Experience traveling to Ha Giang for first-time visitors (Part 2)
In Part 1 of the Ha Giang travel experience, Bee Sophiee introduced you to some essential information for starting your journey in this northernmost region of the country. And in the next part, in the following article, let’s explore more experience traveling to Ha Giang with Bee Sophiee!
Experience traveling to Ha Giang: Tourist destinations in Ha Giang
Because the tourist destinations in Ha Giang are far apart, it’s recommended to choose an itinerary of at least 3 days and 2 nights to have enough time for “horseback flower viewing”. Many travelers suggest a 3-day and 4-night itinerary, or even more leisurely, a 5-day itinerary.
Below is a sample itinerary for a 3-day, 2-night trip:
Day 1: Hanoi – Ha Giang – Dong Van
To make it in time for the Dong Van market on Sunday morning, depart from Hanoi on Friday evening. At 8:00 a.m. the next day, you can head to Dong Van and take photos along the way when the morning air is still pleasant. Break the journey from Ha Giang City to Dong Van into several stops to enjoy the scenery rather than driving straight through.
Stage 1: Ha Giang – Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate (40 km)
From the city, the first point is the milestone Km 0, then move to Quan Ba about 40 km away. Here, there is the famous Heaven’s Gate as a popular check-in point, but during winter, there may be fog. If the weather is clear, you can take photos and admire the rice fields below.
From here, you can see Nam Dam Lake, located in Nam Dam village, famous for its Dao ethnic homestays in Quan Ba. Besides the Heaven’s Gate, you can also visit the Fairy Twin Mountain nearby.
Stage 2: Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate – Yen Minh Town (30 km)
Note that when you reach the Can Ty bridge, there are two forks in the road. The uphill route will save you 20 km, but it’s more challenging and requires skilled driving. Calculate the time to arrive in Yen Minh and have lunch there.
Stage 3: Yen Minh Town – Dong Van Ancient Town (45 km)
This route is full of beautiful scenery and well-known tourist spots. That includes the Tham Ma Pass or the 9 Sickle Pass, an iconic check-in point in Ha Giang. Here, you may encounter foreign friends, landscape photographers, and especially Hmong children with baskets full of flowers.
Cao Street – an ancient village that has not been commercialized, so it still retains many traditional features of the old Hmong people. Or Pao House, the setting of many Vietnamese films, is also a place worth visiting. Currently, Pao House serves as both a residence and a tourist attraction. These spots are 10 km apart, so explore them and pay attention to the time to reach Dong Van before nightfall.
Day 2: Dong Van – Meo Vac
Take some time in the morning to visit the weekly market, a unique characteristic of this region. The bustling market offers various goods, from common items like electronics, fruits, and clothing to ethnic specialties like linen fabric, brocade, buckwheat cakes, and local wine. If you plan to buy gifts, choose items that are easy to carry, such as spices or linen fabric.
Depend on experience traveling to Ha Giang, you can also visit the King of Hmong Palace in Dong Van. The palace complex covers nearly 3 hectares in Sa Phin Valley. Built in the early 20th century, the palace mimics Chinese architecture (Qing Dynasty) with its curved lines, elaborate carvings, and intricate details. The entrance fee is 20,000 VND per person.
If you skip the market or the palace, you can depart from Dong Van around 6:30 am to Lung Cu Flagpole to see the flagpole early in the morning. This route is 25 km long and passes through rough sections with gravel, sharp turns, and potholes. The travel time is about 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, visitors can hike up to the flagpole and admire the mountains and forests at the northernmost point of the country. If you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, Cuc Bac Café is also a good place to take a break.
Around 9:30 am, return along the same road to Dong Van, then head towards Meo Vac and the Nho Que River. The motorcycle path down to the pier is steep and challenging, requiring skilled driving. If you’re not confident, you can hire a local motorcycle taxi service for 150,000 VND round trip.
Although the road is difficult with rugged sections, the beauty of the emerald river will somewhat alleviate the fatigue of travelers. As you navigate the winding road hugging the mountainside, you’ll arrive at the pier. The boat fare on the Nho Que River is 100,000 VND per person for a 40-minute journey. The boat usually stops at Hem Tu San, the best spot for photographs.
Around 2:30 pm, head back towards Meo Vac to visit Ma Pi Leng Pass. Despite its winding nature, the pass road is wide and flat, with mountains on one side and cliffs on the other.
Surrounded by sky, clouds, and mountains, visitors can leisurely enjoy the scenery and take photos. At the foot of the pass, you can visit the Museum of Happiness Road to learn about the challenging history of building National Highway 4C, connecting Ha Giang City to Dong Van and Meo Vac.
Traveling along the road from Ma Pi Leng Pass to Ta Lang Village, Pai Lung Commune, Meo Vac District, is an unforgettable experience. The 8 km road features over 50 hairpin turns and steep slopes.
Around 5 pm, you can stop at the 12 km milestone area near Meo Vac. This spot offers one of the best views of the sunset over Ma Pi Leng Pass, with the Nho Que River in the foreground. After enjoying the sunset, travel about 10 km to Pao Vi Ethnic Cultural Village to spend the night.
Day 3: Meo Vac – Ha Giang City – Hanoi
In Pao Vi, the scenery exudes tranquility, with serene mountains surrounding you when you wake up. Meo Vac is about 150 km from Ha Giang, so you should depart early to catch the bus back to Hanoi. There are two bus departure times for you to choose from: 2:00 PM (arriving in Hanoi at 9:00 PM) and 9:00 PM (arriving in Hanoi at 4:00 AM the next day).
If you choose the 2:00 PM bus, you should depart from Meo Vac at 8:00 AM and drive directly via Mau Due – Yen Minh – Quan Ba – Ha Giang City without stopping for sightseeing. Note that the road from Meo Vac to Mau Due is quite rough, with many potholes.
If you choose the 9:00 PM bus departure from Ha Giang City, you have time to visit some additional sites. You can take the Mau Due – Duong Thuong route, then visit Lung Tam Linen Village, pass through Quan Ba, and explore Lung Khuy Cave. Afterwards, return to Ha Giang City.
When is the best time to visit Ha Giang?
As a highland province, the climate in Ha Giang is significantly colder compared to lowland and neighboring midland areas. The average temperature throughout the year is around 21-23 degrees Celsius. The notable feature of the climate is its high humidity, frequent and prolonged rainfall.
You can visit Ha Giang at any time of the year. People often go to Ha Giang during the ripe rice season in autumn. The best time is in October, November, and December when the triangular flower fields or mustard flower fields are in full bloom. In spring, the apricot and plum blossoms turn the forests into a white paradise.
In May, the shimmering rice paddies are flooded with water. In June and July, many people avoid Ha Giang due to sudden, heavy summer rains. However, thanks to this moisture, the mountains and forests here are adorned with lush greenery, captivating the hearts of visitors.
What should you prepare when going to Ha Giang?
Depend on experience traveling to Ha Giang, especially if traveling independently, it’s essential to gather information from various sources about the experiences of visiting the region. Preparing financially is crucial, so ensure you have both cash and ATM cards available. Bringing a backup power bank for your phone and registering for a 4G network in advance can facilitate communication during your journey. Comfortable attire, including sports shoes, is recommended for ease of movement while exploring. Additionally, it’s wise to book hotel accommodations in advance and secure bus tickets if needed to streamline your travel arrangements.
Ha Giang is a place with incredibly beautiful natural landscapes. If you’re planning to visit this destination, don’t forget to book a Ha Giang tour on Bee Sophiee to have the best experiences here!
