Brief information about Ha Giang Vietnam

Emerging as a hot destination in north Vietnam, Ha Giang is replacing Sapa as the most attractive place to enjoy natural beauty and ethnic culture. Amongst the highest latitudes of Vietnam, Ha Giang is certainly a terrific destination for the taking in the sights of special hilly landscapes. Ha Giang's resident consists mainly of minor ethnic groups that compose its own culture.

Area and also history

Ha Giang

Ha Giang is a hilly province in the Northwest Vietnam in which the Vietnam-China boundary extends more than 274km long. The district is additionally the resource of Lo River streaming right into Vietnam, contiguous to China to the north with global border entrance Thanh Thuy. Southern of Ha Giang is Tuyen Quang; eastern is Cao Bang and Lao Cai to the West. Ha Giang is about 320km to the north of Hanoi, complying with Highway no. 2.

Ha Giang is quite a brand-new city with only 120 years of history. Looking at a great deal of problems in regard to unfavorable place and reduced degree of infrastructure, Ha Giang is changing from a financially underdeveloped province into a tourist area that entices a lot of site visitors in the last few years.

Like other Northern highlands of Vietnam, the climate below is amazing in the summer and also incredibly chilly in the winter months which ones may see snow. The temperature of Ha Giang varies from 5 - 28 Celcius level, which is pretty ideal for tourist.

Ha Giang's visitor destinations

Like Sapa, the most prominent tourist attraction of Ha Giang are the numerous grandiose mountains. Although mountains here are not as high as Sapa's mountains and also seem not to be steep enough to challenge adventurous climbers, they attract attention for comprehensive area of limestone with unique formation of peaky rocks.

The most famous rough area of Ha Giang is Dong Van Rock Plateau, which is recognized by UNESCO as one of 77 geological parks worldwide. Lung Cu community lying inside Dong Van Rock Plateau is one more indispensible location as it marks the quite northern tip of northeast Vietnam by Lung Cu Flag Tower on Dragon Hill.

Not only that, Ha Giang is a location of extravagant organic caverns such as Phuong Thien Cavern, Chui Cave, Fairy Cavern as well as Swallow Cave. Although all the caves provide fantastic surroundings with wonderful forms of stalactites, each one has its own story and also qualities. As an example, tale states that fairies used to bathroom in Fairy Stream inside Fairy Cavern which is the source of its name.

Ha Giang is also prominent for its wonderful woodlands in which there are greater than 1,000 species of excellent timbers, drug trees also rare animals like tigers, peacock or pangolin.

Ha Giang's special society

This hilly district's residents are composed primarily of ethnic minorities with a major of Hmong, Tày, Yao and also Nùng ethnic groups. Thanks to this ethnical variety, nowhere could one see even more fusing traditions than Ha Giang. Each of the ethnic team has its unique custom in regard to wedding celebration, worship, celebrations or funeral service. To highlight, a Hmong bridegroom can only obtain wed only if he could rob his wife yet no one learn about his activity to be successful pass the test.

In Ha Giang, for tourist to see one of the most special personalized of the ethnic minorities, it is advised to take a hiking tour or traveling by motorcycles because there are numerous ethnic districts living separately from the mainstream society. Pertaining to these tribes, ones could see beauties on their doors to get rid of satanic forces as well as ghouls. The residents are additionally quite friendly that welcome strangers like honored visitors and could alleviate you their unique meal: Thang Co (steed meat hot-pot).

An unique spot only be seen in Ha Giang is "Khau Vai Passion Market". The market-day is held monthly just on the 26th and 27th of a Lunar Year. Therein, both solitary as well as wedded people in different ethnic teams could come to find ones' suitable life-partner and also sharing their sensation and understanding per various other. Lunar New Year seem to be the very best time to go to Ha Giang when ones can see a wide variety of standard customs of ethnic minorities here, such as commemorating success, rain habit, boys routine, weapon shooting competition, pan-pie performance or "Còn" Tossing competition.

