More than just a place of cultivation, the terraced rice fields of Cao Thang hamlet in Luc Hon commune tell the story of generations who have conquered nature with creativity and perseverance. These fields are both a source of livelihood and a magnificent work of art, shaped by human hands in harmony with the mountains and sky.

Located about 5 kilometers northeast of Binh Lieu town center, the winding mountain road leads visitors to Cao Thang, one of 17 hamlets in Luc Hon commune. Nestled on the western slopes of Mount Cao Xiem, Quang Ninh’s highest peak at 1,429 meters, along with Khe o and Ngan Pat, Cao Thang boasts graceful terraces that stretch between 300 and 600 meters above sea level.

According to  Head of the Culture and Society Office of Luc Hon commune, Pham Minh Huyen, the terraced fields here are more than agricultural land, they are a cultural symbol and a testament to the local people’s resilience in adapting to their environment. Early settlers of Dao, Tay, and San Chi ethnic groups ingeniously harnessed water from mountain streams to irrigate the hillsides, creating curving tiers of rice fields that both preserve the soil and sustain life in the highlands.

These terraces have become a “living heritage” of the borderland people over time. Each plot, though only a few meters wide, cascades across dozens of levels, following the natural contours of the mountains. The raised borders of each terrace guide streams of water through the fields, forming “lifelines” that nurture the crops. On these golden slopes, generations of farmers have worked diligently, growing fragrant rice and welcoming each new harvest season with joy and gratitude.

Beyond their agricultural value, the terraces carry deep spiritual meaning. Each farming season aligns with traditional festivals such as the Praying for a good harvest, Rain ceremony, and New rice celebration held every October (lunar calendar). During the New Rice Festival, offerings of sticky rice wrapped in ginger leaves, boiled chicken, and rice wine are presented to the ancestors as a way of thanking heaven and earth for a fruitful harvest, a beautiful tradition that reflects the locals’ gratitude toward nature and their reverence for hard work.

Recognizing their remarkable value, in 2020, the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh province listed the Luc Hon terraced fields as a provincial scenic landscape, affirming their cultural, historical, and aesthetic importance. Among them, Cao Thang stands out for its breathtaking beauty and distinctive character.

Today, Cao Thang, together with Khe O and Ngan Pat, has become a rising center of eco-tourism in Binh Lieu. Every October and November, when the rice ripens into a sea of gold, the Luc Hon Yeallow Season Festival takes place with a variety of vibrant cultural and sporting events named “Flying over the yellow fields”, culinary competitions, hands-on experiences such as rice harvesting and mustard flower sowing, mountain trekking to conquer Mount Cao Xiem, known as “the roof of Quang Ninh”, and immersive community programs where visitors can live, eat, and work alongside local families.

From the summit of Cao Xiem, visitors can look down to see the terraced fields glistening like golden musical notes across the mountainsides, not just a stunning landscape, but a living symphony of endurance and creativity.

Once a traditional farming village, Cao Thang has currently transformed into a model of cultural and ecological tourism. Each terrace is not only a product of labor but a timeless work of art, reflecting the spirit of harmony between people and nature. Amid the rhythm of tourism development, locals remain deeply committed to preserving their heritage, treasuring the terraces as “ancestral assets” that sustain both their livelihoods and their pride in the poetic, resilient beauty of this borderland region.

By Ta Quan