Vietnam is an agricultural country, where vast rice fields stretch across the plains from North to South. Rice fields are not only the source of livelihood for millions of people but also a symbol of peace, prosperity and the serene beauty of nature. Let's learn about the beauty of rice fields and the cultural and life values ​​that they bring to the Vietnamese people.

1. Rice Fields – Symbol Of Life And Peace

Rice fields are a familiar image to the Vietnamese people, appearing in many paintings, poems and works of art. Rice is the main food source, feeding millions of people and playing an important role in Vietnam's agricultural economy. From North to South, from the Red River Delta to the Mekong Delta, rice fields are where Vietnamese farmers have been attached to for thousands of years.

When visiting the plains of Vietnam, the image of green rice fields stretching out under the clear blue sky is an unforgettable sight. In the ripe rice season, the golden rice fields are like a golden carpet spread across the hillsides and plains, creating a poetic and rich beauty. At this time, not only is the scenery beautiful but also the aroma of ripe rice, the sound of the wind blowing through the rice flowers, all creating a peaceful, quiet space.

2. Red River Delta – Northern Rice Granary

The Red River Delta is one of the two largest deltas in Vietnam and is also an important rice granary of the country. This is an area with favorable natural conditions with a dense river system, abundant water resources and fertile land, suitable for agricultural cultivation, especially rice cultivation.

Every rice season, the Red River Delta becomes a vivid picture with vast rice fields, where farmers work enthusiastically. The fields here are often divided into small, neat plots, separated by trails or small canals. The image of farmers bending over the fields, diligently sowing, plowing or harvesting rice has become a symbol of the hard work of the Vietnamese people.

Not only a place for rice cultivation, the Red River Delta is also associated with long-standing traditional cultural values. Ancient villages with communal houses, banyan trees, wells or traditional festivals of agricultural residents are also an indispensable part of this delta. Traditional craft villages such as silk weaving, pottery making, bronze casting also develop strongly here, contributing to the diversity and richness of the culture of the Red River Delta.

3. Mekong Delta – Southern Rice Granary

If the Red River Delta is the rice granary of the North, the Mekong Delta is the largest rice granary of the South and of the whole country. With a dense system of rivers and canals, fertile land and abundant water from the Mekong River, the Mekong Delta has become the most important rice growing region of Vietnam, providing a large amount of rice for the whole country and for export.

The rice fields in the Mekong Delta are vast, with no clear boundaries, creating an open, vast space. Especially, during the flood season, the water from the Mekong River rises and floods the fields, creating a unique picture of the flooded land. At this time, farmers not only cultivate rice but also begin to harvest natural products such as fish, shrimp, eels and other animals and plants.

The Mekong Delta is not only famous for its rice fields but also for its rich and diverse ecosystem. This land is home to many rare species of flora and fauna, along with fruit orchards, mangrove forests and floating markets typical of the Southwest region. This is the place that most clearly demonstrates the harmonious life between humans and nature.

4. The Role of Rice in Vietnamese Culture

Rice is not only the main food source but also plays an important role in the culture and beliefs of the Vietnamese people. Since ancient times, Vietnamese people have had festivals related to crops, praying for a bountiful harvest and expressing gratitude to heaven, earth and gods for blessing the rice plants to grow.

In daily life, rice is present in every Vietnamese meal. From bowls of fragrant white rice, banh chung and banh giay during Tet holidays, to rice dishes such as pho, vermicelli, banh cuon, banh xeo, all reflect the close connection between rice and Vietnamese people. Not only that, the image of rice plants also appears in many works of art, paintings, folk songs, and proverbs, demonstrating its important role in the soul and spiritual life of Vietnamese people.

5. Delta Tourism and Experience Rice Culture

Today, Vietnam’s rice-growing plains attract tourists not only for their natural beauty but also for their unique cultural experiences. Tourists can participate in agricultural activities such as plowing, planting rice, and harvesting rice with local farmers. This is an opportunity for tourists to better understand the process of rice cultivation, from sowing, transplanting, caring for the rice to harvesting.

The Mekong Delta is also famous for its eco-tours, where visitors can visit fruit gardens, row boats on canals, and participate in floating markets – bustling trading places of local people on the river. These experiences not only bring a new feeling but also help visitors feel more deeply about the simple life, close to nature of the people in the delta.

Beauty of the plains

The rice fields and deltas of Vietnam are not only a source of food but also a symbol of harmony between man and nature. The simple, peaceful beauty of the rice fields, together with the simple, hard-working life of the farmers, have created a unique and precious beauty of Vietnam.

Vast rice fields, rushing rivers and canals, and colorful floating markets are all testament to the richness and diversity of the delta’s nature. Come to the deltas of Vietnam to admire and experience the peaceful beauty, feel the rustic but vibrant life of the people here.