The Ultimate Guide To Ha Giang

If you find yourself in Ha Giang at the right time, you will be surprised that the land is not just hard mountains and rocks but is also covered in fields of colourful flowers. Feast your eyes on the local Dong Van market, where you get to feel the warmth from the heart of the locals. Ha Giang, as beautiful as it seems, is rather hard-to-get.

Like how the beauty of the rose always comes with pricks, it takes courage to get what you came for. But for sure, you will get what you “paid for”. Pack your bag, ride to the mountains of Ha Giang and let the land take your breath away (literally)!

When to visit Ha Giang?

Climate and weather

Ha Giang lies in the far north of Vietnam, which explains its monsoon tropical climate, while it is also affected by the mountain climate. Ha Giang is relatively colder than the lower lands with temperature ranging from 21,6 °C to 23,9 °C (~70,8°F – 75°F) on average and dropping to 10 °C (~50°F) on certain days. Though it may not sound as severe as the temperate climates, the cold here burns and pierces through your skin if you are dressed too light (bring jackets!). During the summer, the temperature can reach up to 40 °C (~104 °F) (June, July, August) yet can be as low as 2 °C (~35 °F) in December and January. The high level of humidity also makes Ha Giang one of the cloudiest places in Vietnam with the least amount of sunny hours per month during the year.

Best time to visit

Ha Giang keeps its charm all year round. Hence, your plan should mostly based on the experience you seek to pack accordingly.

January: the season of peaches, plums and rapeseed blossoms on the background of black stones and local ancient houses
April: Khau Vai love market held once a year, where local ethnic people wear their best suit (traditional clothing) to look for their soulmate at the market
May: the time of pumping water into the rice terraces, the best time to capture the stunning endless green meadows
September: when the rice terraces turned yellow as they are ready to be cultivated
November: the season of the famous local buckwheat flower, among the top favorite locations for taking pictures with both professional and non-professional photographers.
December: Snowing! Yeah, you read that right. Despite the monsoon tropical climate, you can witness snow in December and January in several places in Ha Giang. Nothing is impossible in Vietnam!

How to get there?

Transport

Bus

From Hanoi, you can catch the night bus, starting from My Dinh bus station every day at 9 PM. Get on the bus, lay down and be ready to wake up to Ha Giang at 5 AM. Ticket price varies from 200.000 VND – 350.000 VND (~9 – 18 USD).

Flight

From Saigon, you can take a flight to Hanoi. You can either spend some days in the capital or directly catch the bus to Ha Giang, with pick-up point available just 1 km (~0,62 mi) from the airport.

How to get around?

Transport

Motorbike

Our recommendation (and also from the majority of tourists) is to rent a bike from the locals for about 100.000 – 150.000 VND/day (~5 – 8 USD), and ride yourself through one of the most amazing routes of your life. Some tracks up the mountains of Ha Giang are typically narrow and only suitable for a motorcycle. Moreover, the freedom to explore and stop anywhere you want on the road to capture the magnificent scenery is surely worth the bumpy ride. Otherwise, booking a tour with a local trusted agency is just as good of an option if you prefer a safer route.

Bus

If you are not a fan of motorcycles but still want to travel independently, there is another option for you: take the local shuttle bus to get to your desired destination. Get to your bus at the Ha Giang bus station or book in advance with several private shuttle companies. Most of the travel agencies in Vietnam are offering complete packages (including a guide) to and around in Ha Giang but a single bus can be overpriced. Otherwise, you can always look for cheaper options online.

What to pack when travelling to Ha Giang

Prepare warm clothes because of the sudden changes in temperature in highlands and after sunset
Bring a mosquito repellent and sunscreen if the season calls for it
Bring along your medicines for flu or headache you might get from getting to high altitude land
If you travel in July or August, bring along an umbrella and a raincoat. Due to the rainy season, you might frequently encounter sudden rain
Injuries when getting to mountainous areas should also be mindful of. Therefore, it is better to prepare the first-aid kit and other safety equipments

Tips when communicating with the locals

Do not go straight to the kitchen, but wait for the instruction (local houses normally have 2 kitchens, one for the household and one for the guest)
Do not sit down without the permission/invitation of the household
Do not wake up too late in the morning
Do not speak too loud
Do not touch the head of locals, even the children
Always sit lower than the oldest person in the house
Do not speak and chew at the same time
Before drinking the wine, you have to invite everyone to drink with you 🙂 Practice “Một hai ba dzô!” /mot hi ba zo/, which means Cheers!

Where to go in Ha Giang?

