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Hà Giang is renowned for its stunning landscapes and rugged beauty. Alongside lies a place where traditional cultures of highland ethnic groups are preserved. This solo travel guide to Hà Giang will undoubtedly be helpful for your upcoming trip. Let's delve into it!
Solo Travel Guide to Hà Giang - When is the Best Time to Visit?
You can visit Hà Giang at any time of the year. However, the ideal time is from August to March of the following year. During this period, you'll have the opportunity to witness the ripening rice season. Additionally, Hà Giang in spring blooms with flowers, accompanied by various festivals.
1. From August to October
According to solo travel reviews of Hà Giang, this period showcases a very distinctive beauty. All the terraced fields here turn into the golden hue of ripened rice. You'll witness this scenery at its finest in Hoàng Su Phì.
2. October to December
If buckwheat flowers are what make you nostalgic, then come to Hà Giang at the end of the year! From October to the end of the year is the season of buckwheat flowers in Hà Giang. You'll undoubtedly be enchanted by the buckwheat fields, forgetting your way back.
Hà Giang adorned in pink by the buckwheat flowers (Source: Collection)
Lũng Cú Flagpole, the foot of Mã Pí Lèng Pass, Lũng Cẩm Cultural Village... are extremely cool places to admire the buckwheat flowers. Enjoy to the fullest to add interesting information to your Hà Giang travel review.
3. From January until Lunar New Year
From January until Lunar New Year is springtime in Hà Giang. Coming to Hà Giang during this time, you will be overwhelmed by the scenery of countless flowers showing off their colors. Hà Giang at this time seems to put on a new coat. Fresh green and lively breath of spring.
Especially, this is also the time when many unique festivals take place in Hà Giang! Among them are the Lập Tịnh Festival of the Dao people, the Gầu Tào Festival of the Mông people, the Lồng Tồng Festival of the Tày people...
Hà Giang travel review - How to get to Hà Giang?
According to the Hà Giang reviews, our country's flights do not operate direct flights to Hà Giang. To ensure smooth self-sufficient travel, you should move to Hanoi first and then continue on to Hà Giang.
If you are from another province or city, you can also refer to Hanoi travel reviews. Thanks to that, you can easily and conveniently book flight tickets, train tickets, and buses to the capital.
The distance from Hanoi to Hà Giang is 280km. So there are many ways to travel for adventurers!
1. Motorbike
Almost in the Hà Giang travel self-sufficient reviews, adventurers prefer to travel by motorbike. Because traveling by motorbike brings much more meaningful and memorable experiences. Rest assured that in Hanoi, there are places to rent motorbikes for the trip to Hà Giang. Suitable for those who do not drive to Hanoi.
It takes about 6 to 7 hours for you to travel from Hanoi to Hà Giang. There will be 2 routes to Hà Giang, no matter which route, it will be quite winding and dangerous. Safety first, folks!
Motorbikes are a popular choice for many adventurers (Source: Collection)
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Route 1: Through Vĩnh Phúc
From Hanoi, you will head towards Nhật Tân Bridge, through Võ Chí Công - Vĩnh Ngọc. After about 15km on Võ Nguyên Giáp, turn right onto National Highway 2A. Drive along the highway to reach Vinh Yen City (Vĩnh Phúc province). Then turn left onto National Highway 2C. Continue towards Tuyên Quang City and you will reach Việt Quang town, Hà Giang province.
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Route 2: Through Phú Thọ
This route will be about 7km longer but easier to navigate. From Hanoi, drive along the direction of Thang Long Boulevard. After about 27km, turn onto National Highway 21. Continue for another 20km, then turn onto National Highway 32. Head towards Trung Ha Bridge, pass through Phu Tho commune to reach National Highway 2C. After reaching National Highway 2C, the journey will be similar to Route 1.
2. By Coach
You can choose to travel by coach for a safer option. At Mỹ Đình bus station, there are many bus companies with various departure times for you to choose from. To maximize your time, you can opt for evening trips. That way, you only need to sleep one night and wake up at your destination.
If you're flying in from the South or Central regions, you can arrange for a shuttle bus to pick you up at Nội Bài intersection (near the airport area). This will help you save travel time.
