Ha Giang karst plateau global geopark

Contents

 A/ Overview

      General information, Climate, Travel permit and Map

       

 B/ Highlights

      1/ Dong Van karst plateau global geo-park (DVKP)

                   * Brief description from UNESCO

                   * Full description from Management board of  DVKP

                   * Pictures of white cloud road to Dong Van karst plateau

                   * Pictures of Dong Van karst plateau from Dongvangeopark.com

 

      2/ Twin Mountains in Quan Ba district

      3/ Dong Van market

      4/ Ma Pi Leng pass

      5/ Mong king's palace

      6/ Lung Cu flagpole

      7/ Fascinating season of buckwheat flower

      8/ Season of peach and plum flower

      9/ Hoang Su Phi terraced rice fields 

     10/ Khau Vai love market

    

     

 C/ Where to stay: 

      1/ Ha Giang city

      2/ Dong Van town (Dong Van district)

      3/ Vinh Quang town (Hoang Su Phi district)

D/ Food and drink

     Signature dishes of Ha Giang (ThanhNienNews.com)

E/ Best time to visit

F/ Getting there

G/ Clip

I/ Other pictures

    Horse fighting in Ha Giang

 A/ Overview

If there is one province in Vietnam that I  love to come back more and more, it is Ha Giang.

Including in itself the beauty and characteristics of Vietnam Northwest and Northeast mountainous area, Ha Giang, the Northernmost land with 23 ethnic groups of the country, is a dream destination of travellers, photographers,“phuoter”, biologists, geologists, specialists in tectonics and so on...

First of all, with travellers and photographers, Ha Giang is a great ocean of colour. From the golden terraced rice fields in district  of Hoang Su Phi to the multicouloured Sunday hill tribe markets in district of Dong Van. From the fascinating pink/purple fields of buckwheat flower to the deeply blue sky of over 1000m above sea level plateaus. And when spring comes, peach and plum flowers make it a lovely world full of red and white colours on the gray rocky mountain slopes...

“Phuoter” refers to Vietnamese, mostly young ones,  who love freely moving on the motorbikes and enjoy their journeys every minute along the spectacular roads. Ha Giang, with impressive Quan Ba heaven gate, adventurous roads hanging on the great mountain ranges and Vietnam most stunning Ma Pi Leng pass, is phuoter’s one of the most favorite places.

Ha Giang is the first and only province in Vietnam having a karst plateau global geopark named Dong Van which was just regconised by UNESCO in October 2010. Over 80% of the surface in this area is covered by limestone and with a high concentration of rocky peaks of over 2,000m above sea level. The rock of Dong Van is said to contain fossils from 400million - 600million years ago. With tourists, its the kingdom of stones, the gardens of rocks. And with geologists, specialists in tectonics,  its a very interesting land to see the process of earth crustal movement...

Thanks to its special natural geographic conditions, Ha Giang, especially Dong Van karst plateau global geopark, is endowed with abundant and diversified colonies of wild animals e.g.peacock, Reinhardt's pheasant, phoenix, pangolin and hundreds of species of birds and other wild animals.  With biologists, what is now attracting interest is the recent re-discovery of the “Tonkin snub-nosed monkey” (TSN) (Rhinopithecus avunculus), one of the 25 most endangered species of Primate in the world. They are currently living in the Du Gia Nature Reserve and its buffer zone, Khau Ca forest, all within Dong Van karst plateau global geopark.

While Sapa has been heavily commercialised, Ha Giang is still a “raw pearl”. If you are like me, a backpacker who love travelling freely to the new lands with friendly people who are not affected by tourism waves, Ha Giang is one of the best choices. Surely, you will have full warm greeting smiles bringing home...

General information 

Location: The Northernmost mountainous province of Vietnam. Covering an area of 7,884km2

Other names: Ha Giang rocky plateau; The roof of Vietnam 

Population: 690,000 of 23 ethnic groups (Mong, Dao, Tay, Nung, Giay, LoLo, La Chi...) 

Sharing borders: with China in the North (274km); with Tuyen Quang province in the South; with Cao Bang in the East; Lao Cai and Yen Bai provinces in the West 

Capital city: Ha Giang. Its about 320km from Hanoi capital city by National highway number 2. Most tourists leave Hanoi city  by night sleeping bus and arrive in Ha Giang city in the early morning. Then they catch a local bus to Dong van town or Vinh Quang town. 

Quan Ba district: 47km from Ha Giang city. Famous for unique Twin Mountains

Dong Van town: belongs to Dong Van district and is the main destination of Dong Van karst plateau global geopark.  Main sights from Dong Van town are: Dong Van Sunday hill tribe market; Ma Pi Leng pass; Lung Cu flagpole; Mong king’s palace...  Dong Van town is about 146km from Ha Giang city. 85% of Dong Van district is covered by stone and therefore is is called the kingdom of rock. 

Dong Van town - Meo Vac town: 22km. Vietnam most impressive and stunning Ma Pi leng pass is about 12km from Dong Van town 

Vinh Quang town: belongs to Hoang Su Phi district. The base from that travllers discover/enjoy the beauty of terraced rice fields that have been regconised as national heritage site. Vinh Quang town is about 100km from Ha Giang city. 

Happiness road: 200km long from Ha Giang city to districts of Quan Ba, Yen
Minh, Dong Van, Meo vac 

Climate

Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark is considered one of the highest karst plateaus in the Northeastern region of Vietnam. The climate in the karst mountains is relatively cool with the annual average temperature of 15oC - 16oC, bearing the characteristic of a subtropical temperate climate. 

Winter usually lasts 6-7 months; in December and January, it is often cold; and in some days, the temperature is down to 5oC, or even 0oC and it becomes snowy. 

The summer on the plateau is hot only at noon with the temperature rising up to the 30oC, but is immediately calm in the afternoon and cool in the evening, and in the morning the temperature may drop to below 15oC; particularly the air here is very fresh because it has not been polluted. 

Travel permit

Tourists who are going to remote districts of Dong Van, Meo Vac must have travel permit. You can apply for one at Dong Van police office which is in the center of Dong Van town. The fee is 250,000VND. Most of the guesthouses and hotels in Dong Van town can help you to get a travel permit easily. What you need is just valid passport.

Note: There's no need to have a travel permit for Ha Giang city

Map

 

Pic: Wiki 

 

Pic: ourh.org

B/ Highlights

      1/ Dong Van karst plateau global geopark

         

* Brief description from UNESCO

 Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark is located in the northeastern province of Viet Nam, Ha Giang.  It is the first Geopark in Viet Nam and the second one in Southeast Asia.

