Mu Cang Chai is a small town located in the northwest of Vietnam. It is a destination that remains off the beaten track and yet, while doing your research on Vietnam, you have surely already seen photos of the rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai. Indeed, most tourists visit all of Vietnam and dream of seeing the most beautiful rice terraces but they never pass by Mu Cang Chai.
Comment aller à Mu Cang Chai ?
As with many destinations, most people will leave Hanoi before going to the northern mountains. Mu Cang Chai is about 300km from Hanoi but it is much more difficult to get to Mu Cang Chai than to Sapa. Indeed, if you want to go to Sapa, you can take the train or, many bus lines and limousine buses serve this very touristic destination. To go to Mu Cang Chai, it is another story because there are only a few local buses that serve Yen Bai and then you will have to take another bus to reach Mu Cang Chai. These buses are very slow and uncomfortable which turns the journey into a real adventure.
We recommend going to Mu Cang Chai by private vehicle with driver. Indeed, it is almost impossible to rent a car by yourself in Vietnam and it is even more difficult to drive in Vietnam without having an accident. It is therefore essential to rent a car with an experienced driver for more comfort and safety. Allow about 8 hours of driving from Hanoi to reach Mu Cang Chai.
Since the road is very long, it is recommended to stop for one night in Nghia Lo which is a small town off the beaten track. Here, you can walk in the middle of the rice fields and visit some villages where many ethnic minorities live.
Also, after visiting Sapa, it is also possible to reach Mu Cang Chai. Indeed, the distance between Sapa and Mu Cang Chai is only 160 km and it will only take you 4 hours in the mountains to reach your final destination.
What to see in Mu Cang Chai?
Mu Cang Chai is a small town with about 60,000 inhabitants. The main road follows the river through the mountain. In this valley, there are already many rice terraces, each as beautiful as the next. It should be noted that there is only one rice harvest per year and the rice is planted in late May – early June for a harvest in September – October.
Many ethnic minorities populate the mountains around Mu Cang Chai and you can meet them on the roadsides in traditional costume or at the local market. It is a real spectacle of colors. Their kindness will mark your mind in this remote region where people still meet few foreigners.
The sticky rice plateau of Mu Cang Chai
About 12km from the city center, you will find the Mam Xoi which means sticky rice plateau. It is clearly the most famous photo spot in Vietnam. It can only be accessed by motorbike because the road is quite narrow. You also need a manual motorbike because it is very steep. Once at the top, you can admire this magnificent rice plateau and stroll through the rice terraces.
To get to Mam Xoi, do not hesitate to ask for the services of a motorbike taxi. Homestays and hotels can book this service for you. These experienced drivers will take you to the top of the mountain safely. Then, they will take you back to your hotel.
The horseshoe of Mu Cang Chai
Here is an emblematic panoramic viewpoint of Mu Cang Chai: the horseshoe. A few kilometers from the city center, we find this famous horseshoe. The rice terraces arranged in an arc give this particular shape. It is a very photogenic place.
The road is quite difficult to reach this viewpoint. It is not possible to access it by car, you have to take a motorbike taxi once again. The road climbs a lot and is sometimes in bad condition.
Where to sleep in Mu Cang Chai?
Homestays
You will find many homestays throughout the Mu Cang Chai region. Most are run by ethnic minorities. The change of scenery will therefore be there. The comfort is quite basic among the inhabitants but that is part of the adventure.
On the banks of the river, there is a comfortable homestay run by a Frenchman. Indeed, Bertrand and his Vietnamese wife run this very nice little homestay with a magnificent view of the rice terraces. Here is the link to make a reservation:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063713316260
The resorts
It is a few kilometers from the city center of Mu Cang Chai that we find a very nice resort: Le Champ Tu Le. This hotel with a magnificent view of the river and the rice terraces offers many options. You can book rooms in private bungalows of different sizes and different standards. There are also two swimming pools, one of which is heated by a hot spring.