Yen Bai Travel Guide – Overview, Attractions & Visiting Timings

Yên Bái is a picturesque province in northwestern Vietnam, located around 180 km northwest of Hanoi, known for its dramatic mountains, terraced rice fields, and rich ethnic culture. Nestled between Lao Cai, Son La, Tuyen Quang, and Phu Tho provinces, Yên Bái lies along the Red River (Sông Hồng), making it both scenic and historically significant. The province is best known for Mu Cang Chai, a national heritage site famous for its golden rice terraces, as well as Thac Ba Lake, one of the largest artificial lakes in Vietnam. With cool highland weather, lush valleys, and traditional villages of the H’Mong, Thai, and Dao communities, Yên Bái is an ideal destination for eco-tourism, trekking, and cultural exploration in northern Vietnam.