Conquering high cliffs allows you to see everything that is going on around you.

In the Northeast region, Ha Giang is a popular tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors. Nature has blessed it with pristine landscapes, including a network of rivers, mountains, majestic rocky plateaus, and winding passes.

Among the many ways to enjoy the country's first place, if you like to explore, adventure, and check in strange corners, you can find your own new inspiration in an area where few people come in the land of "flowers blooming on the rock."

Coming to Ha Giang alone

Van Son (currently living and working in Hanoi) recently completed a journey through Vietnam.

Son has visited 30 provinces and cities in Vietnam after a solo journey of nearly 5,700 kilometers on a motorcycle.

"My previous job was in the film. Many beautiful regions in Vietnam have left me with a lasting impression. I've since decided to become a travel vlogger "Van Son revealed.

Van Son traveled by himself.

The 25-year-old aspires to share more images of human life, and the cultural identities of the places he has visited, and to film footage of each place he has visited.

Continuing his passion, Son decided to travel alone to Ha Giang - the northern highlands - in November.

Conquer the white cliffs

White cliffs - a destination for daring souls.

"There are many beautiful places in Ha Giang that attract many people, but I wanted to find a more private, quiet space and walk to make footprints on the beautiful land, so I decided to conquer the white cliff," 9X explained.

The white cliff is the back of a mountain at the top of the Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of Vietnam's most dangerous passes.

According to locals, when there is no Happiness road, the road along the white cliff is the main passage between Dong Van and Meo Vac. White cliff is also where the Cat King and his entourage pass and often stop to rest before. The trail with stone steps leading up here has been around for a long time.

Large white limestone patches stand out among the clouds and mountain winds.

Van Son rode his motorcycle from the Happy Road Museum through the death rock area, down a valley, and up to the observatory. Son arrived at the walking path to begin exploring the white cliff after riding his motorcycle for about 3 kilometers on a difficult road with a cliff on one side and a chasm on the other.

The path along the mountain slope is only wide enough for one person to walk; there are stone steps and iron fences to ensure the safety of tourists.

The white cliff area has a snout cliff thanks to geology's miraculous tectonics, providing enough space for a few people to camp overnight and watch the stars or catch the sunrise when they wake up.

"Going a little further, I discovered lush green beds blooming yellow throughout the area, planted at the base of the white cliff. In the near future, there are clusters of 3-4 trees, the name of which I do not know, but most of them have died dry, leaving only one tree, which I will call a lonely tree for the time being "Son stated. Van Son rated this location as the best in the area and the best place to take photos.

A lone tree near a white cliff.

Backpackers can see the beauty intertwined between clouds and mountains, of the Nho Que river, Tu Loi gorge, watching the group of backpackers go in succession on the Happiness Road... from this height.

"To return, you can go all the way to the mountainside, where there will be a small path leading down Happiness Road, or you can go back to where you started," Van Son explained.

Before exploring the rugged cliffs

According to Van Son, many things must be prepared before we embark on our journey. However, the most important factor is one's health.

With the constantly changing terrain of Ha Giang's steep passes or the walking distance as far as the white cliffs, you must refer to the area's terrain, including the path and the way back. Adventurers, in particular, must monitor the weather situation while also considering safety, advantages, and difficulties prior to departure.

The luggage should be as small as possible.

Because the distance to the cliff is quite long, carry-on utensils must be as compact as possible, aside from replenishing drinking water and snacks. The outfit is soft and stretchy, allowing for easy movement. Lightweight waterproof wind jackets are ideal for foggy conditions. Clinging sneakers are ideal for trekking in slick, difficult-to-walk terrain.

Furthermore, if you intend to spend the night, you must bring enough warm clothing as well as tents, camps, and personal belongings.

It should be noted that you should not litter, engrave names, write letters, or draw on cliffs.

"We come here to enjoy the beauty of nature, take only beautiful photos and videos, and leave only footprints," he explained.

Break boundaries, go where you want

Each journey has its own meaning and brings with it a wide range of emotions.

"Trips refresh my soul and inspire my work," the 25-year-old explained.

