Northwest Vietnam's Golden Season Transforms Australian Tourist
An 11-day trip to Northwest Vietnam not only gave Australian tourist Barbara Landsberg a collection of golden season photos but also shifted her perspective on happiness and wealth.
In September, as the terraced fields in northern Vietnam's highlands turn a vibrant golden hue, many photographers and international tourists embark on "golden season hunts." Barbara Landsberg, an Australian visitor, came to Vietnam not just to witness the scenery famous on social media, but to seek a deeper cultural experience.
Her journey, designed by a specialized travel company, lasted 11 days, passing through lesser-known spots in Lai Chau before reaching the "capital" of terraced fields, Mu Cang Chai in Lao Cai.
"I didn't want this to be just a photo shoot. I wanted to tell a story," Barbara shared.
After 22 hours of connecting flights from Australia to Hanoi, plus hours of driving up the mountains, all fatigue vanished for the female tourist when the car stopped by a hillside in Lai Chau. Before her eyes, a golden rice carpet stretched from the valley to the mountaintop.
"That scene was more beautiful than any computer wallpaper. Everything was completely alive," Barbara recalled. She quickly asked the guide to stop, grabbed her camera, and snapped away. That moment made her feel every effort to reach Vietnam was worthwhile.
Compared to the flat fields back home in Australia, Vietnam's terraced fields offer a unique beauty. It's the fusion of "humanity's magnificent agricultural feat and rugged nature," she said. In the early mornings, when "sea of clouds" descends to cover the valleys, the landscape becomes surreal. "We don't have steep slopes embracing golden rice seas or mystical white clouds like that," she noted.
But what lingered most in Barbara wasn't just the scenery. The journey became more meaningful through interactions with locals' daily lives. She discovered a different definition of "wealth," not measured by material possessions.
It was the image of a boy herding buffaloes in the villages. She was moved watching them patiently care for the large animals, and when the buffaloes were stubborn, the boy would jump on their backs, creating a warm interaction. "I'm not sure who was taking care of whom; both seemed happy with their lives," Barbara recounted.
It was also the "rush hour" scene at lunchtime. After a morning working in the fields, farmers gathered at a house for a hot meal prepared in advance. The scale of the communal meal and community bonds amazed the Australian tourist about the organization and sharing.
Finally, the scale of the terraced fields made Barbara reflect. She envisioned the enduring, extraordinary labor of generations turning steep slopes into fertile fields. "Not a single corner is wasted. It shows incredible resilience and adaptability," she observed.
For Barbara, the trip became a dialogue with herself. She realized rural Vietnamese life, with self-sufficient food, multi-generational families, and long traditions, brings simple, genuine happiness. Meanwhile, in Western cities, many are caught in financial cycles, 30-year mortgages, and lack time to slow down.
"People here may not have much money, but they're rich in time, family bonds, and connection to nature. This makes me question, what are we really working for?" Barbara pondered.
Leaving Northwest Vietnam, Barbara took home more than photos. The trip changed her outlook on life. Vietnam now represents resilience, balance, and authentic happiness to her.
