Discover authentic Vietnamin Ha Giang Province
If you love adventure, come to Ha Giang for the best experience in Vietnam!
There are 22 ethnic minorities in Ha Giang province, each with their own language, clothing and traditions, many of which you will see throughout the loop.
Discover stunning landscapes in the Dong Van Karst plateau geo park, part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network and Asia Pacific Geoparks Network since October 2020. The Geopark area spans over 2357 km². The average elevation within the geopark is 1400 to 1600 meters above sea level meaning the climate in the area has clear winter and summer seasons with varied temperatures.
Highlights of the Ha Giang Loop
Sky pass - Ma Pi Leng
The highest point of the legendary Happiness road, one of the "Four great peaks of mountain passes" in the northern mountains of Vietnam. Conquering this pass you will understand how hard it was for local ethnic workers and volunteers to build this part of the Happiness road without modern equipment, but by simple working tools of hammers, hoes and shovels. Drive down the mountain slopes and be rewarded with the most breathtaking landscapes of magnificent mountains and one of the deepest canyon in Southeast Asia Tu San canyon and Nho Que river running between the cliffs.
Nho Que river - Boat tour
One of the most popular things to do in the Ha Giang province. The 192 km long river comes from China, passes the border at Lung Cu, goes through the Dong Van and the famously dangerous Tu San Gorge, then goes along Ma Pi Leng Pass to Meo Vac to finally turn southeasterly into Cao Bang territory.
Tu San Canyon
Located on Nho Que river is one of the deepest canyons in Southeast Asia, stretching along 1.7 kilometers with cliffs as high as 700 - 800 meters. The scenery of the dangerous valley blends in the soft and gentle features of the river, making it a unique attraction in the rocky plateau.
H’mong King’s Palace (The Vuong house)
Vuong Chinh Duc - the king of the H'mong in Ha Giang was the first person to lay the foundation for ruling ethnic minorities here at the start of the 20th century. Vuong Chinh Duc played an important role in the anti-French campaign, protecting the northern border area of Vietnam. Vuong's castle was built inspired by the architecture of the Chinese kings. The entire large villa is surrounded by a one meter thick stone wall, 2.5 - 3 meters high.
Lung Cu flag tower
A large tower on top of the Dragon Mountain in the northernmost tip of Vietnam. The border area of the nation - Vietnam’s Final Frontier. This is a meaningful place - marking Vietnam's northernmost territorial sovereignty. The location is about 24km from the center of Dong Van district. From its top, you have a great view on the beautiful and spectacular landscape.
Ha Giang Ethnic Minorities
More and more tourists are coming to Ha Giang to discover the ethnic minorities, their life and see local markets in the mountains. Ha Giang has 22 different ethnic groups in the province, with the largest being H'mong as they make up 32% of the total population. The Tay comes second with 25% and the Kinh (Vietnamese), Nung, Dao all make up around 10%.
Like the Hmong ethnic group, the Lo Lo can be further subdivided into several subgroups, all identified by style of their traditional clothing with name like: Black Lo Lo, Green Lo Lo, Flower Lo Lo. The Lo Lo ethnic group reside in the district of Dong Van and Meo Vac are Flower Lolo. They are a subgroup of Yi people who reside primarily in China. The name Lo Lo comes from their worship of the tiger, with Lo meaning " tiger". In terms of art, the Lo Lo is know far and wide for their use of the copper drum, their traditional instrument, during the wedding and funerals, which is then subsequently buried in a safe location until its next use to prevent degradation.
Ethnic markets - a cultural beauty of Ha Giang
For many years, the market has become an indispensable cultural activity in the lives of people in mountainous areas in Ha Giang. Market, or fair is not only a place to trade or exchange goods but also a cultural exchange for locals, representing the diverse and profound culture. From the early morning, the Mong, Dao, Giay and Nung gather to the market. Woman in colorful traditional dresses carry heavy baskets on their back. Local men bring chickens, pigs, horses and even cows to the market. Although, they have to walk a long way, their faces still show their joy and eagerness.
The goods in the market are quite various but mainly are homemade, home grow by the people here such as honey, mushroom, rice, corn and vegetables. They exchange what is necessary for their daily life.
The markets around the district center usually take place every Sunday morning: Dong Van local market and Meo Vac market. Other markets like Sa Phin market, Pho Cao market, Pho Bang market and Du Gia market are not held on a specific day of the week, the gathering day will change every week depending on the lunar calendar.
