The Telegraph nomination carried a citation saying it was one of the most brilliant green landscapes anywhere in the world. The rice terraces were among a list of 14 remarkable landscapes or sights which also included a Japanese hill bedecked in hundreds of thousands of pink moss flowers and Bolivia’s prehistoric lakes.
The national tourism bureau of Vietnam also says the rice terraces are the country’s top sight and a fitting tribute to the country’s position as one of the world’s biggest rice producers. The bureau noted that the terraces look their best at this time of year as their colours are vivid just before harvesting.
Due to the difficulty of accessing Mu Cang Chai and Sapa, the terraces were only visited by hardy travellers and backpackers until recently. Getting to Sapa involves a nine-hour train trip from Hanoi to Lao Cai and then a bus for the final leg.
Rice terraces in Vietnam labelled unique global sight
News in Asia
Vietnam’s fabled rice terraces have been labelled one of the planet’s most striking sights by a leading UK daily newspaper. The Telegraph says rice terraces on the sides of hills in locations such as Sapa and Mu Cang Chai are surreal and inimitable.