Have you always dreamed of conquering the majestic mountains and dreamlike roads of the Northern mountains? So what are you waiting for? Take our Ha Giang travel experience and hit the road right away!
Not only is nature blessed with many landscapes admired by the world, Ha Giang is also a place that preserves long-standing historical relics as well as the unique cultural beauty of 22 northern highland ethnic groups. All have created an attractive attraction that makes travel enthusiasts constantly seek self-sufficient travel experiences in Ha Giang to fully conquer this beautiful mountainous region.
As a province located in the Northeast region, with an area of nearly 8,000 km2, Ha Giang is blessed by nature with a complex of forests – mountains – rivers, and a diverse ecosystem. This land always makes tourists from far away fascinated with majestic places such as Ma Pi Leng peak, Quan Ba twin mountains, Tu San canyon; as well as many long-standing historical and cultural relics such as the old town and Dong Van stone plateau, ethnic villages with unique indigenous culture. Therefore, if you are looking for a trip that is both “eye-catching”, “knowledge-enriching” and full of the spirit of exploration, Ha Giang is the next stop for you.
With this article reviewing travel experiences from A-Z, you will confidently explore beautiful Ha Giang from the first time with extremely detailed information:
- The best season to travel to Ha Giang
- The fastest and most convenient guide to traveling to Ha Giang and tips for hunting for preferential tickets
- Transportation options in Ha Giang
- Choose any motel, homestay, or hotel in Ha Giang that is good
- The most famous Ha Giang tourist destinations that you should not miss
- Top delicious dishes in Ha Giang that you must try
- Notes about Ha Giang tourism
Which season is best to Ha Giang travel experience?
The ideal time to travel to Ha Giang is from September to March of the following year because this is not only the season of ripe rice and blooming flowers, but also the time of spring festivals in the fields. mountainous area. Take note of the most brilliant Ha Giang landmarks so you don’t miss the opportunity to fully experience the beauty of this highland region!
August – October:
This is the time when a series of terraced fields in Ha Giang are covered with the golden color of the ripe rice season, the most beautiful of which is the Hoang Su Phi area.
October – November:
If you are passionate about the beauty and buckwheat flower fields, what are you waiting for? If you haven’t planned to come to Ha Giang between October and November. Don’t forget to visit Lung Cu flagpole, Lung cultural village. Cam – Sung La, the foot of Ma Pi Leng pass, Thach Son Than – Quan Ba to have the best view of buckwheat flowers!
January to Lunar New Year:
Spring from January to March is the season when Ha Giang is filled with the colors of all kinds of flowers such as yellow mustard flowers, white plum flowers, and pink peach flowers. This is also the occasion to gather many of the most unique festivals of the mountain town such as Gau Tao Festival of the Mong people, Long Tong Festival of the Tay people, Lap Tinh Festival of the Dao people,…
How to get to Ha Giang?
Currently there are no direct flights to Ha Giang. For the most convenience, Ha Giang travel reviews often recommend that you stop in Hanoi and then move to Ha Giang.
To get to Hanoi, you have many means of transportation to choose from. Whether it’s a plane ticket, train or bus… Next, the 280km stretch from Hanoi to Ha Giang will have many ways to travel for you to choose from.
Go by motobike
The “backpacking” road from Hanoi to Ha Giang by motorbike takes about 6-7 hours and has 2 routes:
Route 1 via Vinh Phuc:
From Hanoi, depart in the direction of Nhat Tan bridge, across Vo Chi Cong – Vinh Ngoc street. Drive 15km on Vo Nguyen Giap Street, then turn right onto National Highway 2A. Continue along the national highway to Vinh Yen city (Vinh Phuc province), turn left onto national highway 2C. From here, go towards Tuyen Quang city to reach Viet Quang town (Ha Giang province).
Route 2 via Phu Tho:
This arc is about 7km longer than the previous one but a little easier to go. From Hanoi, depart to Thang Long Avenue. After 27km, turn onto Highway 21. Continue going 20km and turn onto Highway 32. Go along the highway towards Trung Ha bridge, go through Phu Tho commune to Highway 2C. From this section onwards, it is like route 1, heading towards Tuyen Quang city, passing Viet Quang town to reach Ha Giang.
No matter which direction you choose, in general the road to Ha Giang is quite winding and dangerous. So make sure you have a steady hand at the wheel and have experience driving on long roads or mountain roads to make your trip to Ha Giang safe!
Go by car
Coach:
At My Dinh bus station, there are many reputable bus companies such as Hung Thanh, Bang Phan, Quang Nghi, Hai Van with a variety of trips from 16:00 – 21:00 for you to choose from, ticket prices range from 200,000 – 300,000 VND. VND/bed. To make the most of your time, you can choose a late bus to get some sleep before arriving at your destination.
