Mu Cang Chai
Mu Cang Chai is a rural district of Yen Bai province. It is about 300km away from Ha Noi, to the North West.
Mu Cang Chai has 13 comunes and one town crowned by ranges of terrace fields. The H’Mong tribe is nearly 90% of population, 8% is Thai and only 2% is Kinh people. This is the amazingly beautiful land with magnificent terraced fields such as Che Cu Nha, La Pan Tan and De Xu Phinh recognized as the National Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
In the recent years, Mu Cang Chai has been more famous for the Vietnamese and foreigners. This area especially attracts a large number of people who like taking photos. Overseas backpackers and photographers from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh city, overseas Vietnamese usually tramp to Yen Bai just to witness terraced fields, enjoy fresh air, take nice and splendid photos. October is the finest month in Mu Cang Chai and also the most attractive month for tourists and travelers.
The Khau Phạ Pass is a mountain pass lying between Van Chan District and Mù Cang Chai District. It is the rugged and long pass on National Highway 32 with a length of 30 kilometres (19 mi). Starting from Yên Bái City, visitors need to go upward for about five hours before reaching the pass surrounding by endlessly extending mountains. Along Khau Phạ are terraced rice paddies cultivated by H’Mông and Thái ethnic minorities
Highway 32 goes along windy mountain side, a swift-flowing red river, then crossing hills of palm trees and terraced fields which seems to stretch up to horizon. Nice Mu Cang Chai town, between two mountain sides, is pretty poor. Visiting Mu Cang Chai, do not miss chance to enjoy hill-raised chicken meat as well as steamed rice made of Tu Le aromatic and glutinous rice.