Perched at the northern tip of Vietnam, Ha Giang is surrounded by the provinces of Cao Bang, Yen Bai, Lao Cai, and Tuyen Quang, with China as its northern neighbor. The province is renowned for its winding and mountainous roads that offer a thrilling driving experience. Check out our Ha Giang travel guide to experience the most memorable trip.
The best time for Ha Giang tour
As a mountainous province, Ha Giang city enjoys a cooler climate compared to the lowlands. The average annual temperature is between 21°C and 23°C. The weather is characterized by high humidity and prolonged rainy seasons. You can join a Ha Giang tour throughout the year, but the most popular time is during autumn when the buckwheat flowers bloom. Spring offers stunning views of peach and plum blossoms.
Beauty of Ha Giang tour in spring
Accommodation in Ha Giang tour
For families and couples seeking a luxurious and secluded retreat in Ha Giang tour, Papiu in Yen Dinh Commune, Bac Me District, is the perfect choice. Immerse yourself in the highland culture with the longest brocade path in Vietnam and stay in traditional H’mong-style villas. Expect to pay around 10,000,000 VND per night.
Papiu Ha Giang
If you prefer a unique and unconventional experience in Ha Giang travel, H’mong Village is a great option. Located on the hills of Trang Kim, Quan Ba, this resort offers stunning views of the Mien River and surrounding mountains. Choose from communal rooms for 400,000 VND or traditional bungalows for 2,400,000 VND per night.
Trang Kim resort
For a more budget-friendly and authentic experience of the Ha Giang tour, consider staying in homestays. Hoang Su Phi Lodge and Kinh Homestay in Hoang Su Phi offer stunning views of the terraced rice fields, while Ho Thau Eco Village provides traditional stilt houses. In Meo Vac, Chung Pua – Auberge de MeoVac offers a local earthen house, and Bụi homestay features a traditional stilt house.
Hoang Su Phi Lodge
For a historical experience, stay at the ancient Hoang Than house in Dong Van or the Ong Vang Meo Vac, with rates starting at 100,000 VND and 230,000 VND per night respectively. The Lo Lo Ancient House near the Lung Cu flagpole is another option.
Must-see attractions in Ha Giang tour
Due to the long distances between attractions in the Ha Giang tour, it’s recommended to spend at least 3 days and 2 nights to fully explore the region or 4 days 3 nights or even 5 days itineraries for a more leisurely pace. Here’s a suggested 3-day 2-night itinerary.
Day 1: Hanoi – Ha Giang – Dong Van
To catch the Dong Van market on Sunday morning, start the Ha Giang tour from Hanoi on Friday evening. By 8 AM the following day, you can begin your drive to Dong Van, stopping along the way to capture the scenic beauty of the early morning. To make the journey more enjoyable, divide the drive into several stops rather than a continuous journey.
- Ha Giang – Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate (40 km)
Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate is a popular check-in point in Ha Giang travel. However, during winter, there’s a chance of fog. If the weather is clear, you can take photos and admire the stunning rice terraces below. From here, you can visit Nam Dam Lake, a well-known Dao minority homestay village or the nearby Twin Sisters Mountain.
View from Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate
- Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate – Yen Minh Town (30 km)
Note that when reaching Can Ty Bridge, there are two routes. The uphill route saves you 20km but is more challenging and requires a skilled driver. Plan your time accordingly to arrive in Yen Minh for lunch.
- Yen Minh Town – Dong Van Old Quarter (45 km)
This route is famous for its scenic beauty and tourist attractions. You’ll encounter Tham Ma Pass or the 9-Bend Pass, an iconic landmark of the Ha Giang tour. Pho Cao, an ancient village that has retained its traditional H’mong customs or the House of Pao, a popular filming location for Vietnamese movies.
Tham Ma Pass
Day 2: Dong Van – Meo Vac
- Dong Van Market and King Hmong’s Palace
Start your day by exploring the bustling Dong Van market, a unique experience that showcases the local culture and products. After the market, visit the King Hmong’s Palace, a sprawling complex spanning nearly 3 hectares, showcases Chinese architecture of the Qing Dynasty.
King Hmong’s Palace
- Lung Cu Flagpole and Nho Que River
If you prefer, you can skip the market and palace during the Ha Giang tour and head straight to the Lung Cu flagpole early in the morning. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach the flagpole, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the northernmost point of Vietnam.
Lung Cu flagpole
Around 9:30 AM, retrace your steps to Dong Van and continue towards Meo Vac and the Nho Que River. Despite the challenging road, the emerald green Nho Que River is a sight to behold. As you wind your way along the riverbank, you’ll reach the boat dock and go to Tu San Canyon, one of the most scenic spots on the river.
- Ma Pi Leng Pass
Around 2:30 PM, head towards Meo Vac and the famous Ma Pi Leng Pass. The road is wide and well-paved, with stunning views of mountains and valleys on either side. Around 5 PM, stop at the 12 km marker to Meo Vac for breathtaking sunset views over the Nho Que River.
Ma Pi Leng Pass
Day 3: Meo Vac – Ha Giang City – Hanoi
Wake up in the peaceful village of Pa Vi surrounded by majestic mountains. Meo Vac is approximately 150 km from Ha Giang City, so start your journey early to catch your bus to Hanoi. There are two departure times to choose from in the Ha Giang tour: 2 PM (arriving in Hanoi at 9 PM) or 9 PM (arriving in Hanoi at 4 AM the next morning).
- If you choose the 2 PM departure, start your journey from Meo Vac around 8 AM and take the direct route via Mau Due – Yen Minh – Quan Ba – Ha Giang City, without any stops.
- If you choose the 9 PM departure from Ha Giang City, you have time to visit some additional attractions. Take the Mau Due – Duong Thuong route and visit Lung Tam weaving village, then continue to Quan Ba to explore Lung Khuy Cave. Afterward, head to Ha Giang City.
With these experiences in mind, we hope you’ll have an unforgettable journey to the northernmost part of Vietnam. Don’t miss out on exclusive deals for your Ha Giang tour when booking with Pu Luong Excursions.