3. Luxury Van
Luxury vans with 9 seats may be slightly more expensive than regular coaches. If you're traveling in a group of around 8 people, you might consider renting the entire van. Renting a private van ensures privacy and flexibility.
Luxury vans are often the choice for group travelers (Image source: Collection)
Typically, luxury vans are suitable for groups of friends or families. Renting a van will help you save more costs. Plus, it's a safer option for travelers who may not be confident in driving in Hà Giang.
Self-Guided Hà Giang Travel Review - Getting Around Hà Giang
According to most self-guided Hà Giang travel reviews, due to the underdeveloped infrastructure here, transportation options are still limited. You can choose to travel by motorbike or rent a taxi depending on your travel needs. But no matter which means of transportation you choose, you will still have your own interesting experiences.
1. Motorbike Rental
In most self-guided Hà Giang travel reviews, most young travelers opt to rent a motorbike for sightseeing. Hà Giang's terrain is quite challenging, with many steep slopes, narrow and winding roads. A motorbike will make your travel much more convenient, and you'll have the opportunity to admire the majestic mountains and landscapes.
2. Taxi Rental
Taxis are suitable for family trips or group outings. If traveling in a large group, renting a taxi will ensure much greater safety. In addition, taxi drivers can also act as tour guides, providing many tips and suggestions for ideal destinations and delicious local dishes.
Self-Guided Hà Giang Travel Review - Accommodation in Hà Giang
In this self-guided Hà Giang travel review, Mytour will suggest to you the common types of accommodations in Hà Giang. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can choose the most suitable type for yourself!
1.
Resort
For those with high demands on accommodation, you can opt for a resort. Infrastructure in Hà Giang is not highly developed yet, but the resorts here will surely not disappoint you.
Topping the list of resorts is the renowned P’apiu. Located approximately 13km from the center of Hà Giang, P'apiu offers a serene escape amidst nature and mountains, surrounded by terraced fields and poetic skies.
P'apiu Resort with breathtaking views (Image source: Collection)
Additionally, you might consider two other quality resorts: Hoang Su Phi Lodge and Trường Xuân Resort.
2. Hotels
Hotels can be considered the common type of accommodation in Hà Giang. The 2-3 star hotels here are often favored by tourists for their reasonable prices. These hotels cater to a wide range of guests, from families and friends to couples.
Some hotels you might consider are Hà Giang Historic House, Phoenix,... These are all highly-rated addresses in reviews of Hà Giang trips. The facilities and service quality here are sure to satisfy travelers.
3. Homestay
Homestay is a type of accommodation commonly mentioned in reviews of self-guided tours to Hà Giang. This type of lodging is suitable for those who enjoy experiencing mountain life and authentic local culture. Some homestay hosts even personally cook for guests and invite them to dine together.
Homestay is the preferred choice of accommodation for most independent travelers (Image Source: Collection)
Some notable homestays you can consider are: Lý Đành Homestay, Làng Tày Homestay, Ha Giang Homestay… You can explore these homestays and consider them for your trip.
Self-Guided Hà Giang Tour Review - Top Hot Check-In Spots in Hà Giang
In Hà Giang, there's no shortage of tourist spots for you to check-in. So, do you know what those places are? Let's find out together with Mytour!
1. Lũng Cú Flagpole
Lũng Cú Flagpole seems to be a check-in spot that's always present in self-guided Hà Giang tour reviews. The flagpole is situated on the Rong Mountain with a height of 1,470 meters above sea level.
To reach this place, you must challenge yourself with 839 steps and 140 spiral staircase steps. This is a sacred milestone in the northernmost part of our homeland that you shouldn't miss.
A profoundly sacred check-in spot you can't afford to miss (Source: Collected)
Arriving at Lũng Cú Flagpole, you'll behold a flag measuring 54m2, symbolizing the 54 ethnic groups of our Vietnam. The red flag with a yellow star flutters proudly against the blue sky, evoking an extraordinary sense of grandeur.
2. Dong Van Old Quarter
Dong Van Old Quarter is a unique convergence of various brotherly ethnic groups. It's where the H'Mong, Tay, Nung, Dao, Chinese, and Kinh people gather. Their ancestors settled and thrived here, starting from the early 20th century.
