A trip to Yen Bai Vietnam with breathtaking nature and vibrant culture

Yen Bai Viet Nam is one of the northern provinces that is popular with international and domestic visitors. Welcome to Yen Bai, the tourists will have a memorable trip. 

When it comes to Yen Bai, we should not miss to mention rice terraces, waterfalls, lakes, and the indigenous people whose culture is fascinating. Your trip to Yen Bai will be full of wonderful experience with a lot of fascinating attractions. It is not by chance that Yen Bai is one of the most interesting tourism destinations of Vietnam. Especially, for those who want to explore the less touristic explored areas in the country.

Visit terraced Rice Fields Mu Cang Chai 

The first attraction we would like to introduce you to is Mu Cang Chai - a district of Yen Bai. This is also the best-known sight with terraced rice fields that is now a national-level protected area. The Hmong indigenous carve the near kin rice terracing on the mountainside. This is also considered as a hotspot for visitors when anyone wants to admire the beauty of nature. Their picturesque view of different terraces bring Yen Bai a special beauty during changing seasons. When you come here during the planting season, from May to June, you can see the terraces reflect the sky above into their water face. 

During September and October, it's time for harvest so the fields are covered by a golden brown color. People love this season and often visit Mu Cang Chai this time. This is the best time for photographers and nature lovers, to have a great time to admire the terraces and unveil its majestic look. There are some slope areas to admire terracing systems such as La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha and De Xu Phinh villages. 

It would be great to go trekking within the field and take a live encounter with Hmongs. The tourists also enjoy practicing gathering the harvest when visiting at the right time. The Hmong ethnic group originates from Laos, so their traditions feature by lodging and clothing. Besides, the natural landscape in and around the Mu Cang Chai district is a major highlight of Yen Bai.

Visit Thac Ba Lake 

The second remarkable object of interest in Yen Bai is Thac Ba Lake. Furthemore, with the largest lake Dau Tieng in Tay Ninh province and Thac Ba lake is the second largest artificial lake in Vietnam. Thus Thac Ba Hydropower Plant was established in July 1970 and the Thac Ba lake occupies an area of 20215 ha. It Covers 1,300 islands and islets and is also considered as a ‘Halong Bay of the mountains’.

Just like in natural beauty, the lake offers the visitor numerous fun and interning activities to undertake. Among that, boat riding, kayaking and photo shooting are the best options. The surroundings are covered by groves of trees, green islands, and mountain surrounding shores.

When coming to Thac Ba Lake, let’s go to Thac Ba Islands to discover various types of plants and animals. Here you will have the opportunity to discover how Tay and Dao ethnic groups live, what traditions they follow. One would be able to visit Ngoi Tu Village occupied by native Dao to learn how they lived, what they made and how they supported themselves, by fishing. Ethnic group is also friendly and lets them stop at their homes. Typical customers are, therefore, provided with Cultural meals, Cultural baths and Cultural performance.

In addition, you can go for trekking tours to nearby caves and mountains like the Thuy Tien Cave, and Mount Cao Bien. Such tours offer a trip to sightseeing covering much of the lakes and country side view.

Visit ancient tea tree Suoi Giang highland

One of the most interesting destinations on this trip may not miss Suoi Giang highland. The highland is situated in the Van Chan district of Yen Bai province. This is home to many tea trees, some of them 300-years old.

Suoi Giang has cool weather due to its high altitude, which makes it an appropriate place for cultivating Shan Tuyet tea. This green tea is very famous for its traditional taste and it is not  planted in formal tea plantations but in the forests. Especially, the Hmong people especially pick the tea leaves by hand and process them in the traditional way. The visitor cannot forget the experience of tasting green tea at Suoi Giang. By this way, they have a chance to learn about H'mong people's lifestyle in the region. Tourists can visit the old tea forests, and also have the opportunity to learn how to pick the tea leaves themself.

If you visit Suoi Giang highland in November, you will have a chance to take part in the Tea Festival. In the festival, local people will perform music and dance, and tea preparation contests as a way to preserve tradition. Suoi Giang highland also features natural scenery with the terraced fields, great pine forests and mountains. The mountainous area brings fresh air for visitors and also makes it a perfect choice for ecotourism and nature lovers away from polluted cities.

Visit Sky Road beauty of Khau Pha Pass

The reason why Khau Pha Pass is called Sky Road, because of its high height. The pass is one of the most attractive mountain passes of Vietnam in Mu Cang Chai district. It is over 30 kilometers long at the height of up to 1,482 meters above the sea level. The visitor will be impressed by wonderful rice terracing views on the slopes as well as the valleys below. Tourists include adventure lovers, motorbike tourists and photographers will have a chance to admire the expansive beauty of majestic Yen Bai. 

Because it is the same location as Mu Cang Chai terrace, you can visit both of them when coming here. Let's visit it during the rice harvesting period as this is the superb time to admire the whole place awash with yellow.  Annually, the Khau Pha Pass holds the Khau Pha Paragliding Festival to enjoy paragliding and admire people paragliding. From atop the trail, we get an aerial view of one of the most stunning terraced fields and valleys in Vietnam.

Visit cloud paradise Ta Xua

Chasing clouds or "Săn Mây" is a recent popular word that the tourist often use to indicate chasing cloud area. And Ta Xua cloud chasing spot is perfect for those who love clouds landscape. Ta Xua located in Tram Tau district, a mountainous area. Ta Xua has the border territory of Yen Bai and Son La so from here you can easily access these places. The tourist consider Ta Xua as the most favorite destination to view the “sea of clouds” in Vietnam. 

In the morning, Ta Xua is covered in a heavy blanket of clouds. The view is picturesque, attracting many trekkers and photographers. Visiting Ta Xua’s peak may take a while because of the many stunning rocks around, but the view from the top is breathtaking with signs of many valleys and other peaks. In the trail, one can cross over ancient forest, bamboo forest, and a primitive village of the ethnic minority, so this is an integrated cultural and sightseeing tour.

With a beauty that combines nature and culture, Yen Bai Vietnam is the best place for exploring Vietnam’s ethnic diversity. Welcome to Yen Bai and do not forget to enjoy outdoor adventures to get unforgettable experiences.