Geo-heritages date from the Cambrian (about 550 million years ago) to the present and include palaeobiology, stratigraphy, geomophology, tectonics, karst, caves, etc. Diverse fossils were identified such as brachiopods (eurispirifer tonkinesis), trilobites, ancient fishes, crinoidea... and fossilized paths of molluscs. One can also observe rocks that provide evidence of two large biological crises in the past: the 360 million years ago late Devonian Frasnian – Famennian crisis; and the Permo – Trias mass extension 250 million years ago.The geopark has two natural conservation areas rich in fauna and flora species such as conifers, Asian black bear, Southern serow (a solitary mountain goat) and many species of bird. Moreover, the unusual and mysterious Tonkin snub-nosed monkey is one of the 25 most endangered species of primate in the world. It is only found in Ha Giang province and was believed extinct until its rediscovery in the early 1990s.

Dong Van Geopark is home to 17 ethnic groups which creates the unique and rich cultural heritage of this area. The socio - economic life of the geopark should be improved to achieve the Millennium Development Goals that Vietnam committed. Thus, the management Board of Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark has associated with its partners in seeking support from organizations to develop sustainable tourism, conservation of heritage values and Earth science research. 

Related information

• Designated Year: 2010
• Localisation: N23°13’55”, E105°15’19”
• Area: 2,350 km²

  

* Full description from Management board of  DVKP
The over - 100 - year geological research history of Dong Van Karst Plateau has brought us quite a thorough understanding of the characteristics as well as the prolonged, extremely complicated and special geological context of this area. Here are the main features

 

1. The long history of geological development has shown that:

 

Dong Van Karst Plateau is located in the margin of the Song Chay ancient minor continent in dome form, which was formed about 2.6 billion years ago. (The Southwest area of Ha Giang province is also part of this ancient minor continent.) On Dong Van Karst Plateau alone, the research results of Paleontological fossil species and rock types have shown that this area was formed at least 542 million years ago.

 

2. Stages of geological development:

 

Dong Van Karst Plateau has experienced many stages of development and different tectonic contexts during its long history of existence and development. Many Vietnamese and international geologists have divided this history into seven stages as follows:

 

 a/ Stage of middle Cambrian – lower Ordovician (about 542-471 million years ago);

b/ Stage of middle Ordovician – Silurian (about  471-416 million years ago);

c/ Stage of Devonian – lower Carboniferous (about 416-359 million years ago);

d/ Stage of lower Carboniferous – middle Permian (about 359-260 million years ago);

e/ Stage of upper Permian – upper Triassic (about 260-199 million years ago);

g/ Stage of Jurassic – Cretaceous (about 199- 65 million years ago); and

h/ Stage of Cenozoic (about 65 million years ago).

 

3. Different tectonic contexts and palaeoclimatic - palaeoenvironmental conditions:

 

+ During the first, third, fourth and fifth stages (which lasted a total of nearly 300 million years), Dong Van Karst Plateau is supposed to have mainly been in the marine conditions (accumulation and the formation of different rock types). During the other stages (which totally lasted about 255 million years), it is said to have been in the continental regime (mainly with formerly-created rock types ruined and terrains and landscapes formed). The present terrains and landscapes are supposed to have been formed in the seven stage – the New Tectonic stage.

 

+ The most obvious evidence for the continental regime in the second stage is the absence of middle Ordovician – Silurian rock types and the direct, unconformable cover of Devonian rock types on the lower Ordovician formation found along the road from Dong Van to Lung Cu.

 

+ The evidence for the continental regime in the last stage is the complete absence of sea-originated rock types on Dong Van Karst Plateau. This plateau experienced many different palaeoclimatic- palaeoenvironmental contexts mainly during the stages of marine regime, such as shallow seas, deep seas, coastal seas- gulfs, continental shelves and continental rifts. As a result, rock types of different origin forms, material compositions and ages were formed. Geologists have identified as many as nineteen rock types, including ten limestone types. Simply speaking, Dong Van Karst Plateau has two main rock types: limestone (which occupies 55 percent of the plateau’s area and makes up rock mountains) and terrigenous rock (which includes shale, sandstone, conglomerate and others; makes up soil mountains; and occupies the rest of the plateau’s area). Limestone takes up 82 percent of Dong Van district’s area, 56 percent of Meo Vac district’s area, 55 percent of Quan Ba district’s area and only 38 percent of Yen Minh district’s area.

 

Geologists believe that limestone can still be found under the soil mountains in the districts of Quan Ba, Yen Minh and Meo Vac. Therefore, it is true to call Dong Van Plateau a rock (or karst) plateau.

 

The aforementioned tectonic contexts and different palaeoclimatic-palaeoenvironmental conditions resulted in the appearance of many palaeontologic species here. Geologists have also identified nineteen palaeontologic groups with 120 races and thousands of species in this area, including:

 

1. Brachiopod;

2. Prehistoric algae

3. Rugose coral;

4. Stromatoporoidea;

5. Trilobite;

6. Prehistoric fish;

7. Foraminifera;

8. Conical shell;

9. Conodont;

10. Pelecypod;

11. Gastropod;

12. Cephalopod;

13. Hard shell;

14. Prehistoric crustaceans;

15. Aquatic plants;

16. Chitinozoa...

 

+ Particularly, a total of 26 new races and species have been found in this area for the first time in the world, and therefore have been named after places here, such as:

 

a, Billingsella lougncoensis;

b, Pogodia hagianensis;

c, Spirifer bacbounensis;

d, Spirifer dongvanensis;

e, Pterinea mieleensis;

f, Spirifer sikaensis;

g) Gravicalymene maloungkaensis;

h) Paras Triasopora changpungensis; and

i) Claraia phobangensis.

 

The tectonic contexts and palaeoclimatic -palaeoenvironmental conditions underwent frequent changes. This led to the formation of different rock types with extremely varied and abundant palaeontologic groups, races and species as mentioned above. They are in such great numbers that geologists have had to divide them into thirteen systems of sedimentary rock and set up six standard and substandard sections as the bases for comparing strata in different areas of Vietnam. These rock systems and standard/substandard sections contain a lot of stratigraphic events in form of regional and planetary conformable or unconformable stratigraphy. Among them, two planetary stratigraphic events have been found on Dong Van Karst Plateau by geologists. They are:

 

1. Border of Frasnian – Famenian (border F/F): More than 30 percent of families of marine creatures here have been destroyed.