Top Attractions

The Extreme North Loop

Ma Pi Leng Pass

With 20km (~12,43 mi) in length and 2000m (1.24 miles) in altitude, the pass connects Meo Vac town with Dong Van town. In the local Mông ethnic language, “Mã Pì Lèng” means the bridge of the horse nose, indicating its danger. That is why it is the king of top four magnificent passes in Vietnam, making it famous among both the Vietnamese and foreigners who desire to conquer. Hence, in 2009, it was recognized as the “National Attraction”. In addition, Ma Pi Leng was an extremely difficult road to build as well. Thousands of workers worked days and nights, cutting through every centimetre of the mountain rock to make the smooth road that we are able to ride on a motorcycle now.

O Quy Ho pass

The pass is located on Hoang Lien Son mountain, connecting 2 provinces: Lao Cai and Lai Chau. It is also one of the four magnificent passes in Vietnam, with 50km (~31,07 mi) in length and 2000m (1.24 miles) in altitude. The beauty of the pass is truly one of a kind. Cloudy on the side of Lao Cai province, yet sunny on the side of Lai Chau. There is snow in the winter, and clouds in the summer, which makes it a must-visit destination for travellers. It is also common to ride through the clouds on the road then arrive at the sunny top of the mountain, which is guaranteed to leave you speechless.

Tham Ma pass

According to the local legend, Thẩm Mã pass (horse appraisal) was used to appraise the strength of horses. People let the horse go up to the top of the pass and if it is still able to carry on, they will keep that horse. Though it does not appear on the list of top four famous passes in Vietnam, you still shall not “pass”. The road will lead you to the entrance of Dong Van town – the famous rock highland. With various bumpy U-shape turns, it challenges even the most experienced riders, thus, extra caution is never too much. Then surely, at the top, you will be rewarded with stunning scenery of the Northern Vietnamese mountains.

Hoang Su Phi rice terrace

Recognized as the most beautiful rice terrace in Vietnam, you will be amazed by the majesty of the endless green and yellow terraces. Not only a famous attraction to visitors, the rice terrace is also the pride of locals. Throughout the time, locals have turned the mountain of rock into lively, enormous and fertile rice terraces. With bare hands, they have created the National Attraction easily capturing any tourist’s heart.

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Dong Van Rocky Highland

Across 4 districts: Quang Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van and Meo Vac, the rocky highland of 2356,80 km2 (~9010 square miles), 150 km (93,21 mi) from Ha Giang city with the average altitude from 1000 – 1600 m (almost 1 mile) from the sea level. Archaeologists have found a number of rock artefacts from the area which could be 400 – 600 million years old. Since 2010, Dong Van Rocky Highland is recognised by UNESCO as the International archaeologist park, the one and only in Vietnam and second in Southeast Asia. Its traditional cultural values also stands out as it is the home of 17 minority ethnics: Mông, Dao, Lô tô, Tày, Nùng,… You should spend some time with a local family, to truly understand the land you came to discover. It is, indeed, one of the top experiences.

Lung Cu Flagpole

The so-called flagpole is located on the top of Long Son (dragon mountain) of Lung Cu ward, the far north of Vietnam. From the top of the flagpole, you can have a stunning 360-degree panorama view of the surrounding area. It has witnessed a many historical events as well as Vietnamese people’s tradition of resistance to outside invaders.

Credit: thodiahagiang

Credit: Bao du lich

Ha giang ultimate guide valley. See flowers on your visit to Vietnam in October

Sung La Valley

Located 20km (12,43 mi) from Dong Van district, Sung La valley is the centre point of all the towns in Ha Giang and the must-see destination during your trip. Spring is the most beautiful time in the valley as nature is very generous with the land. The scenery with flowers blossom on the rocky mountain will easily capture the heart of all visitors. Other than scenery, for centuries, local people have been preserving their traditions and culture. Thus, every Sunday morning, you can visit the local market to communicate and learn more about the locals.

What to do in Ha Giang?

Top activities

1. Riding Around on your Motorcycle

It is undoubtedly one of the top interesting things to do in Ha Giang. Hop on your motorcycle, ride through mountain roads, but keep in mind that some can be tiny and slippery. One side is the mountain, and the other side is the cliff. Although it might be scary but as to what feedback we are getting from all other foreigners in Ha Giang: the beauty of the scenery will be sooo worth the thrills! When riding in Ha Giang, remember to bring your raincoat because the humid land can easily get rainy any time.

Feel the freedom on your motorcycle - Credit: Jordan Opel

2. Discover Dong Van Ancient Town

Not just Hanoi and Hoi An are the ancient towns in Vietnam, you should also visit the hidden gem of an ancient town called Dong Van. Located in the valley with mountains surrounding and 40 well-preserved ancient houses, the town is a magnificent reflection of local life. The popular architecture is the 2-storey house with a brick roof. In the area of Dong Van market, there are also several ancient houses with old French architecture, similar to those in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The locals usually organize special events with traditional activities and sell their cuisine and goods to make it as popular as Hoi An. Dong Van market is famous not only for trading but also for organising local festivals. From Mông to Pu Léo, Lô Lô,… all the local minority ethnic are dressed in their finest clothes, coming to the market to find a lover and have fun.

