Top 12 Must-Visit Tourist Attractions in Meo Vac, Dong Van

Located on the Happiness Road connecting Dong Van and Meo Vac towns, Mã Pí Lèng Pass is the name of the most challenging mountain pass in Vietnam, within Ha Giang province. The winding pass between mountain ranges, somewhere still retains villages perched high. It is awe-inspiring when reaching the summit at an altitude of 2000m, standing at a rest stop to enjoy the scenery that makes us overwhelmed with emotion, stunned by the majestic landscape of rivers and mountains, and the stone steles recording the history of the 'happiness' road. The continuous overlapping mountains. Below the pass are deep ravines, along with the emerald Nho Que River, stretching far to divide the two halves of the land.

Mã Pí Lèng Pass always satisfies the desires of professional adventure travelers, but for amateur enthusiasts, just a little courage is needed to conquer this challenging peak. The journey to conquer Mã Pí Lèng Pass may be difficult and dangerous, but it will surely be an unforgettable experience for those who dare to conquer it.

Lũng Cú Flagpole is one of the famous attractions that attracts many tourists in Ha Giang and is one of the national flagpoles located on the top of Lũng Cú or Rồng Mountain. “Lũng” in the H'mong language means corn, Lũng Cú is a corn valley, simply named because there are large fields planted with corn and nowadays, it also grows a lot of triangular circuit trees and the blooming season has become the Triangle Flower Festival of Ha Giang.

The flagpole is designed in an octagonal shape similar to the Hanoi flagpole, with 8 column bases simulating Dong Son bronze drum patterns and illustrating different historical periods of the country. At the foot of the Lũng Cú flagpole is the Lũng Cú border post, where there is a station specialized in protecting the flag on the top of the Lũng Cú flagpole.

On the top of the flagpole is the image of the red flag with a yellow star flying, extremely sacred. Standing on top of the flagpole looking down, you will see a majestic Ha Giang scenery, with mountains and hills stacked up like a giant landscape painting.

As one of the green symbols of Meo Vac, Ha Giang, the Nho Que River lies at the foot of the Ma Pi Leng Pass, flowing gently through the rocks, creating a vivid green boundary line between the passes here. This gentle and pure river is most peaceful in the early days of summer or autumn, but the ideal time of the year is still in November when the water turns green like jade, resembling a “magnificent cup” of the North.

To fully explore the Nho Que River, you can ride a motorbike from the top of the Ma Pi Leng Pass, following the local path on the mountain slope along the downstream. From the top of the pass looking down at the Nho Que River, you will be amazed by a magnificent natural scenery. Don't forget to pose for photos here, guaranteed to have some amazing shots. Additionally, you can choose to take a boat or walk along the riverbank to fully enjoy the majestic natural scenery.

Tu San Gorge is perhaps the beautiful gift that nature has bestowed upon Ha Giang. Tu San Gorge is located between Dong Van and Meo Vac. With a height of 1500m, depth of 700 - 900m, flowing in the Northwest - Southeast direction, Tu San Gorge exudes a poetic, mysterious beauty like a thread of jade, appearing and disappearing amidst the treacherous Northeast mountains. With its charming landscape, a boat trip on the Nho Que River in Tu San Gorge will be a wonderful and memorable experience for tourists.

To explore Tu San Gorge, you can also ride a motorbike along the local trails on the mountain slope parallel to the river below. However, make sure your driving skills are solid and you are accustomed to mountainous terrain, steep cliffs, and winding roads.

Khau Vai Love Market is organized once a year on the 27th day of the 3rd lunar month. On this day, the market returns like a lively melody, echoing joyously on the rocky and flowery land of Meo Vac. The market is for those who have unfinished love, who have loved but missed their chance. People of all ages come to the market, from the old to the young, with fresh, radiant faces. Despite the deep forests, high mountains, and rugged rocky cliffs, they eagerly cross the mountain passes and streams to reach the Khau Vai Love Market with anticipation and hope...

The road to Khau Vai twists and turns, passing by scattered houses clinging to the mountain slopes. In the lingering cold days, tourists visiting the Khau Vai Love Market will be delighted by the majestic scenery, experiencing the surrealism of white mist floating over the high mountain peaks and the rugged rocky cliffs standing tall in a blur of colors.

Dong Van Karst Plateau is one of the most attractive destinations in Ha Giang that draws a large number of tourists. To reach the karst plateau, tourists must travel through the Ma Pi Leng Pass. Along the road, sometimes we encounter waterfalls flowing from the mountaintops, creating a very poetic scene for the rocky plateau.

Passing by Bac Me, you will come across green terraced fields of rice, with distant stilt houses. When it rains in Bac Me, the rain pours down heavily, soaking the straight coconut rows. Especially, you will also pass through the Tu San Gorge and see the romantic Nho Que River.

