Green rice season at Vietnamese UNESCO-recognized heritage site

May 20, 2016 | 10:05

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While the Tam Coc – Bich Dong area in the UNESCO recognized Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex in the northern Vietnamese province of Ninh Binh has been known for its beauty during the harvest season, visiting the area in May during the green rice season offers a unique experience amongst the paddies.

An ideal place for enjoying the green rice fields is the Mua Cave complex – an area composed of intricate cave systems and Limestone Mountains.

No one knows the true story behind the complex’s name, but locals believe that it was in this area that King Tran enjoyed musical performances, lending itself to the name “Mua,” which means “dancing.”

A winding road leads to the top of the Mua Mountain in the complex, where several towers are located, prompting visitors to take on the adventurous challenge to reach the peak.

Few visitors accept the challenge, leaving the mountain as a quiet and peaceful sanctuary to enjoy the view of the mountain-flanked rice fields below.

The Ngo Dong River weaves through the limestone mountains, dotted with wooden boats that glide slowly between the fields.

By June and July, the area will change colors from green to yellow, marking the beginning of Ninh Binh’s harvest season.