Some people have likened Ha Giang as a young girl, each season is beautiful in a very different way. Any visitor who has the opportunity to come here can not be pleased with the majesty and poetic nature that this Northwest land brings.
Many people wonder what ha Giang is passionate that everyone tries to come here once in a lifetime? Someone came here for “loving” the purple heart of the vascular triangle flower. Some people want to try the feeling of adventure when conquering the winding passes in the mountains.
As one of the rare places that tourists judge “every season is beautiful”, Ha Giang possesses an irresistible attraction. Perhaps that is also what prompted Duong Dang Phuong Toan – a can tho boy – to carry a backpack and visit the first place of the country. Phuong Toan was not afraid to conquer the distance of more than 2,000 km to see first-time the majestic natural beauty of this land.
(Photo: FB Duong Dang Phuong Toan)
TRANSPORTATION AND ACCOMMODATION
Phuong Toan flies from Can Tho to Hanoi, then travels to Ha Giang by bus for VND 300,000/way. The bus leaves at 9:00pm and is available in Ha Giang about 7 hours later.
Here, visitors can contact to rent a motorbike for about 150,000 VND per day, there are enough raincoats, luggage belts and rain boots – which are essential this season.
During the trip, Toan had the opportunity to sleep at two accommodation facilities with completely different styles. The first night, because he wanted to experience the life of the Lo Lo ethnic group, he booked lolo ancient house homestay – where the host is very enthusiastic and friendly. By the second night, he moved to Hoang Ngoc Hotel in Dong Van. This hotel is also very large, clean and fully equipped.
(Photo: FB Duong Dang Phuong Toan)
SCHEDULE
Day 1: Ha Giang City – Milestone No. 0 – North Sum Slope – Double Mountain – Management – H’mong Village – Yen Minh – Shen Ma Slope – Pao’s House – Lung Cu
After breakfast, Toan went to North Sum Slope to take pictures and walked across Mt. Doi to rest.
Next, he visited H’mong Village to take a check-in photo at the famous infinity pool here. Admission is VND 50,000 and the entrance price is VND 100,000 per person. If you choose to go 22 km, you will encounter the tall “Lonely Tree” – the check-in address of young people. It’s not too hard to get here.
After leaving the road 22 km, Toan continued to visit Shen Ma slope. There are many lovely and friendly ethnic babies, so you can take photos and give them sweets. He then visited the house chosen as the setting for the 2006 Golden Kite Award-winning film “The Story of Pao”.
(Photo: FB Duong Dang Phuong Toan)
According to Toan, on the way back to Lung Cu there are many beautiful scenery, suitable for young people who love to take check-in photos to “live virtually”. That day, he was lucky to participate in the Festival of Lo Lo people taking place right at the homestay, extremely crowded and bustling. He ended his day of travel with dinner with chicken hot pot costing VND 150,000 per person.
(Photo: FB Duong Dang Phuong Toan)
Day 2: Aflag of Lung Cu – Dong Van – Con Que River – Ma Pi Leng – Tu Tu Alley – Dong Van
Toan said that the road to Lung Cu flagpole close to homestay, motorbike can run up to the ticketing point for VND 10,000 per person (due to the impact of Covid-19 epidemic should be reduced). After that, you just need to walk up the stairs a little to arrive, the feeling is very cool and the panoramic view will overwhelm you.
(Photo: FB Duong Dang Phuong Toan)
Sailing on the Con Que River is also an experience that Toan thinks everyone should try. Standing from Ma Pi Leng looking down, the river appeared to look lovely and romantic.
(Photo: FB Duong Dang Phuong Toan)
However, guests should be careful when going down to the marina. Toan shared that he had “almost died” several times when falling downhill, because on one side is the mountain, one side is the cliff, the road is landslide. This distance is about 7-8 km (it takes about 30-45 minutes), so people need to slow down to ensure safety.
According to Toan, there is also a road for people to trekking about 2km long. However, this road is quite steep, causing visitors to spend a lot of time and physical strength. Therefore, only those who are really healthy should try.
(Photo: FB Duong Dang Phuong Toan)
Toan also booked boats at a relatively cheap price – 70,000 VND per person. The boat is very large, with enough room to pose for photos. You can ask the boat driver to stop wherever you like. On average, a boat tour takes about 1-2 hours.
On the way back from Ma Pi Leng, Toan had the opportunity to visit the “death cliff” – where you can zoom out to see the turquoise Cinnamon Grapes. By this time, the path was much easier.
After returning to Dong Van to rest, Toan went to play in the old town in the evening. There are many restaurants selling baked goods, win beetroot (a specialty cake in Ha Giang), ethnic rice and chicken hot pot.
“Win the beetroot” (left) and Ha Giang rolls (right). (Photo: FB Duong Dang Phuong Toan)
Day 3: Dong Van – Cat Vac – Pa Vi – Ha Giang City
Due to arriving on Sunday, Toan had the opportunity to experience the market of ethnic minorities. The market is very large, selling a variety of fruits. Here, Toan bought some souvenirs, as well as enjoyed Ms. Ha’s rolls costing VND 40,000 per meal.
After that, he returned to Ha Giang city by Cat Vac Road. The average travel time falls between 6-7 hours.
For Toan, this is a trip worth experiencing, where people are really cute and friendly. “Young and still strong should try to go to Ha Giang once in a lifetime to feel the vastness of heaven and earth and the beauty of Vietnam’s nature,” he said.
NOTE WHEN TRAVELING TO HA GIANG
(Photo: FB Duong Dang Phuong Toan)
– The pass is very steep and crab-hugging, different from the pass in Dalat or Sapa, so people remember to always choose the number car and always go to the number 2 to avoid slipping the pass.
– The weather in Ha Giang is sunny and rainy constantly so people need to apply sunscreen and always equip with excess raincoats to cover their luggage.
– The ethnic children in Ha Giang are very good and pitiful, so please prepare candy and some snacks for the children.
Dinner with chicken hot pot in Ha Giang (Photo: FB Duong Dang Phuong Toan)
– There’s always a beautiful view along the way. Therefore, people should refrain from visiting too many points to avoid losing time traveling to Dong Van or Lung Cu. The darker these places go, the more dangerous they are. Toan’s group went from 8.9am until 7pm to reach Lung Cu.
– To go the right way on Ha Giang, you should ask people whenever you see strange roads or suspect you have strayed, go too far. There are very few gas stations on the road, so it is recommended to fill the tank before starting.
– In addition, you should also prepare some bread or fruit to snack, along with a lot of water.