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.

Visitors to take part in Ha Giang flower festival

Ha Giang People's committee has approved the plan submitted by Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to host Tam Giac Mach flower Festival in Dong Van district, however the festival will be organized in the right time with emphasis and characteristics of Ha Giang province.

According to plan, Tam Giac Mach flower festival will take place in October this year when Tam Giac Mach flower is in full bloom and most beautiful, the festival will be held along with a chain of cultural activities such as the Third H'mong flute festival, the amateur photo exhibition with subjects about Dong Van highland, Rock plateau tourism fair...

Dong Van plateau in Ha Giang

This will be the first Tam Giac Mach festival held in Ha Giang town at provincial scale. Ha Giang is expected to promote and advertize the special characteristics, local traditional culture of ethnic minority groups living in the area Global Geopark Dong Van. 

Early October is the time when Tam Giac Mach flowers come to season. This time, Ha Giang become busy with thousands of people, most of them are young travelers from Hanoi flock to Ha Giang to enjoy the beauty of Tam Giac Mach flower blooming all over the place, across the hillsides and villages of Dong Van, Meo Vac and Yen Minh districts.

If you choose Dong Van as the first destination of the trip to Ha Giang in Tam Giac Mach season then Pho Cao should be the first place to behold the first flowers of the season. Standing right on top of the hill looking down, you will see a carpet of Tam Giac Mach, the color of flower in the early season is light pink and fresh, the picturesque gardens stretch across the mountain valleys. Local people used the powder of Tam Giac Mach fruit to make cakes or mix with corn and make alcohol with very special flavor.

Useful tips for a tour to Ha Giang

Travel Ha Giang

My tour Ha Giang was on the occasion of national holiday Reunification day 30th April and Labor day 1st May and things were more expensive than usual. Along the way I met many motorbike groups on their way to Ha Giang, some groups had 5 to 7 bikes, one group had up to 13 bikes. Tours to Ha Giang from Hanoi this time was quite bustling. Not only young people, there were also elderly people visit Ha Giang with their families, people come there to set foot on the border line of our homeland, watching the rocky plateau of Dong Van and conquer the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass.

Beautiful weather, there were only 2 of us, a few times "almost" no accommodation, run out of petrol mid way and overcharged...There are many things I learnt during the 3 day 2 night adventure to Ha Giang I would like to share with you, on accommodation, about problems on the road and the itinerary as well.

Although we had searched for information and tips about Ha Giang travel on the net, referred to friends we did not actually had something specific, except the way. So in this article I will share with you all the experiences in my last trip in Ha Giang attractive places

Best time to visit Ha Giang:

Ha Giang is said beautiful all seasons, I do not deny it, Ha Giang is famous for Dong Van rock plateau, Lung Cu flagpole, Ma Pi Leng pass, Vuong family palace...Ha Giang is still beautiful from season to season, still imposing despite the time. However, there are also some certain time periods, Ha Giang is nicer by the colors of the flowers: Tam Giac Mach, specialty for travelers, just about the end of October to December people all gather to Ha Giang to enjoy the beauty of Tam Giac Mach flower, the purple flowers spread across the hillside. And also in this time, Ha Giang is embellished with yellow color of Cabbage flower, Ha Giang is very cold this season, you may see frost and sometimes it also snows in the area. Experience the frigid cold winter in the northern mountainous region, trembling with a cup of coffee in hand, sip a bowl of Au Tau porridge, clicking a glass of corn wine...Nothing is as great as that?

Winter passes, the first days of Spring approach. Then the plum, peach flowers blooming. Come to Ha Giang this time to witness with your own eyes the vitality of all things in the rocky plateau, perhaps a wonderful experience. Personally I will be back to Ha Giang some spring, holding a glass of corn wine, to self-heat my soul. Adventure tours in north Vietnam

Summertime is rainy season, there are sudden shower. Ha Giang in Autumn is more beautiful with paddy terraces, though not as much as Sapa or Mu Cang Chai but it brings a particular beauty.

Have you chosen your time to visit Ha Giang, if you have made up your mind let's move on to means of transport.

How to get to Ha Giang?