Vuong Family Mansion, also known as the mansion of King Meo Vuong Chinh Duc, is the most unique architectural work in Ha Giang province. The mansion is located in the Sa Phin valley, Dong Van district, on a high piece of land shaped like a tortoise shell, symbolizing the Golden Turtle God, surrounded by a semicircular mountain range, creating a very impressive defensive position. Entering the mansion area, the first impression is the tall and straight centuries-old mahogany trees. The stone gate of the mansion appears majestic with delicate carvings.

Despite the changes of time and war, some materials in the mansion area have been replaced, but the unique architectural features have been preserved. If you have the opportunity to visit Ha Giang, do not forget to visit the Vuong Family Mansion and 'check in' here.

With its beauty rooted in a diverse traditional culture, Dong Van Old Quarter has created a distinctive and unique highlight in the Dong Van Karst Plateau - Ha Giang. This ancient quarter is home to many ethnic groups: Kinh, Tay, Dao, Mong, Nung, Hoa, and more. The old quarter consists of 40 houses, some of which are nearly 100 years old. What is special here is that the old quarter bears the architectural imprint of the Chinese with two-story tiled roof houses, red lanterns hanging high, dispelling the harsh cold of the karst plateau.

One of the famous features of Dong Van Old Quarter, bearing its hallmark, is the old quarter coffee. The 'Old Quarter Coffee' is like a beckoning beacon, more so with its current function as a tavern. This was originally the home of a Tày landlord named Lương, who held considerable sway in Dong Van in the past. This house, nearly a hundred years old, has also undergone many ups and downs with the old quarter, and luckily, it is still almost intact.

Furthermore, mentioning Dong Van Old Quarter must include Dong Van Old Market and the architecture of the market area. From above, on both sides of the old streets leading into the foothills, there are three rows of old markets arranged in a U-shape, with yin-yang tiled roofs. The common architecture here is two-story adobe houses, with yin-yang tiled roofs. If you visit the Dong Van Karst Plateau, be sure to visit Dong Van Old Market and admire this outstanding architectural feat.

Đồn Cao Fortress is one of the historical remnants of the resistance against French colonialism in Vietnam. The fortress consists of 2 floors, with walls built of Trung Thoi limestone, averaging 6-10m high and 80cm thick. There are many embrasures on the walls. The two southern corners of the fortress have 2 blockhouses.

Additionally, below, adjacent to the vertical rock face, there is a small area used for dining and pulling supplies up from the foot of the mountain using pulleys. Today, Đồn Cao Fortress has become one of the famous tourist attractions in Ha Giang province.

Located 7 km from Dong Van town, Thien Huong is a very special ancient village, where there is a community of ancient architectural ensemble that still retains the characteristic features of ancient architecture, unique folk festivals, and cultural activities. This is a must-visit destination for tourists traveling to Ha Giang.

From the center of Dong Van town, it only takes about 30 minutes to reach this beautiful village. At the beginning of the village are ancient banyan trees hundreds of years old, standing tall despite the ravages of time. This place is where people have built temples for convenient worship. If you plan to visit this village, then come in March of the lunar calendar, because at this time, the people of Thien Huong village gather to organize the ritual to worship the Lam deity.

Lo Lo Chai Village is one of the destinations that attracts tourists to Dong Van Karst Plateau. The village is located at the foot of Lung Cu Flagpole. Here, the main ethnic groups are Hmong and Lo Lo, which is probably why the village is named 'Lo Lo Chai'.

Visitors to Lo Lo Chai not only admire a beautiful village in Dong Van Karst Plateau but also immerse themselves in a green space amidst the sharp rocky mountains. Especially, when you visit Lo Lo Chai, don't forget to check in at the famous Cua Bac Cafe.

12. Săm Pun Border Gate

About 30km from the center of Meo Vac district, Săm Pun is not only beautiful at the destination but also beautiful on the way. The road to the border gate is stunning with steep curves challenging adventurers. You have to pass through countless mountains, admire countless layers of clouds to reach Săm Pun, as beautiful as a dream that many people always dream of setting foot in.

Here, you may be surprised by the changes in the area today. The dirt roads have been paved with smooth asphalt, clean and more houses, guard stations have also been rebuilt. But the natural beauty bestowed still remains, you must try once to visit Meo Vac. From Meo Vac to Săm Pun, you have to go through Xin Cai Pass. After several dozen winding curves, about nearly 10km, you will reach the border belt. Following that road a little further will take you to Săm Pun Border Gate. The most beautiful thing about Săm Pun is the journey, so just take it slow and enjoy the scenery along the way to satisfy your passion for virtual living!