LAI CHÂU — As May draws to a close, and June begins, the landscapes in northwest mountainious regions become more beautiful than ever.

Women cultivate the young rice plants on a terrace field in Lai Châu. VNA/VNS Photos Quý Trung

Water from gullies on the mountains and forests cascades down below, filling up all the terraced rice fields. From a distance, the fields look like large mirrors, reflecting colours from the sky above, radiant when the sunrises, blue with fluffy white clouds during the day , or golden at sunset. Scattered in between the shimmering fields, there are some that have been tinged with the green shade of rice seedlings and newly planted rice. All have created a picture of nature with beautiful contrasting colours.

The main water source for terraced fields comes from the rain, so farmers have to build the fields very carefully. — VNA/VNS Photo Quý Trung

This is also a great time for Mông and Dao ethnic people living in the region to go to the fields to cultivate their crops. From early in the morning, people head to the fields, creating a bustling scene like a festival event. The main water source for terraced fields comes from nature, so farmers have to build the fields very carefully.

Farmers use all available resources to plough the land. — VNA/VNS Photo Quý Trung

In the past, buffaloes have been used to plough, but nowadays, the cattle are used  only in steep, hilly fields. In other flat fields, farmers have machines for cultivation.

Children enjoy playing and bathing in the water of the rice fields. — VNA/VNS Photo Quý Trung

Visiting the region during the this time of year, tourists can witness see enthusiastic farmers scene and learn how they create the masterpiece of terrace fields.

The effects of climate change have hampered cultivation in the region. — VNA/VNS Photo Quý Trung

But this year, due to extreme heat, low rainfall and climate change, many terrace fields in the region are not getting enough water for cultivation. — VNS