Top 8 Exciting Experiences in Hà Giang Province

Stretching 185 km, Happiness Road connects Hà Giang City through the rocky plateau of Đồng Văn, a road born from the efforts and sacrifices of thousands of young volunteers in the 1950s and 1960s. This road has brought prosperity to the ethnic communities on the Hà Giang rocky plateau, showcasing human resilience against nature's challenges. Happiness Road is part of National Highway 4C, starting from Hà Giang City and passing through 4 highland districts including Yên Minh, Quản Bạ, Đồng Văn, and Mèo Vạc. With a length of nearly 200 km, Happiness Road gathers all the beauty of Northeastern Vietnam.

According to the travel experience in Hà Giang, visitors can explore Happiness Road in any season. Each season, Happiness Road transforms with its unique charm. From the Heaven's Gate, Bắc Sum, Mậu Duệ Pass,... every corner presents breathtaking scenery that captivates the hearts of nature lovers. Traveling along Happiness Road, one can witness the grandeur of the rocky plateau and appreciate the contributions of thousands of young people who built this road.

Address: National Highway 4C

Corn wine is brewed entirely from corn and natural water using traditional methods, distilled over wood fire so you can rest assured that it's pure and free from any additives. When consumed, it's smooth and won't cause headaches. Some famous local specialties you should try include thắng cố bò (beef hotpot), hanging beef and pork, cháo ấu tẩu (duck porridge), and thắng dền (pig intestine soup). Many tourists are captivated by these delicious dishes.

The cuisine of Hà Giang, much like its people, is simple yet unforgettable. The strong, spicy flavor of corn wine from Quản Bạ has become an integral part of Hà Giang's culinary culture. Enjoying a glass of strong wine alongside simple dishes like xôi ngũ sắc (five-color sticky rice), hanging pork, grilled moss will make your trip to Hà Giang complete.

Address:

• Mèo Vạc Market
• Đồng Văn Market

Visiting Hà Giang, you'll be mesmerized by the pristine white of plum blossoms, the vibrant pink of cherry blossoms covering the hillsides, or the presence of peach, plum, and pear blossoms around local homes. Walking along the main streets of the districts, you'll experience the enchanting sight of red ban flowers in full bloom. Absolutely fantastic, isn't it?

After three months of hibernation, the rock plateau

wakes up with colorful patches, and the sound of birds fills the air in Hà Giang. Warm sunlight replaces the misty days. Cherry blossoms and plum blossoms show off their colors against the gray stone background. Mustard flowers flood the valleys. Land strips shed their wild grass coats, signaling the beginning of a new growing season.

Addresses:

• Sủng Là Valley
• Cáo Street, Đồng Văn

The Flagpole at Lũng Cú is a national flagpole located at the summit of Lũng Cú or also known as Dragon Mountain (Long Son), standing at approximately 1,470 meters above sea level. It is situated in Lũng Cú commune, Đồng Văn district, Hà Giang province, marking the northernmost point of Vietnam. Modeled after the Hanoi flagpole but smaller in size, it features an octagonal design with the base adorned with 8 green stone reliefs depicting different historical periods of the nation and the customs of the people of Hà Giang province, with 8 bronze drums mounted above.

Viewed from below, the Flagpole at Lũng Cú stands tall atop the dragon mountain, with the red flag fluttering proudly in the wind. Serving as both a historical relic and a sacred, majestic northernmost point of the country, the Lũng Cú flagpole has attracted numerous visitors over the years. Climbing up 839 steps, you'll have the clearest view of the 54-square-meter national flag symbolizing the 54 brotherly ethnic groups, touching the national flag and feeling the strong wind blowing from above.

Address: Lũng Cú, Đồng Văn

Named as one of the 'four great mountain passes,' Mã Pì Lèng Pass is one of the most treacherous yet stunning mountain passes. Situated at the foot of the perilous cat ear-shaped mountains of Hà Giang, the Nho Quế River flows calmly year-round amidst towering cliffs, forming a vivid blue border between Mã Pì Lèng Pass and the Săm Pun road. Looking down upon the Nho Quế River from Mã Pì Lèng Pass is a route dubbed by seasoned adventurers as legendary, owing to its steep gradients and tight bends. Here, you can extend your gaze far and wide to take in the panoramic views of hills and mountains, as Mã Pì Lèng Pass reaches heights of up to 1,200 meters.

