Top 10 most beautiful rice paddies in Vietnam

Magnificent rice paddies in Vietnam are a unique feature distributed over the territory of Vietnam. We are very proud of the beauty of the rice fields because it took so much effort and time for farmers to cultivate and build up the majestic natural rice fields. If you have a chance to visit Vietnam, we will recommend you some of the most spectacular terraces which makes your trip more interesting. This article would help you have a reference list of Vietnam rice fields and suggest where to see rice paddies in Vietnam along with the ideal seasons to travel. 

 

1. What is the meaning of “rice paddies”? 

Firstly, have you ever seen “rice paddies” before? Rice paddies are wetland areas with land utilized for the production of rice and other crops. In East Asia and Southeast Asia, precisely, in Vietnam, wet rice cultivation is commonly famous for rice fields. As you may know, rice can be grown in terraced fields, next to riverbanks, wetlands, etc. that are situated on steep hillsides.

 

Source: wallpaper flare

 

Rice fields that are moist require a specific quantity of water to cultivate, typically a significant amount, so irrigation works like dikes, embankments, canals, ditches, troughs, etc. are always planned and constructed adjacent to the fields. 

The flooded plains offer the perfect setting for rice farming. Since they are well adapted to the climate and environmental conditions in wetlands, buffaloes are one of the most crucial animals for plowing in the cultivation of rice fields. Buffaloes are now gradually being replaced with plows.

 

2. Top 10 most magnificent rice paddies in Vietnam

2.1. Hoang Su Phi in Ha Giang

Location

The first rice field in Vietnam that we would like to introduce is Hoang Su Phi Rice Terraces. Hoang Su Phi is a district located in the west of Ha Giang province, on the upper reaches of Chay and Bac rivers, around 100 km from the west of Ha Giang city. Therefore, it has the potential to grow rice fields thanks to the appropriate geographic location and suitable weather.

 

Key features

It is undeniable that Hoang Su Phi rice paddies are one of the most beautiful Vietnam rice fields. If you visit Ha Giang, the area's natural beauty won't surprise you. Rich blue silk bands and gold magnificence alternately adorn the Hoang Su Phi landscape. 

 

Source:  wallpaper flare

 

Those who enjoy Vietnam adventure tours should choose this location. It can be said that the terraces in Ban Luoc, Ban Phung, San Sa Ho, Nam Ty are the glory of Hoang Su Phi in addition to its natural beauty and cultural significance. Moreover, this place is also suitable for photographers, nature lovers, trekking adventurers who are passionate about plunging themself into the landscapes of Vietnam rice fields. 

In order to enjoy all the beauty of this territory, you should have a clear plan which includes your favorite activities to do, places to go when traveling to Hoang Su Phi in Ha Giang. Therefore, designing Authentic Hoang Su Phi Trekking Tours is really necessary.

 

How to get there

For their private transfer from Ha Giang to Hoang Su Phi, most tourists take a bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang.

In Ha Giang, you can choose to rent a motorcycle. You then take the QL2 to get to Tan Quang and then the DT 177 from there to Hoang Su Phi. A private automobile with a driver can be rented as an option.

 

Source: Tours By Locals Vietnam

 

However, we are quite disappointed to say that the terrain of Hoang Su Phi is harsh and difficult to reach by public transportation such as buses. Traveling by tours is the most feasible option for you because we deeply know about this place and offer you some exciting experiences like trekking through the rice paddies, staying overnight in local homestays, etc. We believe these activities would interest you more.

 

2.2. Rice Terraces in Sapa

Location

Sapa lies in northwestern Vietnam, not far from the Chinese border. There are some tiny tribal communities that dot the highlands that are not too near to Sapa's main area.

 

Key features

Because it combines many of Vietnam's most well-known and alluring attractions into one convenient package, Sapa is obscenely popular. In addition, Sapa offers hikes of all lengths, a fascinating culture, breathtaking scenery, a rich history, colorfully attired local tribes, especially, the magnificent Vietnam rice fields are also located in Spa. Here are some of the beautiful rice terraces in Sapa.

 

2.2.1 Ta Phin

Ta Phin village puts on a quiet and gentle beauty about 15 kilometers northeast of Sapa town, in contrast to the busy and boisterous life of the city. Those who desire to interact with both heaven and earth should come here.

 

Source: Internet

 

Do you wish to view the lovely terraced fields in real life? They are often seen in photographs. Particularly, the fields are orderly, curving, and twisting like equally spaced waterfalls. This would be the best place to release the stress of life and recharge the battery.

Moreover, every season has its own unique charm, often in shades of soft green or bright, dazzling gold. You will be able to appreciate the terraced fields' layers, which resemble silver lines if you are fortunate enough to visit Ta Phin village during the rainy season.

