Ha Giang

Being narrated as a must-visit destination for a long time, Ha Giang has been “sought-after” by many Vietnamese backpackers and travellers. In recent years, Ha Giang has reached the ear of foreign people who are fond of the hazardous and ambitious to drive through the meandering past and arduous road reciprocating the marvellous landscapes of Ha Giang. Arriving in this Northeast land, you will not only get the chance to traverse natural scenery but also learn about the culture of 24 ethnic groups inhabiting here. The harmonizing combination of human beings and nature brings about the singularity and charisma of Ha Giang in people’s eyes. They always say “Everyone will fall in love with Ha Giang” because travelling here once there will be a second time possible and the third time and many more just like an addiction.

“Second to none” experience in Ha Giang

Subdue the well-known Ha Giang Loop by a motorbike

Ha Giang Loop is one of the best overland journeys in Southeast Asia. The route is recommended for those who are passionate about backpacking. The Ha Giang loop is extended from Quan Ba ​​through Yen Minh, to Dong Van and then ends on Meo Vac on Hanh Phuc Road which means happiness road in Vietnamese, just like the feeling when reaching the end of the journey and returning to Quan Ba. The 350 km long route winds through mountain hollows, high passes, deep abysses, geological faults and canyons. The road passes through Ma Pi Leng Pass – one of the four great passes of Vietnam, through the residence of 22 ethnic groups diverse in identity with great cuisine and attractive indigenous culture. The most enchanting Ha Giang loop journey must be travelled by motorbike. As a rare area for arable land, the locality is mainly stone fields with spectacular shapes. The feeling of happiness during the journey will be achieved while passing through majestic nature beyond imagination. Natural tectonics has been admired a thousand times, however, the bright and persistent human vitality in the harsh climate is also surprising. The whole high mountain area is deserted, wild, and scattered with residential areas and small clusters of ethnic minorities have to go deep into the valleys to be seen.

Dong Van Karst Plateau – A grey heaven in Ha Giang

Surpassing for about 150 km mountain pass road between chasmic cliffs on one side and rocky cat-eared sierra on the other side with the venturesome bends, the resplendent view of Dong Van karst plateau veiled in smog slowly becomes visible. Dong Van karst plateau is one of the remarkable limestones’ areas, comprising representative imprints and history of the Earth’s crust development, natural phenomenon, significant aesthetic scenery, the diversity of the ecosystem and the long-standing cultural traditions of the locals. From Quan Ba to Yen Minh, then move up to Meo Vac, Dong Van only has grayish colour of the cat-eared rocks that is why it has been named as “grey heaven” in Ha Giang. Miscellaneous with slate-grey colour of rocks is the verdurous colour of corn fields and the yellow of paddy fields as a resemblance of unsubmissive ethos of people from the land surrounded by macadams. Dong Van karst plateau is the most beautiful in spring. At that time of the year, everywhere by the hilly area covered by the bright yellow of rapeseed, fogyish roofs are embellished by the pink of peach blossoms and pure white of plum blossoms.

A representation of national borderline – Lung Cu Flag Tower

Located on the altitude of 1.470m, Lung Cu flag tower is one of the most famous places to visit for many young people in Vietnam and also a place to be conquered by many foreign visitors in Ha Giang. The stunning beauty of Ha Giang scenery can be spectated from the top of the Lung Cu flag tower, but for the most awe-inspiring experience, visitors should come to this destination mostly in spring, late autumn and winter. From January to March, plum blossoms, peach blossoms, rapeseeds will bloom gloriously, you will know why it is called “blooming mountain domain”. This time of the year will bring the worthy sightseeing experience with immense flowers field. Or you can choose to visit between October to December for an excursion to admire the wonderful charm of buckwheat flowers fields on Dong Van karst plateau. On the top of Dragon Mountain, Lung Cu flag tower has 839 steps divided into three halts, each halt has a waiting area for resting or appreciate the sight of Ha Giang. The pattern of Lung Cu flag tower is Dong Son bronze drum design and the plinth with eight embossment portrays for the creditable historical eras of Vietnam.

The Vuong Family’ Mansion – Timeless structure and beauty of a building

The Vuong Family’s mansion of Meo King’s mansion is located on a valley floor under a highland. With this type of topography, the structure is protected by mountain arcs shaped like turtle shells, assisting in defense during the fierce wars. Many hundred years have passed, everything in the mansion is still intact like it is just day one, stimulating the curiosity of visitors converging to Ha Giang. The edifice was being built in five years, totally by humans’ force and hands without any interference from machines. The architecture inside the Vuong Family’s mansion is spectacular with the mixture of three different cultures encompassing Mong people, French and Chinese. The Vuong Family’s mansion has four horizontal houses, six vertical houses divided into three halls, one for guards and slaves, and the other two for accommodation and a working place with 64 rooms in two stories. To be firm enough, the builder used green stones to make the mansion always be able to confront enemies and time. Roofs and pillars were built from wood to enhance the lissom and grave beauty of the rooms.

Take delight in buckwheat flower fields

Buckwheat is a famous flower in the rocky highlands of Ha Giang. Buckwheat flowers bloom for about 3 months from October to December, but the flower colour will gradually change over time from white to light pink, dark pink and finally purple-red, then wither. This flower grows in fields spreading on hillsides, and rocky valleys, though fragile but always resilient amid enormous stony mountains. If you come here in mid-October, you will be able to participate in the Buckwheat Flower Festival. You can see the immense fields of flowers and participate in fun and cultural activities. In the past, people only grew seeds to make cakes, candy, wine, etc. Now buckwheat flowers have become a famous tourist trademark of the Ha Giang and Meo Vac district. Lung Cam Cultural Village is the place that grows the most buckwheat flowers in Ha Giang. Visitors come here not only to enjoy the beauty of buckwheat flowers but also have the opportunity to see the brilliant colours of roses, peach blossoms, and many colourful flowers and plants. Besides that, this is also a place to preserve the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of 24 ethnic groups living in Ha Giang. In the middle of the romantic Sung La Valley, villages appear sporadically like in a fairy tale. Therefore, visitors who travel to this place can also learn about the old lifestyle of the indigenous people. Apart from Lung Cam Village, Ha Giang has many other places where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the beautiful buckwheat flower fields like Lung Cu Flag Tower, Foothill of Ma Pi Leng Pass, Pho Cao Village in Dong Van Town, Pho Bang Village.

Landscapes, culture, customs, traditions and cuisine, everything about Ha Giang is attractive and outstanding with people from other regions. From the small things like the people, daily activities, flowers and fruits to the immeasurable things like bumpy roads, ginormous mountains and vertically steep passes the experience of exploring Ha Giang becomes more interesting and enjoyable. All these beauties have created an incredible Ha Giang in the eyes of travellers.