There are two ways for you to get to Ha Giang. It's by car or motorcycle. I choose motorcycles for my journey. Motorcycle suit people who like freedom, adventurous and risky feeling.

Car is the choice for people who put safety first, however travel by bus in your private tours to Ha Giang from Hanoi usually run at night and you will not be able to view the roadside scenery to the fullest. So I will let you make your own choice to travel by car or motorbike

Travel to Ha Giang by motorbike or private car:

I would really admire if you go by motorbike. Biking to Ha Giang is not a short journey. Your reason is to conquer the road or overcome yourself? This road is about 300 - 320 km, and there are 2 routes to choose from

First route (I chose this one)

Starting from Hanoi to Son Tay (via highway 21 in Co Nhue) then onto Trung Ha bridge, turn right at Son Tay township or straight on to La Thanh - Co Tiet - Phong Chau bridge (After Phong Chau bridge you turn left along Thao

river) to Phu Tho township - Doan Hung district then to Tuyen Quang province, in Tuyen Quang you take national highway 2 to Ha Giang without going through Tuyen Quang town.

If you go to Ha Giang by this route the road is deserted and 30 km shorter, there are fewer traffic police ;) It took me nearly 9 hours from Hanoi to Ha Giang (12.30am to 21.20 pm) including lunch and photo stops.

Second route:

From Hanoi via Thang Long bridge, turn to Vinh Phuc province - Viet Tri town - Phu Tho province - Tuyen Quang town - Ha Giang, this route has more passenger buses and more crowded than the first route.

Travel to Ha Giang by public passenger bus

You can catch a bus to Ha Giang from My Dinh station in Hanoi, my tip for you is to buy ticket in advance so that you have a seat and avoid being cramed. You can make a booking by some ways, call directly to bus companies or go to booking agent by yourself.

I have consulted and collected a list of passenger buses for your choice, you can refer to the list of Ha Giang buses, remember to call ahead to update price.

Return to my article, after arriving in Ha Giang by bus you can rent a motorbike to visit nearby beautiful places, or you can join a bus tour to Dong Van however I recommend that you rent a motorbike in Ha Giang town.

To rent a motorbike in Ha Giang you can refer to one of the contacts below:

Hong Dao motorbike rental service:

Phone 0915.842.019 or 0165.398.2928

Address 10 Pham Hong Thai street, Group 17, Minh Khai ward, Ha Giang town

(close to Minh Khai junior secondary school)

Bao Thanh motorbike rental service:

Address: 31 Nguyen Thai Hoc street, Ha Giang town

Mr Nam, phone 0917.797.269 – 0978.159.123

Bay motorbike rental service:

Address 47 Ly Thuong Kiet street, group 15, Tran Phu ward, Ha Giang town

phone: 0986.030.405 – 0125.515.5568 – 0915.273.882

Tuan Anh motorbike rental service:

phone: 0906.175.336

Giang Son motorbike rental service:

Address 170 Tran Hung Dao road, Ha Giang town

phone: 0988. 470.863 or 0962.761.081

Travel itinerary in Ha Giang by motorbike or private car

Brief itinerary: Ha Giang town - Quan Ba district - Yen Minh district - Sa Phin - Vuong family palace - Lung Cu peak - Dong Van rock plateau - Ma Pi Leng pass - Meo Vac district - Bao Lam district - Bac Me - Ha Giang.

Day 1: Spend your time on the road to Ha Giang, arrange a hotel room in town for a shower, go out for dinner, take a walk around city and spend the night in Ha Giang town, please note that you need to arrange permit at Ha Giang police station so that you can enter the area of 4 border districts, you can arrange it through your hotel.

Day 2: Get up early and check out (get up early so that you have more time to visit sightseeing places in Ha Giang). Fill the fuel tank with a spare bottle of petrol. Go straight to Quan Ba district, if you have time enough please stop over Lung Khuy grotto, a newly discovered cave in Quan Ba and the famous Quan Ba heaven gate. About 15km from Ha Giang town the road started becoming spectacular, the passes winding around the mountain, the distant mountains covered with floating white clouds. The higher you go the more beautiful scenes you have. The road from Quan Ba to Yen Minh (60km) is quite scenic especially the pine forest in Yen Minh, the sides of the road are covered with pine trees, feel like we are traveling in Da Lat pine forest, you can stop here camping and lunch.

