Experience Ha Giang, Vietnam

Exploring Ha Giang

If you’re looking for somewhere in Vietnam that still isn’t quite developed, pure, and raw, Ha Giang is the answer. This northern province, located by the border with China, feels as if you’ve stepped into a different era. Getting there isn’t the easiest, a 6-7 hour drive from Hanoi and there are no airports or trains, but in all honesty, that is part of the adventure and possibly a contributor to why the region is still so authentic.

What makes Ha Giang so special extends beyond the mountains (though let’s not kid ourselves, the mountains are spectacular). It is an amalgamation of glorious scenery and the culture of the 19 different ethnicities living here. If you take a motorcycle ride through the Ha Giang Loop, you will see it all: high mountain passes, terraces of rice clinging to the sides of hills, children waving at you dressed in their ethnic traditional clothing. Each corner seems to be taken from some film.

Highlight? Many to choose from. The Dong Van Karst Plateau, has wondrous limestone formations and is a UNESCO recognized geopark. Ma Pi Leng Pass is absolutely one of the most epic drives in Asia; it will make your heart pound in exhilaration and fear at the same time in its glory. Do not miss the Sunday markets in Meo Vac, or Dong Van, where locals from the mountains come to trade, showcase their native designed craft clothing accessories, and catch up with friends; for anyone who enjoys photography, or people watching trying to fathom the feats of locomotion that accompany visitors to this area, it’s delightful unrealistic scenery! And for history buffs, the old Vuong Family Residence (a design of Chinese, French and Hmong) is akin to stepping into fortress in the mountains with time forgotten.

And the food! Do not miss the five colored sticky rice (the five colors actually represent elements of life), or a warm bowl of “au tau” porridge after a cool ride. If you see buckwheat cakes at a market stand, do not hesitate; though simple, they are delicious and they, somehow, taste even more delightful when you are surrounded by fields of buckwheat flowers that bloom in October!

The truth is, Ha Giang is not luxury and that is exactly why it is so beautiful! More than likely you will stay in a homestay, eat at a low wooden table with locals, and sleep under the blanket of mountains with fresh air pouring in your window. It is not polished, but it is real. And if you are looking for adventure, an unspoiled and remarkable experience, Ha Giang is one place that you’ll never forget in Vietnam!