Amidst the bustling modern life, this place still retains its distinctive charm. It's adorned with ancient houses steeped in the hues of bygone eras. According to self-guided Hà Giang travel reviews, it's perfect for those interested in exploring the cultural and spiritual life of the locals here.
The ideal time to visit Dong Van Old Quarter is on Sundays when weekly markets are held. On that day, you'll experience the vibrant rhythm of local life, accompanied by the lively colors of traditional ethnic costumes.
3. Dong Van Karst Plateau
Dong Van Karst Plateau is situated at an average altitude ranging from 1,000 to 1,600 meters above sea level. It stretches across four districts: Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Meo Vac, and Dong Van in Ha Giang province.
You'll surely be amazed when you visit Dong Van Karst Plateau! (Source: Collected)
This place has been recognized by UNESCO as a Global Geopark since 2010. It holds significant importance in the historical development of the ancient Earth.
If you plan to visit, it's best to come in the spring. Spring is when the karst plateau adorns itself with its most beautiful attire among the four seasons. You'll witness a karst plateau embellished with the yellow of mustard flowers, the red of cherry blossoms, and the white of plum blossoms.
4. Mã Pí Lèng Pass
Mã Pí Lèng Pass is renowned as one of the four great passes of our country. This pass stretches for about 20 kilometers. Despite its challenging terrain, the scenery is incredibly majestic and picturesque.
Most adventure enthusiasts will attempt to conquer this pass. And it's also one of the most famous destinations in the self-guided Hà Giang travel reviews.
From Mã Pí Lèng Pass, you'll see the Nho Quế River flowing below (Source: Collected)
The pass connects Đồng Văn and Mèo Vạc. Standing at the summit of the pass, as you gaze into the distance, you'll see the verdant Nho Quế River below. The winding Nho Quế River meanders around the mountain peaks like a silk scarf.
Exploring Mã Pí Lèng, you'll encounter a rugged yet stunning natural landscape. The winding pass, deep abysses, and towering mountains will undoubtedly evoke fascinating feelings within you.
5. Quản Bạ Heaven's Gate
A visit to Hà Giang wouldn't be complete without a stop at Quản Bạ Heaven's Gate. This is a place that has captivated the hearts and held the feet of many travelers.
From Quản Bạ Heaven's Gate, you'll behold the majestic panorama of Hà Giang (Source: Collection)
The Heaven's Gate sits at an altitude of 1,500m above sea level, surrounded by two mountain peaks. It serves as the gateway for exploring Đồng Văn Karst Plateau.
From this vantage point, the Northwest mountains and forests will deeply imprint in your eyes. A perfect and complete beauty, where heaven meets earth.
6. Quản Bạ Twin Mountains
Quản Bạ Twin Mountains, also known as Fairy Twin Mountains, are truly a masterpiece crafted by nature's hands. Resembling their name, Quản Bạ Twin Mountains bear the shape of a mother's breast.
Each season, you'll marvel at Quản Bạ Twin Mountains in different colors. It's the pink of buckwheat flowers, the golden hue of ripening rice fields, and the misty green of early mornings.
Some jest that Quản Bạ Twin Mountains have contributed to enriching this land. Only when you're here will you understand why it's often mentioned in self-guided Hà Giang travel reviews!
7. Yên Minh Pine Forest
Yên Minh Pine Forest is renowned for its picturesque scenery, with lush greenery stretching to the horizon. Here, you'll feel the incredibly fresh air of nature. The swaying green pines create a melody unique to mountain forests.
Yên Minh Pine Forest will temporarily make you forget the hustle and bustle of urban life. It will provide you with an inexplicable sense of relaxation.
You'll immerse yourself in nature when you visit Yên Minh Pine Forest (Source: Collected)
The vast pine forest seems to welcome you with open arms. If you happen to visit here early in the morning, you'll witness a pine forest covered in mist. The scene is tinted with a mysterious hue, making travelers feel like they're wandering into a fairyland.