Ha giang ultimate guide dong van ancient town

3. Visit the Vuong Mansion

The mansion is one of a kind in Vietnam due to the architecture mix between French, Chinese and H’mong (the majority of locals in Ha Giang). With the size of 3.000 m2 (~32 291,73 ft²), it took 9 years (from 1919 to 1928) to finish the building. And the cost, obviously, was over the roof! The mansion cost the owner 150.000 Indochina silver coins, which is equivalent to 150 billion dongs (~6,5 million USD) nowadays. With a mansion like that, the owner obviously was not a simple man. He was the King of H’mong people in Ha Giang – Vương Chính Đức, the man that consistently kept fighting with invaders to protect the motherland of his people. The mansion, therefore, is the symbol of King’s power and the pride of H’mong people. The mansion comprising 3 main sectors, 11 blocks and 64 rooms is enough for more than 100 people living at the same time. On July 23, 1993, the mansion was recognized as a National Landmark.

Credit: @PYS

4. Exploring the Local Love Market

The love market takes place every year on March 27 (Lunar calendar). It has been the local tradition for generations. On the festival day, boys and girls come to the market in their best clothings and participate in the market activities. Their main goal, as indicated by its name, is to look for a lover. They sing love songs, play their bamboo instrument, drink a bit of corn wine, share their stories with each other and promise to build their future together. Come to the festival to have a chance to deeply understand one of the most unique traditions of the locals! Additionally, you are more than welcome to participate in their traditional games: throwing Pao, climbing a pole, carrying water with a bamboo cylinder, riding a horse,…

Credit: anninhthudo

What to eat in Ha Giang?

Specialities

Smoked beef

To Ha Giang people, smoked beef is not only a daily dish but is also a speciality to offer to visitors. It is made from the cow’s muscle part which was raised naturally in the mountain area. This explains why the muscle parts of the local cow and buffalo are better than the ones raised within tiny cowsheds. Marinated with salt, chilli, ginger, mắc khén seed (Zanthoxylum rhetsa), the meat is left hanging over the kitchen. After a few weeks, the meat will be smoked and come out with a very unique taste.

Credit: Shop Nông sản

Thắng cố (bones soup)

It will be a huge loss if you do not try this speciality. The name of the dish literally means bones soup (in H’mong language) and indicates its main ingredients: bones, meat and internal organs of the horse. Nowadays, H’mong people would like to also put in the meat of cow and buffalo. Add some black cardamom, lemongrass, pepper… the soup is a perfect treat for the cold winter in Ha Giang.

Buckwheat Cake

Ha Giang is widely famous for its buckwheat flower; however, not many people know this is the ingredient for the buckwheat cake. Imagine this: it is winter and you sit around the bonfire, holding a buckwheat cake in one hand and a hot beverage in the other while chatting with locals. What could be better? Do not forget to spend a “buck” or two and “wheat” it a try when you are in Ha Giang.

Credit: @vongviet

Egg Rolled-cake

The first thing to say, this is not the popular “bánh cuốn” you eat in Hanoi. The egg rolled-cake in Ha Giang is made with egg, meat, wood ear mushroom and served with the sauce made out of bones broth, with added green onion and Vietnamese sausages. Dip the whole cake inside the sauce and eat the rolled-cake together with the sausage. Enjoy this highland dish and feel the special taste of the highland.

Credit: tonytraveller

Lạp xường ̣(sausage)

Do not forget to try Ha Giang’s sausage. The sausage is usually made a few months before Tet (Vietnamese traditional new year) and can be stored for years without losing its quality.

Made from animal intestines, meat, fat and marinated with ginger, wine and mắc mật seed, the sausage will be smoked above the kitchen for months to bring you an unforgettable taste.

Credit: dangcongsan.vn

Bắc Mê Bamboo Rice

Bắc Mê bamboo rice is the most famous common food of Ha Giang people. The dish is made from sticky rice and then put inside a bamboo cylinder, cooked by a bonfire. The sweet and flavourful taste of the bamboo rice will make you remember it forever.

Credit: Yong.vn

Five-colours Sticky Rice

The five-colours sticky rice comes with visually distinctive 5 colours: white, purple, yellow, red and green. It is the perfect treat for both your taste buds and eyes. Local people created the vibrant colors not using chemicals but from natural leaves. They represent the five elements of life in Vietnamese culture: earth, plant, fire, metal and water. Made from the local sticky rice, every single grain of rice is carefully picked and cooked with love.