Terraced fields are a form of cultivation on sloping land of many people in the world. Due to the scarcity of upland mountains for cultivation, people choose the slopes of the ridge to form terraces. And then drain water from the high mountains to form terraced fields for rice cultivation.
When travelling to Ha Giang, no one can ignore the beautiful beauty of terraced fields in Hoang Su Phi. The array of colours lying on the precarious mountain ranges, gently hugging the undulating rock slope like enchanting smooth lines.
How Hoang Su Phi is Unique?
Travel along National Highway 2 and Provincial Road 177. It’s far from Ha Giang City centre about 110km. With relatively complex terrain. Hoang Su Phi is divided by high and medium mountains, lower towards the river along with the flow of Chay River. And connect with Silver River creating three main types of terrain. They are high mountainous terrain, low and medium hills, narrow valleys. Due to the long-term geological formation and local weathering on the bedrock, it has created a fertile soil with various soil resources.
Hoang Su Phi is recognized as a National Monument by the wide ladder, beautiful fascinated. Hoang Su Phi step ladder is a masterpiece created from the hands of hard labour, sweat and brain of the working people. Over time, the wild hills, rocky peaks, the people of this place have turned them into fertile slopes, winding, untouched.
Top Things to Do in Hoang Su Phi
The area of terraced fields in Hoang Su Phi extends to nearly 3,000 ha and is scattered in most communes. Among them, the most beautiful is still 760 hectares of fields recognized as a National Heritage. They are in Ban Luoc, Ban Phung, Thong Nguyen, Ho Thau, Nam Ty and San Sa Ho. These places own well-known fields, along with the natural landscape of mountains, forests, poetic rivers and streams, adding more grace to the unbelievable Ha Giang loop tour from Hanoi.
1. Ban Phung terraced fields
Ban Phung is a commune located near the border with China. From the centre of Vinh Quang town, you have to follow a small mountain pass long about 30 km to cross the mountain to reach the commune centre.
Without wide valleys such as Cao Pha or Muong Hoa, terraced fields in Ban Phung are crouched on steep slopes. Along with Ban Luoc, this is the place with the highest terraced fields in Vietnam.
2. Ho Thau terraced fields
Ho Thau is a commune of Hoang Su Phi, about 16km from Nam Tich intersection. Terraced fields in Ho Thau of the Red Dao ethnic people. The people here have a custom: with a small clearing around each field to keep the land from landslides. Farming is carried out from high to low with simple labour tools such as pickaxes, harrows, shovels and knives. Ho Thau terraced fields are immense, high as the eye with rolling hills with a large width, regularity and little slope.
3. Thong Nguyen terraced fields
Located on the left bank, where the flow of three large streams converges: Phin Ho falls down, Nam Ong flows back and Nam Khoa bounces together to form a plateau on the middle of the mountain. Many people commented that Thong Nguyen was the place of “Quan Son – Tu Thuy”. Thong Nguyen is one of the most beautiful places to see terraced fields in Hoang Su Phi. It is the most beautiful part you can stop taking pictures is about km24 road from Bac Quang to Hoang Su Phi.
4. Terraced fields Ban Luoc – San Sa Ho
Ban Luoc and San Sa Ho communes are mountainous terrains and moderate slope, so there are many terraced fields. Here, everywhere has terraced fields in the wavy shape and bow. Terraced fields here belong to Dao people in Ao Dai and Nung people.
5. Nam Ty terraced fields
Located on km 24 of Bac Quang road to Hoang Su Phi. Nam Ty terraced fields are also of the Red Dao and is one of the places recognized as Hoang Su Phi’s National Monument of terraced fields.
Those who love adventure, take a little risk, you can choose to conquer the mountain of West Con Linh to see the whole rice terraced fields from above as well as enjoy the fresh air and the majesty of nature. The journey may be longer and more difficult, but the landscape drew before you will make you remember forever.
How to go there?
