September is prime time for witnessing the scenic landscape of Mù Cang Chải. VNS Photo Thống Nhất

YÊN BÁI — Along with the Philippines' Luzon Island and China's Yuanyang valley, Mù Cang Chải is a Việt Nam's Northwest mountain masterpiece known for its breathtaking terraced fields.

Middle of September marks the beginning of the peak golden rice harvest in this impoverished region of Yên Bái Province. These terraced fields draw in enthusiastic sightseers thanks to their picturesque views and vibrant colours.

A total of 700 hectares of terraced rice fields may be found in La Pán Tẩn commune of Mù Cang Chải. In this region, the terraced fields that cover the hillsides have become a major tourist draw. VNS Photo Thống Nhất

Backpackers often refer to Mù Cang Chải as "the heart of the Northwest" because of its central location on the map of Việt Nam's Northwestern area.

The journey to this place, however, is seldom a smooth one. Khau Phạ Pass is at the altitude of 1,000 metres. It is a 30-kilometre-long, winding, and steep route that most travellers must take to reach the land of the golden season.

There are currently two main routes leading to Mù Cang Chải. If you travel by coach or car, take the Nội Bài – Lào Cai highway and exit at Vĩnh Phúc, Phú Thọ, and Nghĩa Lộ Town. After that, continue along Highway 32 to Mù Cang Chải.

Motorcycling is the ideal mode of travel for adventurers who seek a challenge and who want to see the world.

For biker, the road leading to Mù Cang Chải will follow Highway 32 and cross the Trung Hà – Thanh Thủy – Thanh Sơn – Xuân Sơ Bridge before reaching Nghĩa Lộ town.

Highway 32 continues onward from here, taking you to Mù Cang Chải.

A dawning view of Mù Cang Chải. VNS Photo Thống Nhất

As the temperature hovers around 23 degrees Celsius at this time of year, tourists to Mù Cang Chải can enjoy a pleasant glimpse of autumn in the Northwest mountains.

Buckwheat blooms also start to open about now. Millions of flowers blooming across the mountain slopes and woodland floors is a testament to the grace of the nature.

The months of April and May mark the beginning of the "water pouring" season in Mù Cang Chải, which many people believe to be another ideal time of year to take a trip to this place.

At that time of year, when the fields have recently been ploughed and flooded with water, visitors can take in the gleaming surface of the fields in the sunlight, the silvery white colour of the newly irrigated field surface, and the green colour of the early transplanted fields.

All of them paint a picture of harmony with nature.

Mù Cang Chải District has approximately 61,000 residents, 91 per cent of whom are Mông ethnics, with the remainder being Thái, Kinh, and other ethnic groups.

In addition to discovering terraced fields, tourists to Mù Cang Chải may also have the opportunity to learn about the ways of life of the locals as well as the specific cultural practices of the Mông and Khơ Mú ethnic groups that live in the area. VNS