Ha Giang Travel Guide & Things To Do

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Ha Giang Travel Guide & Things To Do

Ha Giang Travel Guide & Things To Do

One of the most adventurous destinations in Vietnam is Ha Giang, a remote, far northwestern province. Visiting this province is like traveling back in time and experiencing some of Vietnam’s grandest and most rugged landscapes. There are many ethnic minorities in the area who still preserve their customs and cultures. This secluded area offers diversity in culture and a picturesque scenery that is pristine and distinctive like no other place. In Ha Giang, the best way to experience the majesty of the landscape, as well as the atmosphere of rural villages and remote towns, is by taking a road trip.

Reasons to visit:

  • Discover the most impressive mountain scenery in Northern Vietnam
  • Explore the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark
  • Ride a motorbike on Ma Pi Leng Pass and other scenic mountain passes
  • Learn about the unique cultures of ethnic minorities
  • Enjoy the view of the Lung Cu flag tower, Ha Giang’s northernmost point
  • Soak up the local culture in Dong Van Market or Meo Vac Market
  • Take a trip to Hoang Su Phi to see the rice terraces

Time to visit:

Best time:

All year long, Ha Giang is a wonderful place to visit.

  • April to October is the hot and rainy season. The months of July and August are the rainiest and most likely to experience landslides, so avoid them if you can.
  • November to March is the dry season. The mountains can be cold during December and January.

Seasonal times to visit:

  • January and February: Season of blossoming plums, peaches, and canolas. Ha Giang is filled with blossoming peach, plum, and mustard flowers in spring. In the mountains, however, it can get quite cold.
  • May and June: Season of water pouring. The first rain showers also mark the beginning of a new crop season. A stunning scene was created by the water flooding the terraced fields, glistening like mirrors in the sun.
  • September and October: Season of golden rice terraces. It is the most beautiful time of year to visit Hoang Su Phi’s terraced fields. This is when the rice is ripe and golden.
  • October to December: Season for buckwheat flowers. The purple buckwheat flowers cover the hillsides of Ha Giang from October until December, when they bloom.

Top things to do in Ha Giang

Take a loop tour in Ha Giang

All of the top things to do in Ha Giang can be grouped into one thing to do: the Ha Giang Loop. Starting and ending in Ha Giang City, the Ha Giang Loop takes three to five days to complete. Your road trip keeps getting better and better when you visit new places every day.

Experiencing Southeast Asia’s most impressive mountains, driving over high passes, and discovering the cultures of local minorities are all part of your trip. The loop is best done by motorbike, with a guide who has experience. You can also do the Ha Giang loop by car if you prefer more comfort and protection against the weather.

Take a drive along breathtaking roads & mountain passes

In Ha Giang, there are many mountain passes and roads to explore. The following are some of the most impressive.

The first mountain pass will be Quan Ba heaven gate, which you will pass through from Ha Giang city. Views of the Twin Mountains are amazing from here. Next, you will reach the Tham Ma pass with its iconic s-shaped road. After passing through Sung La valley, you can follow the road straight to Dong Van or take an alternative route via Lung Cu.

The Ma Pi Leng Pass is regarded as the king of all mountain passes in Vietnam. On the road between Dong Van and Meo Vac, you’ll see some of the highest cliffs and most spectacular views of the area. The drive from Meo Vac to Du Gia via Mau Due offers even more beautiful mountain scenery.

Take a trip to Hoang Su Phi to see the rice terraces

A popular off-the-beaten-track destination in Vietnam is Hoang Su Phi. There is very limited transportation to this area as it is not on the famous loop. As a result, this place is unknown to most travelers. However, when harvest season comes, you can see some of Vietnam’s most spectacular rice fields here. Rice fields constructed in the mountains of Hoang Su Phi with very high terraces. The area is ideally suited for hiking and exploring the small minority villages that have lived here for generations.

Visit Dong Van Market or Meo Vac Market

Ha Giang has more ethnic minorities than anywhere else in Vietnam! Their colorful and unique clothing will make them easy to spot as you drive through this landscape. You can see how impressive they are.

A market in Ha Giang is the best place to see these ethnic minorities. Once a week, these mountain markets gather ethnic groups from around the area to exchange goods and socialize. Local goods, food, clothes, and even livestock are offered for sale at this unique and colorful event. Meo Vac Market and Dong Van Market, held every Sunday, are the largest markets.

Explore ethnic minority villages

It is also a wise idea to visit the small ethnic villages in order to learn more about these authentic culture. You can see the daily life of the villagers here, including farming and crafting.

There are villages throughout the province. In this area, there are a variety of minorities, including the Hmong, Dao, Lo Lo, Giay and Tay. They all dress differently, have distinct cultures, and speak different languages. In these villages, you will also find many different types of houses. Houses on stilts are common for some minorities, while stone or clay dwellings are common for others.