 

2. Border of Permian – Triassic (border P/T): Up to 90 percent of marine creatures here have become extinct; the shallow seas have turned into deep seas; the fauna has changed nearly completely.

 

3. The varied and special tectonic contexts are also manifested continuously in the stages of geologic development in form of large faults, folds, and their strike and dip in rocks. Specifically,

 

a) The manifestations of large faults separated the distribution area of limestone from that of Terrigenous rock in the areas of Lao Va Chai (Yen Minh district) and Dong Van;

 

b) The small folds in Devonian limestone resulted from faults in the areas of Ma Pi Leng mountain pass, Si Phai mountain pass and Cong Troi (Heaven Gate); large folds in Cambrian limestone were formed in Lung Cu with their axes destroyed by faults in the New Tectonic stage;

 

c) The monocline (almost towards South – Southwest) of rocks from the Cambrian to Devonian stages that contributed to form the cuesta relief during the recent stage; and

 

d) The horizontal, gentle dip of the limestone during the Carboniferous – Permian ages showed the regime of stabilized tectonic continental shelf,  contributing to form  tower-shaped karstic relief during the recent stage.

 

4. Particularly, the active tectonic regime (including mainly continuous uplifts in combination with the exogenetic process of rain-water, surface flows, etc.) in the recent state has created extremely special features in the recent landscapes and terrains, including:

 

- Manifestations of faults in form of:

 

+ Grandiose karstic canyons, which are from 150 to 700-800m deep and several kilometers long, such as:

 

• Tu San Canyon in the Nho Que River, one of the most gigantic charms on the plateau, which is 700m deep and 1.7km long with 70-90° slopes;

 

• Meo Vac Canyon with a deep-cut V shape to link with the Nho Que River;

 

• Khe Lia Canyon, which is 700m deep and 2km long;

 

• Mien River Canyon in Quan Ba; and

 

• Bo Moi (or Mau Due) Canyon, which is 150 meters deep and 3 kilometers long with 80-90° slopes and substages.

 

+ Tectonic valleys in the directions of Northwest-Southeast,Northeast Southwest, sub-meridians and sub- parallels of latitude, such as:

 

• Quan Ba Tectonic Valley along the Northwest-Southeast direction; direction of sub-meridians;

 

• Dong Van Tectonic Valley, Yen Minh, in the direction of sub-parallels of latitude; and

 

• Unique tectonic valleys in Pho La and Pho Cao in the direction of Northeast-Southwest, widening at the intersections with faults along the Northeast-Southwest direction.

 

+ Abrupt cliffs in limestone or on the border between limestone and terrigenous rocks in such areas as:

 

• Lao Va Chai;

• Meo Vac;

• Dong Van; and

• Quan Ba.

 

+ Grandiose erosion slopes and rocks that are 500-600m deep, such as those:

 

• Along the Nho Que River; and

• Along the Mia River.

 

+ Waterfalls which are 500-600m high, such as those:

 

• In Quan Ba; and

• Along the Nho Que River.

 

+ Large-scale regressive (or backward) erosions which are hundreds of meters long and tens of meters wide and deep, such as those:

 

• In Dong Van;

• In Yen Minh; and

• Along the Nho Que River.

 

+ The cuesta relief which is unique, varied and extremely popular in limestone as a result of the monocline of rocks or slides along ancient faults; and sometimes is accompanied by relic coning, tower-shaped karstic blocks on gentle slopes, such as in:

 

• Lung Cu;

• Mia Le;

• Dong Van;

• Sung Thai (Ban Chuong);

• Sung La;

• Sinh Lung;

• Tat Nga;

• Khau Vai; and

• Mau Due.

 

+ Multi-generational tower- shaped karstic relief (positive karstic relief) with many variations such as adjoining each other; unconnected; accompanying karstic fields (with unconnected tower- shaped karstic relief), valleys, sink holes or sink funnels (negative karstic relief); and showing signs of becoming younger and younger in some places. This relief is quite popular in gently dipping limestone layers, mainly in the Carboniferous-Permian ages. It can be found in such places as:

 

• Sang Ngai;

• Tia Sung;

• Lung Phin;

• Lung Tao;

• Can Chu Phin;

• Sung Trai;

• Sung Tra;

• Ma Lung;

• Sinh Lung; and

• Sung Nhi A.

 

Particularly, the karstic relief was once developed within the fault zone in many places. The limestone at that time was strongly broken and then underwent the process of isotropic denudation and washing, which resulted in the formation of isosceles conical mountains such as Co Tien Mountain in Quan Ba Valley – one of the quaint and unusual mountains in Vietnam.

 

+ The process of karstization combined with active tectonic activities is also strongly manifested on the karst plateau in form of caves, including many large, deep and abrupt caves (only active in the rainy season) among the limestone and many horizontal, long caves (with running water all the year round) in the margin of the limestone which borders terrigenous rocks. These caves include:

 

• The caves of Xa Lung 2, Ma Le 1, Ma Le 2, Tia Sang, Sang Tung, Hang Ong, Dong Nguyet and Pa Ca in Dong Van;

 

• The caves of Meo Vac 1, Meo Vong 1, Sung Khe 2 and Sung Khe 3 in Meo Vac; and

 

• Ban Ma Cave in Mau Due (Yen Minh).

 

- The rivers on Dong Van Karst Plateau – products of the active tectonic activities combined with the process of karstizing the limestone as well as the mixture and intermingling of the limestone and terrigenous rocks – are also a unique phenomenon which is worth studying and enjoying. Particularly, the underground rivers are possibly important supplies of water for this thirsty plateau. For example:

 

+ The Nho Que River beds itself mainly along the segments of large faults in the directions of Northwest-Southeast and sub-meridians, creating karstic valleys, 600-800m deep erosion slopes and especially marks of ancient erosion terraces at different heights;

 

+ The Mien River, which runs past Yen Minh and Quan Ba to Ha Giang Town, beds itself mainly along the segments of large faults in the direction of sub meridians, creating the Mien River karstic valley. However, it is still active as a typical surface flow with well- developed recent river terraces;

 

+ The Nhiem River is a very special river and a typical surface flow. It runs mainly within the distribution area of terrigenous rocks, but it originates and receive a great amount of water from the limestone in Mau Due. It is said to be the place where all the water on the ground in most of the distribution area of limestone in Dong Van and Meo Vac is gathered together; and

 

+ The streams of Mia Le and Yen Minh are quite large. They mainly run in the valleys of terrigenous rocks and receive water there. However, they flow underground in some places and reappear on the ground when they meet the limestone.

