A border province and official Frontier Area, Ha Giang lies in the remote far northern region of the country. To visit this province is to journey back in time and encounter some of Vietnam’s most rugged and grand landscapes. Ha Giang is best experienced as a road trip on two wheels, soaking up the majesty of the landscape and the atmosphere of the remote towns and minority villages.
Drive Ma Pi Leng Pass
The roads of Ha Giang serve up the ultimate motorcycle adventures. The drive into Dong Van is impossibly beautiful, however Ma Pi Leng — where the road snakes past the Nho Que River — is the jewel in Ha Giang crown.
It is known as the King of Vietnamese mountain passes. There are cliffs and abysses almost everywhere along the route and enough hairpin bends to get dizzy. The road along the mountainside has a romantic, breathtaking landscape that is ideal for motorcycling. The road to the top, considered “the Great Wall of Vietnam”, feels like a scene from a fairy tale.
Nho Que River - A poem of wilderness
Starting from Nghiem Son mountain of China, Nho Que river cuts its way through Ha Giang’s mountain and ends its 192km journey in Cao Bang province.
Tourists can watch this poetic river from Ma Pi Leng pass or go sailing the river to have more than just a vicarious experience. For the best view of the river from above and a good rest, tourists can head straight to Panorama bar afterwards. The two spots are amazing on any sunny day, especially in November.
Quan Ba Heaven Gate
Quan Ba heaven gate is considered as one of the tourist destinations should not miss when coming to Ha Giang – the first land of the country. Quan Ba Heaven Gate, also known as Quan Ba Pass belongs to Quan Ba District, Ha Giang Province, Vietnam.
With a height of more than 1500m and located about 43km from Ha Giang city, this place is also the beginning of another famous place “The road of happiness” and is the first gateway to enter the Dong Van Ky rock plateau.
Why Quan Ba Heaven Gate Is Unique?
Owning an ideal height to be able to fully view the beauty of Ha Giang from above through the clouds is 1500m above sea level. It is especially proud to say that this is the first and official gateway to the global geological road of the rocky plateau. It is still the very typical beauty of the lush green highlands in Ha Giang when the more interesting point is that you can see the sky is very close to the adjacent point, true to its inherent name.
Sa Phin H'Mong Palace
Near the border with China stands a H’Mong King Palace in the village of Sa Phin. Built in 1902 during the French occupation, the wood-framed palace is done in the traditional Chinese style and oozes character.
See the king of flagpoles
Make time to journey north to Lung Cu, where a gigantic Vietnamese flag blows proudly at the border. The best time to arrive is late afternoon as the heat subsides, making the climb of 200 steps a little kinder.
Get lost in the hills and local culture
Trekking opportunities are plentiful in Ha Giang. The Quan Ba Pass holds a lookout that lives up to its name: Heaven’s Gate. Quan Ba is also the gateway to the lofty limestone peaks and rock-strewn fields of Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark.
Bac Sum Pass
Bac Sum Slope, nestled in the heart of Ha Giang, is renowned for being the most challenging yet captivating slope in the region. Its winding path winds its way through the rugged terrain, creating an enchanting spectacle for travelers. What sets this slope apart is its gentle and alluring curves, reminiscent of an endless stretch of silk gracefully dancing between four towering rocky terraces.
Dong Van Geoparks
It would be a shame if you visit Ha Giang and miss out on one of the world’s most famous geoparks. The Dong Van Stone Plateau not only boasts a majestic and unparalleled natural spectacle but also preserves the distinct cultural heritage of ethnic communities like H’Mong, Lo Lo, Pu Peo, and Dao. Additionally, this remarkable place is adorned with numerous nationally recognized scenic relics.
Du Gia Village
Not as famous as Dong Van or Meo Vac District, Du Gia is a small town nestling in a green valley of Yen Minh District. In this town, tourists can get to a daily market of the locals where people sell their farming products. On the road sides, ethnic women and children in their colorful dresses are chatting happily and inviting tourists to buy their goods. Besides, in Du Gia, you can take a trip to Du Gia National Park, which is a 15-hectare reserve of Ha Giang with precious fauna and flora species.