Journey to Hoàng Su Phì (To Vietnam's Terraced Rice Fields) 10 — The Observation Deck and the Way Home

The path to the observatory was surprisingly gentle

Walking while gazing at the terraced rice fields feels absolutely wonderful, and the street lamps made from bamboo have a lovely rustic charm. There are also so many wild plants that look just like herbs... they seem like they'd be edible, lol.

The little Vietnamese children scramble up nimbly, and there are tourists in one-piece dresses too. Yes, it's very easy and casual.

There are many places where you can connect to Wi-Fi, so you can even take work calls... a workcation, too. Along the path leading up to the observation deck, you can spot an elderly indigenous woman. To my slight embarrassment, she kindly agreed to pose for a commemorative photo.

The baby on their back — 7 or 8 months old?!

The baby-carrying sash is so wonderfully folk-craft! Made from the same fabric as the traditional ethnic costume, with embroidery. Ah~ how lovely it is. And so we arrived at the observation deck. It serves as the dwelling of the Red Dao people, and outside there's a café where you can even take commemorative photos.

Can we take commemorative photos too? There were costumes in the back of the café

Small doggies are adorable too

The observation deck juts out over the cliff, so it was a bit nerve-racking, but we took a commemorative photo. Just then clouds came rising up and hid the terraced rice fields, but in its own way this too was magical.

As the natural smoke drifts all around, we head down the mountain toward the next delight. Even though the light rain makes the footing poor, the sweeping scenery suddenly catches your eye and stops you in your tracks.

It's tough, but I'm really glad I came after all. Trekking alongside a veteran who knows the area is fascinating, full of all kinds of discoveries. Relocation Life Ranking