Visit The Emerald Rice Fields of Mu Cang Chai

Nothing quite says ‘Vietnam’ like an array of lush green rice fields. We can all agree rice fields are a part and parcel of any Vietnam tour and are not to be missed out on. The Mu Cang Chai Rice Fields is one such place you need to visit in Vietnam.

The Rice Fields of Mu Cang Chai

Located in the Yen Bai Province, around 300 km away from Hanoi, the rice fields of Mu Cang Chai are a spectacular sight. Sweeping staircase fields of either vibrant green or golden brown, depending on the season, are carved into the mountains and stretch on as far as the eye can see. Unlike the more commercialized Sapa rice fields, the Mu Cang Chai rice fields still hold on tightly to their rural charm.

Best time to visit Mu Cang Chai

Mu Cang Chai can be visited any time of the year. However, if you want to see the rice fields in their most stunning form, the best time to visit Mu Cang Chai is from May to June and September to October. From May to June, the rice fields are covered in water which reflects the sky and fields giving it a beautiful ethereal look. September to October is the harvest season. During these few months, the fields turn bright golden brown and yellow which seems to glow. If you want to see the lush emerald green fields, then go here from June to September.

How to get there

Hanoi is the closest city to Mu Cang Chai and is located around 300km away. You can travel from Hanoi to Mu Cang Chai either by car, taxi, bus, train, or motorbike. 

By car or taxi

It will take around 6 hours by car if you move out early in the morning. You can rent a car and drive by yourself. The roads are marked and you can easily find your way. If you don’t feel like driving, you can always hire a taxi to pick you up at your hotel and drop you off at your desired location. 

By bus

There are no direct bus services to Mu Cang Chai. Instead, you can take the bus from Hanoi to either Yen Bai or Nghia Lo. From Yen Bai or Nghia Lo, you can take the local bus to Mu Cang Chai. Book your bus tickets here.

By train

You can take the train from Hanoi to Yen Bai Railway station. From Yen Bai, you can get on a bus to Mu Cang Chai.

By motorbike

If you are feeling adventurous, you can travel to Mu Cang Chai on a motorbike. The roads are decent and the views are spectacular. 

What to do

The Mu Cang Chai Rice Fields have plenty of activities to do and even if you are not up for any strenuous activity the fields are a great place to relax and take in the beauty of mother nature.

Motorbiking

Riding around the Mu Cang Chai is a popular activity. You can rent a motorbike and drive around the scenic roads, particularly Highway QL32, the magnificent stretch between Mu Cang Chai town and Tu Le via the Khau Pha mountain pass. 

Hiking 

There are plenty of hiking and walking trails that you can discover along the area. These walking trails were used by the villagers for centuries. Most of them are well established while some of them are difficult to find but the fun is in discovering the smaller trails.

Cycling

If you are looking for a slower pace, try cycling around the narrow paths between the rice fields. Feel the cool breeze on your skin while being surrounded by beautiful terraced rice fields.

Interact with the locals

The Mu Cang Chai Rice Fields are home to a variety of ethnic minority tribes, particularly the Black Hmong tribe. You’ll find small Hmong villages dotted around the area as well as Hmongs dressed in their colorful traditional clothes.

Where to stay

The Mu Cang Chai Rice Fields are located in the rural Yen Bai. The entire area is home to less than a thousand households so it can be expected that there are no 5- star resorts or hotels waiting for you here. Instead, you can opt to camp out under the stars or get in touch with a local homestay. One of the more popular places to stay in is the Mu Cang Chai Ecolodge. 

So there you have it, everything you need to know about the Mu Cang Chai Rice Fields. The stunning terraced rice fields of Mu Cang Chai are a sight worth seeing. If you want to visit these beautiful hills, reach out to BDATrip, your one-stop shop for all your Vietnam travel needs. We will organize a customized tour of all your favorite places and more in Vietnam.