For Son, the most exciting aspect of each trip is not only enjoying nature and learning more about the country's culture and history, but also the opportunity to chat with and meet many new friends on the road.

Although initially unfamiliar, it brings people closer together due to shared interests. Each brings a story about how the young man seeks newness and positive energy.

Each of us carries a sense of wonder and discovery with us. Take the time to plan a trip if at all possible. Every journey, no matter how long or short, will make you appreciate life and your country more.

Source: Khanh Van

Source: Mạnh Đạt

The white cliffs of Ha Giang are located in the middle of the sky and earth and have become popular with "backpackers" in recent years. The cliff is located on Ma Pi Leng pass, about 160 kilometers from Ha Giang city center, and about 2 kilometers from Dong Van, Meo Vac. What could be better than breathing in the fresh air and relaxing away from the hustle and bustle of city life in this one-of-a-kind destination?

From above, the legendary Nho Que River and Ma Pi Leng Pass are seen in a mysterious and poetic setting.

The Nho Que River and the looming pass can be seen from the campsite on the white cliffs. Because the white cliff ground has a small area (15 - 20 m2) in the heart of the stone arch, it is impossible to gather in large numbers, with a maximum of about 10 people. As a result, if you want to camp overnight, you should check ahead of time.Visitors can reach this location by taking the Ma Pi Leng Pass on National Highway 4C. (Happiness Road). Furthermore, there is a road called Ma Pi Leng (Ma Pi Leng B) that only backpacker motorbikes can travel on; cars are not permitted.The white cliffs of Ha Giang are located on the small Ma Pi Leng pass. However, the highway is only about 3 kilometers long, after which you must walk another 2 kilometers.The journey is difficult, but when you reach the cliff, the fatigue fades because there is a blue sky, hills, and mountains in front of you.The stone arch shades the narrow space in the white cliff.

Mr. Ha Anh Khoa (Hau Giang's hometown) and a group of friends just returned from an overnight camping trip in this area. The online community was immediately drawn to the series of photos depicting the unspoiled area nestled in the middle of a rocky cliff. The campsite is about a 40-minute walk from the motorbike stop, according to Khoa. There are two or three ways to get to this camping spot, but the group opts to hike up from the Dang Dang viewpoint. This path is quite narrow, slippery, and foggy, and leads to a deep abyss. However, the route is protected by iron railings and is not particularly hazardous.The pass below can be seen through the clouds from the cliff.Everyone can have fun together because there is no Wifi and only unspoiled and quiet nature. The group grilled food, sipped warm tea, and gazed out at the clouds, the Nho Que River, and the winding Ma Pi Leng Pass.The view from the white cliffs is fantastic.Camping on white cliffs is most likely a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience. Many indigenous people claimed that the walking path through the white cliff area before Ma Pi Leng pass was the route connecting Dong Van (Đồng Văn) and Meo Vac (Mèo Vạc).Because this area is quite cold, you should bring plenty of warm clothing. It is cold, especially at night and early in the morning, with strong winds. Furthermore, when sleeping overnight, it is necessary to prepare enough food, water, and necessary items.

Notes from a White Cliffs Camping Trip

Because there is no water source, you must carefully prepare domestic water; the nearest grocery is also a 30-minute walk plus 2 km by motorbike, so you must take the initiative in food and food.

The morning trekking road is quite slippery, so people move slowly and wear shoes with good friction to avoid falling. The Ma Pi Leng section becomes accessible only by motorcycle.

The temperature at night is around 4 - 8 degrees Celsius, so bring plenty of warm clothes, as well as tents, camps, and personal belongings. Do not litter indiscriminately; instead, take only what you intend to bring back.

Source: Phạm Minh Tuệ - Hà Anh Khoa

Each season has its own beauty, but autumn is undoubtedly the most popular.

This time of year, the weather is pleasant, the plants are green, the buckwheat flowers are brightly blooming, and the rice is ripe with gold, all of which combine to create a colorful, beautiful picture in the sun.

Every day, the weather changes, perhaps from clouds to beautiful sunshine, cloudy dew, and mountains, creating a poetic and magnificent scene.