Note: If you are from the South or Central region, you can text the bus company to pick you up right at Noi Bai intersection (near Noi Bai airport) to save travel time.
Limousine car:
Limousine 9-seat ticket prices are more private, so the price is often slightly higher than bus ticket prices, on average from 250,000 – 350,000 VND/ticket. If traveling in a group of more than 8 people, you can consider renting a whole car for 2,800,000 – 3,500,000 VND, which is both economical, has private space, and is flexible in pick-up and drop-off time.
Means of transportation in Ha Giang:
Rent Motorcycles
Because Ha Giang has continuously steep terrain and many very narrow roads with sharp corners, motorbikes are the vehicle chosen by many tourists. Motorbike rental services in Ha Giang are very diverse, however to ensure safety when conquering this mountainous area, be careful to choose a new motorbike, registered for less than 2 years, do not rush to find it cheaper than 20,000 – 30,000 VND. Glad the quality can vary widely.
Some reputable motorbike rental locations in Ha Giang:
Hong Hao car rental:
- Address: 10 Pham Hong Thai, Minh Khai Ward, Ha Giang
- Phone number: 0165 398 2928
Hang Thuong motorbike rental
- Address: 15b Pham Hong Thai, Minh Khai Ward, Ha Giang
- Phone number: 0836 399 888
MOTOGO:
- Address: Group 1, Cau Me Village, Phuong Thien, Ha Giang
- Phone number: 0338 023 344
Rent a motorbike in Giang Son:
- Address: Group 1, Cau Me Village, Phuong Thien, Ha Giang
- Phone number: 098 847 08 63
Travel by taxi:
Choosing to take a taxi helps groups of friends or family travelers have a more flexible and proactive experience in terms of time and location. In addition, you can also hire a driver to double as a “consultant” dedicated to interesting places and local delicacies that few tourists know. In Ha Giang, there are many taxi companies you can choose from such as Mai Linh Taxi (Hotline: 0219 3 25 25 25), Thanh Cong Taxi (Hotline: 0219 3 826 826), Ha Giang Taxi (Hotline: 0219 3 82 82 82 ) with the same price as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
Choose any motel, homestay, or hotel in Ha Giang
Resort or 5-star hotel:
There are not many resorts in Ha Giang, but there are still some places that provide extremely memorable experiences for visitors. Topping the list of Ha Giang resorts is definitely P’apiu Resort – 13km from the center of Ha Giang – which will give you a ticket to get lost among the majestic mountains, among the eye-catching terraced fields, and amidst the poetic clouds and sky of the northernmost region of the Fatherland.
Besides P’apiu, two equally famous names are Truong Xuan Resort near the central area, convenient for exploration trips; and Hoang Su Phi Lodge for those who want to experience a green tourism model, living relaxing moments in nature.
Ha Giang Hotel:
The most popular type of accommodation in Ha Giang is 2-3 star hotels with affordable prices, ready to serve many types of tourists from families, groups of friends, to couples. Hotels such as Phoenix, Huy Hoan, Ha Giang Historic House are all highly appreciated by the review community with full amenities, making them a comfortable stopover for a trip to Ha Giang.
Homestay:
Homestay is the ideal choice for young people traveling to Ha Giang on their own, wanting to have the most authentic and intimate local cultural experiences at a reasonable cost. Many homestays are established by fellow villagers and offer the service of cooking meals with the homeowner or the homeowner personally cooking for guests.
This is also an easy choice for backpackers because homestays are present in most areas in Ha Giang. Some popular beautiful homestay suggestions by region:
- In Quan Ba: Dao Lodge Homestay, Ly Dinh Homestay, Hong Thu Homestay
- In the city. Ha Giang: Lang Tay Homestay, Kiki’s House, Ha Giang Homestay, Bui Ty Ha Homestay
- In Yen Minh: Bong Bang Homestay, Ha Anh Homestay, Eco Homestay, Tay Coc Pang Homestay
- In Meo Vac: Vá’s Homestay, Old Dreams Guesthouse, Auberge de MeoVac, Lo Lo Homestay
- In Dong Van: Bui Homestay, Dong Van B&B
Ha Giang Hotel in peak seasons such as ripe rice season and buckwheat season often has a “burned” room situation. To choose a suitable place to stay that fits your budget, you should book accommodation 1-2 months in advance.
The most famous tourist destinations in Ha Giang
Quan Ba district area
Quan Ba Heaven Gate
When talking about Ha Giang, we must mention Quan Ba, in which the place that attracts the footsteps of explorers is Quan Ba heaven gate. The Heaven Gate is 1500m high above sea level, located between two mountain peaks, and is considered the gateway to the journey to explore the Dong Van stone plateau. Standing here, you can fully see the majestic beauty, the intersection of heaven and earth, of the Northwest mountains and forests.
