10 Best Things To Do In Ha Giang

1. Explore Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark

Recognized asUNESCO Global Geopark, Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark is the most wanderlust-worthy place in Ha Giang Province. On a high altitude, up to 80% of this geopark is limestone formed by natural conditions. Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark not only features geological significance but also eco-tourism values. Venture off the beaten path and you'll find yourself amidst striking scenery, diverse biological system, and cultural spectrum. More interestingly, the plateau preserves ancient mysterious letters on the rocks which are still unknown at present.

A village of Tay people on Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark

2. Visit Mansion of Vuong Family

Set in Xa Phin District, the Vuong family's mansion which is also known as the Meo King mansion is a unique architecture that was recognized as a national monument in 1993. Those stilt houses look just like an ancient wooden castle with stone floors surrounded by nature. The ticket price to visit the site is 20.000 VND/person.

 Vuong Family's Mansion

3. Go on a shopping spree in Dong Van Sunday Market

Looking for a casual market vibe in Ha Giang Province? You should never miss Dong Van Market. Held on every Sunday, this fair market is a haven for ethnic people to gather and purchase items. This market is most exciting from 5 to 10 am. You can find a vast selection of tribal goods, home-grown foods, souvenirs, trinkets, and more.

 Local market on Monday in Dong Van, Ha Giang - Photo: @hagiangroadtrip

4. Motorbike ride on Ma Pi Leng Pass

Vietnam has many spectacular and craggy passes on offer for a motorcycle trip of a lifetime. Among those, the 20-km Ma Pi Leng Pass is known as the King of Passes. Winding roads form zig-zag carved into sheer verdant mountains. Rugged terrain particularly appeals to adventurous backpackers. By following thrilling curves and dangerous cliffs, professional riders can see extremely breathtaking landscapes and abyss from above.

 Ma Pi Leng pass in Ha Giang

5. Trekking through Hoang Su Phi terraced rice fields

Terraced rice fields in Ha Giang Province are just like glossy gold carpets during the harvesting season in late September and October. To fully enjoy its mesmerizing beauty, tourists should take up an eye-catching hike through dirty trails to the fields. This excursion also enables trekkers to greet many ethnic minorities such as Dao, Tay, Nung, and La Chi as well as try to do farming works.

Fabulous golden terraced rice fields in harvest season in Hoang Su Phi 

6. Reach Vietnam's northernmost point - Lung Cu Flag Tower

Lung Cu Flag Tower stands proud for decades as a renowned monument in the northernmost place of Vietnam. It also boasts a great historical significance witnessing many important milestones of Vietnamese history. This flagpole is 33m high and carries a 54sqm flag on the top. Experienced drivers can visit Lung Cu Flag Tower on their own while others can easily take a taxi or motorbike taxi.

Lung Cu flag tower in Ha Giang

7. Extraordinary homestay experience

Ha Giang hosts an astonishing mix of homestays for tourists to take over as their home and delve into the local lifestyle of ethnic groups. The province has built many community-based tourist villages in which homestays and lodges are fully furnished yet still retain authentic features of stilt houses. Those properties also present opportunities for foreign tourists to enjoy art performances, do farm works, and eat local cuisines. Some interesting homestays that you should pay a visit to are Ban Tuy Homestay, Ma Le Homestay, Lolo Eco House, Jungleman Homestay, and Dao Lodge Nam Dam.

 A homestay in Meo Vac, Ha Giang

8. Come December and marvel at stunning flowers

Year-end is the most ideal time for flower lovers to flock to Ha Giang and capture the best photos of blooming buckwheat flowers. Massive buckwheat fields are awash in almost all tourist destinations namely Lung Cu, Meo Vac, and Quan Ba District. Ethnic people also harvest this kind of grain for making cakes and wines. Moreover, do not miss opportunities to admire other iconic flowers in Ha Giang including vibrantly yellow cabbage flowers, white plum and peach blossoms.

 Buckwheat flower field in Ha Giang

9. Try local specialties

For many seasoned travelers, the best part of visiting a region is to savor its traditional food. Similar to "banh troi nuoc", a kind of sweet cake in the lowlands, Thang Den is one of the must-try dishes in Ha Giang Province associated with mountainous culture. Glutinous flour is shaped into balls then boiled and put together with coconut and ginger. In addition, banh cuon trung (egg steamed rolled rice pancake), thang co (horsemeat hotpot), and chao Au Tau (water caltrop porridge) are special foods that you can easily find in the local markets.

 Thang Den - a popular dish in Dong Van, Ha Giang - Photo: @thu___ha_

10. Enjoy spectacular views along Happiness Road

Before the construction of Happiness Road in 1965, access to Ha Giang's northern isolated districts namely Quan Ba, Dong Van, and Meo Vac was very difficult. Thankfully, today this legendary road enables transportation to the lowlands efficiently as well as promotes local sustainable tourism a lot. Prepare for your photography tour conquering twisting passes on mountain slopes deep valleys and save the most beautiful moments.

Beautiful mountain landscape of happiness road in Ha Giang