Buzz
Once again, I set foot in the northernmost region of Vietnam. Every trip to Hà Giang feels like the first time to me, filled with excitement, anticipation, and the thrill of traversing its scenic routes. I always make sure to revisit my favorite spots like the Lũng Cú Flagpole, King Cat's Palace, Quản Bạ, and the Yên Minh Pine Hill... Additionally, I explore some lesser-known gems that offer a fresh perspective and aren't widely known to all tourists. After several journeys to this land, here are 8 unique tourist spots in Hà Giang that I've experienced.
1. Tà Làng Pass - Winding Road Alongside the Nho Quế River
Tà Làng Pass in Hà Giang is regarded as one of the most challenging routes in the border region. Spanning 7.5km, the pass boasts 45 tiers and 50 sharp bends, with over half of them being hairpin turns. Coupled with steep inclines, it's undoubtedly a significant challenge for drivers.
Panoramic view of Tà Làng Pass with its challenging bends
The path to the old pier
Tà Làng Pass connects from Mã Pí Lèng Pass down to the Nho Quế River. Along the way, if you're coming from Đồng Văn, pay attention to the map or look for a left turnoff. Since the old pier here is no longer operational, the signs no longer indicate the way down to the Nho Quế River, and there are no longer locals gathering at the road's end to ferry passengers down. Be mindful not to overshoot.
Although the old pier is no longer in use, the route and scenery here are still worth experiencing
If you plan to conquer this pass and combine it with a boat trip on the Nho Quế River, make sure to contact the boat service in advance for pick-up arrangements. Since the old pier is no longer operational and everything has been transferred to the new pier, there are no boats passing through here anymore. Also, due to the steep and winding road, it's best to avoid traveling right after rain or during rainfall as it can be very slippery, and there are many sections prone to mudslides.
2. Tu San Alley along the Nho Quế River
Tu San Alley and the Nho Quế River are must-visit spots when passing through Hà Giang. Tu San Alley - the deepest canyon in Southeast Asia, presents a majestic natural landscape, with a vast canyon flanked by the emerald waters of the Nho Quế River. Sometimes clouds drift through the mountain pass, and other times sunlight penetrates, creating magnificent scenery. You can admire it from above on the Mã Pí Lèng Pass or from below on the boats sailing on the Nho Quế River.
Tu San Canyon
While driving on the pass, aside from the famous viewpoints, wherever you find a striking spot that resonates with you, feel free to stop and take some photos (remember to ensure safety, for yourself and others). But honestly, every spot along that stretch seems picturesque, making you want to capture every moment.
*The train ticket price is 120,000 VND per person
3. White Rock Cliff
A hiking trail cuts across the mountains right on the Mã Pí Lèng Pass to a completely natural rock cliff, offering panoramic views of the pass and the distant Nho Quế River.
A scenic hiking trail and a majestic white rock cliff amidst the legendary Mã Pí Lèng Pass
This is a marvel of nature, with the rock cliff on the mountain slope forming an ideal spot for camping or resting. Along the hiking trail on the mountain, you can admire the Mã Pí Lèng Pass and the Nho Quế River from above, while enjoying the serene and unique nature of Hà Giang.
From here, you can overlook the entire mountainous forest, with the Mã Pí Lèng Pass, the Nho Quế River, and the magnificent nature.
On the stretch of the Mã Pí Lèng Pass, the evening illumination will cast quality light bands.
To get here, you can take the mountain pass road from the Youth Monument or follow the signs on the pass road leading to the white rock cliff. It leads to the starting and ending points of the hiking trail. If you want to explore and conquer this trail, either direction is fine. However, if you're planning to camp or simply want to visit the white rock cliff for sightseeing, it's better to go from the direction of the Youth Monument. This section of the road is located above, offering a more panoramic and beautiful view. Especially, the distance from the motorcycle parking to the white rock cliff is just over 1km, making it easier to travel.
Like a natural canopy shelter of Mother Nature, hopefully, this place is well-managed, retaining its inherent charm.
*According to the information I received while there, someone has applied for a permit to exploit this area, so I'm not sure if it's still a free camping spot (I visited in early December 2022, and I was told that the permit was obtained a few days ago, but I haven't verified it). However, if it's developed, we may enjoy more convenient services such as pre-installed tents and a ready-to-use fireplace. Nevertheless, on that day, I still preferred using the prepared equipment and enjoyed being more self-sufficient, so I carried all my personal and camping gear up to the white rock cliff (though carrying all the personal and camping gear was really tiring).
