Amid the majestic travel map of Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang, where famous names like Ban Luoc and Thong Nguyen shine brightly, Ban Phung rises as an unmissable gem that leaves every traveler in awe.
The name “Ban Phung” carries a beautiful meaning. The word “Phung” in Vietnamese signifies a “meeting.” It is a place where heaven and earth converge, where visitors meet nature’s magnificence and the warm, welcoming La Chi ethnic people. Ban Phung is a rendezvous for souls who cherish beauty and seek to explore the unknown.
Ban Phung Terraced Fields – A Heritage That Reaches the Sky
Covering an area of about 17 square kilometers, Ban Phung is a living natural painting crafted from countless terraced rice fields. Seemingly randomly arranged, these terraces harmoniously blend into a breathtaking masterpiece—especially during the golden harvest season.
Recognized as a National Heritage Site, Hoang Su Phi’s terraced fields have a distinct character. While places like Mu Cang Chai or Y Ty are known for their romantic curves, Ban Phung impresses with grandeur and an ancient feel. Perched high on the mountain slopes, simple wooden stilt houses dot the golden landscape, creating a peaceful yet overwhelming visual harmony.
Along scenic viewpoints like Ban Peo or Ta Su Choong, locals have built small huts for tourists to rest and take photos—completely free of charge. These magnificent terraces are the product of generations of the hardworking La Chi people, who transformed arid mountains into fertile “golden trays.”
When to Visit Ban Phung for the Golden Season
Ban Phung is at its most poetic and vibrant during the rice harvest season. The entire valley glows golden with ripened rice glistening under the highland sun. But take note: Ban Phung’s rice typically ripens earlier than other areas in Ha Giang.
The best time to witness this spectacle is from early to mid-September. Visit too late, and you’ll only find harvested stalks and bare muddy fields. Also, avoid the rainy season (June to August), as roads can become slippery and landslides are a risk.
If you can’t make it during harvest, come at sunrise to hunt clouds. Unlike thick clouds in places like Ta Xua, the mists of Ban Phung are like a soft, dreamy veil, floating around the mountain peaks under the first golden rays of morning light.
Getting to Ban Phung – A Road Less Traveled
Ban Phung’s beauty doesn’t come easy. The journey here is long and challenging, which is partly why the area remains untouched by mass tourism. Locals even say, “First comes Su Phi, second is Bac Me,” referring to how difficult the road is. You’ll navigate winding passes and sharp turns before reaching this fairytale land.
To get to Ban Phung from Tuyen Quang, follow National Highway 2 to Tan Quang Junction in Bac Quang District. Then turn left towards Hoang Su Phi. Continue through Thong Nguyen and Nam Ty, and you’ll eventually reach Ban Phung.
Though the journey may be tiring, the scenery will more than reward your effort. Terraced fields gradually emerge through the mist like a dreamland. With every turn, the beauty of Ban Phung will remind you that the best views often require the hardest climbs.