Besides the scenery of rice paddies, Sapa still has the highest mountain in Vietnam which is Fansipan. We do believe that you will not regret when considering Trekking & conquering Mount Fansipan Sapa in advance if you love Sapa.

 

2.2.2 Ban Ho

Even though Ban Ho hamlet is farther from the tourist hub than other areas of Sapa, it nevertheless boasts beautiful natural beauty, romantic waterfalls, enormous terraced fields, and a significant number of distinctive cultural heritages. 

 

Source: digiticket

 

Visitors to Ban Ho would be in awe of the impossibly large terraced fields, which are breathtakingly beautiful. The bamboo homes of the locals, which are dispersed along the two banks of the stream, are likewise mixed in with the surrounding nature. Additionally, Ban Ho has a particularly special attraction because it is where the two streams Muong Hoa and La Ve converge.

 

2.2.3 Ta Van

Source: luhanhvietnam

 

The next one is Ta Van. However, Ta Van might not be the best option for you if you prefer busy, boisterous areas like the city, urban areas. The things in Ta Van are tarpaulin rice fields, which have neither beginning or ending, rustic thatched huts, and narrow roads that are still covered with grass and plants. All of a sudden, folks who enjoy traveling find this location to have an odd allure. 

 

How to get there

You could catch a bus from Hanoi to Sapa because the road is simple and easy. Around Sapa's main bus station, you can talk with locals who will offer you a room in one of their guesthouses. Moreover, the other way to have an authentic experience and view the nicest rice fields in the area is to travel with tours because you will be introduced more about the features of Vietnam rice paddies in Sapa by our professional tour guides.

 

2.3 Mu Cang Chai terraced rice fields in Yen Bai

Location

Mu Cang Chai is located in the northwest of the country, although not as far north as Sapa, Ha Giang, or Hoang Su Phi. It is at a distance that around 150 km from Sapa. 

 

Key features

By visiting Mu Cang Chai and viewing the terraced fields from the side of the road during the ripe rice season, you will appreciate the delicate and deft curves to build up these terraced fields used by the Mong people.

 

Source:  wallpaper flare

 

The terraced fields of Mu Cang Chai land take on the golden coat of the ripe rice season in September and October, drawing a lot of travelers from all around to enjoy the alluring views of the Northwest highlands.

 

How to get there

We have some options for you if you wish to travel to Mu Cang Chai from Hanoi:

• You can travel directly to Mu Cang Chai by car or motorcycle.

 

Source: Life hack

 

• Although there are not many buses that stop at Mu Cang Chai, you can take a bus to Yen Bai. Here, you can rent a motorbike and ride it to Mu Cang Chai. About 175 kilometers separate Yen Bai city from Mu Cang Chai.

• From Hanoi, take the train to Yen Bai, then a bus to Mu Cang Chai.

 

2.4 Y Ty rice paddies in Lao Cai

Location

Y Ty in North Vietnam is quite close to the Chinese border. As Y Ty is located at an elevation of more than 2,000 meters and has its back to the 2,660-meter-high Nhui Co San mountain range; this area is cloud-covered virtually all year round. This is such a must-visit destination in your traveling list.

 

Key features

Y Ty is well-known for its towering skies, majestic mountains covered in jungle, and magnificent rice terraces.

 

Source: reviewvilla

 

Photographers love the ripening rice fields in Y Ty's Ngai Thau, Thien Sinh, and Choan Then regions. Although terraced paddy fields can be found virtually everywhere in the Ban Xat area, Y Ty has the greatest views, making it a popular destination for photographers, explorers, and nature lovers worldwide. 

Additionally, you may be surprised that visitors often see a large number of photographers taking photos for their projects all around this picturesque village. Therefore, Trekking Y Ty 2 days is such a good idea to admire the landscape here If you do not have much time for traveling or want to save time to go to other places.

 

How to get there

Y Ty is a municipality in the same province as Sapa's location, Lao Cai Province's Bat Xat District. Although the distance between Y Ty and Sapa is only about 70 kilometers, the roads make the trip easily take longer than 5 hours. Luckily, the route to Y Ty has been renovated, so there are no longer any muddy roads like there used to be.

 

2.5 Hong Thai terraced fields in Tuyen Quang

Location

Source: Say Hello To Vietnam

 

Have you ever heard that Hong Thai commune is the highest place in Tuyen Quang province which is over 1,200 meters above sea level? Consequently, due to its extraordinary height, building up the rice fields is extremely hard and takes farmers much time to cultivate.

 

Key features

Source: Phuotvivu

 

The rice season ripens in September and October. This time, the rice fields simultaneously turn to brilliant yellow, each yellow wave winding along the mountainside has attracted visitors. Additionally, you can explore, learn about the outstanding cultural features of the Mong, Dao, and Tay ethnic communities, etc., and also join in experiential activities such as rice planting, rice harvesting, threshing,...

