Bac Ha Market (Lao Cai Province)

The rice harvest in the Northeast-Northwest region often falls between mid-September and mid-October and then from second half of October to mid-November is the time for a kind of tiny flowers named tam giac mach or buckwheat endemic to the region blossoming. That charm lures anyone who desires to indulge into rustic and peaceful atmosphere of mountains and countryside and experience ethnic cultures.

Travelers often visit the region in autumn to admire exquisite Mu Cang Chai terraced rice fields in Yen Bai Province. Terraced rice fields look like a stairway leading to the heaven. In that setting, a gigantic mosaic of endless yellow rice dotted with figures of local women in colorful brocade dresses appears like a natural wonder that no one can resist.

When the rice harvest finishes, buckwheat flowers begin blossoming over the mountainous region. They grow in immense fields, in rock slits or anywhere, making the whole Ha Giang Province a giant flower garden attracting many photographers. In one month, the color of flowers changes from white to light pink, then to purple and finally to dark red. Indigenous culture exploration is a must-do activity of the tour, allowing tourists to enjoy traditional music and dance shows of ethnic people and to visit Cat Cat where many unique crafts and customs of Mong people are still preserved.

Visitors will also have a chance to take a panoramic view of Sa Pa enveloped in the mist and the magnificent Fansipan Mount.

Another highlight of the journey is a visit to Vuong Family’s house built in the late 19th century, a stop at Pho Cao to find out elegant and solid architecture of stone houses of Mong people and a stroll around Lung Tam fabric making village.

Meo Vac – which looks like a colorful painting depicting cultural features of mountainous ethnic groups – is a highlighted destination where tourists can try local specialties and see people exchange their goods like chickens, colorful fabric strips, corn wine pots and Sapa plums.

A cluster of tours to the Northeast-Northwest in fall will depart from HCMC. It includes a five-day tour to Hung Temple-Yen Bai-Mu Cang Chai-Sa Pa-Ha Noi priced at VND8.35 million and departing on September 14, 21, 28 and October 5, 12, 26, and a five-day tour to Ha Giang-Dong Van-Ma Pi Leng-Hung Temple-Hanoi priced around VND8 million and departing on October 19 and November 9.

A four-day tour to Sapa costs VND2.250 million and departs on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays every week while a four-day tour to Ha Noi-Ninh Binh-Ha Long costs VND7 million and departs on September 18, 25 and October 7, 11 and 25.

From Ha Noi, tourists can take a four-day trip to Hung Temple-Nghia Lo-Mu Cang Chai at a price of VND6.3 million and departing on August 30, September 18 and October 9 and 23. Another option is another four-day trip to Ha Giang-Dong Van Stone Plateau costing VND4.45 million and departing on September 18 and October 2 and 23.

Tours do not include train and flight tickets.

Saigontourist Travel Company is located at 45 Le Thanh Ton Street in HCMC’s District 1, tel: 08 3827 927.