After crossing the Sam Sip peak (Sam Sip meaning "30 mountain slopes" in the Thai language), we arrived in Ngoc Chien, home to generations of Thai, Mong and La Ha ethnic groups who mainly earn their living on wet rice cultivation.

Currently, Ngoc Chien boasts more than 650 hectares of rice fields, with approximately 50 hectares of “tan” sticky rice, mostly the largest fields of Luot, Muong, Chien, Na Tau and Giang Phong hamlets.

In these days, local families are busy harvesting rice in valleys, on mountain slopes, and by streams. The festival-like atmosphere is filled by laughter and chatter. The yellow of sunshine and paddy fields covers all hamlets, promising prosperity and happiness to farmers.

From early morning, locals head to fields to harvest rice, spreading out the grains in the sun, and gathering them into piles. Thanks to favourable weather conditions this year, each hectare yields about 7 tonnes of rice. The “tan” sticky rice – a specialty of Ngoc Chien commune has established its own brand thanks to its aroma and delicious taste, winning the provincial-level “One Commune-One Product” (OCOP) title.

The 50 hectares of this rice variety are expected to produce about 300 tonnes this year, highly sought after in the market at a price of 50,000 VND (2.08 USD) per kilogram.

Local farmers have adopted scientific and technical methods and utilised mechanisation in farming, resulting in higher rice productivity and quality. For the “tan” sticky rice, the commune has taken various measures to expand the area in order to preserve and promote the brand, while developing community-based tourism.

As rice paddies turn golden yellow annually, Ngoc Chien commune holds a new rice festival. This tradition is deeply rooted in the beliefs and unique culture of the White Thai ethnic group, with the purpose of honouring, preserving, and promoting beautiful traditional cultural values of generations of rice farmers. It is also a way to express respect and gratitude to their ancestors and gods, and pray for good weather and bumper crops. The festival gathers ethnic groups in the commune, helping strengthen their solidarity to build the homeland.

Those who have ever visited Ngoc Chien will undoubtedly find it hard to forget the bustling harvest season there, with cool, gentle autumn breezes carrying the fragrance of sticky rice and fresh rice flakes, along with the friendliness and hospitality of locals./.