 

How to get there

Beginning in the capital city of Hanoi, you proceed through Vinh Yen and then directly onto Highway 2 to reach Tuyen Quang's city core. From here, you turn right toward Chiem Hoa when you reach km31 on Highway 2, and keep driving until you reach Na Hang town. To reach Hong Thai commune, where there are vast terraced fields, keep traveling to the north of Na Hang for another 40 kilometers.

 

2.6 Rice Fields in Hai Duong

Location

Now we are moving to another Vietnam rice field in Hai Duong. This is a province between Hanoi and Hai Phong City which is incredibly rich in both history and culture.

 

Key features

Along with its history, Hai Duong is renowned for its culture, numerous celebrations, traditional theater, and significant landmarks like the Mao Dien Temple of Literature. It even has the Kiep Bac Temple, which is a pilgrimage stop between Thang Long and the Buddhist Holy Land of Yen Tu. Coming to Hai Duong, you not only enjoy the atmosphere of this tranquil place but also have a chance to plunge into the beauty of landscapes' rice fields.

 

Source: Flickr (@Lars1387)

 

The best time to visit Hai Duong Province is the period between September and October. You will see the magnificent picture of the Vietnam rice fields. This will amaze you by the yellow coat covering the whole ripe rice paddies. This is such wonderful scenery like being painted.

 

How to get there

The route to Hai Duong Province from Hanoi is relatively easy to travel. Precisely, It takes 1 hour to get there by train and 50 minutes by taxi. 

 

Source: Wallpaper access

 

With another choice, you could also rent a private car to travel to see the sights on the road when driving. We believe this way may be more exciting, but it has a difficulty that you could lose the path when you are not familiar with Vietnam traffic. For the better option, we suggest that you travel by tour to be safer and you do not have to find the places to rent the vehicle. It’s such waiting-time.

 

2.7 Mai Chau rice terraces in Hoa Binh

Location

As you may see, the north of Vietnam has an abundance of beautiful rice fields and the next destination also belongs to the northern territory, Mai Chau, and it's far from Hanoi about 140 kilometers.

 

Key features

So, do you wonder where to see rice paddies in Vietnam, precisely in Mai Chau? We highly recommend the two places.

 

2.7.1 Ban Pom Coong

Pom Coong has a reputation as a cultural village, a tourist destination, and a desirable location for travelers from all over the world. The stilted homes in this area are close together, with only vegetable beds separating some of them. People can play and chat on the doorstep.

 

Source: baodantoc

 

Every nook and cranny of the Mai Chau people's communities is covered with golden rice fields.

 

2.7.2 Ban Lac

Today, people from near and far know and love Lac Village as a popular local tourist site. Not a crowded location, not pompous, not expensive, but all of them are rustic, natural, near and friendly that guests once come here will remember forever.

 

Source: getgovietnam

 

Every stilt home in Lac village is tall, roomy, and tidy while retaining the traditional design. Each service home is furnished with blankets, pillows, and cushions that have been folded in an orderly fashion. If you want to travel to Mai Chau where you can see an abundance of glamorous Vietnamese rice paddies, you can find suitable information through these articles: Mai Chau Trekking 4 days, Mai Chau Tour 2 days.

 

How to get there

You can drive or ride a motorcycle to Mai Chau to have the thrill of driving through mountain roads and get more active. If you're a beginner, the Hanoi - Mai Chau route is ideal because it is both incredibly scenic and simple to travel due to its low level of hazard.

Between Yen Nghia and My Dinh bus stations, take a bus to Mai Chau. You get off the bus at Tong Dau crossroads and ride a motorbike cab another 5 km to Mai Chau town center. Each person's bus fare is from 80,000 to 140,000 VND.

 

2.8 Bac Son Valley in Lang Son

Location

In Vietnam's northeastern Lang Son Province, the rural district of Bac Son Valley is located. 160 kilometers northeast of Hanoi is where it is situated. Its valley's own extraordinarily high mountains, which are between 500 and 1200 meters high, are one of its interesting features.

 

Key features

Let’s find more features of Bac Son Valley to figure out what mạke this place so unique.

 

Source: baohatinh 

 

The communities in the Bac Son district are stunning in their own right. The Tay ethnic group and their customary stilt homes are present in the area. The ideal trips for viewing the stunning countryside and discovering the hill tribes' way of life will likely be a number of overnight excursions.

Importantly, if you wanted to get the entire view of the valley you would have to climb up to the phone station that was built on top of a mountain. As you leave this location, the breathtaking 360-degree landscape of mountains, lakes, and farms utterly astounds you.

 

Source: Tripadvisor

 

The rich soil of the Bac Son Valley enables local farmers to grow a variety of crops there. Its principal product, rice terraces, is only grown there twice a year, and every square meter is farmed at different times. Other crops, such as yams and corn, also benefit from rice.

