Rice growing seasons
Best time to see the rice terraces in northern Vietnam
Northern Vietnam rice fields conditions per month
Start an introduction of 1 sentence saying highlight / biggest reason for some / best thing to do / best thing to see / make a unique text to introduce the rice fields. And end with a question regarding the status of these fields for this particular month.
If January
No rice fields
If february
No visible rice fields, but low land areas like Ninh Binh and Mai Chau, but also Pu Luong start preparing the first season, so you see people preparing the fields and planting the rice.
If March
No visible rice fields in areas like Sapa, Mu Cang Chai, but in places like Ninh Binh and Mai Chau have an addition rice season started in February, so you can see small sprouds in the early month and later a bit bigger
If April
No visible rice fields in areas like Sapa, Mu Cang Chai, but you can see ethnic people preparing the rice fields for first season. But in places like Ninh Binh and Mai Chau and also Pu Luong have an addition rice season started in previous months, so you can see nice green rice fields here. The further in the month the taller and nicer it is but generally all of april is a good month to see rice here.
If May
One of the best months. Biggest places like Sapa and Mu Cang Chai starting their first rice season and submerging the rice fields creating giant mirrors. In addtion, places like Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, Pu Luong first season is in full swing and by the end of the month the first harvest (spring harvest) is starting. Best time to visit these areas, golden yellow rice fields. Tam Coc boat ride, Pu Luong trekking see ethnic people, Mai Chau cycling.
If June
In places like Sapa and Mu Cang Chai fields have just been planted. Some areas still see mirror effect, most fields you can see very small sprouds sticking out of the water. In places like Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, Pu Luong you might be lucky if you are there in the beginning of the month with first harvest of the year, beautiful golden yellow rice fields. Depending on the year sometimes harvest is earlier in May but often also continue into early jUne. By half June, most fields are often harvested and prepared for second rice fields season.
If July
All of northern vietnam rice fields rice fields (add destinations) have been planted in previous months, around May and June, so July you can see rice fields growing. They are not as tall and green as later in the season, but look nice, specially by the end of the month very beautiful.
If August
All of northern Vietnam rice fields rice fields (add destinations) have been planted in previous months, and August they are nice and green. One of the most beautiful months to see the rice fields! In Sapa, by the end of the month, you might even catch the harvest season starting already, as Sapa is often a bit earlier then other destinations.
if September
Best month to see the terraced rice fields of northern Vietnam. Rice harvest season throughout the whole northern provinces. Some destinations are earlier in the month some later in the month, so important to check which you want to visit at what time. Sapa is often earlier in the month, Mu Cang Chau, Hoang Su phu later, Pu Luong and Ninh Binh, Mau Chau can also be later then Sapa.
If October
Catching the last glimpse of harvest season. Sapa is often already completed harvested around October, but you still have a good change of Hoang Su phi and Mu Cang CHai, they are often a bit later. Also for Ninh Binh and Pu Luong, you might have luck. But the later you come in the month, the less change you have.
If November
Terraced rice fields have been compeltly harvested in September and early October. Although trekking conditions are perfect, rice fields not full
If December
Terraced rice fields have been compeltly harvested in September and early October.
Best destinations to see the rice fields in north Vietnam
Sapa
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