From Yen Minh, there are 2 roads to Dong Van or Meo Vac, you turn towards Dong Van, in a short drive you arrive in Dong Van with the first rocky mountain beginning to appear then to a winding pass quite nice that I do not know the name. Over the pass you arrive in Sa Phin heaven gate (the junction of Lung Cu flagpole and Vuong house). This time is about 2-3 pm, you turn to Vuong family mansion (or Hmong King palace) for a short visit then return to junction and continue to Lung Cu flag post (26km). The stretch of road from heaven gate to Lung Cu is incredibly beautiful. Rocks undulating like the waves. Beautiful, magnificent and breathtaking, this part is the most spectacular road in Ha Giang.

It time permits you can visit Pho Bang old quarter in the border gate area (7km from Sa Phin) and then return to Lung Cu. Please note that when you arrive in Lung Cu, don't park your car at the foot of the mountain at the military post and keep driving up to the flagpost. If you are not allowed

to go this way you can trace your way back to the junction, right at the start of the road there is a way to the village of Lo Lo people, you can go straight to the flagpole. Pay your entrance fee there and you can save your time and efforts of climbing stairs.

Leaving Lung Cu flagpole, you still have plenty of time to wander around Lo Lo village. Then turn back to the town of Dong Van (approx ~ 22km). To arrange a hotel room in town.

In the evening you can go out for a walk, enjoy barbecue and corn wine, have a cup of coffee or go to bed early to save energy for the next days.

End of day 2

Day 3: Get up early and go out for breakfast in the Old street area, there are many dishes: Banh Cuon, Au Tau and Thang Co soup...Return to hotel, check out the room and continue to Ma Pi Leng pass.

Ma Pi Leng pass is the stretch of road that connects Dong Van and Meo Vac districts (22 km). On top of the pass you can look down the Nho Que river. It is very beautiful everywhere from beginning to finish of the pass. No photo can display the splendid spectacle of Ma Pi Leng pass, no wonder Ma Pi Leng is called the King of passes in Vietnam.

Leaving Ma Pi Leng pass behind you arrive in Meo Vac for lunch, after lunch is a 150 - 180 km drive back to Ha Giang town, you can choose one of the 3 ways:

- Meo Vac to Lung Phin (if you are lucky you can visit colorful Lung Phin market that opens every 6 days on the days of Tiger and Monkeys on lunar calendar) then to Yen Minh - Quan Ba and Ha Giang, this way you will track back the original road.

- Meo Vac to Lung Ho - Mau Due - Du Gia, I recommend this route as it has become legenday for motorbike travelers for its beauty and dangers and finish in Ha Giang town

- Meo Vac to Bao Lam and Bao Lac district - Bac Me and Ha Giang. I chose this road as I did not return to Ha Giang and continued on to Cao Bang in our northeast loop tours Vietnam.

Arriving in Ha Giang town, spend one more night in town and return to Hanoi next day. End of the trip

Sleeping in Ha Giang

In Ha Giang town: I have spent hours going around town to find the hostel. As the day was 30th April and all hotels were full. We were very lucky that at least we found Duc Giang hotel, only aprox 6 usd for a room with 2 beds, just across the bus station, the room is basic but has hot water, very good deal for a night.

If you want to stay in a better choice there are plenty of hotels along the main road to town, rates from 10 - 20 usd

Dong Van: According to bus drivers and motorbike travelers, best hotel choice is Hoang Ngoc hotel, right at the Dong Van market, rates from 8 - 10 USD a room with 2 or 3 beds, breakfast not included. The guesthouse at the end of the street is also good, backpackers can sleep at 1 usd/person, there are about 6-7 cheaper hostels around town, approx 8 usd/room. A popular place for young Vietnamese travelers is Old Street coffee, however this place is only the last choice as the bathroom is not clean and has mosquitoes

Eating in Ha Giang

Im not a big fan of cuisine however I know some famous dishes in Ha Giang such as Banh Cuon, Thang Co soup, Bac Me sticky rice, Au Tau porridge, Five color sticky rice, dry beef and corn wine, be careful as you may mistake with Chinese wine that makes you headache as told by local people.

