Introduction
Mu Cang Chai is a commune in northwestern Vietnam in Yen Bai Province. The town is known for charming terraces that are made 100% by the hands of locals with very simple tools. It is one of the most adorable destinations for its natural colours and poetic beauty. Mu Cang Chai is the muse of many photography not only for the landscapes but also for the cultural diversity of ethnic minorities. The idyllic life, the friendliness of the locals and the scenery impress all tourists who come to Mu Cang Chai
Geological location
Mu Cang Chai is located in Yen Bai Province, about 350km from Hanoi, bordered by Lao Cai to the north, Son La to the south, Lai Chau to the west and Van Yen to the east at the altitude of 1000m at sea level. Therefore, visitors can combine the trip to Mu Cang Chai with other tourist attractions in North Vietnam such as Mai Chau, Moc Chau, Lai Chau, Sapa,...to make a trip to the North-West tour of Vietnam.
The geology of Mu Cang Chai includes consecutive mountain ranges running in the northwest-southeast direction, between the mountains are ravines and streams in the basins of the Red River and Da River.
Some updated information in 2023
- Area: 1,197.89km²
- Population: about 66,000
- Major tourist areas: La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha, Tu Le, Khau Pha Pass, ethnic villages
- Zip code: 33506
- Licence Plate: 21-G1
- Ethnicity: Hmong, Kinh, Thai and 10 other tribes, among which the Hmong occupy 91% of the population.
What awaits you in Mu Cang Chai
The impressive terraced rice fields: Mu Cang Chai's beautiful terraced fields are meticulously "sculpted" by the skilled hands of ethnic people. In every season, the terraced fields here will bring a unique attraction that will make visitors have a new experience, especially in the September period, the Mu Cang Chai commune is brilliant with yellowing terraces in the mountains like floods from the "sea".
The colourful culture of ethnic Hmong: The ethnic people living in Mu Cang Chai are mainly the Hmong. Pretty villages have been built scattered throughout Mu Cang Chai district. Each individual here will help create a colour of a rich culture.
Famous sticky rice in Tu Le: A very famous thing in Mu Cang Chai is the sticky rice from Tu Le area, the ethnic Thai village. In addition to rice, you can also buy early rice - Tu Le's "cốm", Tu Le's rice grappa.
Khau Pha pass: one of the 4 most breathtaking and majestic passes in Vietnam (the others being Pha Din pass, Ma Pi Leng pass and O Quy Ho pass). Being at an altitude of more than 2900m, the pass is a wonderful place to enjoy the landscape of the area. In the local language, Khau Pha means "the horns of heaven".
