HÀ GIANG: THE JOURNEY OF YOUTH
👉 I've been in love with Ha Giang since I first visited it with a group of friends in northern Vietnam in the end of September with the cool temperature. I still keep telling my friends that I really want to return to Ha Giang one day. Three months later, I have the opportunity to return and take in the beauty of this place in cold weather around 10-12 celsius and sometimes 7 celsius at night. Ha Giang is an enthralling and magical destination that I adore.
1. About Hà Giang
- The terrain in Ha Giang is rugged, with many majestic mountain populations at altitudes ranging from 800m to 1,200m. Ha Giang has many unique passes and slopes due to its rugged terrain. Although the road in Ha Giang is winding and dangerous, when you look around, the tension melts away as you admire the beauty of the plateau.
- Aside from the winding slopes, Ha Giang attracts visitors with other well known landmarks. Let's also discover more about Ha Giang travel itinerary down below.
2. How to move to Ha Giang
- If you are in an area far from Ha Giang, you can take the plane to Hanoi. After that, you simply relocate to Ha Giang. You can book fight tickets from Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo, and Vietjet with the prices varying according to the time and distance. To get better deal, book one month in advance or take advantage of promotional programs. Vietjet fights, in my experience, are frequently delayed compared to Vietnam Airlines. However, with Vietjet, you can easily excluded checked baggage, whereas Vietnam Airlines always includes it in the price.
- You can take a bus from Noi Bai Airport to Ha Giang in about 6-7 hours. Last time, I traveled in a Bang Phan limousine, which cost 350,000 VND each way. They picked us up on our way from Ha Noi to Noi Bai Airport and then to Ha Giang. But this time, I took the Cau Me bus, which cost 250,000 VND. I had to take a Grab bike to the Noi Bai intersection and walk about 20 meters to a food stall selling eggs, corn, and tea while waiting for the bus. In the cold weather, it was a perfect time to enjoy boiled corn and tea.
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| Boil corn |
- When comparing buses, I recommend Bang Phan limousine as the best option.
3. Means of transportation when traveling to Ha Giang
- Motorcycles are the most mobile method of transport for a self sufficient trip to Ha Giang. Traveling by motorbike to discover Ha Giang will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience for you. You will be able to challenge yourself with difficult routes on this Ha Giang road trip. When having visited Ha Giang, the following roads and slopes are worth for your effort such as Chin Khoanh pass, Bac Sum, Tham Ma, and Ma Pi Leng pass. You can also enjoy the beautiful natural scenery while riding your motorcycle. For your convenience, you can rent a motorcycle from the hotel where you are staying.
- You can rent a motorcycle around 150,000 VND per day or hire someone to ride you for 400,000 VND per day, which excludes food and lodging. I would recommend renting a motorcycle from Giang Son Motorbike Rental. It has a free dorm room where people can nap from the time they get off the bus until the next morning. There is a place to brush your teeth, a toilet and a shower. There are several hundred motorcycles for rent here. Each has two hats, two raincoats, two rain boots, two nylon bags, and one rope. The consulting staff is friendly, and they provide dedicated guidance on specific routes, maps and reasonable schedules to Ha Giang. This was the most professional motorbike rental experience I've ever had.
4. When is the best time to travel to Ha Giang
Ha Giang tourism attracts visitors all year. You are free to visit Ha Giang whenever you want. In addition, if you want to learn about the flower seasons in Ha Giang, please go to:
- Buckwheat flower season: From the third week of October to early November, the flowers will be in full bloom in Ha Giang.
- Canola flower season: It will be the most beautiful around December. Flowers bloom in some of the most picturesque locations such as Quiet Tien, Pho Cao and Sung La.
- The season for plum and peach blossoms is at its peak in March. Prepare a camera so you can take photos whenever you want.
- Ripe rice season: The best time is in September, you can visit Hoang Su Phi when the fragrant and golden ripe rice fields bloom.
5. A challenge road and attractive tourist destination in Ha Giang
To get a beautiful place, it is true that it is not always easy journey. There have 4 interesting routes for tourists including in: Quan Ba- Yen Minh, Yen Minh- Dong Van, Dong Van- Men Vac and Meo Vac- Du Gia. They are not only the destination but also the amazing routes that you will love.
