Ha Giang

It used to be hard to arrive Ha Giang because of its terrible roads, unwelcoming officials requiring of complicated travel permits. However, things have changed recently. Infrastructure has improved, many hotels and homestays have opened to welcome both domestic and foreign tourists.

Top place to go in Ha Giang

• Lung Cu Flagpole

Lung Cu lying close to China-Vietnam border is considered as the 'starting point of the Vietnam’. The best time to arrive is late afternoon as the heat subsides, making the climb of 200 steps a little kinder. The grand mountain view as the sun drops is worth the effort.

• Dong Van

Being the largest town in Ha Giang province. It’s worth spending time here as there are plenty of things to see and do. You can start by exploring the Old Quarter, Dong Van’s city center. It resembles a courtyard surrounded by traditional coin-roof buildings. Once you’ve had enough of the town, you can climb a nearby hill to find the ruins of a French fort called Don Cao. From there you will also have breathtaking views of Dong Van and the surrounding countryside.

• Sa Phin

Sa Phin is the village home to an important historical site, the Hmong King Palace. It was built in the 1920s for Vuong Chinh Duc who was also known as the Hmong King. He was on good terms with the French during their colonial rule. The palace is an interesting building with elements of European and Chinese style elements and was one of the most luxurious homes in the area. Richly decorated with beautiful carvings of flowers and decked out with the era’s most modern facilities, the palace was often the site of visits from dignitaries and important businessmen. Today the palace is a museum and welcomes many visitors all over the world.

• Sung La

This place rises to fame by the house of Pao in the famous movie Story of Pao. The house is opened for visit with admission of 10,000VND per person. To help visitors get good selfies with flowers, some business-minded locals have set up plots with little ‘flower meadows’. There you can pose and take photos for a small fee. Located in Sung La, Lung Cam Cultural Village is the place that people from the Lo Lo, Hmong and Han tribes live together. Artisans create beautiful local handicrafts like colorful hand-woven fabrics in here. Coming to Lung Cam village, visitors can enjoy the idyllic landscape and the peaceful way for life of the locals.

• Quan Ba, Dong Van kart Plateau

The endless rice paddies slowly giving way to the famous limestone mountains or deep canyons and rocky structures are parts of Dong Van kart Plateau, a UNESCO-recognized geopark. On the way to reach here, you will see the Heaven Gate which is on a height of 1500m above sea level, offering breathtaking views of the valley below.

• Ma Pi Leng Pass, Nho Que River and Tu San Canyon

The Ma Pi Leng is the jewel in the crown of Ha Giang’s many stupefyingly stunning stretches of road. Although being the most dangerous road, this place plays an important role as "Happiness road" connecting Dong Van and Meo Vac town. Looking down from Ma Pi Leng Pass, you will see Nho Que River with endless views and its canyon and the mountains rising steeply on either side. Reaching higher on Ma Phi Leng, you will be amazed by the beauty of Tu San Canyon, the deepest canyon in Vietnam.

Best time to visit Ha Giang

September through to November will be the best time to visit Ha Giang province. April to June is also pleasant, but it is usually rainy in monsoon season. July and August can be very hot, but navigating a visit is still possible if the midday sun is avoided.

>> Top things to do in Ha Giang for first-time travellers