Located at an altitude of nearly 1,500m above sea level, Xim Vang commune enters the flood season in mid-May, which is enchantingly beautiful. Layers of terraced fields connect each other like silk strips draped around the mountainside, reflecting sunlight, creating a shimmering, pristine scene in the great Northwest forest.
Rice fields stretch across the villages of the H'Mong people in Song Chong, Xim Vang, Hang Cho, Trong Tau, Phinh Ho villages. Water from the upstream streams through small ditches creeps into the fields, covering the fields with a shiny silver color. In the faint morning mist, Xim Vang appears as a masterpiece of nature in the mountains and forests.
In the Mam Xoi hill area in Xim Vang village, from early morning, many tourists and photographers have come to hunt for photos of the flood season. The layered fields reflect the sky and clouds, creating a beauty that is both majestic and poetic.
Ms. Nguyen Ha Kieu Anh, a tourist from To Hieu ward (Son La) shared: "The first time I came to Xim Vang was during the flood season, the feeling here is very beautiful, poetic and peaceful. The pristine scenery and the friendliness of the people make me want to return many more times.
Photographer Nguyen An said: "The flood season in Xim Vang has a very unique beauty. The afternoon sunlight reflected on the field surface creates a scene like a watercolor painting. I believe this place will become more and more known to tourists on the Bac Yen - Ta Xua - Xim Vang experience route".
Not only attractive by its natural scenery, Xim Vang also preserves many unique cultural features of the H'Mong people. In the production season, people are busy going to the fields to plow and harrow, drain water, creating a lively labor picture in the mountains and forests.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Bac - Chairman of the People's Committee of Xim Vang commune - said: "The commune is focusing on developing tourism associated with cultural and natural landscape experiences. The flood season and ripe rice season are the times when the locality attracts many tourists to visit and explore.
Also according to Mr. Bac, in recent years, local people have focused on preserving terraced fields, preserving landscapes and developing community tourism products to create sustainable livelihoods for people in mountainous areas.
Amidst overlapping mountains, terraced fields imbued with water and the sound of Mong khen create a very unique beauty of Xim Vang.
The flood season in the highlands is not only beautiful because of the natural scenery, but also deeply depicts the life, culture and attachment of the people to the Northwest mountains and forests.
