In Yen Bai, there are nearly 2,200ha of terraced fields mostly in La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha, De Xu Phinh and Cao Pha Communes of Mu Cang Chai District. The terraced rice fields there were recognised as a national site in 2007 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
During late May or early June, after the winter crop is harvested, rain from the early summer soak the dry fields and turn the color of the soil reddish brown. The surface of the waterlogged fields shines like a mirror under the sun. The reddish brown soil, the deep blue sky, the light green young rice plants mix together with the colourful skirts of the Mong people to form colourful spots in a breathtakingly beautiful picture.
 Terraced rice fields in Cao Pha Valley (Mu Cang Chai District, Yen Bai) glitter under sunlight to create a heavenly landscape during watering season. Photo: Nguyen Thang/VNP  After night rains, small streams flow down the steep slopes to the terraced fields. Those fully watered fields in morning dew form a breathtakingly beautiful scene viewed from Khau Pha Pass. Photo: Nguyen Thang/VNP  The clouds swirl around the waterlogged terraced fields in Cao Pha Commune. Photo: Nguyen Thang/VNP  The Thai people in Cao Pha Commune apply the technique of growing short- duration rice variety in low fields near streams. Photo: Nguyen Thang/VNP  ..Water is regulated from streams to fields. Photo: Nguyen Thang/VNP  Recently, machines have been used in cultivation to reduce manual labour. Photo: Nguyen Thang/VNP  After fields are fully watered and carefully ploughed, people begin growing rice seedlings there. Photo: Nguyen Thang/VNP  The Mong people in Che Cu Nha Commune grow rice in terraced fields. Photo: Thong Thien/VNP  Rain water trickle from higher fields to lower ones. Photo: Thong Thien/VNP  A Mong woman in Cao Pha Commune uproots rice seedlings to prepare for cultivation. Photo: Thong Thien/VNP  The Mong people in La Phan Tan Commune dig canals and use pipes to regulate water from the mountain’s peak to fields. Photo: Trong Chinh/VNP  This time in Mu Cang Chai, one can see fields that are fully watered, fields with green rice seedlings and fields full of golden ripening rice intermingle with each other. Photo: Trong Chinh/VNP  Golden harvesting fields mix with green newly-grown fields to form a picture full of colours. Photo: Trong Chinh/VNP  A Mong woman with her child in the terraced fields in La Phan Tan Commune. Photo: Trong Chinh/VNP  The Mong people rigorously plough the soaked soil before growing rice seedlings there. Ploughing begins at the fields on the peak, which are watered first and moves down gradually depending on the amount of rainfall. Photo: Trong Chinh/VNP  Due to the steeply sloping terrain in Mu Cang Chai, people have to cut the slope plane into a series of successively receding flat surfaces or platforms, which resemble steps, for the purposes of more effective farming. Photo: Trong Chinh/VNP  Children play in waterlogged fields. Photo: Dang Tien/VNP |
During late May or early June, after the winter crop is harvested, rain from the early summer soak the dry fields and turn the color of the soil reddish brown. The surface of the waterlogged fields shines like a mirror under the sun. The reddish brown soil, the deep blue sky, the light green young rice plants mix together with the colourful skirts of the Mong people to form colourful spots in a breathtakingly beautiful picture.
By VNP’s Golden Moment Photography Club
