Remote mountain gem poised to become national tourist area

By Nguyen Phong September 21, 2023 | 06:08 pm PT

A rice terrace in Mu Cang Chai during transplantation season in May 2020. Photo by Tran Giang Le Vu

Mu Cang Chai, a mountain district in the northern province of Yen Bai famous for its terraced rice fields, will be developed into a national tourist area under a government plan.

Under the planning scheme for Yen Bai for 2021-2030 and beyond, approved by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, there will be two large-scale national tourist areas in the province: Thac Ba Lake and Mu Cang Chai.

Under the current regulations, the national tourist area must have at least two tourism resources; establishments providing food, shopping, sports, entertainment, recreation, and health care services; accommodation facilities for at least 300,000 visitors per year; and accommodation of four stars or higher.

Mu Cang Chai, home to ethnic minority groups, primarily the Hmong people, is a seven hours drive northwest of Hanoi. The remote rural district is famed for its terraced rice fields, which change color depending on the time of the year.

Due to its rugged terrain, infrastructure has not yet been developed.

In 2022, Mu Cang Chai received 350,000 visitors.

Currently the country has seven national tourist areas: Tuyen Lam Lake (Lam Dong), Sa Pa (Lao Cai), Sam Mountain (An Giang), Tra Co (Quang Ninh), Mui Ne (Binh Thuan), Hung Temple (Phu Tho) and Tam Dao (Vinh Phuc).