- Quan Ba is also district located at the southwest gateway of Dong Van global geopark. From Ha Giang, you will cross Bac Sum slope to reach Quan Ba heaven gate at an altitude of 1,200m to experience their journey. The heaven gate is located on the highest peak was the autonomous land of the Meo people. Besides, the highlight place is namely as Co Tien double mountain or Quan Ba double mountain with strange shape make everybody surprised.
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| Quan Ba heaven gate |
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| Quan Ba double mountain |
- After leaving Quan Ba, it will take you to Yen Minh town. If you take the old National Highway 4C, you will arrive at Yen Minh Pine Forest, about 18 kilometers from the center of Yen Minh town. It is like as miniature Da Lat in Ha Giang. Many people stop here to camp or rest.
From Yen Minh to Dong Van route- 25km
- The Yen route to Dong Van is probably the most beautiful because it not only has many stops, but as it gets closer to Dong Van, the majesty of the rocky mountains becomes clearer. It will take you a long time because you will be taking photos of many beautiful scenes.
- The beautiful destinations:
Tham Ma Pass
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| Source: Internet |
Chin Khoanh Pass
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Source: Internet |
Pao's house
I didn't stop by Pao's house this time. If I have more time, I will definitely go.
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| Source: Internet |
Dinh Vua Meo- Vuong's Palace
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| Source: Internet |
From Dong Van to Meo Vac- 56km
- Dong Van is a small village and right at the entrance to town, there is a very steep downhill. Dong Van's heart is in the Old town. There are a variety of traditional and affordable cuisines, homestay, cafes, souvenir shops and even a yard for major Dong Van events such as Khen Mong and Marathon festivals...Dong Van's market, which is held on specific days of the week, is located on the opposite side the old town.
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| Old town |
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| Dong Van's Market |
- The journey is likely as the most impression on visitors. They will see the deepest Tu San gorge in Vietnam, the Ma Pi Leng pass, and Lo Lo Chai village, as well as the Lung Cu flagpole on the top of Dragon mountain, the Youth monument, Happiness Museum and Meo Vac visit center along this route.
Tu San gorge
Ma Pi Leng Pass
Lo Lo Chai village
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| Source: Internet |
Lung Cu flagpole
According to my friends, this location is overcrowded. They would rather not return.
Meo Vac Visit Center
From Meo Vac to Du Gia- 80km
- It is approximately 80 kilometers to Du Gia via steep ramps up to 12 meters high with steep rocky slopes, winding, zigzag turns, and roadside cliffs. This is also Ha Giang's most dangerous road, which adventurers want to conquer. The route draws tourists because of its rich and peaceful village with unspoiled natural scenery that is sure to make people's hearts skip a beat. There are only a few roofs on the mountain through the road with no gas station and no repair shop. As a result, you should fill up the tank before embarking on your journey. According to locals, 90% of visitors to Du Gia discovered were international visitors, with very few Vietnamese visitors. Ha Giang provinces has invested in roads to make travel more convenient in order to turn this route into a tourist attraction for locals.
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| Du Gia |
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| Du Gia Waterfall |
- You should visit the Nho Que River and Meo Vac Village before going to Du Gia!!!
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| Nho Que River |
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| Meo Vac Village |
7. Homestay in Ha Giang
- Homestay Ly Ta Danh- Nam Dam village, Quan Ba, Ha Giang- 500,000 VND for 4 people in one room
- Budget guesthouse Khue Hin- Dong Van, Ha Giang- 400,000 VND for 4 people in one room
- Ha Giang- holic- Dong Van- 700,000~1,000,000 VND/room (2~4 people), tent: 400,000 VND including breakfast.
I had the opportunity to stay in this homestay for the first time in Dong Van. It is similar to a lovely homestay in Da Lat.
- Meo Vac Clay House - H'mong Pavi Village- Meo Vac, Ha Giang- 1,000,000 VND for 4 people in one room including breakfast. The room is quite luxurious with air conditioning that adjusts the heat temperature, clean, spacious. It is worth a shot after long and exhausting journey.
- CN homestay- Du Gia, Yen Minh, Ha Giang- 600,000 VND for 4 people in one room including breakfast.
