Rice Paddies

Wikipedia explains that "a paddy field is a flooded parcel of arable land, used for growing semi-aquatic crops like rice or taro."  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddy_field
Here, in the Mai Chau valley, it was the first planting season of the year; there can be 2-3 crops annually.
The fields were full of people working.
When we asked who owned the land, the answer came back 'the people.'
Ownership and control of rice producing land has been a major issue throughout Vietnamese history.
Here is an interesting article about rice production in Vietnam, focusing especially on the Mekong Delta:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice_production_in_Vietnam
Vietnam is the second largest exporter of rice and the seventh largest consuming nation.

This area seemed to rely mostly on manual labor of families.
The paddy walls were constructed out of earth and carefully maintained.

 Putting new rice plants in by hand.