Yen Bai

Location: in the Northern of Vietnam

Area: 6899,5 km2

Population: 758,600 (2011)

Weather: If you like trekking, it is recommended in the months from September to November and March to May. In these months, it is very good weather and temperature is from 15 to 28oC. The period where Rice is getting yellow is from 15 September to 20 October.

Located at the part of Northern – central Vietnam, Yen Bai is an agricultural – based province and the main economy is forestry and farming.

Yen Bai is a hilly province covering with forest and 2 big rivers go along Hong river and Chay river. This area is known with Thac Ba lake, one of three largest man-made lakes in Vietnam. Every year, the Yen Bai People’s committee hold Thac Ba Discovery Festival as well as some other village festivals showcasing ethnic minority, trade fairs or traditional art competitions.

There are many ethnic groups in this province, but Kinh people are the majority population.

Yen Bai have the traditional art forms such as: Pang Loong dance, sinh ca- the unique folk singing of Cao Lan ethnic group, Xoe dance – a unique feature of Thai ethnic group.

This province also has many historical and cultural monuments, especially Thac Ba and Mu Cang Chai with great picture of terrace fields – the attractive places for visitors.

THINGS TO SEE

Mu Cang Chai terraced field

Mu Cang Chai is a renowned district of Yen Bai, winning praise for the creative and heavenly terraced rice field. To reach Mu Cang Chai, tourists have to go through Khau Pha Pass – one of the four leading passes in Northwest Vietnam. This creatively gorgeous terraced paddy field is an evidence that human can create a masterpiece in harmony with nature, making Mu Cang Chai an outstanding attraction in Vietnam. The best time to visit to Mu Cang Chai are September and October. You should consider this place when coming to Vietnam to get unforgettable moments.

Thac Ba Lake

This is an artificial lake built in 1970 for hydropower plant development. Thac Ba Lake has 234 km2 including islands and hills with rich ecological conditions.

The lake looks impressive with blue and clear water, lots of hills, islands and caves. Thac Ba on the bank of the lake looks highly sacred.

Taking a walk around this lake, you will be impressed by the reflections of the ancient forests on the blue and transparent water.

Thac Ba Lake has been recognized as the historical and cultural vestige. This area is home to dozens of ethnic minority groups who preserve their traditional life as well as colorful traditional festivals.

Ngoi Tu cultural village

Ngoi Tu village in Vu Linh Commune is home to Dao, Cao Lan and Nung ethnic people, mainly Dao Quant rang (Dao people wear white trousers) with more than 130 households.

People have preserved traditional handicraft (caving jewelry, making ban paper and printing pattern on fabric with wax); cultural events; folk songs (Ken dancing, stick dancing); cuisine (bamboo rice, roast meat and rice wine); folk games (stick pushing, walking on stilts and house architecture.

This village has received investment to become a culture-tourism village with the aim of developing community-based tourism combined with ecotourism. Therefore, you should not miss this destination when coming to Yen Bai province.

BEST RESTAURANTS IN YEN BAI

Tay Bac Restaurant 

Address: Village 6, Hoang Quoc Viet, Hop Minh, Yen Bai city, Yen Bai province.

Phone:  0216 3712 719

Oanh Hop Restaurant

Address: Yen Ninh ward, Yen Bai city, Yen Bai province.

Phone:  0216 3814 666

Tung Duong Restaurant 

Address: Minh Tan ward, Yen Bai city, Yen Bai province

Phone: 0216 3858 445