From the end of August to the end of the year, Mu Cang Chai (Lao Cai province) enters a vibrant season with a series of attractive sports and cultural events. At an altitude of 1,268 metres above sea level, Khao Pha Pass in Tu Le Commune, Lao Cai Province, is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular paragliding spots for taking in the golden rice season, attracting both domestic and international visitors.

Flying over the Golden Season (Photo: Nguyen Tuan Nghia)

The series of events kicks off with the "Flying over the Golden Season" paragliding festival, opening on 30^th August at Khau Pha landing site, coinciding with the time when the rice fields in the Tu Le and Lim Mong valleys turn a golden yellow. Hundreds of paragliding pilots will take off, flying over the golden rice valleys. Tourists who want to experience the thrill of flying over the golden rice paddies can sign up for a tandem flight with a professional pilot. This activity requires no experience and is suitable even for those trying paragliding for the first time. Right at the foot of the paragliding launch site lies It Thai Village, home to the Black Thai people, nestled along a stream. The village has preserved its traditional stilt houses, indigo-dyeing craft and locally run homestays. Visitors can stay overnight, experience traditional Thai weaving and indigo dyeing, try beeswax batik, a traditional H’Mong technique for creating patterns on fabric, and learn about the art of playing the H’Mong qeej, a traditional bamboo mouth organ.

By mid-September to early October, visitors can admire the golden rice season in La Pan Tan and Che Cu Nha, when the terraced fields turn brilliant shades of gold.

Cloud hunting and enjoy persimmon ripening season in Da Lat

Da Lat (Lam Dong) is one of the most attractive autumn spots in Vietnam. August to September, when the weather is cooling down and becoming more pleasant, are the ideal times for cloud hunting in Da Lat. In 2025, National Geographic described cloud hunting in Da Lat as “a ritual for nature lovers”. Before sunrise, visitors take a trek to hills at elevations of around 1,400 metres to watch mist roll through pine forests and tea plantations. The magical scene lasts for only about an hour, as the cool nighttime air keeps the clouds hovering over the valleys before the rising sun gradually disperses the mist.

Cau Dat Tea Hill (Photo: Hiep Nguyen)

To catch the clouds at their best, visitors should set off as early as 4:30 a.m. and head to spots such as Da Phu Hill, Thien Phuc Duc Hill, Ngo Quyen Hill, and Cau Dat Tea Hill, where thick seas of clouds often appear alongside the first rays of morning sunlight.

The persimmon season in Da Lat typically begins in September and lasts through the end of December. Visitors arriving during the ripe persimmon season can find plenty of picturesque spots for photos, including along the roads around Cau Dat Tea Hill, local persimmon orchards, and cafés surrounded by persimmon trees.

Beyond admiring the dreamy scenery and taking photos among the persimmon trees, visitors can also experience persimmon harvesting, carefully observing and selecting ripe fruit directly from the trees.

Many visitors are delighted to taste freshly picked persimmons on the spot, savouring their lingering sweetness, soft texture and juicy flesh, a quintessential autumn fruit in Da Lat.

Embrace the autumn and experience food tour in Hanoi Old Quarter

From mid-September, Hanoi begins to embrace the autumn season. Autumn in the capital has been praised by international media on numerous occasions for its distinctive charm.

Taking a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, visitors can easily spot rows of trees turning golden and red, adding a touch of color to the crisp, cool air of late year.

Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi (Photo: vietmanh78@gmail.com)

At this time of year, northern Vietnam enters the harvest season, which coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival. The festive atmosphere offers visitors a variety of unique cultural experiences, from lion dances and traditional folk music performances to the rich, sweet flavours of mooncakes filled with lotus seeds, salted egg yolks, mung beans and more.

With clear blue skies and pleasantly cool temperatures, autumn is an ideal time for visitors to embark on a food tour through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. In the morning, start your day with a bowl of traditional beef pho at some of the city’s well-known eateries.

Visitors can also savour other Hanoi specialties, including Thang rice noodle soup, charcoal grilled pork with noodles, and Hanoi-style steamed rice rolls, before taking a leisurely stroll or relaxing with a cup of coffee at one of the Old Quarter’s charming cafés.

For a more distinctive experience, visitors can discover hidden cafés tucked away in narrow alleyways, many of which feature beautiful balconies overlooking the bustling streets.