Buzz
April is the time when the terraced fields in Hà Giang don their youthful green, while tender rice buds quietly bloom. What truly captivates is the vivid red hue of rice flowers adorning the roadsides, embellishing the walls of traditional houses, and gracing the ancient stone fences. Join Blog Homestay in uncovering the cradle of the nation as we delve into April's Hà Giang through the insights shared in this article!
What's the Weather Like in Hà Giang in April?
In April, Hà Giang takes its first steps into summer, with temperatures ranging from 21.5°C to 24°C. Days are bathed in golden sunlight, while mornings and evenings carry a slight chill. Though there may be significant temperature differences between day and night, April generally offers beautiful weather, perfect for exploring the homeland.
Moreover, during this time, the Northern region experiences little to no rain, not even a passing drizzle. Hence, the journey up to Hà Giang via the mountain passes is smoother, more scenic, and safer than any other season of the year.
What are the Must-Visit Places in Hà Giang in April?
It's often said that Hà Giang is beautiful in every season, each bearing its own unique charm and offering unparalleled check-in spots. So, what makes traveling to Hà Giang in April so enticing?
1. Admire the Rice Flowers – Nature's Fiery Display Across the Land
The chilly days of winter have passed, and on the bare branches, clusters of buds are beginning to bloom. The time when rice flowers flourish starts from March, and by April, they proudly display their vibrant red, igniting the sky and warming up the atmosphere of Hà Giang in the early days of summer.
The streaks of red atop the dry, barren rocks create a scene that is inherently bleak yet bursts into brightness, symbolizing a vigorous awakening and the promise of a bountiful new harvest season. Each red and orange petal intertwines to form a canopy enveloping the flower's pistil. Rice Flowers – Nature's Emblem of Fortune, Goodness, and the herald of a plentiful new rice season.
Amidst the majestic wilderness, the vivid red blooms of rice flowers create a masterpiece bestowed by nature upon those who travel to Hà Giang in April. Suitable spots to admire rice flowers include:
2. Khâu Vai Love Market
Khâu Vai Love Market is a traditional festival held in Khâu Vai commune, Khâu Vai district, Meo Vac province, Hà Giang province, Vietnam. Every year in Hà Giang, Khâu Vai Love Market is organized once on the 27th of the third lunar month. It's a rare opportunity for lovers who cannot be together to reunite, reminisce, and share stories. Here, they enjoy wine and recall the emotions of days gone by.
Khâu Vai Love Market is a deeply humane cultural feature that is rare to find anywhere else in the world. The festival atmosphere is lively and attracts a lot of attention. When visiting Khâu Vai Love Market, tourists will see young men and women dressed in beautiful ethnic costumes, engaging in conversation or casting hopeful glances in search of their past loves,...
3. Buckwheat Flowers Blossom Out of Season
While buckwheat flowers typically bloom from October to December each year, in April, they are planted out of season in Quyet Tien commune, along the Happiness Road, on the route from Hà Giang city to Yen Minh, stopping at Quan Ba.
In addition to admiring the beauty of the famous flower fields, tourists can enjoy delicious, unique, and impressive dishes in Hà Giang and participate in the annual buckwheat flower festival.
4. Lung Cu Flagpole and Milestone 428
The Lung Cu Flagpole is a sacred symbol of the nation at the northernmost point of the country. The flagpole stands proudly at a height of 33.15m, with the base measuring 20.25m in diameter. At the top of the Lung Cu Flagpole hangs a bright red flag with a golden star, covering an area of 54m2, symbolizing the 54 brotherly ethnic groups across Vietnam.
The path to Lung Cu Flagpole consists of a total of 839 steps divided into 3 different sections. Along each section, there are resting areas for tourists to stop, admire the scenery, and take photos for social media check-ins. As travelers conquer these stone steps, they can marvel at the natural wonders of the Dong Van Karst Plateau, and appreciate the simple beauty of the distant villages.
With milestone 428 marking the Northernmost point of Vietnam geographically, and located just about 2km from the Lung Cu Flagpole, this is an excellent spot for tourists to gain a deeper understanding of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and foster a deeper love for their homeland.