 

Although the aforementioned list of characteristics, phenomena and geologic processes is not exhaustive, it can be said to have reflected quite obviously the long, complicated and extremely special history of the geologic development of Dong Van Karst Plateau, Ha Giang province. They are the various manifestations of the geoheritage that needs clearly understanding and is worth maintaining, preserving, exploiting and utilizing sensibly within the scope of a global geopark.

                                                        Dr. Tran Tan Van

                                                      General Director

                                                     Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources

                                                                  (GEOPARK Vietnam-Belgium Cooperation Project)

* Pictures of white cloud road to Dong Van karst plateau

                                                           Pics: vietnamguidebook

* Pictures of Dong Van karst plateau from Dongvangeopark.com

2/ Twin Mountains in Quan Ba valley

Surrounding by rice fields, endlessly imposing mountain ranges and situated at an altitude of over 1000m above sea level, Twin Mountains are two perfect and identically formed hills side by side that have gained certification as a national heritage site on 16 November 2009
  
The karstic relief was once developed within the fault zone in many places of Ha Giang province about over 1.6 million years ago. The limestone at that time was strongly broken and then underwent the process of isotropic denudation and washing, which resulted in the formation of isosceles conical mountains called Twin Mountains in Quan Ba valley – one of the quaint and unusual mountains in Vietnam. 

 Location: Tam Son town, Quan Ba district, about 47 km from Ha Giang city.

                                                              Pic: Dongvangeopark

                                                     Pics: Doanh Nhan Sai Gon and Net

3/ Dong Van market 

The old Dong Van market took place in the center of Old Quarter of the town for about one hundred years. With many people, especially who fell in love with it, the Old market was the soul of Dong Van town where they loved to come back every year.

The present new market is much more bigger than the old one. It opens every Sunday on a vast area and is compartmentalized with many sections such as: fruit, vegetables, clothes, shoes, animal (ox, pig, chicken, bird, dog, cat...), food and drink...

The local ethnic minority people come to the market not only for buying, selling but also for meeting, talking, drinking, eating... It should be called a colourful and happy fair.

 

The ocean of colours woven by headscarf, clothing and smiles

"Hi honey, I'm busy now. I have to make up....". Each girl has a mobile phone and a mirror. Waiting for the market open once a week, they want to be the most beautiful ones in the crowd. Perhaps, they will meet their "future lovers" overthere.

Coulourful stick rice. I loved it and... I missed home so much!

 

Drinking corn wine. Sometimes the man/husband gets drunk and the woman/wife are pleased to wait until he becomes sober. Some are taken home on the back of the horse! Once a week, its OK, honey...

Guava

Apple

Green bean

Ginger

Chilli. Most of ethnic minority people love spicy. Me too

Bambbo sprout

Vegetables on the back of a colourful beautiful girl

Incense sticks

Green, black bean and others

Powder of crocus?

 These are they need for everyday life

I went back to one hundred years ago with this sewing machine

Repairing clothes

Love all!

Children came to market with parents. Sometimes the mother/father enjoys noodle soup while their kids enjoy ice cream

The fascinating animal section of the market was held on an open muddy field

"Mom, buy for me a new skirt"

Do you dare to taste this delicious Tiet canh? (you will become a true vampire. Mostly made of fresh blood of pig)

                                                          Pics: vietnamguidebook

  

4/ Ma Pi Leng pass and Happiness road  

Vietnam’s most impressive and stunning Ma Pi Leng pass, with 20km long from Dong Van town to Meo Vac town, is at an altitude of 2,000m above sea level. It’s a short part of a longer road named Happiness.

For a long time, the districts of Yen Minh, Dong Van, Meo Vac of Ha Giang province were out of the reach of outside world. They were blocked by the mighty and endless mountain ranges. More than 80,000 ethnic minority people of these poorest  northernmost districs of Vietnam at that time didn’t have a road in its full meaning.

In 1960, the Central government decided to open a 200km long road from Ha Giang city through Yen Minh, Dong Van to Meo Vac town. The construction took nearly 6 years by 20,000 young people of 16 ethnic groups of the North Vietnam. When finished, they gave this road the name Happiness.

During those 6 years of construction, a small part of the Happiness Road, which has been well- known as Ma Pi Leng pass, was the most difficult and dangerous one.  It took up to 11 months to build the pass and workers had to carry explosives and move along the sides of the mountain by securing themselves to ropes.  

From Dong Van town, I drove a motorbike to the top of the past which had a large view point  where I enjoyed a panoramic view of the deep valley below. At the bottom of valley was the Nho Que River which looked like a crystal blue silk ribbon.

And now, Lucia Halbherr, an Environmental Geography and International Development student at the University of East Anglia, in the UK, tell you her feeling about the pass:” And the most stunning of all: the stretch between Dong Van and Meo Vac. The landscape along this road was breathtaking, with mountains very different to those I have experienced in Europe, such as the Alps, and in my opinion even more spectacular. Meo Vac’s limestone mountains boast a great variety of formations, including pinnacles jutting out from larger mountains like needles, sheer cliffs and rolling crests akin to breaking waves, all carved around a ravine through which a river snaked. We stopped multiple times to admire and take photos, before arriving in Meo Vac town.”  

   

Note:
•     Dong Van town to the top of the pass is 12km long

•     It is not easy to find a safe corner on the pass to park a
car.  
•     Some parts of the pass are not not wide enough for two cars traveling in
opposite
directions.
•     From Meo Vac town in the morning, my two friends took 3 hours to get over
the pass as it was thickly covered by mist. To enjoy the the beauty of the
pass, you should come in the late morning or in the afternoon
 

 

Pics: vietnamguidebook

5/ Mong king's palace

About 21 kilometers away from Dong Van town lies a century-old mansion, the former home of a glorious royal family.

Built in the early 20th century, the mansion was the royal palace of Vuong Chinh Duc, known as Vua Meo (King of the Mong ethnic people).

Vua Meo, who born in 1865 and died in 1947, ruled over a vast empire stretching from the province’s Dong Van plateau to Meo Vac town in the early 20th century.

Unlike other royal structures in Vietnam, which have elaborate carvings and are decorated with gold and silver, Vuong Palace is a simple and solemn structure on a 1.2 square kilometer site in Sa Phin District.

Built from stone, pine wood and terracotta tiles, the palace resembles the structures found in China during the Qing Dynasty three or four century ago, Doanh Nhan Sai Gon Cuoi Tuan (Saigon Businessmen Weekend) magazine reported.