Trek through valleys and villages

Many visitors are unaware that Ha Giang offers excellent trekking opportunities as well. The Ha Giang loop is the most popular way to visit this province; motorbikes and private cars can be rented for this purpose, but hiking is another enjoyable way to enjoy these mountains.

Compared to Sapa, Ha Giang has more impressive karst mountains but fewer paddy rice fields. However, many people are unaware that Ha Giang is home to some of Vietnam’s most picturesque rice fields, namely Hoang Su Phi. There are few tourists visiting the area due to its off-the-beaten-path location and lack of transport options. Due to this, it remained hidden from view. As a result, visiting Hoang Su Phi is an authentic and unique experience.

Wander through historical buildings

You can find some interesting historical sites during your time in Ha Giang, such as Hmong King Palace, House of Pao in Sung La. Also, you’ll find colonial-era buildings in the province. One of the best examples of this is the old quarter in Dong Van. It is also possible to see the ruins of a French guard post between Meo Vac and Mau Due.

Check out the flagpole at Lung Cu

Located on Dragon Mountain, the Lung Cu flag tower stands 1,400 meters high. With a grand monument made of stone, it marks the northernmost point of Vietnam. This is one of the best things to do in Ha Giang not only for the tower, but also for the road to Lung Cu. On this route, you will see some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery in Ha Giang and even throughout the country. Along the way, you should stop at some of the local villages to experience rural life.

Stay with a local family

An overnight stay in a local homestay is another great way to learn about the local culture. Many of these homestays are hosted by families from ethnic minority groups. It is true that some homestays have basic facilities, but the main reason for staying overnight is to experience cultures and cuisine. You should definitely have a dinner with the family where you can eat delicious local food prepared by your hosts.

Get relaxed in Du Gia

Having a place where you can relax between the rice fields is nice after a long ride on a motorcycle or in the car. It would be a great idea to stop in Du Gia as the final stop on your route. This area is mostly visited by people who complete the loop in four or five days. The local waterfall is a great place to swim and enjoy the views. You can also walk along the rice fields or relax at the viewpoint.

Where to stay in Ha Giang

When doing the loop trip in Ha Giang, you should change your accommodation day by day. The main places for overnight stays along the loop are Ha Giang City or Thon Tha village – the start of the loop, Yen Minh or Dong Van for the first night, Meo Vac for the second night, and Du Gia for the third night.

Ha Giang’s accommodation is generally quite basic, despite its gradual development. There are hotels in tourist areas such as Dong Van and Ha Giang, but hostels and homestays are still far more prevalent. In exchange for a lower level of amenities, they give you the chance to talk to the locals and learn about their everyday lives.

How to get there

Bus to Ha Giang

Hanoi and Ha Giang are connected by buses and limousine buses. There are different types of night buses, each with a different level of comfort, but VIP buses are the finest. It is also very comfortable to travel on limousine buses during the daytime. Limousine buses often departs in early morning from Hanoi (6:00AM – 7:00AM) and six hours are required for the drive.

Additionally, there is buses connecting Sapa with Ha Giang, morning limousine buses and night buses. In order to reach any of the other locations, you must first make your way to Hanoi.

Private car to Ha Giang

Hanoi/Sapa to Ha Giang can also be done by private car.

How to get around

By a motorbike

A motorbike is the easiest and most fun way to travel between cities in Ha Giang. Although there are some winding and sloping roads, they are mostly flat, which makes driving comfortable. However, do not underestimate these roads if you lack driving experience. It might be a good idea to get a driver for safety reasons. Easy riders offer a great way to explore Ha Giang.

By a car

The other option is to hire a car and a driver to help you travel around Ha Giang.

Getting to other destinations

Sapa and Cao Bang (Ban Gioc waterfall)

ban-gioc-waterfalls

A visit to Ha Giang is perfect for combining with a visit to Cao Bang, where you can find the largest waterfall in Vietnam, the Ban Gioc waterfall. You can start your journey from Cao Bang by car or motorbike, then proceed to Bao Lac to start the journey in Ha Giang through Meo Vac, Dong Van, Yen Minh, Quan Ba and end in Ha Giang city or continue to Hoang Su Phi; or the other way around.

If you’re looking to explore some of Vietnam’s most stunning rice terraces, Sapa is the place to go. In the early morning and at night, there are direct buses running from Ha Giang to Sapa. The most recommended combination is a trekking tour in Sapa and an easy rider tour in Ha Giang.

Halong bay and Ninh Binh:

A combination of Sapa, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh is a popular itinerary in North Vietnam. Neither buses nor trains run directly between these destinations. Traveling from one place to another would always require a trip back to Hanoi.

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