Location: 43km from Ha Giang city center
Quan Ba Twin Mountains
True to its name, Quan Ba Twin Mountain (also known as Co Tien Twin Mountain) is an interesting masterpiece of nature, shaped like a mother’s milk, bringing prosperity. for this land. Depending on the time, you can admire Quan Ba twin mountains in different “color palettes”: the pink of buckwheat flowers, the bright yellow of ripe rice or the blue covered with white clouds of misty mornings.
Location: About 40km from Ha Giang center, located on Highway 4C, Tam Son Town, Quan Ba, Ha Giang
Dong Van district area
Dong Van ancient town
Dong Van ancient town is a gathering place for many ethnic groups: Tay, Chinese, Mong, Nung, Dao, and Kinh, who have settled down since the early 20th century. Up to now, the old town still retains its ancient beauty and nostalgic atmosphere. ancient with typical house features, bearing the mossy yellow color of time.
The best time to visit the old town is when there is a market every Sunday. You will be immersed in the lifestyle of the people here with colorful dresses and typical agricultural products of the mountains and forests.
- Location: 150km from Ha Giang city
- Some places to visit near Dong Van: Dong Van stone plateau, Pho Cao, Pho Bang, King Meo Palace, Sung La
Lung Cu Flagpole
Lung Cu flagpole is located on the top of Dragon Mountain, 1,470m above sea level, and is considered the sacred northernmost landmark of the country. To “check-in” to the flagpole, you must pass 839 steps and climb another 140 narrow spiral stairs to be able to touch the national flag, officially standing on the highest point of the North Pole.
Meo Vac district area
Ma Pi Leng Pass
With a 20km long, winding mountain pass, Ma Pi Leng Pass is known as one of the “four great passes” of the northern mountains, connecting Dong Van and Meo Vac. This is one of the places that many self-sufficient travelers desire to conquer. From the top of the pass, you can see the entire majestic scene of the emerald green Nho Cinnamon River winding around the rolling mountains.
Tu San Alley
You can’t say you’ve been to Ha Giang if you haven’t conquered Tu San canyon. With a cliff height of nearly 800m, a depth of nearly 1km and a length of 1.7km, Tu San deserves to be the “first majestic” of the Dong Van stone plateau. One of the most unforgettable experiences when traveling to Ha Giang on your own is to take a boat on the Nho Que River to get close and clearly feel the overwhelming majesty of Tu San alley.
Hoang Su Phi district area
Hoang Su Phi terraced fields
Hoang Su Phi Terraced Fields is recognized as a national relic with a history of development spanning hundreds of years from the early days of reclamation by the Nung, Dao, and La Chi people. To see the most beautiful terraced fields, go to Phung and Luoc villages in Hoang Su Phi – where there are the highest terraced fields in Vietnam in September and October, the ripe rice season!
Top delicious dishes in Ha Giang that you must try
Ha Giang egg rolls
Although it looks similar to Hanoi banh cuon, Ha Giang banh cuon is a very different culinary experience. Instead of eating with fish sauce, Ha Giang banh cuon with egg and wood ear filling will be eaten with bone broth, bringing a strange rich flavor.
- Reference address: 29 Old Quarter, Dong Van District, Ha Giang
- Price: 30,000 – 40,000 VND
Men in Ha Giang
Men men is another name for the traditional steamed cornmeal rice dish of the Mong people. After each corn season, old corn kernels are set aside and ground into powder before steaming. To be delicious, the mèm men must be steamed over low heat, with enough water added to prevent it from drying out.
- Reference address: You can buy men men at highland markets that usually take place every Sunday.
- Price: 20,000 – 40,000 VND
Au Tau Porridge
Au Tau porridge, also known as bitter porridge, is made from the poisonous au tau root that is abundant in the northern mountainous areas. The tubers will be soaked in rice water overnight and then simmered for 4 hours until thick, which usually takes about 4 hours. Then it will be cooked with lean meat and pork leg broth. Delicious Au Tau porridge must be eaten hot with green onions, perilla, raw egg yolk, and minced meat.
- Address: Au Tau Huong Porridge – National Highway 2, Ha Giang city center,
- Price: 20,000 – 40,0000 VND
Bac Me bamboo tube rice
Bac Me is famous for its delicious sticky rice, grilled over charcoal in a bamboo tube covered with banana leaves or fresh dong leaves. The bamboo tube is heated and rotated until it emits a fragrant smell of sticky rice and is sweet to the taste. Lam rice eaten with sesame salt, galangal salt or meat with water are all unforgettable flavors of a trip to Ha Giang.