Legend has it that more than 100 years ago, Vua Meo invited a Chinese geomancer to Ha Giang to find a suitable location for his palace.

A tortoise shell-shaped mound behind two mountains was chosen as the site of the king’s home.

The palace took eight years to build using skillful workers from China. It cost Vua Meo 150 silver coins, the equivalent of VND150 billion (US$8.7 million) nowadays.

The two-story palace, which was the official residence of Vua Meo, his three official wives and their children, is surrounded by two thick two to three-meter-high stone walls, with cherry trees and bamboo between the two protective walls.

Vuong Palace has 64 rooms, all decorated with carvings of dragons, phoenixes and bats, symbols of royalty and prosperity.

The palace is also decorated with poppies, reflecting the Vuong family’s interest in the opium trade. Vua Meo was also believed to have been an opium addict.

The structure also has areas for the storage of food, opium and weapons, as well as loopholes and a stone bathtub where the family bathed in goat milk.

The entrance of the palace features a red lacquer and gold panel given to Vua Meo in 1913 by Emperor Khai Dinh one of Vietnam’s Nguyen Dynasty rulers.

Inside, a picture of Vua Meo in feudal mandarin attire is on display.

In the grounds of the mansion are the graves of the king’s first wife and one of his sons, Vuong Chi Sinh.

Sinh, who was renamed Vuong Chi Thanh by President Ho Chi Minh, devoted years of his life for the country’s resistance wars.

The government granted Vuong Palace national cultural heritage status in 1993 and turned the building into a tourist attraction.

Vuong family members are now caretakers and tour guides at the palace, who retell glorious tales of Vua Meo.

                                               (Source: Tuoi Tre newspaper)

 

Opium store

Mong king Vuong Chinh Duc and relative

                                                       Pics: Vietnamguidebook

6/ Lung Cu flagpole

Lung Cu flagpole which marks the Northernmost point of Vietnam is about 24km from Dong Van town. Its a tourist destination that  inspires a deep sense of pride in Vietnamese people. 

It is said that if the borderline between Vietnam and China is in a conical shape, then the two lowest points of it are Apachai in Dien Bien Phu and Sa Vi in Mong Cai while its top is Lung Cu. And the center of Lung Cu is 1,600m above sea level Dragon Mountain. You have to climb 389 steps to reach the top of the Mount on which stand proudly Lung Cu flagpole. 

The flag itself is 54m2 symbolizing 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam.

With an adventurous biker, the road from Dong Van town to Lung Cu is a big draw with zigzag roads running into the thick mist in the morning. 

And the children

Ethnic minority people houses made of earth and stone

Under Lung Cu flagpole: Trilobita fossil - the most ancient of Dong Van karst plateau global geopark's fossil (500 million years) has been discovered

The flagpole in thick mist

                                                        

From Lung Cu flagpole its just 2.3km to Vietnam - China border

                                                          Pics: vietnamguidebook


7/ Fascinating buckwheat flower season

Every year, in the beginning of October, most of Vietnam tourism forums become “hotter” again with the question:” When the buckwheat flower in Ha Giang province blooms?”

Common buckwheat was domesticated and first cultivated in inland Southeast Asia, possibly around 6000 BC, and from there spread to Central Asia and Tibet, and then to the Middle East and Europe.

Buckwheat plants grow quickly, beginning to produce seed in about 6 weeks and ripening at 10 to 11 weeks. They grow 30 to 50  inches (75 to 125 cm) tall.

In Vietnam, buckwheat is raised for grain in April and October as a second crop by ethnic minorities people in the provinces of Lao Cai, Cao Bang and especially in the areas of Hoang Su Phi, Xin Man, Pho Bang, Sung La, Dong Van, Lung Cu of Ha Giang karst plateau. Buckwheat grains are used to make cake, wine and for feeding cattle.

With travellers, the image of  fascinating white/purple buckwheat flower fields on Ha Giang karst plateau is a big draw. Many young couples also comehere to take memorable wedding pictures. And with photographers, it is a great source of creation.

Useful information: In Ha Giang, buckwheat flower usually blooms in the end of October or beginning of November. It has many coulours, firstly white, then gradually becomes pink/purple and finally bold red. The buckwheat flower fields are much more beautiful with presence of colourfully dressed ethnic Mong and Dao people...

 

Pic: Dongvangeopark 

                                                     Photo credit: thianh.mytv.vom.vn (Phamngoctrien)

 

Photo credit: vietnamguidebook

 

Photo credit: ANTD newspaper

                                                                Photo credit: Vnexpress

8/ Season of peach and plum flower

    It is in spring, before Vietnam traditional new year which mostly falls into February.

    Enjoy the beauty of peach and plum flower season with Vnexpress newspaper's photos

9/ Hoang Su Phi terraced rice fields

September is the harvest season of terraced rice fields in Northwest and Northeast Vietnam . While most of foreign tourists going to Sapa which is recommended by many guidebooks, the other members of Vietnam travel forums are heading to Mu Cang Chai district of Yen Bai province  and especially Huang Su Phi district of Ha Giang province. There, at an altitude of over 1000m above sea level, lies many magnificient terraced rice fields which have just regconised as National relics on September 16th  2012.

The recognised rice fields cover 760ha of total 3,000ha of fields in six communes: Ban Luoc, San Sa Ho (which belongs to ethnic Dao and Nung groups); Ban Phung (La Chi group); and Ho Thau, Nam Ty and Thong Nguyen (Red Dao group), where the fields stretch into enormous mountains.

The fields also reflect vividly various cultivation methods deployed by different ethnic minority groups inhabited in the place.

Members of the La Chi group, for example, often create terraced fields in areas suitable for building other facilities. For them, the most even surface would be used for building a house, a courtyard, garden, poultry cage and store house. Rice fields are always made above, below or surrounding the house.

The Dao and Nung always choose land near a water source for making rice fields, while the Red Dao choose the most fertile area.

All locals know that to keep water on high mountains they should leave the forests on top of the mountain and make terraced fields only from the middle of mountains or hills.

The Red Dao in Ho Thau commune spare a small area of forest surrounding the terraced fields to avoid landslides.

Locals work from the top of the mountain or hill to the bottom, using simple tools like hoes, wooden rakes, shovels and curved knives.

Making field steps and building dikes on steps to hold water is a difficult task, which requires experience in cultivation.

Steps on the La Chi group's terraced field often measure 20-30cm in width and dikes covering the steps often reach 15-20cm higher than the steps' surface. In the meantime, a step in the Dao and Nung groups' terraced field is as small as an adult's foot.

