Between 1980 and 1990, La Pan Tan Commune in Yen Bai Province’s Mu Cang Chai District was home to many poppy-growing areas, and many of its residents were addicted to smoking opium.

Nowadays, the commune attracts increasing numbers of visitors from both home and abroad, drawn by the beauty of its terraced rice fields which have replaced the poppy-growing fields of the past. 

Here are some photos which reflect the daily lives of local residents in the commune.  The photos were taken by Phan Vinh Yen, a freelance photographer for DA NANG Today.

Picturesque terraced rice fields

A local woman harvesting rice

Some local men offer a motorbike taxi service for visitors

Local female residents in traditional costumes

A young child