Visitors can "hunt" for unique photos in the early morning or late afternoon. This area is still relatively undeveloped, with few services, accommodations, or dining options available in Cốc Pài, about 5 kilometers away.

Visitors can see the communes of Pà Vầy Sủ, Chí Cà, Thèn Phàng, Cốc Rế, and Cốc Pài town from the Suôi Thầu steppes.

With its unspoiled, majestic beauty and fresh atmosphere, this place is a must-see for tourists visiting Ha Giang.

Suôi Thầu steppe is located on a high mountain near Cốc Pài town; the path up is steep but has been poured with concrete, making it relatively easy to travel.

Visitors can travel from Bac Ha to Bac Quang town. Autumn is also a stormy season, so roads are prone to landslides; visitors should exercise caution when traveling.

Source: Mèo Già

This year, the buckwheat flower fields on the rocky plateau burst into bloom, blooming pink and purple and weaving through the borderlands' clusters of rocks.Buckwheat is ripe in color, swaying in front of the wind as if inviting.According to the ancients, this flower grew from the rice brow; the cornrow should be called barley, and the triangular leaves should be called buckwheat flowers.

We continued our journey from the Suôi Thầu steppe to the mountainous region with mountains hugged by white clouds, hiding small villages in the valley's depths; where the line of Nho Quế, bent over steep cliffs, probed by jade.The road took me to the magnificent rocky plateau.There are thousands of overlapping rocks everywhere where there are only rocks and stones.The road to Dong Van, winding through the passes, buckwheat copper waving to travelers on both sides of the road

Cross the roads to the Dong Van rock plateau, which is near the northern border.

No matter where you have been captivated by the scenery, I am confident that coming to Ha Giang will captivate you with its majestic but gentle beauty; especially when the Wick comes to the east, you will be immersed in the cold numbness of the people leaning on the misty passes.The roadside market was busy early in the morning, with people passing by.Looking down from the top of the pass "lift the clouds," where the valley, the village is rich in the color of rocks, flowers, and plants.People in that peaceful location are hard at work on their farms.

The song "Here Ha Giang sunny pink called clouds" echoed in his ears, and the scenery forever drifted back on the journey. We were on the road in no time, slowly "sliding" through many beautiful pictures like a fairy scene, feeling immersed in the sky, clouds, and mountains. That scene can sometimes completely immerse you in the fantasy realm.

The pig sucks as it travels through the mountain pass, with the bucket cliff on one side and the terraced rice field on the other... Happiness winding Ma Pi Leng pass, a road with a total length of about 200 kilometers, runs through Dong Van rock plateau and the top of Ma Pi Leng pass to Meo Vac.

Along the way, I photographed the landscape of the border rocky plateau - Dong Van Rock Plateau, which has been designated a UNESCO Global Geopark.

It was majestic, with silent rocks stacked in layers, creating a massive gray picture, and we were suddenly reduced to the vastness of the rock.Back and forth through the passes, the slope winds with difficult sleeve bends. When you reach the top of the Shen Ma slope, you will see beautiful Hmong babies with hunched shoulders full of buckwheat inflorescences.

Her lovely face, her nose flushed with cold, her cheekbones pink, her genuine innocence was endearing. Perhaps the downstream region's "civilization" has not yet reached this rocky plateau.The Mong girls carried the hump when there was fog near the house.

We said our goodbyes to the girls in the colorful butt-spreading dresses and continued down the pass into Valley Cam's Cultural Village. Tens of thousands of buckwheat petals flaunt their colors, sweet pink, shimmering in the sunlight in the dawn light, interwoven with buckwheat fields and rocks.Little Mông girls with baskets of brightly colored flowers can be seen in front of Pao's house.

The house, with earthen walls and ornate stone fences, was once the setting for the film "The Story of Pao." Cloud cover, the back of the house leaned against the cliff.

