1. Conquer Ma Pi Leng Pass
2. Visit Dong Van Global Geopark
3. Visit Lung Cu Flagpole
4. Admire the buckwheat flowers
5. Experience a boat trip on the Nho Que River
6. Visit Sung La Valley
7. Take photos at Pao’s house
8. Participate in Dong Van market
9. Visit Dong Van Ancient Town
10. Enjoy the peaceful in Ta Phin Valley
11. Visit and experience Khau Vai Love Market
12. Experience local cuisine
1. Conquer Ma Pi Leng Pass
This is one of the “four great peaks” of Vietnam, located on National Highway 4C connecting Ha Giang city and the two towns of Meo Vac and Dong Van. Ma Pi Leng Pass has an altitude of over 1,500 meters, winding about 20 km long, a big challenge for those who love backpacking. From the top of the pass, visitors can admire the majestic scenery of Dong Van Karst Plateau and the Nho Que River winding around the mountain.
2. Visit Dong Van Global Geopark
The Dong Van Karst Plateau is a region in the extreme north of Vietnam, located in Ha Giang province, with an average altitude of 1400 – 1600 meters above sea level. This place was recognized by UNESCO as a Global Geopark in 2010, the only geopark in Vietnam and the second in Southeast Asia.
The Dong Van Geopark has an area of over 2,300 km2, including 4 districts of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Meo Vac, which preserves many important geological events of regional and planetary scale.The Dong Van Geopark has many valuable geological relics, hundreds of millions of years old, such as trilobite fossils, sedimentary rocks, slate rocks, limestone…
3. Visit Lung Cu Flagpole
This is an attractive and meaningful tourist activity that you can do when visiting Ha Giang. Lung Cu Flagpole is a national flagpole located at the peak of Lung Cu, also known as Dragon Mountain (Long Son), with an altitude of about 1,470 m above sea level, in Lung Cu commune, Dong Van district, Ha Giang province. Lung Cu Flagpole is about 3.3 km from the northernmost point of Vietnam as the crow flies. This is a place that witnesses the history and sovereignty of Vietnam over the northern border region.
To get to Lung Cu Flagpole, you have to overcome 839 steps, divided into 3 stages. On the way, you will encounter many fossils of trilobites, an extinct ancient species. On top of the flagpole is the Vietnamese national flag with a flagpole height of 12.9 m and a flag with a total area of 54 m², symbolizing the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. Standing on Lung Cu Flagpole, you will admire the panoramic view of Dong Van Karst Plateau, Lo Lo Chai village and Then Pa, the vast terraced fields.
4. Admire the buckwheat flowers
Buckwheat flower is a characteristic flower of Ha Giang, blooming in October and November every year, creating a beautiful scene on the terraced fields. Lung Cam cultural village is the place where the most buckwheat flowers are grown in Ha Giang, located in Sung La commune, Dong Van district. Here, visitors can not only admire the flowers but also visit the traditional houses of the H’Mong people, which are plastered with soil, roofed with yin and yang tiles, surrounded by carefully arranged stone fences.
5. Experience a boat trip on the Nho Que River
The Nho Que River is a river originating from China, flowing through two provinces of Ha Giang and Cao Bang, with a length of about 192 km. The Nho Que River is famous for its pristine and majestic beauty, when flowing through the Dong Van Karst Plateau, the river creates waterfalls and Tu San gorge – the highest and deepest gorge in Southeast Asia.
Going on a boat on the Nho Que River, you will admire the undulating mountains, the terraced fields, the small villages along the river. You also get to visit the Tu San gorge – Tu San gorge is 1.7 km long, nearly 1 km deep and the cliff is 700 – 800 m high, creating a spectacular and mystical scene.
6. Visit Sung La Valley
Sung La Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Dong Van Karst Plateau, located on Highway 4C, more than 20 km from Dong Van district. Sung La Valley is known as the “island”, “valley where rocks bloom” or “a bright and charming flower of the karst plateau”.
When you come to Sung La Valley, Ha Giang, you will have the opportunity to: Admire the vast terraced fields, which are ranked as a national intangible cultural heritage. Experience the community culture of ethnic minorities such as H’Mong, Tay, Nung, Dao, Lo Lo… You can stay in traditional houses and enjoy the local specialties.
7. Take photos at Pao’s house
This is an old house of the H’Mong people, located in Sung La village, Dong Van district. Pao’s house was built in 1890, with unique architecture, plastered with soil, roofed with yin and yang tiles, surrounded by carefully arranged stone fences. Pao’s house is surrounded by rice fields and buckwheat flower fields, creating a dreamy and mystical picture. Pao’s house is an ideal photo spot for tourists when visiting Ha Giang.
8. Participate in Dong Van market
This is a famous market of Ha Giang, only held on Sundays, in the ancient town of Dong Van. Dong Van market is a place for exchange, buying and selling, and trading goods of ethnic minorities such as H’Mong, Tay, Nung, Lo Lo… Tourists can visit Dong Van market to learn about the culture, customs, and life of the local people, as well as shop for specialty products and souvenirs.
9. Visit Dong Van Ancient Town
Dong Van Old Quarter has a history of architectural and cultural development over hundreds of years, bearing the imprint of ethnic minorities such as H’Mong, Tay, Hoa, Kinh, Dao, Nung… Dong Van Old Quarter has about 40 old houses, built from the beginning of the 20th century, made of stone and wood, roofed with yin and yang tiles, with a simple, solid and harmonious design.
Dong Van Old Quarter also has a famous market, which only takes place on Sundays every week, is a place for exchange, buying and selling, and trading goods of ethnic minorities. Dong Van Old Quarter is an attractive tourist destination, attracting many tourists because of its ancient, pristine and mystical beauty.
10. Explore Quan Ba twin mountain
When visiting Quan Ba Twin Mountain, visitors can explore and experience the majestic natural scenery from Heaven’s Gate, located at an altitude of 1500m above sea level. Visit local villages to experience the daily life and culture of the ethnic minorities living in the area. In addition, you can explore the geological features with the unique formations of the Twin Mountains that have a history spanning millions of years. You can also enjoy local cuisine with traditional dishes and flavors of the ethnic minorities. This is also a place for you to take beautiful photos to remember the memorable experiences when traveling to Ha Giang.
11. Visit and experience Khau Vai Love Market
Visiting and experiencing Khau Vai Love Market is a unique and special tourist activity that you can do when coming to Ha Giang. Khau Vai Love Market, also known as Phong Luu Market, is a famous provincial market, only held once a year, on the 27th of the third lunar month. The market is located in Khau Vai village, Khau Vai commune, Meo Vac district, about 180 km from Ha Giang city.
Khau Vai Love Market originated from a beautiful but sad love story of a couple who loved each other but could not be together due to the opposition of their families and villagers. They decided to break up and meet again on the 27th of the third lunar month every year to reminisce about their old feelings. After they passed away, the people built two shrines, “Ba Shrine” and “Ong Shrine”, to commemorate their love.
12. Experience local cuisine
Ha Giang is not only beautiful in scenery but also has many delicious dishes, rich in the cultural identity of ethnic minorities. Visitors can try special dishes such as Thang Co (horse meat stew), Cap Nach pork, Men Men (a dish made from corn), buckwheat cake, multi-grain rolled cake, Ngoc Linh honey, corn wine, San wine… These dishes are not only simple, rustic but also bring a warm, close feeling to visitors when coming to Ha Giang.
Ha Giang is an ideal destination for those who love to explore nature and culture. In addition to the 5 activities above, there are many other attractive activities waiting for you to discover when traveling to Ha Giang. Book your Ha Giang tour today for interesting and memorable experiences!