8. Suggest itinerary to explore Ha Giang
Day 1
Afternoon
- Fly from HCM to Ha Noi, arriving at 6pm
Evening
- Have dinner with Pho at airport for 100,000 VND
- Take Grabike to the Noi Bai intersection and walk about 20 meters to a food stall to wait for bus
- At 9:30pm, take the Cau Me bus to Ha Giang
Day 2 (Ha Giang- Quan Ba)
Morning
- At 3pm, the bus arrived in Ha Giang and stopped in Giang Son Rental Motorbike
- Sleep in Giang Son Retal Motorbike until 7am and then rent a motorcycle
- Eat breakfast with Pho at 7:30am and ride around 50 km to Quan Ba
Afternoon
- Stop at Heaven Gate in Quan Ba and then proceed to Nam Dam village nearby
- For 100,000 VND per person, have lunch at homestay Ly Thi Chuong in Nam Dam village
Evening
- Stay one night at Ly Ta Danh Homestay
- Walk around the village and have dinner with hotpot at the Ly Ta Danh homestay
Day 3 (Quan Ba- Yen Minh- Dong Van)
Morning
- At 7am, have breakfast at the homestay
- At 8am, begin the journey to Yen Minh.
- Along the way, stop at buckwheat flower season and Quan Ba double mountain
Afternoon
- Go to Yen Minh. You can eat at any of the street food stall for lunch.
- Pass through Pao's House and check in Tham Ma pass, Chin Khoanh pass, Dong Van Plateau, Lung Cu flagpole
Evening
- Arrive in Dong Van at 7pm and spend one night at budget house Khue Hin
- Have dinner near the Old Town and walk around afterwards
Day 4 (Dong Van- Meo Vac)
Morning
- Have Banh Cuon- Stuffed Pancake and soya bean drink for breakfast in the Old town
- Visit fair market and buy foods to cook in the hotel
Afternoon
- Prepare lunch at the hotel
- Travel to Meo Vac and stopping at Tu San gorge, the Ma Pi Leng pass, the Happiness museum, the Youth monument, and the Meo Vac visit center
Evening
- Spend one night at Meo Vac Clay House in Pavi Hmong Village
- Cook dinner at the homestay and tour the village
Day 5 (Meo Vac- Du Gia, Yen Minh)
Morning
- At 7am, have breakfast in the homestay
- At 8am, ride your motorcycle to the nearby Nho Que River
Afternoon
- Stop for lunch on your way from Meo Vac to Du Gia, Yen Minh
Evening
- Spend one night in the CN homestay at Du Gia
- Eat dinner and rest at the homestay
Day 6 ( Du Gia, Yen Minh- Ha Giang)
Morning
- At 7am, eat breakfast and go to Du Gia Waterfall
Afternoon
- Stop for lunch on your way from Du Gia to Ha Giang
Evening
- Have dinner at Ha Giang
- Take rest Giang Son rental motorbike and wait for the Bang Phan bus to Ninh Binh at 8:30pm
9. Some notes and experiences you need to know
- You should dress appropriately for the weather and the location you are visiting. Ha Giang has a very low temperature. As a result, if you are traveling to Ha Giang on your own, you should dress warmly
- When traveling by motorcycle, you should fill up your tank at any gas station you come across. You should check your motorcycle's fuel gauge on a regular basis by turning off and on the motorbike key
- Always bring your driver's license when traveling by motorcycle, especially if you are the driver. We had to pay around 1.5 million VND in charge fees because the driver did not have a driver's license
- Before agreeing to the rent, check the hot water in the hotel/homestay
- Before purchasing gifts, food, or meal, inquire about the price
- You should prepare some candies to give to ethnic children instead of the money. Otherwise, they avoid going to school and instead follow you around asking for money
- You should bring a backup charger in case your phone's battery runs out
💓💓💓Tourism in Ha Giang will undoubtedly be an extremely interesting trip for you. There are so many beautiful and interesting places to visit in Ha Giang. As a result, you should create an independent Ha Giang travel itinerary for yourself right away. Don't forget to create your own Ha Giang travel experience guide using the useful information in this article.
beautiful~:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rieu ^.^
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