5. Nho Que River
The Nho Que River originates from Yunnan Province, China, and flows into Vietnam at the northernmost point, belonging to Lung Cu commune, Hà Giang province. More than just a scenic beauty, this river marks the border and bears witness to generations of Vietnamese people living and working on the border, safeguarding the land and forests. Especially in April, the Nho Que River flows gently, its clear water mesmerizing.
Boat tours along the Nho Que River have become increasingly popular in recent years. Travelers can choose to go downstream from the Ta Lang pier or upstream starting from the pier in Xin Cai commune. Whether on a boat or kayak, the journey through the Tu San alley offers a unique experience, with the sparkling blue river amidst towering cliffs reaching 700-800m high.
6. Spectacular Buffalo Fighting Festival in Meo Vac District
This festival takes place annually on the 14th of April, featuring unique cultural activities deeply rooted in the ethnic culture of Meo Vac district, Hà Giang. The buffalo fighting festival is one of the most unique competitions that attracts great attention from both locals and tourists, not only domestically but also internationally. The festival gathers numerous experienced buffalo fighters competing for prizes.
The festival atmosphere is always lively, cheerful, and no longer just a place for community cultural activities but also an entertainment venue, preserving many cultural values, customs, and ways of life of the people of Hà Giang province in particular, and Vietnam in general.
7. Vibrant Flower Colors on the Pristine Plateau of Rock
Hà Giang is blessed by Mother Nature with landscapes covered by majestic mountains and beautiful, vibrant flowers, delicately hiding behind lush green foliage. Travelers can easily encounter clusters of charming white buckwheat flowers blooming along the way to Phong Tho (Lai Chau). Despite their simple and rustic appearance, buckwheat and peach blossoms exude purity and freshness.
When mentioning the delicate white buckwheat flowers, one cannot forget the purple ban flowers – a species of legume. Each ban flower can grow up to 10 to 12m tall, emerging from young leaf axils with 5 petals, usually in shades of white mixed with light pink, purple, or a faint purple with dark purple stripes. With a diameter of 8-12cm, they are commonly found along Nguyen Van Linh Street in Hà Giang city. These flowers contribute to creating a romantic and poetic Hà Giang.
What to Eat When Traveling to Hà Giang in April?
Hà Giang is not only famous and mesmerizing for its majestic natural landscapes but also known for its numerous rustic and culturally rich local dishes. Examples include: rolled egg cakes, five-color sticky rice, sour porridge, Thang Co (a type of hotpot), Men Men (a dish made from buckwheat flour), Bac Me Lam rice,... and a variety of other tempting dishes. Travelers visiting Hà Giang in April must try these dishes to fully experience the meaningful journey.
Detailed Itinerary for Hà Giang Tour in April
Below, we will share the detailed itinerary for a 3-day, 2-night tour to Hà Giang in April for travelers to reference and adjust their own itinerary accordingly.
1. Day 1: Depart from Hanoi to Milestone 0 and Rest in Quan Ba
Morning: At exactly 5:00 AM, the vehicle and tour guide will pick up travelers at the predetermined location to begin the journey to Hà Giang. Due to the long travel distance, there will be a rest stop at the Kim Anh intersection for breakfast (this expense will be self-funded).
Noon: Upon arrival in Hà Giang, the whole group takes photos at the famous Milestone 0 and then moves to a restaurant for lunch and relaxation.
Afternoon: The group travels to Quan Ba. The sightseeing spots here include the Quan Ba Heaven Gate and the Twin Mountains of Fairy – a natural masterpiece intertwined with a touching family love story. Afterwards, the group returns to the hotel and checks in.
Evening: Travelers have dinner at a local restaurant with authentic mountainous ethnic dishes. They are free to explore the town and spend the night in Quan Ba.
2. Day 2: Visit the Palace of the Hmong King, the Lũng Cú Flagpole, and the Nho Que River
Morning:
Afternoon:
Evening:
3. Day 3: Returning from Đồng Văn to Hanoi
Morning:
Noon:
Evening:
So the April journey to Hà Giang has come to an end with valuable information, enchanting check-in spots, and the most reasonable 3-day, 2-night itinerary. Wishing all travelers a trip filled with laughter. For those still hesitating, pack your bags and let's explore the beauty of Vietnam with us right away!
Posted by: Đỗ Thị Tiên
Keywords: What's in Hà Giang in April | Vibrant Red of Buckwheat Flowers with Blog Homestay
