- 1. About wet rice cultivation and Vietnamese rice paddies
- 2. Where to admire the most stunning Vietnamese rice paddies?
- 2.1. Sapa Vietnam rice fields
- 2.2. Vietnamese rice paddies in Bac Son Valley
- 2.3. Tam Coc Vietnam rice fields
- 2.4. Vietnamese rice paddies in Mai Chau Valley
- 2.5. Mu Cang Chai rice paddies in Vietnam
- 2.6. Vietnamese terraced rice fields in Hoang Su Phi
- 2.7. Vietnamese rice paddies in Pu Luong
- 2.8. Ta Pa Vietnam rice fields
- 2.9. Vietnamese rice paddies in Y Ty
- 2.10. An Giang rice paddies in Vietnam
- 2.11. Hoi An Vietnam rice fields
- 2.12. Vietnamese rice paddies in Trung Khanh, Cao Bang
- 2.13. Thai Binh Vietnam rice fields
With their inspiring beauty, Vietnamese rice paddies are a breathtaking sight to behold on a Vietnam travel journey. The vibrant picture of endless rice fields and the majestic rice terraces captivate the heart, enhancing the charm of this S-shaped land. If you are planning a trip to Vietnam, be sure to check out the list of the 13 most beautiful rice paddies to add to your itinerary.
1. About wet rice cultivation and Vietnamese rice paddies
Vietnam is an agricultural country with countless rice paddies stretching from the north to the south. Before the 1980s, Vietnam was impoverished and heavily reliant on food aid from Russia and China. However, by the 1990s, Vietnam had not only enough rice to feed its population but also became a significant rice exporter to the world. Today, Vietnam is the second-largest rice exporter globally, only behind Thailand.
Vietnam is an ancient country with diverse geography, encompassing three-quarters hilly terrain, extensive coastlines, and two fertile delta regions: the Red River Delta in the north, nurtured by the Red River, and the Mekong Delta in the south, fed by the mighty Mekong River. The Vietnamese rice paddies are predominantly situated in these two vast deltas. With an area of 15,000 kilometers square and two rice crops per year, the Red River Delta can produce enough rice to feed the entire Vietnamese people. Meanwhile, the Mekong Delta is three times larger (50,000 kilometers square) than the Red River Delta, features richer soil, and produces three rice crops annually, predominantly for export.
In addition, rice is also grown on terraced rice fields in Vietnam by local ethnic groups in the northern mountainous areas. The climate here is dry with long and cold winters, so rice cultivation depends almost entirely on rainwater from the mountains during the rainy season. Therefore, there is only one crop a year, and the profit earned is only enough to support the daily lives of local people.
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2. Where to admire the most stunning Vietnamese rice paddies?
2.1. Sapa Vietnam rice fields
Sapa is one of the top tourist destinations in Vietnam, renowned for its terraced rice fields that are hundreds of years old and were created by various ethnic minority groups. When visiting Sapa, you can stroll through vast rice fields and admire the breathtaking beauty of the sunrise or sunset, leaving you in awe of the magnificent landscape and the delicate fragrance of ripened rice, evoking a profound sense of peace and tranquility.
2.2. Vietnamese rice paddies in Bac Son Valley
Located about 160 kilometers from Hanoi, Bac Son Valley is also a fantastic destination for you to admire the picturesque scenery of the Vietnam rice field. Rice here is planted at different intervals, so the ripening and harvesting times vary. Therefore, when standing on the towering Na Lay peak and looking down, the rice fields seem to be pieced together with color arrays of yellow, green, and brown, creating a fascinating and extraordinary sight. The best time to visit this valley in Vietnam is at the end of July or November.
2.3. Tam Coc Vietnam rice fields
When it comes to Vietnamese rice paddies, it is impossible not to mention the rice fields in Tam Coc. Because when you come here, you will feel overwhelmed by the beauty of this poetic, ripe rice field and the majestic limestone outcrops surrounding it. Sitting in a boat floating down the river during the rice harvest season, you seem to be immersed in a picture of bright yellow countryside, with golden rice fields and the majestic mountains surrounding you.
2.4. Vietnamese rice paddies in Mai Chau Valley
Mai Chau is a beautiful rural area in Northwestern Vietnam, renowned for its brilliant golden rice fields surrounded by picturesque mountains and hills. It offers a relaxing atmosphere and is a popular getaway for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. You should visit Mai Chau from May to June or mid-August, as this is when the rice fields are most beautiful.
2.5. Mu Cang Chai rice paddies in Vietnam
Mu Cang Chai is a paradise for photographers and tourists looking for spectacular terraced fields. Every autumn, Mu Cang Chai turns yellow with ripe rice fields full of grains, stretching endlessly. If you have not seen the rice fields here, you will not be able to imagine the grandeur and brilliance of this masterpiece.
