists in terms of scenic rice terraces. There is a large time frame, generally between June and October when tourists can be in awe of the magnificent beauty offered by the rice terraces.

Source: Tommy Ngo (Paradise Travel)

Photo: Internet

Terraced rice fields in Northern Vietnam
Nguyen Thanh Van

For those who are seeking adventures to indulge in heart-touching mountainous Vietnam’s nature, Ma Li Peng Pass is the most impressive one. Conquering Ma Li Peng Pass will offer you the most ultimate experience, thereby making your adventure more exciting than ever.

Brief Information of Ma Li Peng Pass

With a length of over 20 kilometers and a height of 2, 000 meters located in Happiness Road, Ma Pi Leng Pass in Ha Giang Province is currently one of the most imposing passes connecting Dong Van District and Meo Vac District. Built from the 60s of the 20th century by H’mong workers, Ma Pi Leng Pass in H’mong language means “Horse Nose Bridge” as it is a dangerous road that horses are afraid of passing it. Ma Pi Leng is special in every angle, especially its ancient sediments existing for hundreds of years.

Also known as Vietnam’s Great Wall or the Pyramid of the Meo, Ma Pi Leng, with no doubt, is regarded as the most dangerous road of the northern mountainous area. However, the well-known pass owns its breathtaking and splendid beauty, representing the sights, sounds, and tastes of the whole region.

Attractions of Ma Li Peng Pass

There is nothing quite like looking down from Ma Pi Leng to take in the spectacular view of the zigzagging Nho Que River and Tu San Deep located at the foot of Ma Pi Leng Pass. Ma Pi Leng, for sure, offers travelers a chance to experience the greatness of nature. Gaze out at surrounding soaring mountains and deep in fantastic canyon to marvel at stunning vertical cliffs as well as rock deserts around. Besides being captivated by magnificent scenery, you can obtain amazing experience to deep in exploring karstification, karst, and non-karst landforms.

Do not hesitate to take adventurous experience by climbing to the top of Ma Pi Leng and immersing yourself in a huge space surrounded by endlessly stretching ranges of soaring mountains accompanied by refreshingly cool weather to sense the strong vitality of the region development.

Actually, thanks to the great natural landscape, Ma Pi Leng has become a source of inspiration for many artists generating artful works and thus depicting the cultural and traditional values of Vietnamese people in general and local people in mountainous areas in particular.

With Rubicon Tours Vietnam explore Ha Giang:

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Source: vietvisiontravel.com

Ma Li Peng Pass – The Iconic Destination for Adventure in Vietnam
Nguyen Thanh Van

Van Long Nature Reserve area belongs to Ninh Binh province and is located around 80 kilometers from Hanoi city, which is also an extrememly interesting spot for one-day trip. If you are planning to travel to this beautiful place, our below experience and instructions for fully exploring Van Long should not be missed

Introduce about Van Long Nature Reserve:

Van Long is the largest waterlogged nature reserve of Northern Delta, belonging to Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh. It has very diversified and unique ecological system and is a favourite residence of many types of fauna, consiting of over 40 kinds of delacours’s langur.

Particularly, Van Long water land also owns very picturesque, simple but very peaceful landscape.  Apart from this, you can also explore rolling mountains and wonderful caves here.

What’s The Best Time for visiting Van Long

What is the most ideal time for visiting Van Long to have great trip? It depends on the speed of rowing boats, which is normally from 1 to 1.5 hour in average that you can explore all of this amazing spot.

You should visit Van long in afternoon if you would like to enjoy a peace of sunset on van long. And you will see a lot of bird on that time

How to travel to Van Long Nature Reserve

This is our instruction to Van Long: From Hanoi you can catch a coach from Giap Bat station or by train at Hanoi garage, which takes you around 2 hours.

What are attractive things about Van Long?

Van Long water land is not a natural one. It is formed by a dike at the left bank of Day river against floods, which turns Van Long into a very large waterlogged area with stunning caves and stone islands.

After going through mountains, the next destination is Ca cave, which is half afloat and half sank and 250 meters in length and 8 meters in height. To watch flying langurs and storks, you should visit in the afternoon at around 3:30 pm to 4:30pm

On the way to Van Long, you will have the opportunity to admire amazing limestone mountains with differently strange shapes like: scratching cat, bookcase, raspberry, etc..

If you intend to take photographs, you can discuss with the rower in advance so that they can take you to all intresting spots at Van Long (taking you around 2 hours)

Tips for visiting to Van Long Nature Reserve

• You should carry your own hat because of the boiling weather in the summer
• You should go on a boat with 3 vistors, more than this is not safe
• You should also show your pleasant attitude to boatmen because they will take you to all places of Van Long water land. Besides, you can also give a tip of around 40.000 VND to 50.000 VND to them.

TRAVEL NINH BINH: VAN LONG NATURE RESERVE IN 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT WITH RUBICON TOURS:

Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – Trang An Grottoes – Bich Dong Pagoda – Van Long Wetland 2 Days 1 Night

Van Long Nature Reserve In Ninh Binh|Vietnam
Nguyen Thanh Van

When is Apricot Blossom’s season?

In order to know in which season the flowers bloom, you need to identify where the flowers will bloom. Because the timing of blooming varies from place to place. In particular, the most beautiful flowering spots in the country are: Northwest (Dien Bien, Moc Chau, …), Hanoi and Da Lat. Let’s find out when the flowers will bloom in these lands!

The flowering season in the Northwest

When the spring say goodbye to the Northwestern mountains, it is also the time for the Apricot blossom’s season to bloom here. Specifically in February, you will see flowers appear  on the roads leading to Dien Bien’s Streets or Moc Chau Town.

By the end of February – early March is the time when flowers bloom in all hills and highlands. At this time, warm weather is also very suitable for a journey to find the mountainous region of the country.

Apricot blossom in Hanoi

Maybe because the geographical location is quite close to each other, the capital also has Apricot Blossom’s season quite similar to the Northwest provinces of Vietnam. The end of February is also the time when the flowers begin to bloom in the season and spread radiantly in March, lasting until early May. If you are planning to travel to Hanoi in the above months, do not miss this beautiful flower season.

Apricot blossom’s season in Dalat

Slightly different from the above two regions, Da Lat white flower season is associated with the cold winter. Because at the end of December, the roads on the mountain street were full of white flowers. For those who love the winter in Da Lat, love the cold air with full of frost, they usually visit to Dalat from December to February. This is the time you could see the flowers at the beginning of the season, and enjoy the winter atmosphere. In addition, traveling to Dalat in February, visitors can admire the characteristic cherry blossom season of the city.

For those who love the spring of the thousands of flowers’ city, March – April is the perfect time to visit here. The moderate temperature and the blooming white flowers will make you bewildered and forget about the way back. Besides the flowering season, you can also admire the beauty of the purple phoenix here. Don’t miss!

Soure: Vietnambooking.com

A beauty of Apricot Blossom in Vietnam
Nguyen Thanh Van