Though a bit tiring, the experience here is extremely worthwhile and unforgettable.
4. Devil's Stone - Conquering fear, experiencing the wild yet marvelous nature
On the way back from the white rock cliff, I stopped by here for a check-in (actually, it could be either on the way there or back, but I chose on the way back because it's likely to be less crowded than on the weekend before, allowing more time to spend here). This is a place that fully showcases the uniqueness of the terrain here, offering expansive views and an exhilarating feeling, making you want to conquer it! A place rich in the essence of Ha Giang!
A check-in spot with the essence of Ha Giang for those who enjoy a little adventure
At first, it was a bit scary, but once accustomed to the height and in control of my steps, it felt very safe
5. Ha Giang's Abyss of Peril - Witness the natural marvel, a sinkhole nestled within the rocky plateau
Upon returning, I discovered that Ha Giang also has many sinkholes, and each one is worth visiting for its uniqueness. Here are some notable and treacherous sinkholes:
Sung Tra Sinkhole, Meo Vac
Apart from the 2 sinkholes marked on the map, I also found out about 2 other sinkholes. One is located near the Sung Tra Sinkhole, smaller but deeper and with denser vegetation. In reality, I couldn't see the bottom, but the locals here said it's much deeper. Another sinkhole is a few kilometers away, also very large and beautiful (according to the locals), but due to time constraints, I didn't visit that sinkhole, saving it for another time.
For the 2 sinkholes on the map, follow the map until you're close to the marked location, then stop and ask the locals to make sure.
6. Suoi Thau Plateau, Western Ha Giang - A plateau adorned with colorful flowers
Arriving at Suoi Thau, I chose to camp here for a night and spent the morning wandering across the vast plateau. A starry sky, accompanied by the silver light of the moon amidst the tranquil natural scenery, was what I experienced here.
In the early morning, clouds covered the plateau, but later, a sea of faint clouds appeared.
I didn't intend to come here to chase clouds, but I was fortunate to admire the flowers and clouds here. I visited in early December, after the season for buckwheat flowers, so many people had left, leaving a vacant area. People here plant flowers in different sections, and with each season, there will be different types, so you can visit at any time of the year.
*Information:
Buckwheat flowers flaunting their beauty.
7. Sín Chéng Market - Embracing the Essence of Highland Trading
Perhaps less known to mainstream tourists due to its midweek schedule and distant location from typical tourist spots. Yet, it is precisely these factors that preserve the authenticity of Sín Chéng Market amidst the encroaching influence of industrial culture. Situated in the heart of Sín Chéng commune, Simacai, the market convenes every Wednesday, attracting diverse ethnic communities such as Mông, Nùng, Tày, and Thu Lao for exchange, commerce, and cultural interaction.
Sín Chéng Market: Embodying the Uniqueness of Highland Markets
8. Khau Cốc Chà Pass
Đèo Khau Cốc Chà, also known as Pia Mẻ Pass by locals, is situated on a steep mountain slope in Xuân Trường commune, Bảo Lạc district, Cao Bằng province. Spanning 2.5km along Highway 4A, Khau Cốc Chà Pass winds its way along the steep hillside, connecting Xuân Trường commune to Bảo Lạc town.
Wait, this is in Cao Bằng, not Hà Giang. That's correct, but I'd like to introduce it here. You can easily pass through here on your way from Mèo Vạc to Hà Nội or vice versa. And the final spot I want to introduce is the legendary 15-tier, 14-bend pass that I've seen before and hope to ride on one day.
In my previous trips, I focused only on the areas around Hà Giang and missed out on this. If you have some spare time, you should visit Pac Bo Cave here before heading back to Hà Nội. It's definitely worth a try!
The source of the Lênin spring is a spot you can visit on your way from Hà Giang - Khau Cốc Chà back to Hà Nội.
Hope this article brings you some new insights into Hà Giang! Wishing you fantastic journeys when visiting Hà Giang!
Author: Đào Quỳnh Anh
* This article is part of the Mytour Golocal program
Mytour Golocal is a blogging program introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam, under the Mytour Go & Share program. It's a great opportunity to promote local tourism to everyone. For each qualifying article, you'll receive 800,000 VND and a chance to become a contributor with Mytour. For more details about the program, visit: https://trv.lk/golocal