2.6. Vietnamese terraced rice fields in Hoang Su Phi
Hoang Su Phi is an attractive place in Vietnam known for its beautiful terraced rice fields. In autumn, these Vietnamese rice paddies turn into a spectacular sight with a shimmering golden hue. The flooded terraced fields are bright yellow, reminiscent of the sunny patches dotting the mountainsides. The best time to admire the ripe rice here is around September, when the layered terraced fields glisten with a golden sheen.
2.7. Vietnamese rice paddies in Pu Luong
With the simple and homely beauty of vast rice fields and a pleasant year-round climate. If you stand on the peak of Pu Luong and look down at the distant terraced rice fields and the smooth golden color of ripe rice, you will feel a sense of peace and enchantment in your heart. May and June are the ideal times to visit Pu Luong because this is when the rice fields are the freshest and most beautiful. During this time, tourists can witness the traditional rice cultivation methods of farmers and explore the stunning landscapes of Pu Luong.
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2.8. Ta Pa Vietnam rice fields
Ta Pa in An Giang is among the most beautiful rice fields in the Mekong Delta. This rice field attracts visitors with its vastness and changing colors throughout the seasons, from lush green when the rice is growing to a shimmering golden hue during the harvest season. Stepping into this picturesque rice field, you will experience a sense of tranquility, as if you have returned to the simple and rustic days of your childhood.
2.9. Vietnamese rice paddies in Y Ty
Y Ty is an unmissable destination that stands out with the presence of winding golden terraced fields hidden in floating white clouds. This Vietnam rice field is the destination of choice for enthusiasts of terraced farming. When you visit during the harvest season around September, Y Ty will offer you a completely different feeling as you admire the ripe rice at an altitude of 2000 meters. Occasionally, a few clouds visit the golden rice branches, and in the midst of this dreamy scene and the cool atmosphere, you will feel extremely peaceful.
2.10. An Giang rice paddies in Vietnam
Next to Ta Pa, you can also admire other beautiful rice fields in An Giang, located in the Mekong Delta region. Thanks to its fertile land, the An Giang Vietnamese rice fields grow rapidly, yielding abundant harvests for the farmers. This is one of the fantastic tourist and leisure destinations for both domestic and foreign tourists if you want to have relaxing and peaceful days breathing in fresh air.
2.11. Hoi An Vietnam rice fields
Not only impressing tourists with the unique beauty of the ancient town, Hoi An also makes visitors fall in love with its beautiful rice fields. Although not as majestic and breathtaking as some other Vietnamese rice paddies, spending a few hours in the rice fields in Hoi An can still be an exciting experience for you. With just a short bike ride from the town center, you can immerse yourself in the peaceful scenery of the rice fields, learn about the traditional farming methods here, and take some beautiful photos for yourself.
2.12. Vietnamese rice paddies in Trung Khanh, Cao Bang
Ban Gioc Waterfall is one of the must-visit tourist destinations in Cao Bang. Autumn is even more beautiful when the rice fields next to the waterfall turn a brilliant yellow, blending with the calm Quay Son River and majestic mountains, creating a masterpiece of nature. The season of September and October is known as the “golden season” in Cao Bang because the rice turns brilliant yellow, covering the field with gentle, warm light, making rice fields shine, especially in the moments of sunrise and sunset.
2.13. Thai Binh Vietnam rice fields
Thai Binh is affectionately called the “rice homeland” because it is the leading rice-producing region in Vietnam. Over the years, the rice homeland of Thai Binh has preserved its unique beauty, with distinctive features that cannot be found anywhere else. The rice fields here exude a rustic and peaceful charm like no other. Should you find the chance to explore this remarkable land, you will surely be captivated by the vast and enchanting rice fields and the distinctive ambiance of the rural rice homeland.
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Besides the beautiful and idyllic Vietnamese rice paddies, when traveling to Vietnam, you can also visit the country’s top tourist destinations, such as Hanoi, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, etc.
At these destinations, don’t miss the opportunity to experience the ultimate excitement at the world-class recreational system of VinWonders, including VinWonders Wave Park & Water Park, VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium, VinWonders Nam Hoi An, VinWonders Nha Trang, and VinWonders Phu Quoc. These entertainment complexes are sure to provide you with memorable moments with countless thrilling games, exciting activities, unique performances, and lively and fun experiences for travelers of all ages.
>>> Book tickets of VinWonders Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Nam Hoi An, VinKE & Vinpearl Aquarium and VinWonders Wave Park & Water Park and enjoy the most wonderful time in Vietnam!
Vietnamese rice paddies not only help feed people and improve the country’s economy but also create a beautiful, poetic landscape that captivates many travelers. In each season, the rice fields offer different beauty and unique experiences for travelers. Admiring the Vietnamese rice paddies is undoubtedly a highlight in the journey of any traveler exploring Vietnam.