In Ha Giang I had supper at Trung Lan restaurant, just near the city square, this restaurant opens at night. In Dong Van I had dinner at Xuan Bang restaurant, for breakfast I went to an old lady selling Banh Cuon just across my hotel in Dong Van.

Ha Giang travel tips:

If you travel by motorbike remember to bring along driving license, petrol reserves (1.5 litre bottle), spare parts and repair set with pump, these items are necessary as the roads in Ha Giang are rugged and bumpy and there is no repair shops

Clothing: In winter you need to bring scarf, gloves and warm clothes, you can choose light jacket. In summer you can bring a sweater as it is a bit cold at night in the mountain highland.

Medication: abdominal pain, headache, allergic, anti-mosquito cream, gauze, first aid items...If you go camping you must have anti-mosquito and insects along with firewood, pot and pan for cooking.

Spectacular Ma Pi Leng pass in Ha Giang

Ma Pi Leng is the name of the craggy stretch of mountainous road in Ha Giang province, about 20 km long, located on the Happy Road linking the Ha Giang town, Dong Van and Meo Vac districts. Ma Pi Leng in the language of Hmong people means "Horse nose" refering the abrupt mountain slopes. The road winding through the cliffs, passing Ma Pi Leng summit at an altitude of 2,000 meters, below is Nho Que river, light and thin as a thread. 

Ma Pi Leng pass in Ha Giang

Ma Pi Leng pass is not too long however it is the most difficult pass in the remote north Vietnam, considered as King of passes in Vietnam, the pass was built by tens of thousands of workers from norther provinces in 11 months, at first the road was just wide enough for pedestrians and cycles then widened for the cars however it was still very difficult and dangerous with sharp bends and too narrow for two cars to pass from opposite directions. After completion, Ma Pi Leng pass with 9 curves over the sheer cliffs and deep abyss below has become a Great Wall of Vietnam. On top of the pass placed a stone tablet recording the construction of the road and also a monument to the contributions of those who have sacrificed their lives to make the road.

The road is like a silk band winding the mountain with sheer cliff on one side and deep abyss on the other side is a challenge to adventurers, after crossing the slopes, visitors arrive at the Ma Pi Leng pass, amazed at the magnificent space of the mountain appearing in the blue sky, especially there is a piece of rock that comes out of the road is the place for you to have a panorama view of the mountainous north, visitors have a feeling like in the middle of the sky.

With rugged terrain and spectacular unspoiled scenery, Ma Pi Leng pass deserves as one of the "Big Four Passes" of the northern region of Vietnam (with the Pha Din, O Quy Ho and Khau Pha Passes). One cannot miss Ma Pi Leng pass when visit Ha Giang.

Spectacular view from Heaven gate in Quan Ba

Quan Ba district in Ha Giang

Tour Ha Giang Vietnam, Quan Ba heaven gate is located about 50 km north of Ha Giang town, this is the gateway to the Dong Van geological park. Heaven Gate is on top of the pass from Ha Giang to Quan Ba district, once upon a time behind the gate was kingdom of Hmong people with 4 districts Quan Ba, Dong Van, Meo Vac and Yen Minh. In 1939 the French built huge a wooden door, 150cm thick at this place, now the door is no longer there, only a sign in both English and Vietnamese languages: Quan Ba Heaven Gate.

To visit the Heaven Gate, visitors have to climb a few dozen more steps to the highest peak, this is the most ideal place to have a glimpse of the Dong Van plateau, looking backwards downhill, the zigzag road weaving between clouds and mountains. Looking to the front is a large valley with rolling prairies, yellow rice terraces mixed with brown color of earth. Stand prominently is Quan Ba twin mountain or Fairy Mountain that make visitors feel like in the sea of clouds.

Enjoy the love festival in Ha Giang

Khau Vai market festival in Ha Giang

Khau Vai love market is also called Phong Luu market which was dated back in early 20th century. The market takes place on a hill at Khau Vai village, Meo Vac district, tours to Ha Giang Vietnam. Each year, the market opens only one time. Khau Vai love market is referred to the inconclusive love affaris and reunions, the anxious wait of lovers...