8. Hoàng Su Phì Terraced Fields
Hoàng Su Phì Terraced Fields are often mentioned in many self-guided travel reviews of Hà Giang. This location has been recognized as a national heritage site with a history spanning hundreds of years. It may be the period when the Nùng, Dao, and La Chí peoples were just cultivating the land.
Here, you'll marvel at the lush terraced fields. The best time to visit is in September and October during the rice harvest season. Visiting at this time, you'll have the opportunity to admire the golden, shimmering terraced fields.
The terraced fields in Hoàng Su Phì evoke a feeling like steps to paradise (Source: Collected)
The houses hidden in the mist have captured the hearts of travelers. It's not just about the beautiful scenery, but more importantly, the tranquility and serenity that you deeply feel within your soul.
9. Tu San Alley
If you've come to Hà Giang, you can't miss visiting Tu San Alley. The alley is a deep gorge with heights ranging from 700 to 900m, and it stretches for 1.7km. Surely, engaging in boating activities on the Nho Quế River to witness Tu San Alley firsthand will give you unforgettable memories.
This is one of the unique wonders of the Đồng Văn Karst Plateau. In 2009, it was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a Vietnamese National Monument.
Several years ago, before the Nho Quế River was dammed for hydroelectric purposes, accessing Tu San Alley was quite difficult. The nearest houses were about a hundred meters away from Tu San Alley. It seemed almost impossible to reach Tu San Alley, as it could only be seen from the Mã Pí Lèng Pass.
Boating on the Nho Quế River to explore Tu San Alley is an unmissable activity (Source: Collection)
After being dammed, the Nho Quế River became much gentler with calm flows. This facilitated the development of tourism and the transportation of tourists by motorboats and canoes to get a clearer view of Tu San Alley.
10. Lung Cam Cultural Village
Lung Gam Cultural Village is mainly inhabited by the Hmong people, along with a few Lolo and Chinese people. Lung Cam Cultural Village is well-known in the self-guided Hà Giang travel reviews.
Upon arrival, you'll have the opportunity to admire the continuous mountain ranges, cornfields, ancient houses... Along with that are young men and women dressed in vibrant traditional costumes.
Stepping into Lung Cam Cultural Village, you'll have the chance to learn more about the distinctive culture of the Hmong people. Architectural styles, customs, traditions, agricultural practices... all hold valuable cultural significance.
Self-Guided Hà Giang Travel Review - What to Eat in Hà Giang?
The cuisine in the Hà Giang region has a unique mountainous charm. When visiting Hà Giang for tourism, you must indulge in the local specialties! Let's see which dishes are often recommended in self-guided Hà Giang travel reviews!
1. Egg rolled cake
At first glance, you might feel that Hà Giang's egg rolled cake is no different from the ones in Hanoi. But when you taste it, you'll realize that this egg rolled cake is quite different from the ones in Hanoi.
Egg rolled cake has a deliciously fragrant flavor (Photo source: Collection)
Hà Giang rolled cake offers you a very distinctive experience. This type of rolled cake is not eaten with fish sauce as usual. Because it has egg and cassava flour, you will eat it with bone broth. This unique taste will surely stimulate your taste buds and make you feel delicious.
2. Men men
Men men is a famous dish mentioned a lot in self-guided Hà Giang travel reviews about cuisine. Surely, even if you haven't been to Hà Giang, you've heard of this dish. However, do you wonder what this dish is and why it has such a strange name?
Men men is actually another name for traditional steamed corn flour. After the corn season, people will select mature corn kernels separately. These corn kernels will be ground into flour before being steamed in water.
Men men with the characteristic yellow color of corn (Photo source: Collection)
Men men will be tastier if steamed over low heat with just enough water to prevent drying out. If you visit Hà Giang, you should definitely try this dish! It will be an unparalleled experience.
3. Chaò aâu taâu
Cháo ẩu tẩu is made from the ẩu tẩu root. This is a type of root containing toxins, so it requires extreme caution and a certain level of expertise from the maker.
Usually, the ẩu tẩu roots are soaked in rice water overnight before cooking. Then, they will be simmered for 4 hours until thickened. When cooking, they will be cooked in broth made from meat and pork knuckles.