Listen, while carrying the soil and stones in the old wilderness, Mr. Liu and Mrs. Lo were busy together, so they slipped, knocked the burden into the shattered rock mass, splashed millions and millions of small blocks of stone, and stuck the bucket on the ground of this rocky plateau.Like anyone who ignores the foot of the mountain, the soft silk strip of the M-shaped road weaves the majestic beauty of heaven and earth.Nho Quế Stream winds beneath the Ma Pi Leng Pass.

Extremely impressed with "Mã Pì Lèng," one of Vietnam's four great passes up to 20km long, known as the "Bridge of Horse Nose" in the indigenous Hmong language. The mountain arc is one of the "four great passes" of Vietnam's northern mountains, winding through layers of rocks and mountains.

Walking on this pass will move our entire bodies, swaying and spinning like an umbrella in the dances of beautiful Mèo girls. Nho Quế stream circles the green mountainside deep at the pass's foot.On Dragon Mountain's northernmost tip, the sacred Lung Cu FlagPoleThe Lung Cu flagpole is a must-see destination at the end of the journey. Standing at the foot of the flag, the eyes are wide open, collapsing a Ha Giang stretching to the horizon, so beautiful and majestic.

Placing our hands on our chests and silently watching the Buddha flag fly in the Fatherland's first land, we will see how beautiful our country is, national pride will be evoked, and we will feel sacred as the two words of the Fatherland echo throughout the journey.

Source: Nhạn Dung - Hữu Long

Thu Huong (Hanoi), who is passionate about experiential tourism, chose Lo Lo Chai village at the foot of Dragon Mountain (Lung Cu commune, Dong Van district, Ha Giang province) for the trip in early September. The idyllic, rustic land of the borderlands left the 9X girl with many memories.

"My feelings were the same the third time I returned to the border village of the northernmost region. If the previous experience was in the middle of the 0 degrees Celsius weather of the 4th Tet night, the weather this time is cool, pleasant, and a little chilly of the autumn highlands "Thu Huong stated.

View of Lo Lo Chai village from above.

Lo Lo Chai village is only 1 km from Lung Cu National FlagPole and is primarily inhabited by Lo Lo people, one of Vietnam's smallest ethnic groups. Lo Lo Chai village appears to be nestled at the foot of the mountain, concealing unique reporting houses.The Lo Lo people's houses typically have three pavilions made of flesh and clay and roofed with yin and yang tiles. The walls are 50-60 cm thick to help people adjust to the cold winter and hot summer weather.

Lo Lo Chai village currently has 37 reported houses, many of which are over a century old. The yellow houses in the middle of the Dong Van stone plateau are also highlights that visitors want to see.The corn is drying on the porch.People will bring corn back to the front porch to dry after harvesting it on the rocky mountain. People living in the middle of rocky and rocky soil must sometimes eat sesame instead of rice during years of rice crop failure.

Lo Lo Chai village has recently gained popularity among tourists. Many households open tourist homestays in addition to working, and life is becoming increasingly better.A well-known homestay in Lo Lo Chai village.Highland girl in the village of Lo Lo Chai.

Thu Huong recommends that visitors stay one night in Lo Lo Chai to experience more indigenous people's cultural features such as houses, cuisine, costumes, and so on. In the evening, enjoy the homestay's black chicken hot pot, a cup of spicy corn wine, and friendly conversation.The Lo Lo people's traditional cuisine is black chicken.In the chilly highlands, getting up early and taking a walk around Lo Lo Chai village, inhaling the fresh rice aroma, reading the book that arouses the soul, sipping a glass of warm tea... is an indescribable feeling, it takes until the place to feel all the very simple things.

Lo Lo Chai village was designated a cultural village in 2007 and was included in the Project on Preserving Traditional Cultural Villages. Lo Lo residents are becoming more aware of the importance of preserving national cultural values and local tourism. The village's living environment is also becoming increasingly clean and beautiful, bringing new vitality to the Dong Van rocky highlands while maintaining national identity.

Source: Minh Vy (Ảnh: Nguyễn Thu Hương)

The road to the village has a cliff on one side and an abyss on the other. The mountains rise to the cloudy sky like Dong Van's "sky gate."

