According to a forecast, the terraced fields in Hoang Su Phi will begin to ripen in early September and will be in full bloom about 2-3 weeks later.
Giap Van Hai, a local in Ha Giang province, suggested a four-day journey to explore Hoang Su Phi during the holiday.
Day 1: Suoi Thau Steppe - Phung Village
Hoang Su Phi is about 300km from Hanoi. It takes about five hours to travel. However, the road to Hoang Su Phi from Tan Quang is under repair, visitors should change direction to Hanoi - Lao Cai Highway through Bac Ha to Hoang Su Phi. The distance is about 80km longer but more convenient.
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Buckwheat flowers are in full bloom in September. |
If visitors want to have lunch at Pho Lu, Bao Thang district, Lao Cai, they can choose many restaurants, depending on their needs, including Hieu Giap and Hai Huyen restaurants, with dishes, such as black chicken soup, suckling pig, and freshwater fish. After that, they come to Xin Man townlet to go to Phung village and stop for rest at Suoi Thau steppe.
In the past two years, Suoi Thau steppe, Coc Pai townlet, Xin Man district has become a favorite destination, referred to as "miniature Switzerland" of Ha Giang for its poetic and peaceful beauty.
Tourists can stay overnight at a homestay in Phung village. This is the place with the most beautiful terraced fields in Hoang Su Phi, one of the must-see destinations in Ha Giang. Ban Phung commune is located about 30km from the center of Hoang Su Phi district. Local people are mainly from the La Chi ethnic minority group with many unique cultural features.
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Suoi Thau considered a "miniature Switzerland" |
Homestays are mainly stilt and communal houses, with full basic facilities. The rental price ranges from VND 100,000 to 120,000 per person. Some places have private rooms, priced from VND 500,000 to 700,000 per room. Suggested homestays are La Chi Phong, Trong Phu and Chi Tai.
For dinner, visitors can eat with the locals and do not forget to try wine from buffalo horns. This is a unique cultural feature of the La Chi ethnic people during holidays, the lunar New Year or worshiping ceremonies.
Day 2: Exploring the beauty of Phung village
Dawn is the most beautiful time in Phung village. Visitors can admire the terraced fields, the sea of white clouds, and fresh air.
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View of terraced fields seen from Phung village homestay in mid-August |
After breakfast, visitors can walk or ride a motorbike to Na Leng village to visit "The heart of Phung village." On the way, visitors will explore more unique cultural features in the lifestyle of La Chi ethnic people.
Luoc village is one of the three places with the most beautiful terraced fields in Hoang Su Phi, after Phung village. Visitors should order lunch at a restaurant to admire the panoramic view of the terraced fields. Must-try dish is freshwater carp.
In order to stay overnight, visitors can make camp or rent a room at uncle Phu's homestay, priced at VND 120,000 per person. A meal costs VNA 150,000 and herbal bath service costs about VND 100,000. Visitors should contact to order meals in advance.
Day 3: Hunting clouds on Chieu Lau Thi mountain
Cloud hunting in Chieu Lau Thi is something visitors cannot miss. From uncle Phu's homestay, visitors can travel about one kilometer to reach the stop to climb to the top of Chieu Lau Thi.
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On the top of Chieu Lau Thi |
Coming to Hoang Su Phi in particular and mountainous areas in the North in general, visitors can spend a lot of time traveling. Therefore, after each stage, take a rest to regain strength.
The next destination is Thong Nguyen. Visitors should have lunch at a homestay at the foot of the mountain in Ho Thau commune, such as Long Chieu and Ho Thau Eco Village.
The accommodation and community tourism services are of quite good quality. Local people combine tourism with indigenous culture and terraced fields, interspersed with comfortable bungalows, such as Hoang Su Phi bungalow, Hoang Su Phi Logde, Binh Minh homestay. The room prices range from VND 1 to 2 million depending on the class.
In addition, visitors do not miss herbal bath service of Dao ethnic people after a hard day of trekking.
Day 4: Sunrise in Nam Hong
Hai shared that in Nam Hong, visitors can enjoy clouds drifting across the sky while having breakfast.
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Sunset in Nam Khoa terraced fields |
Experiencing catching carps in the fields and enjoying fish dishes is a must-try activity during the ripening rice season. Fish raised in rice fields are delicious. Suggested dishes include grilled fish, fish in sour soup, and fried fish.
At the end of the journey, visitors move from Thong Nguyen through Xuan Minh to Highway 279, then Highway 2 (Viet Quang, Bac Quang, Ha Giang) to return to Hanoi.
Hai noted that visitors should have good health because the journey is quite strenuous, book services in advance to ensure a trip full of fun. When arriving at Phung village, places with buffalo horns placed on the ground are the graves of ancestors of the La Chi ethnic people; therefore, do not be curious. Trekking requires sports shoes and light jackets for easy movements and suitable weather conditions. Moreover, visitors should check the weather in advance to choose the right journey.
Source: VnExpress
Translated by Quynh Oanh