To catch a glimpse of the Nho Quế River from the most favorable vantage point, many travelers opt to pause at Mã Pì Lèng Pass. Despite navigating through a challenging 20-kilometer stretch, many are drawn to this spot to savor the beauty of the river and capture some truly 'epic' shots on the large rocky outcrops. Today, this pass alongside the Nho Quế River has become a beautiful destination that attracts adventure-loving tourists. The scenery here retains its purity and wilderness. Somewhere on the mountain slopes, there are still villages where ethnic minorities reside, and the river, at dawn, is often shrouded in mystical mist.

Address: Mã Pì Lèng Pass, Pải Lủng, Mèo Vạc

Raising carp on the terraced fields has been a long-standing tradition in Hoàng Su Phì, Hà Giang. The flooded rice fields, about 20-30cm deep, provide an ideal habitat for small carp. Fish breeders can easily observe the growth of the carp, which are typically caught by hand during harvest. The fingerling carp released into the rice fields are ready for harvest after about 3 months. Generally, people release the fish from June to September when the rice starts to turn yellow, just before harvesting.

Anyone who sets foot in the land of Hoàng Su Phì should not miss this unique experience. Amidst golden ripe rice fields, interspersed with small water channels forming endless terraces. The elusive fish, appearing and disappearing, will challenge the patience of the fishermen and create an unforgettable experience. Once caught, the fish is prepared along with the characteristic dishes of the ethnic people here. Fish raised in the rice fields offer tender, flavorful meat with soft bones, a delicacy not found anywhere else but in Hà Giang.

Address: Bản Luốc, Nậm Khòa, Nam Sơn, Hoàng Su Phì, Hà Giang

Highland markets convene every Sunday, where many items are sold, mostly products grown and produced by the local people themselves. You'll see Hmong people selling and communicating in their own language, offering black pigs, mustard greens, young corn, bamboo shoots, and even fried bean curd sticks, horse teeth beans, Brussels sprouts, and broomcorn... Perhaps items that tourists from the lowlands have never seen before, so they find it very fascinating. The atmosphere is very bustling yet peaceful.

Highland markets also bring a sense of closeness among the local people, including Dao, Giay, Nung ethnic groups... From bunches of homegrown vegetables, a few self-cultivated potatoes, sour star fruits, chili peppers... are all brought to the market for exchange. In addition to agricultural products, there are also many stalls selling clothing or footwear. The playful laughter of children, in the distance are the triumphant shouts of men and the busy buying of groceries by housewives, creating a lively scene. Traditional costumes of ethnic minorities are also sold here with vibrant colors and distinctive patterns, attracting both locals and passing tourists.

Address:

• Dong Van Market
• Meo Vac Market

When you visit Hà Giang, don't forget to stop by the milestone 0 located on national highway 2. This marks the first destination in your journey to explore Hà Giang, attracting many travelers for a check-in. Taking photos at Km 0 Hà Giang is like affirming and showing off to friends back home that you have set foot in Hà Giang, in this magnificent rocky plateau. Some may wonder why bother taking photos and visiting this milestone? In fact, this milestone signifies the start of a long and remarkable journey for each person to Hà Giang. Those who have traveled through the passes and cliffs of Hà Giang will understand the significance of checking in at this milestone 0. In summary, although not significant for sightseeing, milestone 0 in Hà Giang holds great spiritual value, capturing a moment to remember a unique journey.

One of the reasons why Km 0 Hà Giang is so popular for check-ins is because it is located in the most densely populated and developed area of Hà Giang, namely the city center of Hà Giang. For travel groups and especially tour groups, this is a place to rest, eat, and purchase necessary items before continuing the journey to conquer the next stretches of the rocky plateau.

Address: Nguyen Trai Ward, Hà Giang City