How to arrive?

Since Ha Giang's infrastructure is still on its method of improvement, ones could only reach this destination by auto or motorbikes along the High Way No. 2 to the north of Hanoi, through 3 districts: Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho as well as Tuyen Quang. It's exceptional if one has an exclusive car or otherwise, you can go to some train terminal in Hanoi like Giap Bat, Gia Lam, My Dinh, Luong Yen or Ha Dong to purchase an instructor with fairly low reasonable, varies from 100,000 VND (about $5) per one way ticket.

Venture to Ninh Binh for a short excursion

Boat trip in Tam Coc

Boat trips - Tam Coc, Trang An, Thung Nang - Ninh Binh

A leisurely row boat trip through the stunning Ninh Binh countryside - its rice paddies, karst mountains and cave formations - is a definite highlight of a visit. ?? Tam Coc tours is the original boat trip destination and continues to be the favourite with tour groups. Travellers now have two extra options that are less busy and equally enjoyable.

Boats usually wait for a group of four to assemble and then set off with a local woman rowing. If you’re happy to pay more, you can have a private boat. Tipping boat ladies is recommended. The excursion usually runs for around 2 hours.

Cuc Phuong National Park

Cuc Phuong National Park is located 45km from Ninh Binh so it’s an easy day trip if time permits. Some travellers make the day trip from Hanoi. That’s far more arduous and groups arrive in the heat of the day and leave before things start to cool off. Not ideal.

Cuc Phuong is much better visited from Ninh Binh and will be of most value for nature lovers, travellers with a strong interest in its Endangered Primate Rescue Centre or, at the right times of year, bird watching. While the park features lots of lush, tropical forest, it’s not an essential inclusion for travellers in a hurry or those with only a casual interest.

The Endangered Primate Centre was established in 1993 to rescue primates from hunters and also rehabilitate endangered species. It’s a great place to see endangered gibbons, langurs and other primates close up. It’s located near the main entrance to the park.

Treks through the park range from very easy, to far longer and more demanding. The park’s ancient trees and caves used by prehistoric inhabitants of the area are accessible on the less demanding treks.

Hang Mua

It’s a fair climb up hundreds of steps but the views from Hang Mua over Ninh Binh’s stunning countryside are well worth the effort. Best visited in the early morning or late afternoon. Hang Mua is easily accessed while cycling in the area.

Hoa Lu

Hoa Lu’s historic offerings are less memorable than the stunning countryside in which they sit. Remnants of the original capital are modest. Instead, travellers can visit two atmospheric 17th century temples. The more impressive is dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang, who established the capital at Hoa Lu. After his murder, Le Dai Hanh established control and the shortlived Le dynasty began. The second temple honours Le Dai Hanh.

Hoa Lu was considered a safer location from Chinese invaders with the limestone mountains providing good surveillance as well as barriers against invaders.

Cycling

The main sights around Ninh Binh town - Tam Coc, Trang An, Hoa Lu, Hang Mua and Bich Dong Pagoda are all easily reached by bike. Ideally you’ll leave the main roads and travel between places along picturesque country lanes. A guide can be very helpful in locating the best of these. Hotel maps tend to be confusing.

A day on your bike visiting all the main sites may see you cover 30 - 40kms on mostly flat terrain.

Most bikes for hire tend to be pretty ordinary but the cycling conditions aren’t terribly challenging either. If you want a better quality bike, check out the Thuy Anh Hotel in Ninh Binh town (55A Truong Han Sieu St, Ninh Binh). They’ve recently purchased some better quality bikes and rent them out for US$5 per day.

Bich Dong Pagoda

Bich Dong Pagoda is a short ride from Tam Coc and Thung Nang. It’s one of Vietnam’s most historic pagodas however constant renovation and rebuilding has drained it of much of its atmosphere. It’s worth stopping by because you’re in the area but the shiny newness of much of the complex is at odds with its rich past. Visitors are encouraged to dress modestly.