Nestled in Vietnam’s far north, Ha Giang is bordered by Cao Bang Province to the east, Yen Bai and Lao Cai provinces to the west, Tuyen Quang Province to the south, and shares its northern boundary with China. The province’s winding, rocky roads can be challenging to navigate, but as you lift your gaze across the stone plateau, any tension fades, replaced by awe and serenity at the landscape’s wild beauty.
Best Time to Visit Ha Giang
As a mountainous region, Ha Giang has a cooler climate than Vietnam’s lowlands and midlands, with average yearly temperatures ranging between 21-23°C.
🌾 Autumn (October – December): The ideal time to visit, when terraced rice fields glow golden and buckwheat flowers bloom in vibrant pink and purple across the rocky plateau.
🌸 Spring (February – March): A magical season of plum and apricot blossoms, transforming the mountains into a floating sea of flowers.
🌧 May – July: Ha Giang sees frequent rains. While some travelers avoid this period due to sudden showers, the mountains turn a lush green, perfect for photography.
In truth, Ha Giang has beauty in every season, making it a year-round destination for those eager to explore its rugged charm.
How to Get to Ha Giang
From the North, numerous direct buses connect major cities to Ha Giang. For travelers coming from central or southern Vietnam, Hanoi is the ideal starting point.
- By Bus from Hanoi:
Buses leave frequently (almost hourly) from My Dinh, Luong Yen, Yen Nghia, and Gia Lam stations.- Sleeper buses and high-quality limousines are available.
- Night buses are recommended to save time and energy for exploring during the day.
- Ticket prices: ~200,000 – 300,000 VND one-way.
Getting Around Ha Giang:
Once in Ha Giang city:
- Rent a motorbike for ~150,000 – 300,000 VND/day for flexibility and adventure.
- For families, older travelers, or those less confident on bikes, hire a car (7–16 seats) for comfort and safety.
Where to Stay in Ha Giang
Ha Giang offers accommodation options ranging from luxury resorts to cozy homestays:
🌿 Luxury Retreats:
- P’apiu Resort (Yen Dinh, Bac Me District): High-end villas designed in traditional H’Mong architecture, situated along Vietnam’s longest brocade road. Rates from ~10,000,000 VND/night.
🌄 Unique Resorts:
- H’Mong Village (Trang Kim, Quan Ba): Striking rock-shaped architecture, overlooking the Mien River and surrounding mountains.
- Community room: ~400,000 VND/night
- Bungalow: ~2,400,000 VND/night
🏡 Homestays for Local Flavor:
- Hoang Su Phi Lodge / Kinh Homestay: Stay amidst terraced rice fields in Nam Hong village.
- Ho Thau Eco Village (Ho Thau Commune): Quaint thatched cottages.
- Cho Pua – Auberge de Meo Vac (Meo Vac): Local-style architecture with cultural charm.
- Dust Homestay (Dong Van): Traditional stilt house stay.
- Hoang Than Ancient House (Dong Van): Rustic local house, ~100,000 VND/person.
- Meo Vac Golden Bee: Affordable lodging at ~230,000 VND/night.
- Lo Lo Ancient House (Lo Lo Chai Village): Near Lung Cu Flagpole.
Suggested Itineraries
3 Days, 2 Nights
- Day 1: Ha Giang → Quan Ba → Yen Minh
- Day 2: Yen Minh → Dong Van → Ma Pi Leng Pass
- Day 3: Ma Pi Leng → Mau Due → Yen Minh → Ha Giang
4 Days, 3 Nights
- Day 1: Ha Giang → Quan Ba → Yen Minh
- Day 2: Yen Minh → Dong Van → Ma Pi Leng Pass
- Day 3: Ma Pi Leng → Boat tour → Du Gia
- Day 4: Du Gia → Quan Ba → Ha Giang
For personalized tours, prices, and accommodations, contact Lily’s Travel Agency for assistance.
What to Eat in Ha Giang
Ha Giang’s cuisine is an adventure all its own:
🥚 Egg Rolls (Bánh Cuốn Trứng): Thin rice batter sheets filled with bright yellow egg yolk, served steaming hot.
🍲 Au Tau Porridge: Made with sticky rice and au tau roots simmered in pork leg broth. Delicious yet requires careful preparation, as au tau roots are toxic unless properly cooked.
🍙 Chung Gu Cake: A local specialty featuring sticky rice dyed green or black, wrapped around lean and fatty pork filling. Priced around 17,000 VND each, usually made to order.
🍡 Thang Dien: Similar to Hanoi’s floating cakes, these glutinous rice cakes can be plain or filled with bean paste.
🥘 Thang Co: A signature Northwest dish of beef or horse meat stewed with cardamom, cumin, and lemongrass—a flavor not for everyone but loved by locals.
🌾 Triangular Buckwheat Cake (Bánh Tam Giác Mạch): Typical of the H’Mong people, made from finely ground buckwheat flour, steamed, then fried or grilled for a nutty, subtly sweet taste.
🍚 Lam Rice: Sticky rice grilled in bamboo tubes, a Tay ethnic specialty. Best enjoyed with sesame salt or grilled stream fish.
What to Buy in Ha Giang
🎁 Ha Giang Oranges: Famous for their sweet, succulent taste—a perfect gift for friends and family.
🌭 Smoked Kitchen Sausage (Lạp Xưởng Gác Bếp): Half-lean, half-fat pork marinated with spices, dried over wood smoke for an unforgettable aroma.
🍯 Mint Honey: Harvested from the rocky plateau from September to December, this honey is lemon-gold in color with a cooling minty sweetness. You’ll often find beekeeping huts along National Highway 4C in Quan Ba, Dong Van, and Meo Vac districts.
Ha Giang is not simply a destination—it’s a journey through majestic landscapes, vibrant ethnic cultures, and unforgettable culinary experiences. Whether you’re conquering mountain passes or savoring local delicacies, Ha Giang promises an adventure that touches your heart.
