Cultural week of Mu Cang Chai terraced paddy fields opens

(VNF) - A culture and tourism week highlighting terraced fields in Mu Cang Chai district in the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai, has been launched on September 18^th.

Illustrative image. (Photo: dienbientv.vn)

At the ceremony, around 300 ethnic H’Mong artists performed songs featuring the “khen”, a traditional bamboo instrument.

During the week, which runs until September 20^th, there will be a paragliding festival, in addition to goat fighting, local sports and traditional products displayed.

According to the event’s organizing board, the festival is aimed at honouring the national landscape of Mu Cang Chai terraced rice fields and the cultural values of local ethnic groups, as well as boosting tourism development in the locality.

Rice terraces in Mu Cang Chai. (Photo: Internet)

Mu Cang Chai has 500 hectares of rice terraces in La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha and De Xu Phinh communes, cultivated by the H’mong people for centuries. The local terraces are among the 2,500 hectares recognized as national heritage sites in 2007 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The locality is about 1,000 metres above sea level, making it impossible to grow rice the same way as in deltas. Local residents grow rice in terraced fields to prevent water from flowing downhill.

The terraced paddy fields in Mu Cang Chai are beautiful all year round. Visitors in March can take in the sights of glittering ponds before locals transplant rice seedlings from April to May. After May, the hills are covered in green until the fields start to turn yellow with ripe rice in early September.

During the harvest in October, the golden rice fields stand out amidst the background of lush green forests.

Parachutes are flying over ripening rice fields at Khau Pha pass. (Photo: mucangchaitravel.tk)

Meanwhile, the paragliding festival, signaling the opening of a culture and tourism week, has been held by Mu Cang Chai district in conjunction with the Vietwings Hanoi Parachuting Club and the Northern Aviation Club since 2012.

This year’s event sees the participation of nearly 100 paragliders from seven domestic and foreign clubs.

Khau Pha pass, about 1,200 metres above sea level, provides a breathtaking view of stunning natural scenery. It is rated as one of the four most beautiful paragliding sites in Vietnam and among the top five most beautiful flying spots in the world./.

Visitors can take in the sights of glittering ponds in March. (Photo: Kien Trang Hieu)

After May, the hills are covered in green. (Photo: arounddeglobe.com)

The fields start to turn yellow with ripe rice in early September. (Photo: arounddeglobe.com)

Minh Phuong