Located in Mu Cang Chai District in the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai, Khau Pha is considered one of the most beautiful and treacherous mountain passes in Vietnam. At an elevation of over 1,200 meters above sea level, it is often referred to as the “gateway to heaven” of the Northwest.

The paragliding festival in Mu Cang Chai District has drawn much excitement and interest from visitors.

From the summit, visitors can admire the panoramic view of terraced rice fields stretching along the mountainsides, gracefully winding like silk ribbons under the sunlight.

The best time to visit Khau Pha is between September and October when the rice fields turn golden, creating a vibrant natural tapestry. This period also coincides with the ‘Flying Over Golden Season’ paragliding festival, attracting many domestic and international tourists.

If one misses the rice harvesting season, they can visit in June or July when the fields are still green, with the lush rice blending harmoniously with the mountains, offering another intriguing viewpoint.

Paragliding is not merely an adventure sport but also a way to immerse oneself in nature and enjoy the sensation of soaring freely among the clouds. The strong and stable winds at Khau Pha make it an ideal location for this activity.

Before embarking on the paragliding journey, technicians will thoroughly check all equipment and provide safety instructions. From the colourful paragliding wings, you can gaze at the entire expanse of Mu Cang Chai's terraced fields, surrounded by majestic mountain ranges.

During harvest season, the brilliant yellow of the fields merges with the greens of nature, creating a perfect picture.

Luong Thi Xuyen, Vice Chairwoman of the Mu Cang Chai People's Committee, noted that paragliding at Khau Pha Pass has become a signature tourism product linked to the terraced fields of the district, making it a popular local event.

The appeal of adventure tourism in Mu Cang Chai has been affirmed, with over 40-50% of visitors coming specifically for paragliding each year.

Mu Cang Chai District is home to 500 hectares of rice terraces in the communes of La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha, and De Xu Phinh, which have been cultivated by the Mong people for centuries.

Local terraced rice fields were designated a special national heritage site by the prime minister in 2019.

In 2024, Travel site Wanderlust Storytellers ranked Mu Cang Chai as the top destination in its list of 25 places with surreal beauty worldwide. The district’s terraced rice fields were also listed among the 50 most beautiful places in the world by Big 7 Travel in 2020.

To honour this landmark and promote the cultural values of the Mong ethnic minority, Yen Bai Province has organised various cultural, sports, and tourism activities since 2015, with paragliding being a prominent feature.

Each paraglide session covers a distance of about 2.3km (skyway) from the Khau Pha Pass to the landing ground.

Currently, ticket prices for a paragliding trip at Khau Pha range from 1.2 million VND to 1.5 million VND per person, which includes all supporting services. This price is quite reasonable for such a unique and unforgettable experience while exploring Northwest Vietnam.