Mu Cang Chai – the National Treasure of Vietnam, for its otherworldly rice terraces. A quiet little place in 
the mountains, where life goes on the same way as it has been for decades. However, every September Mu Cang Chai booms with the beauty of towering rice terraces. All along the hillsides, these vertical rice fields form gigantic golden lines, making the scenery breathtaking. And certainly, there’s no better way to feel the beauty of Mu Cang Chai on a 2-wheel vehicle called motorbike. Every September, Motorbike Tours Hanoi organize a motorbiking trip to capture this mesmerizing scenery of Mu Cang Chai.
Motorbike tours Hanoi to Mu Cang Chai in September
Lying deep in the valleys of Yen Bai province, Mu Cang Chai is 276 km from Hanoi. The population of the area numbers 50,000, with 90% being the H’mong minority. For centuries, the H’mong people living in the mountains of Mu Cang Chai practice this unique way of vertical farming to sustain life. These ascending heaven’s steps direct the water flow downward. From these water-clogged steps, rice thrives.
Due to the nature of climate, there’s only 1 rice crop per year in Mu Cang Chai. Thus, there’s 1 harvest time a year, in September. Given that the mountain landscape is beautiful all year round, September is the best month to ride motorbike here. Without a doubt, this is when the towering rice terraces are most imposing. Furthermore, Motorbike tours Hanoi prepare special riding route for you to experience the whole beauty of this riding route.
Motorbike tours Hanoi – the riding route to Mu Cang Chai
Riders who travel Vietnam by motorbike would most often start from Hanoi. Well, some do vice-versa by starting from Saigon. In whichever way, we’ll presume that you start riding motorbike from Hanoi to Mu Cang Chai:
The distance between Hanoi and Mu Cang Chai is 276 km and it’s practically about 7.5 hours riding (straight). That is to say, motorbiking from Hanoi to Mu Cang Chai is doable within 01 day. However, Motorbike Tours Hanoi strongly recommend breaking this ride into 02 parts. The first part is to ride to Nghia Lo (193 km) or Phu Yen (161 km). This can be done within a good half day (straight riding, stops not calculated). This allows you to have some relaxation, ride the off-road or stop by the road side for some photos. Also, generally Motorbike tours Hanoi suggests not to calculate long haul riding, as there might be possibilities of puncture. So give yourself a couple of extra hours for unexpected occurrence.
In Nghia Lo there are some accommodations choices, you might consider:
Both these hotels offer meals choices. There are also nearby restaurants.
In case you stay in Phù Yên town, suggested accommodations are:
Riding from Nghia Lo to Mu Cang Chai
From Nghia Lo to Mu Cang Chai, it’s a straight riding following this map:
This straight ride is around 95 km, which takes approximately 2.5 hours riding. This route is extremely scenic as your motorbike trails along the mountains and valleys by following QL32. Along the ride, picturesque villages of the minority groups circle the mountain foot. On the way, don’t forget to stop by Tu Le and ride into Lim Mong valley. In September, this whole valley turns into a giant silky picture of rice terraces:
Riding from Phu Yen – Ta Xua – Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai
This riding route is really tough and it should be for those with adventurous riding spirits. And you’ve got to be good at handling the bike. This is because a part of this ride (Phu Yen town – Ta Xua – Nghia Lo) is extremely rough. Although on google map, this route is indicated with a big yellow line (DT112). This road has never been surfaced and it looks as if it just underwent an earthquake. However, if you’re lucky, the scenery might be extremely otherworldly:
Motorbike tours Hanoi suggests calculating a good half day for the ride from Phu Yen town to Nghia Lo by threading through Ta Xua. If you’re lucky and there’s no puncture, lunch awaits you in Nghia Lo. From here, you can ride to Mu Cang Chai, passing Tu Le on the way (as mentioned above).
Accommodation in Mu Cang Chai
There are many choices when it comes to accommodation in Mu Cang Chai. Firstly, this depends on your expectation. Motorbike tours Hanoi suggests the following places to consider:
- Mu Cang Chai ecolodge: This is the most fancy option in Mu Cang Chai. The Lodge is home to private rooms, or shared lounge. It is scenic with rice terraces surrounds the Lodge.
- Go Du home-stay: This H’mong house overlooks the great valley of La Pan Tan, which is among the most picturesque valleys in Mu Cang Chai.
- Kim Noi community: There’s a community of the Thai – who live in their traditional houses. This community is about 2km from the center of Mu Cang Chai town. There are lots of home-stay signs as you get there. These hosts are friendly and they accommodate your sleeping area inside their homes. Plus, they cook lovely local food.
Apart from those, there are some motels in Mu Cang Chai town.
