September has arrived, and it is time to explore the golden season of ripe rice fields in the Northwest.
To kick off this year's rice season, we chose Sapa as our first destination. In Sapa, all we saw was the green of rice fields, with no sight of O Quy Ho or Fansipan.
During this journey, we visited various locations including Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Nam Cang, Ta Van, Cafe De Mong, and Bai Da Co. The rice in Nam Cang was already ripe and being harvested, while the rice in Ta Van was still green.
For transportation, we traveled from Hanoi to Sapa using Ak Group Tour sleeper bus from Sapa SSB bus station in the old quater no 16 Hang Chinh Street, which provided convenient waiting areas with light snacks sometime. The cabin ticket price was 450k/cabin for 1 people.
We chose to drive our own vehicle from Hanoi to navigate the rough roads from Sapa to Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, and Ta Van due to landslides and steep terrain. We used an Aprilia SR GT adventure scooter with a powerful 174cc engine and ABS brakes for safety, with a parking fee of 450k/way following the sleeper bus.
For accommodation, we stayed overnight at D Home Sapa, a homestay with a mountain view located in the city center to facilitate our travels. On the second night, we opted for TOCE HOUSE in Ta Van village, which offered a peaceful view of rice fields but required careful maneuvering through narrow, steep alleyways.
During our trip, we enjoyed meals at De Mong cafe, with its picturesque rice field views and multiple Instagram-worthy spots.
In Nam Cang, we stopped by Field House Sapa for coffee and the option to order grilled chicken for lunch.
For dinner in Ta Van, we skipped the homestay meal and opted for a hotpot at Wecamp Glamping by the stream, providing a relaxed dining experience at a reasonable price, serving delicious hotpot.