According to legend, Khau Vai love market came after an unhappy ending love story when a young couple from two tribes was in deep love however their love was broken because of difference and hatred between their tribes, the boy and the girl parted however promised to meet again one time a year at Khau Vai peak on the lunar 27th March. Since then, the market in Khau Vai has become a festival for local people come and meet, young and old people dance, sing tribal songs, drink wine and eat traditional Thang Co soup, overtime people from different groups such as Tay, Nung, Dzao also join the market and made it a popular activity for people in the remote 

From 5pm on the day before market, thousands of people are seen walking and riding horses on their way to market, many of them have to walk overnight to reach the market on time, on their backs are rattan baskets full of fruit, wine, food...the festival of Khau Vai market is long time expecting activity of people not only in the region but also for tourists to Ha Giang.

Spectacular Du Gia commune in Ha Giang

Du Gia, Ha Giang

Those who love travel, discover the route from Mau Due to Du Gia always bring unforgettable memories, all bikers express their discourage when mentioned the journey, the nickname "miserable road" was given to this hardest stretch of road as the most difficult road in north Vietnam adventure tours. The route from Du Gia to Mau Due in Ha Giang province has attracted how many bikers, it takes almost a half day when the weather is good, when it rains and fog you cannot tell how long, the 75km stretch of road along the mountain path, full of sharp rocks coupled with towering slopes about 11-12 degrees and full of desolation. The challenge is that but this route has seen a lot of travelers to conquer, some people did the trip more than one times until it has become a habit, a drug for years that forces them to come back every year.

The wonderful thing that compensates those who dare to explore and experience the hardship of the road is the spectacular moments when you stop and stretch your legs on top of the pass, you can take the most beautiful photos of the green valley in the rocky plateau, the yellow paddy terraces are even more beautiful than in Mu Cang Chai or Hoang Su Phi as they look like flowers on the grey background of mountains.

Arriving in Ha Giang town at noon, our group quickly prepared food, drinks and a 10 litre can of petrol for the upcoming journey with only a few little houses perched on the high mountain slopes, no gas station, no bike repair, no phone coverage...so that when you have set the foot in this route you have to get out of it before the night falls. We started the trip from Ha Giang township about 25km to Bac Me and then turned to Mau Due, leaving the main road about 10 meters we hit the rocky path, those who come on this road for the first time feel shocked by the bumpy path that makes your motorbike bounces up and down. Along the endless winding road the scenery is very spectacular, with the mountains, rivers, jungle all combine to make it a magnificent picture, sometimes you see a little waterfall on the road side, before your eyes in the distance are rice terraces on the hillside where Hmong people raise corn, an unresistable attraction of Ha Giang travel information.

At the place from Lung Ho commune to Mau Due township, all steps are stopped at the Sa Ly and Na Lau cultural hamlets, Yen Minh district of Ha Giang province, these are the villages of Red Dzao people perched on the peak of the mountain surrounded by the most beautiful rice terraces, the tiled roofs houses connected together as an art installation by someone purposely created on this highland, the blue smoke from the houses even gives the picture warmer colours. Both villages still retain the natural rustic beauty, innocence as the color of the rocks around the existing gray stone plateau.

Crawling on the edge of the cliff at a speed of 5km/hour and we arrived at Du Gia commune at 16.00, we stop for a rest at a tea stall, all the way from Du Gia to Mau Due, a mountain peak is followed by a valley pass, we came to Lung Ho when the sun just set, we had to keep riding 35 km through Ma Pi Leng pass to come to Meo Vac, our destination for the night.

Ma Pi Leng pass and the road of happiness in Ha Giang

In the coming time, Ha Giang province is expected to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the completion of the "Road of Happiness" to honor and praise the great contribution of the former voluntary youngsters in the eight northern provinces who have opened the road from the town of Ha Giang to four northern mountainous districts. The celebration is scheduled to be held in mid March 2015.

The "Road of Happiness" is the path extending from Ha Giang town to Meo Vac district via the legendary Ma Pi Leng pass built by young peoples of Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Thai Nguyen, Nam Dinh and Hai Duong provinces during 8 years with simple tools equivalent to 2 million workdays.