This dish not only has culinary value but also serves as a remedy to help alleviate joint pain. It tastes better when served hot. It is often accompanied by spring onions, basil, raw egg yolk, and minced meat.
4. Northwest Lam Rice
Northwest Lam Rice is famous for its fragrant sticky rice, roasted with red charcoal, in bamboo tubes sealed with banana leaves or fresh dong leaves. These rice tubes are roasted by hand, heated, and rotated evenly on a charcoal stove. When cooked, you will smell the fragrant aroma of sticky rice.
Lam rice is often enjoyed with freshly ground sesame salt. Or you can eat it with fermented shrimp paste, both are equally delicious. Any seasoning will bring you an unforgettable taste experience.
5. Grilled Moss
Grilled moss is a unique dish that only Hà Giang has. Most self-guided Hà Giang travel reviews suggest that tourists should try grilled moss.
The flavor of grilled moss will leave a lasting impression on you (Source: Collection)
You probably wouldn't think that ordinary stream moss could be a specialty of Hà Giang, would you? In fact, it's quite a delicacy! While there's plenty of stream moss around, good moss is rare. This dish is seasonal and can only be eaten when the moss is green.
Before cooking, fresh moss is usually pounded and meticulously cleaned. There are many dishes made from moss that you can try. Among them are fried moss, dried moss... But the most special is grilled moss marinated with lemongrass and cilantro. It's served with various distinctive spices.
6. Buffalo Meat Hung on the Kitchen Rafters
Buffalo meat hung on the kitchen rafters is one of the famous specialties of the Hà Giang region. This dish carries the strong flavor of the northern mountainous forests. With the advantage of being easy to preserve and able to last a long time, this dish is often bought by tourists as gifts or for later consumption when they return to the lowlands.
Buffalo meat is preserved by hanging it on the kitchen rafters. The meat is dried by smoke and heat. And to enhance the flavor, before hanging it on the rafters, spices are added. These spices include chili, ginger, garlic, and mac khen...
After about 2 months, the buffalo meat will become dark in color with a distinctive aroma. When in Hà Giang, don't miss out on this dish!
7. Thắng cố
Thắng cố is one of the most famous specialties in the Hà Giang region. This dish is made from meat and internal organs of buffaloes, cows, and horses. These ingredients, when stir-fried, are stewed with characteristic spices and herbs.
Despite thắng cố's flavor possibly being an acquired taste, who knows, you might just love it!
You can easily find this dish at local markets. It's one of those dishes that, according to the self-guided travel reviews of Hà Giang, is deemed very delicious and unique. When enjoying it, you can also order a cup of fermented corn wine with fragrant leaves. This is a very authentic way of dining that truly reflects the local culture here!
8. Thắng dền
Thắng dền is known as one of the popular desserts among Dong Van locals during the winter. At first glance, you might find this dish similar to Chinese-style lotus seed sweet soup. The round cakes resemble those from the South, but the cake filling is made from coconut, sesame, and peanuts.
After being boiled until tender, the cakes are soaked in apricot blossom syrup with ginger. This gives the cakes a sweet taste and warmth. They are even more delicious when served hot and sprinkled with roasted peanuts and coconut milk.
What makes a guided tour to Hà Giang different?
If you're visiting Hà Giang for the first time and prefer not to travel independently, you can opt for a guided tour. Taking a tour is a relatively safe and helpful option for those who lack experience in independent travel.
When going on a tour, the travel company takes care of everything from A to Z without you having to worry about anything. Transportation, accommodation, and meals will all be arranged by the tour company, leaving you free to enjoy your trip.
Traveling on a guided tour is very suitable for first-time visitors to Hà Giang (Source: Collection)
Currently, Mytour offers super hot deals on tours to Hà Giang. Our company can meet almost all your needs for the trip criteria. There are various itineraries available for 4 days 3 nights, 5 days 4 nights, and even 3 days 2 nights trips for busy individuals with limited time.
With the sharing above, I believe your trip now has more options. Save this Review of independent travel to Hà Giang on your device if you find the article helpful! But if it's your first time in Hà Giang, you can take a tour to avoid confusion. Contact Mytour via hotline Mytour for advice or to book a tour to explore Hà Giang!
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