On steep land and near brooks, locals use rocks to avoid landslides and build dikes for steps by rocks and soil. 

Useful information: 

* The most beautiful terraced rice fields of Hoang Su Phi district are located in communes of Thong Nguyen, Nam Ty, Ban Phung, Thang Tin...

* Stay in Vinh Quang town of Hoang Su Phi district (See where to stay)

* Rent motorbike from hotels, guesthouses for visiting terraced rice fileds: about 200,000VND/day

* Vinh Quang town - Ban Phung commune: about 30km

   Vinh Quang town -  Nam Ty and Thong Nguyen communes: 22 - 35km

   Vinh Quang town - Thang Tin commune: 17km

The below pics were taken in Thang Tin commune

                                                          

                                                            Pics: Vietnamguidebooks

The below pics were taken in Nam Ty and Thong Nguyen communes

                                                         Pics: vietnamguidebook

Other pics: white cloud road to Hoang Su Phi in early morning. There were some beautiful waterfalls on the way too but the bus moved so fast I couldnt take any pics

                                                      

                                                            Pics: vietnamguidebook

10/ Khau Vai love market

    I havent been in the market which takes place once a year. Below is introduction of Khau Vai love market from http://www.offroadvietnam.com/eng/11-33.php

    

Khau Vai commune, located in Meo Vac district, the northernmost province of Ha Giang, is home to ethnic minority groups of Giay, Nung and Muong. Each year, there is a market session on lunar March 26^th (often falling on calendar May), but it is not a farming produce trading market but a love market. The name and activities of the market have common things with love market in Sapa.

But what's different is that Khau Vai is a love market for various ethnic minority groups from four mountainous districts in Dong Van Plateau and ethnic minority groups in communes adjacent to Bao Lam and Bao Loc districts of Cao Bang province.

Local senior people said that this love market dated back to 1919. Roads are now more accessible than the previous years, so more people come to the market. However, activities of the market are still rich in cultural identity.

In the market area, there are two temples called Ong and Ba (Mr and Mrs). A story tells that, once upon a time, there was a boy and a girl born in two different places of the Dong Van Plateau. The boy's surname is Linh and the girl's surname is Loc. They love each other very much despite being hindered by deep streams and high rock mountains.

Because their families prevented their marriage, they together came to Khau Vai, a prosperous land with rich plants which they could live on.

Although they did not have a child but they lived happily until they died. In honour of their merits in cultivating the wild land into a rich land, the local people built the two temples to worship them.

Therefore, on every lunar March 26^th and 27^th, Khau Vai attracts couples of different ages, including those who seek their partners for the first time. However, most of them are those who love each other very much but cannot wed together because of many different reasons.

There is another local myth tells the story of a young couple from different tribes who fell in love with each other. The girls belonged to the Giay group and the boy belonged to the Nung group. The girl was so beautiful that her tribe did not want to let her get married with a man from another tribe. Consequently, violent conflict arose between the two tribes.

One day, the boy witnessed an aggressive fight between the tribes as a result of their love. To stop the blood shed, the lovers sorrowfully decided to say goodbye. However, they made plans to meet once a year on that day, lunar March 26^th.

The place where they used to meet is Khau Vai, which thereafter became a meeting place for all of those in love.

On the day when the market session takes place, it is likely that both the wife and her husband together go to the market but they look for their own partners to share emotions. If one of them has to stay at home, he or she is not jealous in love because the dating at the marketplace is really a faithful feeling exchange.

It can be said that the beauty of love is a basic factor to keep the existence of Khau Vai love market for such a long time.

With the assistance of Ha Giang Culture and Information Department, Meo Vac district and Khau Vai commune authorities hold the traditional love market of Khau Vai in order to promote cultural identity of ethnic minority groups in the locality.

The love market festival is held on lunar March 26^th and 27^th with the participation of a large number of locals. The festival features food and drink culture, song performances and folk games. Ethnic costumes, jewellery, ethnic musical instruments and culture and art publications are on display at the market, reflecting activities of the local people.

C/ Where to stay

     1/ Ha Giang city

          There is no reason to stay in Ha Giang city. In fact, if you miss the bus to Dong Van town of Dong Van district or Vinh Quang town of Huang Su Phi district, you can stay here for one night

          Most of the hotels are located on Nguyen Trai street (Pho Nguyen Trai) and there is no number. Instead, local goverment uses "To +  number" to replace number.

          The new bus station of the city is just about 2km from Nguyen Trai street.

          There are two Internet shops on this street. 6,000VND/hour

         With 150,000VND up (7USD), you can have a private room with A/C, cable Tivi, hot shower.

        Local buses to Dong Van and Hoang Su Phi (and to Thai Nguyen province then to Ba Be lake of Bak Can province) can pick you up at hotel.

* (My stay) Sao Mai hotel

    Address: To 17, Nguyen Trai street

    Tel: 0219 386 3019 - 0946 600 766

    Room rate: 150,000VND up (7USD)

 

    Overview: The outside of this large hotel looks quite old but the rooms are big, clean and nice with A/C, cable Tivi, hot shower

    Bonus: Free tea and hot water for drinking

   
    Pictures: 

                                                       Pics: vietnamguidebook



  * (My pick) Duc Giang hotel
    Address: To 14, Nguyen Trai street
    Tel: 0219 3875 648 - 0976 963 839

    Room rate: 200,000VDN up (10USD)

 

    Overview: Basic big nice room with A/C, Tivi, hot shower

    Bonus: Free tea and hot water for drinking

   
    Pictures: 

                                                               Pics: vietnamguidebook

* Tung Phuong hotel
    Address: To 15, Nguyen Trai street 
    Tel: 0219 6556 898

    Room rate: 180,000VND up (9USD)

 

    Overview: A nice hotel with basic clean room, A/C, Tivi, hot shower

    Pictures: 

                                                               Pics: vietnamguidebook

        

* Viet Trung hotel

    Address: 32 Minh Khai street 

    Tel: 0219 388 6403 - 0219 247 1668

    Room rate: 270,000VND up (13USD)

 

    Overview: A large 2-star hotel with nice room, A/C, hot shower, lift

    Pictures: 

                                                              Pics: vietnamguidebook

      

2/ Dong Van town

The town just has some gueshouses and standard hotels. They are usually fully booked on Saturday and Sunday. So it's good to book room in advance.