Happy couple taking photos on Happiness Road

The Happiness Road was started on 10th September 1959 with total length 200km from Ha Giang over the rock plateau Dong Van and Ma Pi Leng pass to Meo Vac, after a long time of hard working the route was completed and put into operation on 10th March 1965. Nearly 8 years of contruction in harsh conditions with a lot of hardship the road was completed in the happiness of local people and young workers.

Why the road was name Happiness? For the road was attached to hard labour of the youth, they have sacrificed their beautiful young years, shed sweat and even blood for the road. In those days, enthusiastic young people willing to participate in activities to help people. When the campaign to build the road was launched, hundreds of young people came together on the road, volunteered to go opening the road. At that time, the tools were very basic and simple, they just had the hammers and crowbars to work. The country was still in difficult condition, they had to work very hard under severe conditions however everyday young people still worked very hard. Even they hang onto the roof of the Ma Pi Leng plateau over 11 months to build the road over the pass opening literally every centimeter of rock to open the road, completing 10km road through the steep side. Today Ma Pi Leng is considered as one of the most spectacular passes in northern Vietnam, travelers on their adventure tours to Ha Giang Vietnam cannot miss Ma Pi Leng pass on the way from Meo Vac to Dong Van.

Many people have expressed deep feelings when recalling to the old days, it's like a historical battle that they have put all effort into helping people. It is the sacrifice of their contributions now the plateau region has increasingly developed. Thanks to the Road of Happiness that people now can have easy access to trade with each other and with other regions, tourists come here to discover more and more, contributing to the economic development of Ha Giang province.

The 50th anniversary of the completion of "Road of Happiness" is expected to organize many cultural activities such as organizing acceptance of phase 1 of the monument of voluntary youth on the Happiness Road, inauguration of the cemetery and organize offering incense to young martyrs in Yen Minh district, the 2nd Hmong flute festival in Ha Giang...

Under the plan, the Northwest Steering Committee will host the ceremony in collaboration with Ha Giang province, and local agencies concerned to prepare the necessary conditions to organize the 50th anniversary of the completion of "Road of Happiness" in Ha Giang province to ensure practical and effectiveness.

Travel permit to Ha Giang

Travel permit to Ha Giang

Travel permit to Ha Giang: Foreign tourists to Ha Giang are required to have permit in order to access the remote border areas in Ha Giang province. Previously, travellers must apply for this permit at Ha Giang Immigration Department. But now, for the convenience of tourists visiting Ha Giang tours from different ways each district has an immigration unit based in town issuing permits directly to visitors. The procedure has become even more convenient as the hotel staff can help arrange permits for guests staying at their hotels. Each permit allows maximum 5 passengers, fee is 10 usd.

Ha Giang developes community tourism

More than 520,000 visitors came to Ha Giang in 2013, this is an impressive figure for the tourism industry the frontier area of the country.

Ha Giang Vietnam

Nam Dam hamlet in Quan Ba district is a farourite choice for visitors coming to Ha Giang tours. In total 50 households, mostly ethnic Dzao, there are up to 20 families organize community based travel. To attract more tourists, Nam Dam has set up a Management Board, responsible for the managing of tourism activities in the village. Thanks to the attention of local authorities, from early 2014 the hamlet had a museum of it's own. Travellers can learn about culture, traditions and habits of Dzao people in Ha Giang through exhibits and old books.

Nevertheless, community tourism in Ha Giang has not been implemented in a professional manner, many villages branded as community travel culture village however there is no service. Ha Giang province is composed by 21 ethnic minorities, many villages still preserve cultural traditions however people's lives are difficult, education level is not high. Developing community tourism will contribute to protecting the environment and creating jobs, increasing imcome and improving life for people...But to achieve this goal Ha Giang must have specific strategies, especially to raise awareness for the people.

According to leaders of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, from the end of the year, under the Circular 12 of the Ministry of Culture, ethnic minorities will enjoy more preferential policies for tourism development such as promotion support and assistance in the development of tourism in the model of homestay. The Circular is hoped to facilitate the sustainable development of community tourism in Ha Giang.