Nestled in the mountainous west of the former Ha Giang region, Phung Village has become an increasingly popular destination for travellers seeking dramatic landscapes and off-the-beaten-path adventures.
Pham Quang Tuyen, originally from Gia Lai Province and now based in Hanoi, has visited the region several times and describes Phung Village as one of the most memorable places he has explored.
Phung Village from above (Photo: Tuyen Parafu).
The village, now part of Ban May Commune, lies more than 100 kilometres from the former Ha Giang city centre. According to Tuyen, the journey from Hanoi to Xin Man takes around eight hours, followed by an additional two to three hours to reach Phung Village, depending on weather and road conditions.
“Travellers can ride a motorbike to the village, but the roads are challenging and require experience. Those travelling by car should use a high-clearance pickup truck. During the rainy season, muddy dirt roads can make access difficult,” he said.
Tuyen recommends spending at least three days and two nights in the area to allow enough time for both travel and exploration.
The best time to visit is from August to late September, when the terraced rice fields turn golden ahead of harvest, creating some of the most striking scenery of the year.
The beauty of Phung Village during the ripe rice season (Photo: Provided by the subject).
One of Phung Village's defining features is its close connection to local life. The village has around 10 to 15 homestays, most of them traditional stilt houses operated by local families. Meals are generally served at the accommodation, as there are currently no standalone restaurants in the area.
Accommodation costs are typically around VND 500,000 (USD 19) per person per night. The stilt houses can accommodate groups of between 10 and 20 guests. A standard meal costs about VND 150,000 (USD 5.77) per person, while hotpot meals are priced from VND 200,000 (USD 7.69) per person.
Visitors exploring the western part of the region can also combine their trip with stops at Luoc Village, Hoang Su Phi and Chieu Lau Thi Peak, which rises 2,402 metres above sea level and is known as one of northern Vietnam's premier cloud-hunting destinations within the Tay Con Linh mountain range.
Although these attractions are only 20 to 25 kilometres apart, difficult terrain means travel times can be significantly longer than distances might suggest.
A visitor takes photos of the terraced fields in Phung Village (Photo: Provided by the subject).
Vuong Van Thang, chairman of the People's Committee of Ban May Commune, said visitor numbers to Phung Village have increased by around 20 per cent compared with last year.
Tourist arrivals have been particularly strong during the rice harvest season, especially throughout September, when the terraced fields are at their most photogenic.
While domestic visitors still make up the majority of arrivals, the village is beginning to attract international travellers. Many are drawn by its natural landscapes, terraced rice fields and opportunities to experience local culture and rural life.
The rise in tourism has coincided with the harvest season, transforming the terraced fields from a source of livelihood for local communities into one of northern Vietnam's most sought-after landscapes for travellers and photographers alike.
