Ha Giang Loop 5-Day Itinerary: Explore Rural Vietnam

Well known for its rustic beauty with 100% of the population of the Tay minority people, Thon Tha Village is an attractive destination not only to domestic tourists but also to international tourists. Visiting the village and you will have a wonderful time getting to know the locals in the village, getting to see a part of the local customs and probably having a chance to try to harvest rice and cook Vietnamese food. You will have one night staying away from the crowds to participate in village life and truly feel the warmth and hospitality of these incredible people.

If you are looking for a short amazing trekking experience, head to Khuoi My village on Tay Con Linh Peak from Thon Tha village. As you walk the mountains paths, Ha Giang's countryside will unfold before your eyes and offer breathtaking scenes of a sparkling rice terrace, forests and a tea field. Besides, this is a homeland of 200 families from the Dao ethnic group where villagers eager to share stories about their history, culture and traditions, so feel free to talk with them to bridge the gap between language and culture.

Quan Ba Heaven Gate is the first gateway to the global geological park of Dong Van stone plateau. The story behinds the name is in 1939, the French built a huge door made of 150cm thick wood at the gates of heaven. Today the gate is no longer and replaces with a sign in both Vietnamese and English words: "Cong Troi Quan Ba". This is definitely the most ideal place to have a glimpse of the Dong Van plateau, looking backwards downhill, the zigzag road weaving between clouds and mountains.

Quan Ba Fairy Mountain (also known as Twin Mountains) is one of the highlights of the land Ha Giang which stands out from the crowd for its wild scenery, majestic nature and endless range of limestone mountains. Not only have a chance to admire its beauty, but you can also get better knowledge about its story which through a legend, local people still believe in it with their thought that "the fairy's milk from her breast has provided good weather and fruitful crops for this land since she left".

Lung Cu Flag Tower has long been a sacred image in the heart of every Vietnamese land. It is known as a national flagpole located at the top of Lung Cu (the Dragon mountain). It takes 389 stone steps to go up to the top of the flagpole and you will then have a fantastic chance to admire the terrific beauty of the panoramic Dong Van stone as a masterpiece of creativity. Not only witnessing the beauty of the scenery but also learning some interesting stories about this area.

Hmong Royal Palace rests like one of the most impressive national monuments in Northern Vietnam. Amongst best historic places in Vietnam, H'Mong King Palace stands out from the crowd for its grandiose structure spreading over an area of 1,120 square meters and with its unique intricate design. Hmong Royal Palace's design is under the strong influence of Chinese architectural style. A visit to explore H'Mong Palace will definitely offer you a deeper insight into the history and the unique culture of H'Mong ethnic minority. 

The hill-tribe market is a special cultural trait in the mountainous northern regions of Vietnam, and Dong Van Market (Sundays only) is amongst the most outstanding gatherings known by tourists. The style of the market is the combination of the Vietnamese culture and Chinese culture which makes it become a colourful market depicting the very best of the whole region. Explore the market, you will sense all the sights, sounds and tastes of the traditional hill-tribe market and have a chance to capture plenty of unique photos.

The Ma Pi Leng Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.500m (4,921ft) above the sea level. This pass is located on the Happiness Road connecting Dong Van and Meo Vac with a length of about 20 km. The name of this pass is the name of the most dangerous road in Vietnam, in the province of Ha Giang. Being one of the "four great mountains passes" in the mountains of northern Vietnam, next to O Quy Ho Pass, Khau Pha Pass and Pha Din Pass, Ma Pi Leng has become an indispensable destination whenever referring to Ha Giang. It's said to be the most breathtaking mountain road in all of Vietnam and words can't even describe how amazing this pass is. You will be amazed by the fascinating sceneries of this pass and have a precious opportunity to capture spectacular photos.

Lung Tam village in Lung Tam Commune is tucked away under the foot of hills in Quan Ba District in Ha Giang Province. This village is known for its long-standing traditional craft of brocade weaving. The art of making linen fabric has been passing from generations to generations in Lung Tam. Visiting the village, you will see linen products everywhere: drying out in the sun, whirring on family looms, and also have a fascinating opportunity to get a better knowledge of how to make linen fabric, interact with Hmong women and try to weave hemp.

Tucked away along the picturesque Dong Van Karst Plateau, the winding Nho Que River flows like green thread shimmering north from heaven. It runs along the border for 16.4 km then into Vietnam through Lung Cu Commune in Ha Giang into Gam River in Cao Bang Province. Visiting Nho Que River and simply taking a local boat to immerse in the splendid and terrific beauty of Nho Que River. Furthermore, it is a precious chance to capture some magnificent photos of this area. 

Lung Khuy Cave is one of the most beautiful caves in the rocky plateau, is a masterpiece created by millennia of geological activities. This cave is around 300m in length with many different branches, magnificent stalactites and fancy shapes stimulating the imagination of travellers. Visiting the cave, you will have an amazing chance to walk along the earthen road for more than one kilometre and witness the outstanding scenery along the way; and when going inside the cave, stir your imagination and see plenty of beautiful stalactites in various shape and size.