Hong Thai's Golden Season: A Perfect Destination for Nature Enthusiasts

The stunning beauty and cultural significance of Hong Thai's terraced fields, particularly during the water-pouring and rice-harvest seasons. Hãy nghe Nguyễn Thế Dương (Quảng Ninh) một travel blogger nổi tiếng bật mí .

Terraced fields during the water pouring season and the ripening rice season have become one of unique tourist attractions in Hong Thai Commune (Na Hang), drawing visitors from near and far to admire the breathtaking scenery.

                                                                                                         Image source: Collected

At the end of March, the terraced fields of Hong Thai are filled with water from small streams on the high mountains, shimmering like mirrors reflecting the sky, stretching out to the horizon. The rice ripens in September and October when the fields transform into a brilliant golden hue. Waves of golden rice undulate along the mountainsides, enchanting countless visitors.

With a history of nearly two hundred years, the entire commune has a total area of 82 hectares of terraced fields, mainly concentrated in the villages of Khau Trang (30 hectares), Pac Khoang (10 hectares), and Na Mu (over 10 hectares). The fields are distributed along the inter-communal roads, around the central area of Hong Thai Commune.

Some terraces cling to the mountainside, right by the roadside, while others stretch from the mountain peaks down to the streams, with heights of up to 100 meters. These terraced fields are considered some of the most beautiful in the district, often described as a "magnificent creative labor project" by the Dao Tien people.

From a high vantage point, one can take in the vast expanse of terraced fields, extending as far as the eye can see. The terraces are arranged in layers, covering the hillsides from the base to the peak, connecting one hill to another, creating a stunning landscape that resembles a hidden paradise in the clouds.

                                                                                                         Image source: Collected

One noticeable aspect when visiting here is the evident hard work and dedication of the Dao Tien people, who have managed to transform all kinds of hilly terrain into terraced fields. In some places, entire hillsides are carved into small terraces, just a few square meters in size, surrounded by rocks, where plowing and irrigation require significant effort. In the lower hills, where the slopes are less steep and there are more flat areas, the terraces are wider, sometimes up to tens of meters across.

The length of each terrace also varies depending on the terrain, with some terraces stretching just 3-4 meters, while others wind through many curves, connecting one hillside to another. The height between terraces is usually between 1 and 2 meters. The terrace edges are about 20-30 cm wide, typically built right at the edge of the terrace, but in areas with steep slopes and unstable soil, the people dig deep into the terrace base and reinforce the edges with stones before covering them with soil to create stable edges.

The terraced fields are usually narrow, but each hill typically has around 10 to 20 terraces, with some areas having over 30 levels. The height between each terrace is usually between 1.5 to 2 meters. Due to the mountainous nature of the area, the terraces are often surrounded by forests, with streams running between hills, providing the primary water source for the crops.

                                                                                                         Image source: Collected

For generations, the Dao Tien people of Hong Thai Commune, with their skillful and diligent hands, have carved out these terraced fields, creating natural masterpieces that resemble beautiful, poetic landscapes. This is a destination where visitors can fully immerse themselves in the scenic beauty and experience the life of the Dao Tien ethnic people.

Nguyễn Thế Dương (Quảng Ninh)