 

How to get there

Driving from Hanoi to Thai Nguyen and then going onto National Highway 1B is the simplest route to travel to this valley.

From the internet, various tours to Bac Son are recommended. There are many interesting possibilities for vacations in this region, however, Vietnam Original Travel stands out. See this enchanted valley of beauty without fail. A trip to Bac Son will let you realize how much Mother Nature can provide for you. The valley and its surroundings offer a wealth of sights.

 

2.9 Pu Luong rice fields in Thanh Hoa

Location

Pu Luong, which is close to Mai Chau and has a similar terrain but is much further out and in a rural area, is another option. Even more than some of the other places we've highlighted, it's a rough and primitive location. The rice-filled farmland is cultivated here using water buffalo, bamboo waterwheels, and local farmers.

 

Key features

Due to its solitude and breathtaking beauty of terraced rice fields and primary woods, Pu Luong is known as a top choice for hikers and low-budget tourists.

 

Source: Local Vietnam

 

Mid-summer is a suitable time to visit Pu Luong because it is located in a low-lying limestone area with abundant tropical forests, few people, and a comfortable climate on hot days. Again, this tranquil place will attract more customers who love enjoying the peace.

Visiting Pu Luong between September and October is such a good idea. Because it enters the harvest season and the multi-layered terraced fields on the hillsides turn a stunning shade of yellow. Moreover, many people come to Pu Luong around this time to take in the sight of the ripening rice fields since it is referred to as "a paradise amidst the forest."

 

How to get there

So, how do we get Pu Luong and enjoy the peace that the rice paddies bring to us?

Nowhere has a public bus that goes to Pu Luong. In order to go to Pu Luong or one of the adjacent villages, you can take a bus from Hanoi to Mai Chau or Canh Nang and then hitchhike, ride a motorcycle, or arrange a private trip from those locations. We can set up a Pu Luong hike for you that will include transportation if necessary in order to get you to the actual rice fields.

 

2.10 Rice fields in Ninh Binh

Location

So, we just have the final one and it is also situated in the north of Vietnam territory and close to Hanoi.

 

Key features

Ninh Binh Province is well-known, but it still doesn't receive the respect and attention it merits. Although the town itself is small and quaint, its surroundings are what really draw people in. Dubbed as "Halong Bay on land," this region offers craggy karsts, steep peaks, caverns that are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, fantastic hiking and biking opportunities, and some of Vietnam's best rice fields.

 

Source: Pixabay

 

We would like to mention that the landscape of Tam Coc contributes to the beauty of rice paddies in Vietnam.

When you first enter Tam Coc rice field, the breathtaking beauty that resembles a paradise will astound you. Huge rice fields, tropical woods, and stunning limestone cliffs, mountains, and valleys can be seen on the Ngo Dong River's two sides. Bich Dong Pagoda and Hang Mua Peak are two examples of architectural structures that are infused with spiritual culture. Each piece of architecture is beautiful in how it conveys the locals' spirituality and worldview.

 

How to get there

The route to Tam Coc is not harsh to travel. You could go by bus, motorbike or private car. For other choices, the rail route is also layouted, but we do not advise you to choose this because Vietnam railway often causes unexpected problems, which makes you irritated and disappointed.

 

3. The best season to travel

The right time to see the most beautiful rice paddies in Vietnam is in the period from mid-September to mid-October. Since this is usually the harvest time of the fields, you will have the opportunity to admire the majestic and magnificent scenery of the terraced rice fields in Vietnam. The shiny golden color of the ripe rice fibers mingles with the cool breeze that swings to the beat. The landscape is charming and romantic.

 

Source: Pngtree

 

For other cases such as Pu Luong terraced fields, May and June are the most suitable times to enjoy the iridescent golden beauty of the rice fields along with the typical image, which is the water buffalo.

Similar to Ninh Binh and Mai Chau, May and June are the two most brilliant periods of terraced fields. With Bac Son village, when traveling in early July and late November, you will witness the beauty of majestic scenery that fascinates the people’s souls.

 

4. The best time of day to enjoy the view of rice paddies in Vietnam

It is undeniable that taking pictures of rice terraces in the morning is the best. This time is perfect to see, enjoy, and have a lot of spectacular photos of Vietnam rice paddies. Waking up in the early morning, feeling the cold breeze, sipping a cup of coffee, gazing at the most beautiful view of mountains, and rice terraces are such enjoyable things. 

 

Source: Trekking Tour Sapa

 

However, to be more exact, you could ask the locals about the appropriate time for specific activities that you want to do. Because they live there and deeply know about the local region.

 

5. Let’s have a wonderful time!

Here are our sharing about the top 10 of the most beautiful Vietnam rice fields and some of the general advice to help you prepare carefully when deciding to travel. We hope that you had the ideal place in your trip plan.

 

Recommanded excursion 

=> Mai Chau Tour 2 days