Thien Huong is a historic village with roots dating back centuries. The old banyan trees that four or five people hug at the beginning of the village do not immediately attract visitors.

Visitors will see idyllic and genuine images of village children on their way into the village.

The golden color of the houses reported in Thien Huong ancient village stands out in the green of the mountain forest. The houses of relatives here are built in ancient architecture, with yin and yang tile roofs and earthen walls.

The space in the house is divided into two rooms: one for cooking and living and one for storing furniture. Despite the passage of a century, the landscape appears to have remained unchanged. From the road to the old house and finally to the interior of the house.

Nature has blessed Thien Huong ancient village with a poetic and colorful appearance. Every season of the year, visitors to Thien Huong experience their own beauty.

Thien Huong village is populated by ethnic Tay people. For generations, their lives have been linked to agriculture and traditional winemaking. Thien Huong village wine is completely handmade and goes through an extremely meticulous production process.

Women here must go to the forest to pick more than 30 different types of tobacco leaves to make yeast for the famous delicious Thien Huong corn wine. Corn harvested from the chest is brought to cook, and when the corn blooms to the size of a finger, it is poured and dried to cool. The tobacco leaves were then pounded and mixed with corn before being piled up and thoroughly brewed in bags. Put it in a wine after a week.

Unlike other traditional wines, Thien Huong wine captivates visitors with its delicious, sweet taste, transforming drinking into a feeling of smoothness and warmth.

Thien Huong wine enchants visitors, and the scenery of Thien Huong keeps their footsteps lingering. Aside from wine, the dishes here have distinct flavors, such as beefcake and pho cake.

Visitors who want to experience the beauty of Thien Huong ancient village must be in tune with the daily lives of the people who live here: eat together, sleep together, live together...

Thien Huong ancient village, with its peaceful and pristine beauty, promises to be an indispensable stop on the journey to Vietnam's first region.

Source: Khanh Minh

From Hà Giang to Bảo Lâm, this four-day route takes the QL4C to the northeast, and from Bo Lâm to Hà Giang, it takes the QL34 to the southwest.

Day 1: Ha Giang City to Yen Minh

Morning

Before starting out on the journey, get breakfast early in Hà Giang. As you travel along the QL4C in the direction of the north, the scenery immediately changes into a limestone mountain range covered in a verdant jungle. The Dong Van Karst Plateau, a UNESCO Global Geopark, will be at your fingertips shortly. Heaven's Gate Pass, which is the centerpiece of this part of the journey, is where you'll experience your first thrilling vistas and difficult, tight curves.

You'll get to Tam Sơn, a town surrounded by protruding, forested hills, just in time for lunch as you cruise down from Heaven's Gate Pass. Here, traditional Northern Vietnamese cuisine is served at restaurants and roadside booths. A wonderful Vietnamese coffee is easy to find, just like anywhere else in the nation.

Afternoon

Continue on the QL4C toward Yên Minh after refueling. The route ascends through a towering canyon after following the lovely Mien River. Before reaching Yên Minh, travel over mountain passes and karst plateaus. Once there, check into a nearby hotel for the night.

TIP: When visiting smaller towns, it's recommended to make hotel or homestay reservations in advance because the best places to stay fill up quickly, especially during the high season.

Day 2: The Vietnamese Border

Morning

Before boarding the QL4C northeast bound for Dong Van, have a warm bowl of pho for breakfast. As the road climbs steeply beyond the tree line, a surreal scene of crumbled limestone karsts with breathtaking views emerges. A nice site to pause and take in the series of curved roads that fall into the valley below is Dốc Chín Khoanh (Nine Turn Pass). Stop for food and petrol in the Sà Phìn region.

Afternoon

The Lũng Cú Flag Tower is a three-hour diversion away. The 360-degree vistas of China over the border make the effort worthwhile. As you go back down the QL4C to Đồng Văn, where you will stay, you won't be short on breath-taking scenery. Make time to visit a neighborhood market, perhaps late at night or early in the morning, and observe the diverse ethnic minority at work.

TIP: Make sure to ask your host in Dong Van about the days and hours of the neighborhood markets. You won't want to miss this opportunity for cultural immersion.

