Buzz
Nestled amidst the rugged landscapes of Ha Giang, Dong Van stands as a tranquil fortress guarding the borderlands. Amidst blooming fields of buckwheat and rice paddies, one finds a bustling enclave perched atop the rocky plateau - Dong Van Ancient Town.
Historical Background
The town of Dong Van rests snugly amidst the cloud-covered peaks of the rocky plateau. With only a few dozen houses scattered around the central area and nestled into the rocky cliffs, the beauty of Dong Van Ancient Town emerges like a desert oasis, displaying the myriad hues of nature. These ancient houses, built adjacent to the mountainside, stand as a testament to human resilience and determination against the forces of nature.
The Ancient Quarter of Dong Van has its roots dating back to the early 20th century. Despite the ebbs and flows of history, the area still exudes the alluring and pristine charm of its early days. Built by the Tay, Hmong, and Chinese communities, the streets of Hà Giang's tourism offer glimpses of houses designed in the distinctive long-house style, with tiled roofs symbolizing harmony. Over time, Dong Van's Ancient Quarter has attracted diverse residents, resulting in a harmonious blend and adaptation of various cultural facets.
Houses adorned with the rich cultural heritage of ethnic minorities (Photo: collected)
Highlight: Dong Van Market Area
Visiting Dong Van's Ancient Quarter, you'll not only witness lanterns adorning the streets but also experience the vibrant highland markets with the sounds of traditional musical instruments and the presence of typical highland products. On weekend nights, the atmosphere in the market stalls becomes lively with the echoes of folk songs and dances, amidst the flickering flames of the highland love market.
The Ancient Quarter of Dong Van isn't just a local trading hub; it has evolved into a commercial center for a vast highland region. It attracts not only locals but also traders from neighboring areas and even those from the lowlands, eager to engage in commerce here.
Lanterns lining the streets of Dong Van's Ancient Quarter (Photo: collected)
Hà Giang tourism to Dong Van's Ancient Quarter also serves as a venue for organizing traditional festivals of the Tay, Hmong, and other ethnic minorities in the Northwest mountainous region. Clad in traditional attire, young women from the Hmong, Tay, Pu Péo, Lô Lô... ethnic groups dance gracefully to the rhythm of traditional music.
The focal point of the ancient quarter is Dong Van Market, built primarily of stone since 1920. Over nearly a century, the market area has preserved its cultural essence remarkably. Viewing Dong Van's Ancient Quarter from above allows you to encapsulate the entire scenery of the neighborhood within your gaze. Rows of houses arranged in a U-shape, with tiled roofs symbolizing harmony, run along the mountainside.
Dong Van Market during festival season (Photo: collected)
If you're wondering when is the best time for Hà Giang tourism, it's during the buckwheat flower season. Here, you can immerse yourself in the landscape of mountains and hills blanketed in white, along with the sweet fragrance of this famous flower that fills the air in this Northwestern region.
In Dong Van's Ancient Quarter, as night falls, you can visit a café to savor the taste of coffee and listen to the gentle rustle of the wind among the hills. The scent of buckwheat flowers will lull you into the enchanting melodies of the flute and the crackling flames accompanied by soothing music.
Overall, Dong Van's Ancient Quarter exhibits architecture influenced by the Chinese, primarily with tiled roofs symbolizing harmony and sturdy framework. Notably, stone seems to be the predominant building material, creating a landscape that blends seamlessly with nature, minimally impacted by human intervention.
Couples hand in hand amidst the melodious tunes of the flute (Photo: collected)
Almost every house in the ancient quarter is adorned with lanterns, a unique cultural trait of the ethnic minorities. The sight of the flames also helps dispel the chilling cold of the rocky plateau at night.
According to Hà Giang travel experience, every year, Hà Giang province organizes numerous festivals steeped in the traditions of ethnic minorities in Dong Van, including the 'Ancient Quarter Night.' Attending this event offers the opportunity to see traditional costumes, lanterns, and traditional dishes of ethnic minorities.
Hà Giang, an impressive tourist destination with many cultural and historical sites, remains relatively untouched. Stepping foot here means stepping into a land of poetic landscapes, where everything remains pristine.
The land of buckwheat flower fields, where Thang Co dish is savored, where hand-embroidered brocade flourishes, and the melodious tunes of lovers serenade on the ancient streets of Dong Van – the rocky plateau.
