Ha Giang is a province located in the northeastern region of Vietnam, bordering China to the north. Ha Giang is a province in the northernmost region of Vietnam, bordering China to the north. It covers an area of 7,945 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 800,000 people, consisting of various ethnic groups, such as the Hmong, Dao, Tay, Nung, and others. The province is known for its stunning natural beauty, rich ethnic diversity, and unique cultural heritage, Ha Giang has become an increasingly popular destination for travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences.

The number of days to spend in Ha Giang depends on your interests, preferences, and the activities you want to do. However, to fully explore the region and experience its unique culture and natural beauty, it’s recommended to spend at least 3-4 days in Ha Giang.

Itinerary for a 2 days trip to Ha Giang

Day 1:

Morning:

– Start early from Ha Giang city and drive towards Quan Ba District, passing through the Heaven’s Gate PassFairy Bosom Mountain, and the Quan Ba Twin Mountains.

Quan Ba District

– Stop for breakfast at a local restaurant or food stall in Quan Ba town, such as Quan Ba Market or Quan Ba Food Street. You can try the local specialty “thắng cố” (a soup made from horse meat and organs) or “bánh cuốn” (steamed rice rolls with minced pork and mushroom), which cost around 30,000 VND to 50,000 VND (approximately 1.5 USD to 2.5 USD) per dish.

Afternoon:

– Visit the Lung Tam Village, which is famous for its traditional weaving and dyeing techniques, and buy some souvenirs or clothes from the local shops. You can also try the local snack “bánh dày” (sticky rice cake with sesame and peanut filling), which costs around 10,000 VND to 15,000 VND (approximately 0.5 USD to 0.7 USD) per piece.

The Linen Weaving Village

Drive to Yen Minh District and have lunch at a local restaurant or street food vendor, such as Yen Minh Market or Yen Minh Food Court. You can try the local dish “thịt lợn nướng” (grilled pork with herbs and chili sauce) or “bún riêu” (crab noodle soup), which cost around 30,000 VND to 50,000 VND (approximately 1.5 USD to 2.5 USD) per dish.

Evening:

– Check-in at a local homestay or hotel in Dong Van District, such as Dong Van Old Quarter Homestay or Hoa Cuong Hotel.

– Explore the Dong Van Old Quarter, which is a cluster of traditional houses, shops, and temples, and enjoy the local street food and drinks, such as “bánh cuốn” (steamed rice rolls) or “rượu ngô” (corn wine), which cost around 10,000 VND to 30,000 VND (approximately 0.5 USD to 1.5 USD) per serving.

– Attend the Dong Van Night Market, which is held on weekends and features local products, handicrafts, and performances. You can try the local snack “bánh khảo” (deep-fried glutinous rice cake with mung bean filling) or “nem chua” (fermented pork roll), which cost around 10,000 VND to 20,000 VND (approximately 0.5 USD to 1 USD) per piece.

Day 2:

Morning:

– Have breakfast at a local cafe or bakery in Dong Van Old Quarter, such as Cong Caphe or Dong Van Bakery. You can try the local snack “bánh mì pâté” (baguette with liver pate and vegetables) or “bánh cuốn” (steamed rice rolls), which cost around 10,000 VND to 30,000 VND (approximately 0.5 USD to 1.5 USD) per dish.

– Visit the Dong Van Geological Park, which is a museum and exhibition center that showcases the geological and cultural diversity of the region. Admission fee is around 40,000 VND (approximately 2 USD) per person.

Dong Van Geological Park

Afternoon:

– Have lunch at a local restaurant or cafe in Meo Vac town, such as Meo Vac Market or Meo Vac Cafe. You can try the local dish “thịt gà chiên” (fried chicken with herbs and spices) or “phở gà” (chicken noodle soup), which cost around 30,000 VND to 50,000 VND (approximately 1.5 USD to 2.5 USD) per dish.

– Drive back to Ha Giang city and stop at some attractions along the way, such as the Pho Bang Ancient Town or the Thon Tha Village.

– Have dinner at a local restaurant or eatery in Ha Giang city, such as Ha Giang Night Market or Co Tien Quan Restaurant. You can try the local dish “thịt nướng” (grilled meat with rice noodles and herbs) or “chả cá Lã Vọng” (fried fish with dill and turmeric), which cost around 50,000 VND to 100,000 VND (approximately 2.5 USD to 5 USD) per dish.

2 days in Ha Giang

Itinerary for 3 days trip to Ha Giang

Day 1:

Morning:

– Take an early morning bus or private car from Hanoi to Ha Giang city, which takes around 6-7 hours.

– Upon arrival in Ha Giang city, check into your hotel and have breakfast at a local restaurant. Quan Pho Co Ngu (Address: 32 Tran Phu Street, Ha Giang city; Price: 30,000-50,000 VND per bowl of pho)

Afternoon:

– Visit the Ha Giang Museum, which showcases the history, culture, and traditions of the ethnic minorities in the region. he admission fee is affordable, usually around 40,000 VND per person (about 2 USD), and the museum is open daily from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM and from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Ha Giang Museum

– Explore the local markets and handicraft villages in and around Ha Giang city, such as Lung Tam Village, where is famous for its handmade linen fabrics, which are made from natural materials such as hemp and indigo.