Day 3: Đồng Văn and Mã Pí Lèng Passes

Morning

You'll probably come through what is regarded as Vietnam's most amazing section of the road today. The valley floor drops far below as you make your way through enormous peaks and canyons from Ng Văn all the way to Mã Pí Lèng Pass. The only issue might be how many stops you feel driven to make because every bend offers breathtaking scenery.

Even though Mèo Vạc is only 24 kilometers from ng Văn, getting there will take the majority of the morning if you stop to take in the expansive vistas along the route. Enjoy this charming town when you arrive because it has a lot of lunch options and a colorful personality.

Afternoon

At the base of Mã Pí Lèng Pass, turn left off of QL4C onto side road 193A for a short detour. The brief but enjoyable ride provides a closer view of the meandering Nho Quế River below.

The day will come to a close at Bo Lâm, a tiny village with incredibly friendly residents. Prepare yourself for the morning's travel return to Hà Giang by relaxing for a few hours in this isolated location.

Day 4: Back to Hà Giang City

Morning

Begin the final day of your tour with a straightforward breakfast and pick up on supplies for the travel back to Hà Giang. Take QL34 southwest towards Hà Giang from Bảo Lam. The majority of the time, the road parallels the Gâm River, making for a pleasant drive down the valley level. There will still be several turns and a few passes, but they won't be as difficult as they once were.

Visit a local food booth in Bắc Mê to get a snack. In the final stretch leading up to the city, there are fewer towns to be found.

Afternoon

After traveling so many miles over the previous four days, return to Hà Giang City and reward yourself with some contemporary amenities.

Practice Pointers

How to Prepare

There are few resources as you leave Ha Giang as you go across the far northern region of Vietnam. Because there aren't many ATMs, be careful to bring enough cash.

Getting There

Regular daytime and nighttime bus trips to Ha Giang leave from My Dinh bus terminal in Hanoi. Additionally, you can find private transportation and tours online or through tour operators in the city.

Motorbike

Renting a motorcycle is simple to do in Hà Giang City. In the town, there are service centers for both Honda and Kawasaki.

Condition of the Road and Safety

Although the majority of the roads along this route are in decent shape, construction and obstructions can appear at any time. Drive safely by taking it slow around curves, going during the day, and stopping at night.

Top Ha Giang attractions

Drive through Ma Pi Leng (Mã Pì Lèng) Pass

Ha Giang's roads offer the best motorcycling thrills. Although the trip towards Dong Van is breathtakingly gorgeous, Ma Pi Leng, where the road winds through the Nho Que River, is the crowning achievement of Ha Giang.

Get disoriented in the hills

In Ha Giang, there are numerous options for trekking. The Quan Ba Pass has an overlook known as Heaven's Gate that lives up to its name. The Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark's steep limestone peaks and rock-strewn meadows are also accessible from Quan Ba.

Take a trip to the Sa Phin H'Mong Palace

In the village of Sa Phin, there is an H'Mong King Palace close to the Chinese border. The wood-framed palace was constructed in 1902 under French rule and exudes character. It is done in the traditional Chinese style.

View the supreme flagpole

Spend some time traveling to Lung Cu in the north, where a big Vietnamese flag waves patriotically at the border. The best time to arrive is in the late afternoon when the heat has subsided and the 200 steps are easier to climb.

Ha Giang Weather

With lower temperatures, September through November is ideal months to travel to this isolated province. During the Buckwheat Flower Festival in November, Ha Giang enjoys tremendous popularity. Pleasant and warm weather lasts from April to June, although July and August can get very hot with frequent monsoons.

Ha Giang Transport

Located about 300 kilometers from Hanoi, the little city of Ha Giang serves as the province's entrance. From the capital, buses that range from sleepers to smaller VIP mini-vans run day and night. The trip there takes six hours or so, depending on the vehicle and driver. There is hardly much public transportation in Ha Giang Province. Motorcycles can be rented in the city by experienced drivers. Booking a tour in a private vehicle or from the back of a motorcycle is an additional choice.