About 80km from the centre of Ha Giang City, you can go to Hoang Su Phi by personal transport, public transport or a combination of both.
- Public transport
Hanoi to Ha Giang
From My Dinh bus station every day there are many bus beds to Ha Giang, the departure time is usually around 8-9 pm until about 5 am you will be at Ha Giang bus station.
Ha Giang to Hoang Su Phi
You can choose to rent a motorbike in Ha Giang, after the coach takes you to the bus station, then take the car and from here move back to Highway 2 to Tan Quang, then turn on DT177 to Hoang Su Phi.
There is another route that can take a motorbike to Hoang Su Phi to go to Thanh Thuy border gate and then pass Tay Con Linh to Hoang Su Phi.
- Private vehicles
For those who use personal means, there are many options to explore Hoang Su Phi. From Hanoi, you can choose the direction of highway 2 to normal Hoang Su Phi. After going to Hoang Su Phi, turn to Xin Man, Bac Ha and return to Hanoi along Yen Bai road. Going this schedule will be a circle, without returning to the first path.
When is the best time to visit Hoang Su Phi rice terraced fields?
Hoang Su Phi water pouring season
Unlike Mu Cang Chai or Y Ty, the terraces in Hoang Su Phi are taller and steeper, so the scenery when the water is falling is even more majestic. From May to July every year, entering the new rice season; The people will take advantage of the water to cultivate. Each water swept all over the path, covering the whole valley, turning Hoang Su Phi into a giant mirror that reflected the sky and sparkling sun rays.
Coming here in the flooding season, you will learn more about the rural life of upland farmers and try the feeling of transplanting each seedling in the field. When the terraced fields have been transplanted, standing down to look down is a peaceful picture with gentle green colour mixed with the glittering silver of the water surface.
Hoang Su Phi ripe rice season
Hoang Su Phi rice season only has one crop every year, from September to October. This is the best time for you to fully explore the magical beauty of this place. The golden rice fields are iridescent, gently shaking; in the breeze is the scent of fresh aromatic rice.
Especially, the upland weather this time also began to be chilly. Early in the morning an entire area covered with thin mist increased the poetic features. If you want to have more experience, you can join in the field work. Also, you can learn about how to harvest rice from the upland, taste the delicacies made from newly harvested rice. Or experience the Cultural beauty in the unique holidays of ethnic minorities. Take a trip to northeast of Vietnam and a witness the art and beauty of probably the most beautiful terrace rice fields in the world.
Recommended accommodation in Hoang Su Phi
Ecolodge Panhou Village
- Address: Thong Nguyen, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang
Hoang Su Phi Lodge
- Address: Nam Hong Village, Thong Nguyen commune, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang
Thanh Van Homestay
- Address: Group 1, Quang Vinh Town, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang
For details about accommodation in Hoang Su Phi please click here.
What to eat in Hoang Su Phi?
Hoang Su Phi converges all the special delicacies of Ha Giang region that you cannot ignore such as amaranth, young porridge, braised rice, blue rice, kitchen buffalo meat, etc. However, this place is still famous for dishes made from mouse meat of La Chi ethnic people with many different variations such as grilled rats, stir-fried mice, kitchen rats, etc. Mice are soft and fragrant, rich in flavour from the typical mountain and forest materials. So it’s a harmonious whole.
There is also a dish of black pork – a local breed of the Dao and H’ mong people, Ha Giang. Due to being naturally grazed, pork is firmer, with less fat and more nutrients than conventional varieties. People here prefer grilled black pork dish because of its aroma and special soft sweetmeat
It’s great for
- Photographer, nature lover, solo traveler, young people.
Please drop an email to sales@originvietnam.com or call direct to +84829098686 for All things need to know before travel to Hoang Su Phi. Especially do not skip reading Hagiang Travel guide from OriginVietnam.com to get useful information before your tour to Ha Giang Vietnam.