With 150,000VND up, you can have a basic room with fan, old Tivi, hot shower

With 300,000VD, your room is bigger and nicer with friendly English speaking staff

3/2 street connecting to 19/5 street is the main street running along the center of the town. Most guesthouses and hotels are located on these streets 

Its getting cold in the evening, especially in winter. Electricity sometimes will be cut off . Most hotels have no own generator, or if they have, it just produce enough electricity for the light. So try to take a bath when the sun just goes down.

Room rate can be higher on Saturday and Sunday

In the town, looking for a person who can speak English is not easy. Call me if you need any help: 0908 403 374

The research was done at the end of September 2012

* (My stay) Lung Cu 2 guesthouse

     This guesthouse has 3 rooms in an old apartment. Its near Rocky Plateau hotel. Ask local people to show you (In Vietnamese: Nha nghi Lung Cu 2). 

    Address: 19/5 street, Dong Van town

    Tel: 01685 088 058 - 0948 320 387

  
    Room rate:  150,000VND up (7USD)

   Overview: Basic, clean and large room with fan, old small Tivi which has just some Vietnam channels, big bathroom with hot shower. Quiet and friendly. 
 

    Bonus: Free tea and hot water for drinking

   
    Pictures: 

                                                            Pics: vietnamguidebook

    

   * (My pick) Rocky Plateau hotel

      Address: 19/5 street, Dong Van town

      Tel: 0219 385 6868 - 0973 058 118

      Fax: 0219 385 6265

      Email: rockyplateau@gmail.com

     
      Room rate: 300,000VND up (15USD)
  

   Overview: The largest and best hotel of the town with nice and big room, English speaking staff. Bathroom is normal

  
     Pictures: 

                                                           Pics: vietnamguidebook

* Lung Cu 1 guesthouse (Pick for location)
    Address:  Pho Co street, Dong Van town (near Dong Van old market and Ancient town coffee - Cafe Pho Co)

    Tel: 02193 856 216 - 0912 606 369

   
    Room rate: 180,000VND up (9USD)
 

    Overview: Small guesthouse with basic room, hot shower, small old Tivi

 

    Bonus: Pho Co street or ancient town street with ancient/old houses, market
                 Free tea and hot water for drinking
  
    Pictures: 

 

Pics: vietnamguidebook

* Hoang Ngoc hotel
    Address: 19/5 street, Dong Van town

    Tel: 0219 3856 020 - 0915 035 141

    Email: hoangngochotel2@gmail.com

    Blog: www.hoangngochotel2.blogspot.com

    Room rate:   290,000VND up (14USD)

    Overview: A good hotel of the town. Rooms are big, clean with Tivi, frridge, hot shower

 

    Pictures: 

                                                             Pics: vietnamguidebook

* Khai Hoan hotel
    Address: 19/5 street, Dong Van town

    Tel: 0219 385 6147 - 0982 025 892

   
    Room rate:  270,000VND up (13USD)

    Overview: A large hotel of the town with basic clean room, hot shower. Wifi

 

    Pictures: 

                                                             Pics: vietnamguidebook

3/ Vinh Quang town

This little small town has just some basic guesthouses and hotels. 

So far most of the town's visitors are Vietnamese photographers and those who love fascinating terraced rice fields of Hoang Su Phi district.

With 9USD you will have a nice room with A/C, cable Tivi, hot shower

Its good to book room in advance

* (My stay) Tien Dat hotel 

    Address: Vinh Quang town

    Tel: 0219 383 1164 - 0975 125 145

   
    Room rate:  180,000VND (9USD)

   Overview: The best hotel of the town. Small nice room with A/C, Tivi, hot shower. Free tea and hot water for drinking. Friendly.

    Bonus: Bus from and to Ha Giang city will stop/park here

    Pictures: 

                                                          Pics: vietnamguidebook

* Song Chay guesthouse

    Address: Vinh Quang town

    Tel: 0219 383 1246

   
    Room rate: 180,000VND up (9USD)

    Overview: This large guesthouse is quite old. Rooms are basic with A/C, fan, Tivi, hot shower
   
    Pictures: 

 

Pics: vietnamguidebook

* Hoang Anh guesthouse

    Address: Vinh Quang town

    Tel: 0219 383 1133 - 0912 954 922

   
    Room rate: 170,000VND up (8USD)

    Overview: Rooms are basic, clean  with  Tivi, hot shower
   
    Pictures: 

                                                              Pics: vietnamguidebook

D/ Food and drink

* In Dong Van town

1/ "Au Tau"- toxic rice gruel  

Toxic! Yes it is. Au Tau is a type of wild bulb that has hard, black cover. It contains toxic, which is usually used for medicine. However, like other types of herbal medicine, after being treated in a special process, Au Tau becomes a tasty dish and has special effects such as relieving flu symptoms.

  

Au Tau bulb is cooked quite sophisticatedly. Firstly, it must be soaked in solid water of rice then steamed well so that the bulb gradually become solid powder. This kind of powder is put into the pot containing pig's trotters and rice; sometimes there is also sticky rice in order to make the dish viscous. 

To enjoy the dish, people scoop out the gruel into the bowl; put more chicken eggs, minced pork, and spices including chili, pepper, onion and specially perilla. The dish’s taste is greasy, spicy and especially bitter that is the typical feature of it. Its bitter taste makes people feel not interesting at the first but after several spoons of gruel, they will feel sweet in mouth. Eating the dish frequently, you will become addicted to it.      

Au tau gruel is a kind of gruel that should be enjoyed at night.   

(Source: Vietnamtourism.org.vn)

My "Au Tau": 15,000VND/small bowl

                                                           Pics: vietnamguidebook

2/ "Thang den" made of sticky rice in round shapes, peanut, hot thick paste of sugar and water. Enjoy with the friends in cold weather at night of Dong Van town. 10,000VND/bowl.

Selling evrynight in front of post office of Dong Van town

 

                                                          Pic: vietnamguidebook

3/ Steamed snails with ginger used with fishsauce and chilli: 15,000VND/dish

                                                           Pic: vietnamguidebook

4/ Roasted sweet potatoes

    Selling in front of Post office of Dong Van town

 

                                                           Pic: vietnamguidebook

5/ Corn wine

    Join local people for a drink to feel how friendly they are!

Pics: vietnamguidebook

In Vinh Quang town

Small restaurant: Mua Thu

Address: near Song Chay hotel, Vinh Quang town

Tel: 0169 402 1077

Open: morning till about 8:00PM (for lunch and dinner)

Famous: Fried carp fish raised naturally in rice fields and fried mountainous chicken. My pick: carp fish.

