Stunning terraced rice fields looks as if they were the masterpiece of nature but actually created by ethnic minorities.If you have chance to travel Vietnam, spare several days to visit Mu Cang Chai to see the dramatic works of ethnic people.
Our journey to the land of terraced rice fields – Mu Cang Chai
Masterpiece of ethnic minority
History of terraced rice fields in Mu Cang Chai is associated with habitation history of H’Mong ethnic people-the author of the terraced rice fields and the first inhabitants in this land.
Terraced rice field is a method of agriculture in clever association between cultivation and rice field. Clearing terraced rice fields is a complex process that requires a lot of effort. According to experience of ethnic minority, the appropriate land for terraced fields must satisfy some factors: moderate slope, capable of land creation, very few rocks, big trees, thick grass and irrigation.
After land selection is setting clearing rights. The ethnic minorities can pile 1 m stone columns or chop some trees in the land as the sign of right to clear.
As soon as mobilize forces, the clearing will be carried out on a favorable weather conditions. The clearing often conducts in spring (January, February, March) to be able to drain off the water in April or May as schedule.
Before cultivation, people have to cut grass, clear the ground and then dig and level. The most difficult is to level the ground. The ground plays an important role in water retention and distribution to the field. The digging and leveling the field requires skills in clearing the terraces.
A good terraced field must satisfy 2 basic criteria including the ground and source of water for rice soak. H’Mong ethnic people made this in extremely hard conditions to ensure the cultivation on the hillside and foothills.
The next step is ridging. In the system of terraced field, the bank plays an important role in water retention. The disparity between the upper and lower plots is around 1-1.5m. When the water flows into the field, the bank will harden.
The clearing is followed from year to year, from generation to generation, creating a majestic artwork hanging on the hillsides. This the unique feature of cultivation in mountainous region in Southeast Asia.
Attractive destination
In recent years, Mu Cang Chai has become more familiar and popular to domestic and foreign visitors. The whole Mu Cang Chai district has 2.200 ha terraced fields, of which 500 ha belongs to La Pam Tan, Che Cu Nha and De Xu Phinh communes was recognized as one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam and ranked national scenic site by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on October 18, 2007.
Coming to Mu Cang Chai, visitors will feel the abundance of nature, the characteristics of culture, the warmth of people.
The road to Mu Cang Chai is far and difficult but very interesting with constant variations. The visitors are amazed at stilt houses of Thai ethnic minority on immense Muong Lo field teeming with ban flowers then delighted with meandering roads along the steep hill slopes.
Running past foggy Khau Pha pass is the land of Mu Cang Chai. From here, from this pass to another pass, from this mountain to another mountain, visitors will feel thoroughly the change of elevation. At the both sides are spectacular terraced fields in vast space of Northwest.
In Mu Cang Chai, wherever you go, you will see terraced rice fields stretching throughout the hills. Due to mountainous topography, deep and many cuts, each terraced field is inserted with large and small water gaps and vast pine forest. Specifically, fields, forests, slots, streams … are overlapped.
The higher the terrain is, the more excited the visitors get due to imposing scenes, fresh air and ingenuity of local people.
Terraced rice field in Mu Cang Chai is more charming and attractive in harvest season, when perfume of yellow rice fields spreads throughout Mu Cang Chai. The terraced fields look like giant stairs to the sky and yellow tray of sticky rice.
In order to advertise picture of terraced rice fields in Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai province and Mu Cang Chai district organized annual weeks of culture, sports and tourism with many activities such as photography exhibition of terraced fields, highland fair, cuisine and folk cultural performances ….to promote tourism sector, step by step improve life quality for people.