There is a place in Northern Vietnam where the mountains don’t just rise; they soar. Ha Giang province is a land of legends, where the "Road of Happiness" winds through limestone peaks and the Nho Que River flows like an emerald silk scarf through deep canyons. Often referred to as the final frontier for travelers, this region offers a raw, unfiltered beauty that challenges the spirit and captures the heart.

Whether you are standing atop the Ma Pi Leng Pass—one of Vietnam’s four great national passes—or trekking through the cloud-shrouded forests of Tay Con Linh, Ha Giang is a destination that demands to be experienced. In this guide, we take you through the UNESCO Geoparks, sacred border landmarks, and hidden trekking trails that make this province the most famous adventure hub in Vietnam. Pack your bags and get ready for a journey where nature and history harmonize in every mile.

>>> Read more: 10 things Ha Giang is famous for (Part II)

MA PI LENG PASS

Ma Pi Leng is one of the four national grand passes which has a length of around 20 kilometres and is in the mountainous area of Ha Giang. In fact, exploring the beauty of Ma Pi Leng is a must-try experience when visiting Ha Giang since the route is majestic and the view from the pass is gorgeous. Once you reach the top of the pass, you can admire the beauty of the stunning mountains in Ha Giang and the evergreen Nho Que River.

Foreign friends check-in at Doc Tham Ma

To have the ultimate experience at Ma Pi Leng Pass, the best mode of transportation is motorbike. Howecer, if you do not know how to ride, you can use the riding service from locals at an affordable price. In brief, discovering Ma Pi Leng brings you not only the harmonization between nature and artificial beauty but also the spirit of freedom, independence, and generosity.

DONG VAN KARST PLATEAU GEOPARK

Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark (in Vietnamese: Cao Nguyen Da Dong Van) is the largest geopark in Vietnam, located in four districts of Ha Giang province: Dong Van, Meo Vac, Yen Minh, and Quang Ba. This is a significant attraction that Ha Giang is famous for.

The geopark was recognized in the international geopark system by UNESCO in 2010. Honourably, his is the first Vietnamese that is on this list and the second in South East Asia. With the latitude at around 1400 to 1600 above sea level, the terrain separates the geopark into different small parts. In addition, the value in terms of archaeology is tremendous since the discovered fossils here have an age of 400 to 600 years.

Gorgeous Dong Van Karst Plateau Park (Source: VietnamPlus)

Furthermore, the geopark is not only famous for its historical and archaeological value but recently has become a famous destination for a road trips, especially among youngsters. Apart from being 140 kilometres from Ha Giang city, you can go to the geopark by car or motorbike in approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. However, it is highly recommended to go by yourself or have a motorbike drive to reach the geopark since you can enjoy the magnificent scenery along the road better.

LUNG CU FLAG TOWER

Lung Cu Flag Tower (in Vietnamese: Cot Co Lung Cu) is at the northmost point of Vietnam. Also, this tower has a significant meaning for the political geography of Vietnam because it is a landmark on the border of Vietnam and China.

Lung Cu Flag Tower (Source: VnExpress)

From the top of Lung Cu Flag Tower, it is around 1470 meters above sea level, and the location is at the top of Long Son Mountain. Additionally, a fact about the Vietnamese flag on top of the tower is that it has a size of 54 square meters. The size represents 54 “brotherhood” Vietnamese ethnicities within the country. Alongside the important historical and political values, this tower was selected as one of the most perfect locations in Vietnam to watch the sunrise and sunset. If you love the majestic sun moments, you cannot miss the visit to Lung Cu Flag Tower.

Check out: NORTH EAST VIETNAM ADVENTURE 10 DAYS

NHO QUE RIVER

Besides the mountainous area, Nho Que River is the timeless beauty that Ha Giang is famous for. Beginning from Lung Cu and Ma Le districts, flowing through the Dong Van districts to the domestic land of Ha Giang, the Nho Que River gently covers the city like an emerald silk scarf. Also, the soft charm of the river is the delicate touch of the majestic mountain scenery of Ha Giang.

Evergreen Nho Que River and Tu San Abyss (Source: Vietnam Economic)

To enjoy the best beauty of the fusion between river and mountains in Ha Giang, a boat tour is highly suggested for you as a half-day trip idea. Seated on the boat, hearing the wind singing, and watching the little waves on the surface of the river, you can totally get out from all the noise in your head and immerse yourself in a peaceful space.

At the same time, admiring the grandeur of the mountains along the riverbank, we will see how small we are in front of the mother of nature and learn to treasure more the values inside each of us.

TAY CON LINH MOUNTAIN

In a mountainous area like Ha Giang, trekking is a must-do activity when visiting this destination. As always, we will show you the best spot to perform this sporty and extremely fascinating activity.

Tay Con Linh Mountain is the highest mountain in the Eastern North area of Vietnam, with a height of 2428 meters above sea level. The best activity alongside trekking is cloud hunting on the mountain peak. On the journey, you can enjoy the wild and dense primeval forest and see the diverse biosystems of the subtropical climate.

Cloud hunting on Chieu Lau Thi Peak (Source: Kenh14)

Foremost, the magical view full of clouds on the peak of the mountain is all the cloudy fantasies that you have ever dreamed of. Then, to live up to this supernatural scene, you can go to Chieu Lau Thi Peak (known as Kieu Lieu Ti Peak), which is the location that Ha Giang is famous for cloud hunting and sunrise watching. The best period for cloud hunting is from August to December, or around the month of March every year.

In brief, we hope that from our “local handbook”, you have picked up some new ideas for your dream Ha Giang Loop Motorbike tour. Let us know your ideas and favourites through Build Your Own Trip, via the Facebook page, or in the chatbot below. 

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