Covering more than 4,100 hectares, Mường Thanh is known as the largest rice field in the Northwestern region. From early morning, laughter and conversation mix with the rhythmic hum of harvesters and threshing machines echoing across the fields. Modified tractors and small trucks move busily along the narrow dikes, carrying loads of freshly cut rice.

In areas where the rice has ripened evenly, most farmers now use combine harvesters, which not only speed up the harvest but also save labor and minimize losses caused by unpredictable weather.

Nguyễn Duy Thanh, a harvester owner from Sam Mứn commune, shared: “This year’s summer-autumn crop has been favorable. The rice stands upright and was not affected much by storms, so harvesting is smooth. Normally, the earliest harvests begin in Mường Thanh Ward and then spread to Thanh An and Sam Mứn. Most people prefer to harvest early rather than risk crop loss, so the machines run both day and night. Depending on the terrain and crop condition, the harvesting cost ranges from VND 450,000 to 500,000 per 1,000 square meters.”

For smaller or remote plots where machines cannot access, farmers still harvest manually or use grass cutters to reap the rice.

Quàng Thị Đào, a farmer from Pom Loi village, Mường Thanh ward, said: “Our family has 3,000 square meters of rice, mostly of the fragrant Đài Thơm variety. The crop ripened evenly this year, so we harvested all at once. We hired machines for the easy plots and helped each other manually on the harder-to-reach ones. The yield is about 7 tons per hectare, giving us roughly 2 tons of rice in total, slightly lower than the spring crop but still satisfying.”

At present, the harvest is in full swing. Across the Mường Thanh rice field, farmers work diligently, making the most of the sunny days and good weather. Thanks to mechanization and cooperation, the harvest progresses swiftly, reducing risks from sudden rains and ensuring the year’s labor is safely brought home.