- Reference address: Bac Me markets and festivals
- Price: 15,000 – 25,000 VND/tube
Grilled moss
For Ha Giang people, moss is a precious dish because there is a lot of rock moss in the stream, but very little good moss, you have to eat it according to the season and only choose young green moss. Fresh moss will be crushed and rubbed thoroughly to remove slime before processing. There are many dishes made from moss such as fried moss, dried moss to be eaten as a reserve, but the most special is grilled moss marinated with lemongrass, chives and typical spices, which is very delicious.
- Reference address: Dong Van market, Quan Ba
- Opening hours: 5:00 – 12:00 every Sunday
- Price: 20,000 – 30,000 VND
Buffalo meat is kept in the kitchen
Having a delicious flavor, typical of the Northern mountains and forests, and being kept for a long time, kitchen buffalo meat is an attractive dish often brought by tourists to the lowlands. Originating from the Thai people, this is the natural preservation of buffalo meat by placing it on the kitchen counter and drying the meat with heat and smoke. To enhance the flavor, before putting it on the stove, the buffalo meat will be marinated with chili, ginger, garlic, mac khen, wild guava seeds, wild vegetables… After 2 months of smoking on the stove, the buffalo meat will be “sweet” turns into a black mass with a characteristic aroma.
- Reference address: Lung Phin Market, Dong Van district
- Price: about 800,000 VND/kg
Thang co
Thang co is probably one of the most famous specialties of the rocky plateau. The main ingredients of this dish are from the meat and organs of buffaloes, cows, and horses, stir-fried and then simmered for many hours with spices and cardamom typical of the mountains and forests. This dish is often sold at markets. Don’t forget to order a cup of sweet, fragrant leave-fermented corn wine to fully enjoy Thang Co with ethnic standards!
- Reference address: Mrs. Tu Lan Ha Giang Restaurant – 125 To, Dong Van town, Ha Giang.
- Price: 50,000 – 300,000 VND
Victory
Thang amaranth is a favorite dessert and “fun” dish of Dong Van people in the winter. At a glance, it reminds me of Chinese apple and lotus seed sweet soup with a round cake like Southern water drift cake but the filling is made from coconut, peanuts and sesame. The cake will be boiled and then dipped in apricot sugar water with ginger to make it sweet and spicy to warm the stomach. The cake is served hot, sprinkled with a little coconut milk and roasted peanuts.
- Reference address: Meo Vac Dong Van market
- Price: 5,000 – 10,000 VND/bowl
Buckwheat cake
Buckwheat seeds are half the size of regular beans. After being harvested, they will be dried and then ground by hand until smooth. Knead this dough with water and form round, flat molds as big as two hands. The cake will be steamed before baking to create a beautiful brown, crispy and fragrant crust, soft and spongy inside, very suitable for snacking on a road trip or bringing home as gifts for relatives. Cakes are often sold at markets for prices ranging from 10,000 – 15,000 VND/piece.
Q&A about self-sufficient travel to Ha Giang
Ha Giang travel costs
There are not many resort experiences or crowded tourist areas, so the cost of a trip to Ha Giang is somewhat lower than that of popular tourist cities. For a 3-day trip to Ha Giang, it will only cost you about 3,000,000 – 4,000,000 VND/person, only counting the bus ticket from Hanoi to Ha Giang, not including airfare to Hanoi from far away provinces. If you choose to stay at a resort or ecolodge model, the cost will also be more expensive depending on the room price difference.
What season is best to travel to Ha Giang?
The most ideal time for a journey to explore Ha Giang is the ripe rice season in August – October; and buckwheat flower season from October to November. At this time, the weather in Ha Giang is also cool and pleasant, very pleasing to “not tired feet”.
Which hotel should I stay in when traveling to Ha Giang?
The most popular among visitors to Ha Giang is the homestay that offers a unique local experience. Whether you stop in Dong Van, Meo Vac, or any other district, there are still many homestays in Ha Giang to choose from. Some names that are reviewed for quality are Bui Homestay, Dong Van B&B, Lang Tay homestay, Du Gia homestay…
If you are traveling with a family and looking for comfort, you can choose 2-3 star hotels in Ha Giang such as Phoenix, Huy Hoan, Ha Giang Historic House.
And if you are looking for classy resort experiences amidst majestic mountains, P’apiu Resort, Truong Xuan or Ecolodge Pan Hou are the choices for you.
What should I buy as a gift when traveling to Ha Giang?
Corn wine, kitchen buffalo meat, buckwheat cake, Bac Quang oranges, Shan Tuyet tea, mint honey, Ha Giang sausage,… are all specialties that are easy to preserve and transport, very suitable for as a gift. You can consider planning your trip to Ha Giang on the weekend, when most of Ha Giang’s markets take place, so it’s easier to buy!
From the experiences of traveling to Ha Giang in this article, we hope you will have a complete journey to conquer the northernmost region of the country. Don’t forget the extremely attractive offers exclusively for your trip to Ha Giang are still waiting for you, check out now so you don’t miss out!