Hoang Su Phi Rice Terraces

The terraces around Hoang Su Phi were cut into steep mountainsides by Dao, Nung, La Chi and Tay families over generations, following the contours in tight bands with water led from the forest above, and they were declared a national heritage site in 2012. There are two moments they are photographed for: May and June, when the terraces are flooded and reflect the sky before planting, and roughly the last two weeks of September into early October, when the rice ripens and the whole hillside turns gold before it is cut. Outside those windows they are green or bare stubble.

The landscape

• Terraces cut over generations - by Dao, Nung, La Chi and Tay families.
• Water led from the forest - the system that makes them work.
• Gold for about two weeks - late September into early October.
• Flooded and reflective in May and June - the other photographed season.

When to go

Mid-September to mid-October for the harvest; May and June for the water. Two to three days.

Practical notes

The timing window is short and shifts by a week or two with the year - going on the wrong date means green fields. Roads are steep, narrow and dangerous in rain. These are people's working fields, and walking into them damages the crop.

Nearby

Ha Giang is east; the Dong Van karst plateau is north-east.