Price: 50,000VND - 80,000VND per meal with steamed rice, fried vegetables, fried carp fish/ chicken

Signature dishes of Ha Giang

ThanhNienNews.com - As October comes, the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang attracts flocks of tourists who come to watch blooming fields of buckwheat and beautiful golden paddy fields.

If you are there, remember to try these signature dishes, compiled by news website Dan Tri, as you will not have the chance to see them in the lowlands.

Roasted moss

Green moss is washed before being roasted.

“Really? They eat moss?” That’s the common reaction of many people the first time they hear about this dish.

Green moss turns out to be a delicacy of the Tay ethnic people in Ha Giang. They get moss from streams and mountains, wash it carefully until the greasy substances are washed away.

They add some spices to the moss before roasting it.

This dish tastes unusual but delicious nevertheless. It is said to be very good for health, improving blood circulation, detoxifying and reducing fevers.

Aconite root congee

A bowl of congee made from aconite roots and pig trotters 

This congee is cooked from rice and aconite roots. The roots are soaked overnight in water that has been used to wash rice before being simmered together with rice and pork trotters until the roots get soft.

Locals also add chili, pepper, herbs, and chicken eggs to the congee.

The first time one tastes the porridge it may be a little bitter. But gradually they will be seduced by the sweet taste and fragrance of the congee.

This dish is usually eaten on cold evenings as it warms your body and is said to be good for health.

Smoked ham

Shredded smoked buffalo meat

In mountainous provinces like Ha Giang, smoked ham is popular as it can be kept long. Smoked ham has become a must-try dish and a favorite gift for tourists.

Locals usually cut pork and buffalo meat into long slabs and cure them with chili, ginger and especially mắc khén, a kind of native pepper, before hanging them up in the kitchen.

Cured with smoke atop a fire, the meat absorbs the smoke until the skin looks burned and the fat layer turns transparent.

Pork and buffalo meat taste sweet and smell of smoke.

Rat meat

Roasted rats made by the La Chi ethnic people in Ha Giang 

Rat meat might turn off many people, but it is a very popular dish among the La Chi ethnic people in Ha Giang. It is cooked in various ways – stir-fried, grilled or hung like smoked ham.

When it is harvest season, the rats get fat as they eat a lot of rice in the fields. Men usually lay traps or dig up burrows to catch rats.

After a rat is slaughtered, it is skewered with a pointed bamboo stick and roasted over an open fire until the skin turns yellow.

They disembowel the rat and wash it carefully before scenting it with seasoning, spices and herbs.

The rodent is then grilled over firewood oven until a fragrance rises into the air.

The meat tastes so sweet that one could forget it used to be a rat.

E/ Best time to visit

   * End of January to middle of February (sometimes to the beginning of March): season of peach and plum flowers 

   * May to September: green to golden terraced rice fields in Huang Su Phi district. September is harvest season

   * End of October to beginning of November: season of buckwheat flower 

F/ Getting there

* Hanoi to Ha Giang city

   Distance: 320km 

   By: Air-con sleeping bus (about 8 -9 hours)

   Bus fare: about 200,000VND (10USD)

   My Dinh bus station (Hanoi): see how to get here by public bus from Hanoi Old Quarter in Destination -> Hanoi 

  

   From My Dinh bus station of Hanoi city, there are many daily sleeping buses to Ha Giang city. You can buy ticket at My Dinh ticket counter or call directly to bus operators to book in advance (Vietnamese speaking only. So ask someone to help you). Pay attention: should tell ticket seller that you want to go with Cau Me bus.

  You should leave Hanoi city at night, about 8:00PM, and arrive in Ha Giang city in early morning about 4:30AM. At Ha Giang city bus station, there are many small buses to Dong Van town and Vinh Quang town at 5:00AM.

   Among the bus operators, Cau Me is the most reliable one. But dont expect to have good services like those in Saigon. The buses are always crowded, say, there is no space for walking on the bus! For example, there are 45 seats but over 50 passengers with 5 passengers sleeping on the passage. And I had to walk on their head when I came out. 

   During weekends, especially holidays and lunar new year, it can be a horrible world. 

   List of bus operators:

  1/ Cau Me bus operator

      Tel: 0219 3862 206 - 0912 848 216

      Departure: 7:20AM - 9:30AM - 8:30PM

  2/  Hung Thanh bus operator

   Tel: 0989 416 416 - 0988 287 741

   Departure: 6:05AM - 8:30AM - 1:05PM - 2:30PM - 8:00PM - 9:00PM 

Weekday but crowded on Cau Me sleeping bus. A/C was good, if no, I couldnt sleep!

How to move out? Had to walk above...

                                                            Pics: vietnamguidebook

* Ha Giang city - Dong Van town: pass by Quan Ba and Yen Minh districts

   Distance: 144km 

   By: Small van (about 5 hours).

   Bus fare: 100,000VND (5USD)

   Buy ticket and get on: at Ha Giang bus station or  you can call Cau Me to pick you up at your hotel in Ha Giang city (hotels on Nguyen Trai street) 

   Bus operator: Cau Me 

   Tel: 0219 3862 206 - 0942 690 126

   Departure: 5:00AM - 12:00noon

   

                                                              Pic: vietnamguidebook

* Ha Giang city - Vinh Quang town

   Distance: 100km 

   By: Small van (about 4 hours).

   Bus fare: 60,000VND (5USD)

   Tel: 0914 600 251 (Hung Ngan bus) (There are many bus operators)

   Departure at Ha Giang bus station: 5:00AM - 6:00AM - 11:00AM -12:00noon

   Pick up: you can call them to pick you up at your hotel in Ha Giang city (hotels on Nguyen Trai street)

   

                                                         Pic: vietnamguidebook

* Ha Giang city - Lao Cai city
   Depart from Ha Giang city bus station: 6:30AM
   Depart from Lao Cai city bus station: 6:30AM

   Travel time: about 6 hours

   Bus: local bus with 24 seats
   Bus fee: 120,000VND

   Contact: 0983 765 811

 

G/ Clip
Di Ve Phia Chan Troi 
Designed by "Phuoter"

I/ Other pictures 

Rice fields around Dong Van town

                                                           

                                                        Pics: vietnamguidebook

Horse fighting in Ha Giang

VietNamNet Bridge – On 9th-10th February 2014, the second horse fighting festival was held in Bang Hanh commune of Bac Quang district, Ha Giang province, with 20 selected pairs.

The mat is inside the circular line. A beautiful mare was put on for two male to vie with each other. The horse that gets out of the line twice is considered the loser.