Ha Giang is surely an exciting destination for those who crave for travelling alone in Vietnam. If there has been no idea of a Ha Giang itinerary, here is the detailed one for three days and two nights, probably helpful for you.
When to go
In the beginning of the spring when there are plenty of interesting festivals held in Ha Giang will be totally ideal for those who are fond of exploring ethnic people’s cultural traditions. Those festivals may be a ceremony to congratulate the elderly – grandparents or parents on their longevity, buffalo fighting festival, and horse race.
If you find it difficult to go on a trip to Ha Giang in the beginning of the spring, March will be an alternative as the mountainous area by that time is covered with peaches and plums in full bloom. Your eyes will be pleased with this colorful natural painting.
Additionally, April is also good choice to experience a new cultural feature of the ethnic community at Khau Vai Love Market. Here, you can gaze interesting activities you have never known before.
It is possible to say that Ha Giang is in the most beautiful prospect in August and September when terraced yellow rice fields embellish this mountainous region. Further, November and September – the time of buckwheat blossom are for people loving a charming and romantic setting.
How to get in and get around
Starting from Giap Bat Bus Station, Hanoi – the Vietnam’s capital, you can catch a sleeper bus, e.g. Bang Phan Busline (tel: 091 7898898). The bus fare is about VND 200,000 per pax. This bus will depart at 8:30PM and arrive at 4:00AM.
For getting around, a suggestion for you is to rent a motorbike at the heart of Ha Giang downtown. The rent is about VND 100,000 for one day.
Where to stay
Auberge de Meovac
This homestay is located at a small alley in the heart of Meo Vac Town. As for staying in a private room, the price for one night is USD 60 while a dorm room just costs USD 13/one night/one person.
Dao Lodge
Dao Lodge is nestled in Nam Dam Village, Quan Ba District and totally inhabited by the Dao ethnic people.
Ha Thanh
Ha Thanh Homestay is located 6 kilometers from Ha Giang City to the direction of Thanh Thuy Border Gate. This area is all home to the Ta ethnic people. Keep in mind that there is no private room, but dorm rooms in this homestay.
Where to visit
Dong Van Karst Plateau
It is about 143 kilometers from Ha Giang City to Dong Van Karst Plateau. If en route you stop for meals and photos, it will take you approximately six hours by motorbike. Riding along the winding road is adventurous yet gives you adrenaline because of the splendid landscapes at two sides: one is a range of vertical cliffs and the other includes green valleys. If taking a chance to pass the road in October, you will be overwhelmed by the white of buckwheat everywhere before hitting the plateau.
Ma Pi Leng Pass
Called the love road and labelled as Great Wall in the Vietnam version, Ma Pi Leng has appealed to lots of travelers who love heading toward the places off the beaten track. The pass is over 10 kilometers away from Dong Van, so you can explore this winding road during the trip to the plateau. The highlight is a spectacular background formed from the naturally elaborated combination of green mountains, rocks, chasms, springs inside valleys, villages like small dots, and blue skype. It is so hard to resist this charm!
Dong Van Market
After coming back to Dong Van from Ma Pi Leng, you are advisable to stay overnight here so that you can experience the interesting prospect of Dong Van Market at the next morning. The market represents outstanding features of exchanging goods in the mountainous area. What you can get from here consist of baskets for fruits or flowers, wine, cakes, and other items bearing the flavor of the ethnic people.
Lung Cu Flat Pole
Lung Cu Flat Pole is 22 kilometers from Dong Van Plateau. The reason why this spot is recommended to you is that it is the most northernmost point of Vietnam. The entrance fee is about VND 20,000 for a visit.
H’mong King Palace or Dinh Vua Meo
It is depicted as ancient typical house of the mountainous area, built in the dynasty of the H’mong King, where you can get some fascinating insight into the history of this ethnic community. The entrance fee is about VND 20,000 – 30,000.
Buckwheat fields
Buckwheat fields are quite common and touristy. However, it just costs you about VND 10,000 – 15,000 for a visit, so there is nothing to hesitate about entering one and experience the charm of this flower type.
What to eat
Although Ha Giang is a remote mountainous area of Vietnam, it seems that the inhabitants here love creating unique delicacies which are definitely unforgettable if you have ever tasted one. With the available ingredients of the high region, their dishes must be very interesting and bear the distinctive flavor. If there is a visit to this land, do not lose out on some, such as banh cuon canh – steamed rice rolls with soup, Dong Van goat hotpot, noodle soup with black chicken or black pork, steamed glutinous rice in five colors, thang den, buckwheat cake, banh bo thot not, etc.
The total cost of the trip to Ha Giang
- Sleeper bus fare: VND 400,000
- The rent for a motorbike in two days: VND200,000
- Eating and drinking: VND 700,000 (this cost is subject to your interest in delicacies)
- Entrance fees: VND 100,000
- Surcharges, e.g. renting costumes of the ethnic people for photos, bringing food with you into some places not allowing to do that, and others: VND 280,000.
