From mid-September to early October, golden rice season tours in the northern mountainous regions, including Mu Cang Chai (formerly Yen Bai, now Lao Cai) and Hoang Su Phi (formerly Ha Giang, now Tuyen Quang), are offered by many travel companies and individuals. There are two main options: package tours from Hanoi and tours at the destination.
A 3-day, 2-night package tour to Mu Cang Chai costs between 2.8 and 3.5 million VND. A representative of PYS Travel said that the company currently offers golden rice season tours to Mu Cang Chai, departing from Hanoi, for 2.88 million VND per person, with departures on weekends in late September and early October.
The tour will visit famous locations including Nghia Lo commune, Tram Tau hot springs, Khau Pha pass – one of the four great mountain passes of the Northwest region, and landmarks in Mu Cang Chai such as Mam Xoi (Raspberry) hill and Mong Ngua (Horse's Hoof) hill. With this tour, visitors only spend a day in Mu Cang Chai and do not stay overnight there. The two nights of the tour are spent in Nghia Lo and Tram Tau.
Similarly, Vietravel Hanoi also offers a golden rice season tour to Nghia Lo – Tu Le – Mu Cang Chai, but the itinerary is slightly different. Visitors spend one night in Nghia Lo and one night in Mu Cang Chai, with the tour price close to 3.5 million VND per person.
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Mong Ngua hill from above, 17/9. Photo: Khang Phu |
Mong Ngua hill from above, 17/9. Photo: Khang Phu
For those wanting to see the golden rice in Hoang Su Phi, Vietravel Hanoi has a 3-day, 2-night tour departing on 26/9 for 3 million VND per person. This is considered the peak of the golden rice season in Hoang Su Phi. Visitors spend one night in a homestay in Hoang Su Phi and one night in Ha Giang ward (formerly Ha Giang City).
PYS Travel's tour combines destinations like Hoang Su Phi – Chieu Lau Thi – Coc Pai – Bac Ha for 3.38 million VND per person. The best rice viewing spots in Hoang Su Phi include Nam Ty, Thong Nguyen, Ban Luoc, Ban Phung, and Nam Hong.
In reality, not many travel companies in Hanoi offer golden rice season tours. Viet Hung, Director of Sao Mai Travel Company in Hanoi, said that golden rice season tours are specialized, seasonal tours, usually lasting for a month, mainly on weekends. In addition, most visitors travel independently, booking services with local guides upon arrival or booking in advance from home. Travel companies in Hanoi often only connect and gather customers for the organizers or create customized tours.
With tours at the destination, local guides and companies operate tours, combining pick-up and drop-off from Hanoi and some northern provinces. Visitors can also travel independently from Hanoi (by private vehicle or bus), and purchase tours on the spot. Prices vary depending on dining, transportation, and photography choices.
In Mu Cang Chai, tours with local guides cost from 600,000 to 2 million VND per day. This type of tour is popular due to the complex terrain, which requires travel by motorbike and experienced local drivers. Tour packages usually include motorbike transport and flycam photography and videography services.
Other services such as accommodation and meals are self-arranged, such as booking rooms in advance from websites, social media, or following the guide's suggestions. Room prices vary, ranging from a few hundred thousand to several million VND per night, depending on whether it's a homestay or resort. Food can also be suggested by the guide or recommended by other tourists.
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Visitors in Hoang Su Phi during the third week of September. Photo: Giang Vu |
Visitors in Hoang Su Phi during the third week of September. Photo: Giang Vu
According to Vu Tuan, a tour guide in Hoang Su Phi, tours at the destination cost from 1.8 to 2.5 million VND per person, depending on the included services. Destinations besides Hoang Su Phi include nearby landmarks such as Suoi Thau prairie. Visitors will stay in homestays amidst the terraced fields in Ban Phung.
Check-in points on the tour usually include Ban Phung, Mam Xoi Nam Khoa, Mong Ngua Nam Hong, Suoi Thau prairie, Deo Gio (Wind Pass), Xin Man, and experiencing ancient Shan Tuyet tea. Tours with local guides that include photography and videography packages with flycams will be more expensive. Services such as costume and accessory rentals are not included in the tour price.
According to travel company representatives, tourists purchasing tours under any form should consult multiple reputable and reliable sources to avoid tourist traps, scams, financial losses, or impacts on the quality of their trip.
Tam Anh
