Hoang Su Phi Rice Terraces

About this place

The Hoang Su Phi rice terraces are a vast network of terraced rice fields in the mountains of northern Vietnam, in an area formerly part of Ha Giang province and now within Tuyen Quang, about 32 km west of Ha Giang city in a straight line. They spread over about 3,700 hectares in eight communes. Researchers say the terraces were built 200 to 300 years ago, when the Dao, La Chi, Phu La, Tay, Nung, Hmong and other peoples settled the area and cut into the mountains to grow maize and rice. About 1,380 hectares were recognised as a national scenic site in 2012 and 2017. The fields climb from the stream banks to the mountain tops in curving lines, broken by patches of old forest and tea gardens. They fill with shining water at planting time from April to June, then turn golden as the rice ripens from August to mid-October, with small villages of wooden houses among them. Visitors travel between villages by car or motorbike on winding mountain roads, stop at viewpoints, walk the terraces with local guides and stay in homestays with local families. The harvest season in September is the most beautiful time, and roads can be affected by summer rain.