– Have lunch at a local restaurant in Ha Giang city. Quan Co Tam (Address: 38 Tran Phu Street, Ha Giang city; Price: 50,000-150,000 VND per dish)

Evening:

– Have dinner at a local restaurant in Ha Giang city. Quan Cay Khe (Address: 95 Tran Phu Street, Ha Giang city; Price: 50,000-150,000 VND per dish).

Day 2:

Morning:

– Take a scenic drive along the winding roads of Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, a UNESCO-recognized global geopark. The geopark is known for its unique and diverse geological features, such as limestone formations, karst landscapesfossil sites, and fault systems, as well as its rich cultural heritage, with 17 ethnic minority groups living in the area.

– Visit the Dong Van Old Quarter, a well-preserved heritage site known for its traditional houses, markets, and cultural activities.

Dong Van Old Quarter

Have lunch at a local restaurant in Dong Van town. Ban Me Restaurant (Address: 5 Dong Van Plateau Street, Dong Van town; Price: 50,000-150,000 VND per dish)

Afternoon:

– Visit the Lung Cu Flag Tower, the northernmost point of Vietnam, and enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Lung Cu Flag Tower

Take a trekking or motorbike tour to the remote villages of the ethnic minorities in the region, such as the Hmong, Tay, Dao, or Lo Lo, and learn about their unique customs, handicrafts, and culinary culture.

– Have dinner and spend the night at a local homestay in the village. Homestay Lung Tam (Address: Lung Tam Village, Quan Ba District; Price: 200,000-300,000 VND per person per night)

Day 3:

Morning:

– Have breakfast at the homestay and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the village.

– Visit the Vuong Palace, a spectacular mansion built by a wealthy Hmong king in the early 20th century, and admire its impressive architecture and historical artifacts. The admission fee for Vuong Palace is 20,000 VND for adult, child is free.

Vuong Palace

– Have lunch at a local restaurant in Yen Minh town. Quan Anh Tuan (Address: 9A Yen Minh town, Yen Minh district; Price: 50,000-150,000 VND per dish)

Afternoon:

– Take a scenic drive to Meo Vac town and visit the Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of the most breathtaking roads in Vietnam, and enjoy the panoramic views of the Nho Que River and the surrounding mountains.

Ma Pi Leng Pass

– Have dinner at a local restaurant in Meo Vac town. Quan Nha Hang Hai Ha (Address: Meo Vac town, Meo Vac district; Price: 50,000-150,000 VND

Itinerary for day 4 and 5 in Ha Giang

If you have more time to experience, here is the schedule for day 4 and day 5

Day 4:

Morning:

– Have breakfast at your homestay or a local restaurant in Meo Vac town. Quan Ngon Meo Vac (Address: Meo Vac town, Meo Vac district; Price: 50,000-150,000 VND per dish)

– Take a scenic drive or motorbike tour to the nearby attractions, such as the Lung Cam Cultural Village, where you can see the traditional houses, costumes, and handicrafts of the Dao ethnic group, or the Nho Que River, where you can go kayaking or rafting.

Lung Cam Cultural Village

Have lunch at a local restaurant in Meo Vac town or on the way back to Ha Giang city. Quan Anh Tuan (Address: 9A Yen Minh town, Yen Minh district; Price: 50,000-150,000 VND per dish)

Afternoon:

– Return to Ha Giang city and visit the Phuong Thien Cave, a natural wonder with impressive stalactites and stalagmites.

Phuong Thien Cave

– Have dinner at a local restaurant in Ha Giang city. Quan Thanh Son (Address: 13 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ha Giang city; Price: 50,000-150,000 VND per dish)

– Spend the night at your hotel in Ha Giang city.

Day 5:

Morning:

– Have breakfast at your hotel or a local restaurant in Ha Giang city. Quan Com Phuong Nam (Address: 150 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Ha Giang city; Price: 30,000-50,000 VND per dish)

– Visit the Heaven’s Gate Pass, also known as Quan Ba Pass, which offers a stunning view of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Heaven's Gate Pass

– Take a scenic drive or motorbike tour to the Lung Tam Linen Village, where you can learn about the traditional process of making linen fabrics from natural materials, such as hemp and indigo.

Afternoon:

– Have lunch at a local restaurant in Quan Ba town. Quan Anh Tuan (Address: 63 Tran Phu Street, Quan Ba town, Quan Ba district; Price: 50,000-150,000 VND per dish)

– Visit the Fairy Bosom Mountain, a natural attraction with a unique shape resembling a woman’s breast.

Fairy Bosom Mountain

– Return to Ha Giang city and have dinner at a local restaurant. Quan Cay Khe (Address: 95 Tran Phu Street, Ha Giang city; Price: 50,000-150,000 VND per dish)

briefly itinerary for 5 days in Ha Giang

Some tips for the first time visitors

Plan ahead: Ha Giang is a remote and mountainous region with limited infrastructure and services, so it’s important to plan your itinerary in advance and book your accommodations, transportation, and activities beforehand. Check the weather forecast and road conditions, and be prepared for unexpected changes or delays.

– Dress appropriately: Ha Giang has a cool and humid climate, so it’s recommended to bring warm and waterproof clothing, comfortable shoes, and sun protection. Respect the local customs and dress modestly when visiting the ethnic minority villages, such as covering your shoulders and knees.

– Be respectful: Ha Giang is home to many ethnic minority groups, each with their own traditions, languages, and beliefs. Respect their culture and customs, and ask for permission before taking photos or entering their houses or sacred sites. Learn some basic phrases in Vietnamese or the local dialect, and bring small gifts or souvenirs to show your appreciation.