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3-Day-2-Night Ha Giang Itinerary
Want to visit Ha Giang - the northernmost point of Vietnam? Look no further because this article is everything you will need. We'll walk you through the best time to visit Ha Giang, accomodations, food, transport, as well as giving you a detailed 3-day-2-night itinerary for your visit to Ha Giang.
Best time to visit Ha Giang
September is the season of ripped rice paddies in Ha Giang, the terraced rice fields look like they are painted a gold color, and it's early autumn, which means the weather is cooler. Ha Giang is most beautiful from October to December, during buckwheat flower season. You could also visit Ha Giang in the Spring, to be mesmerized by white fields of plum and apricot flowers.
We don't advice visiting this pass from May to August for it is raining season in Ha Giang, where rainfall and landslides can hinder your exploration and make riding very dangerous.
Where to stay for 3 days and 2 nights in Ha Giang?
For your first night in Ha Giang, we recommend The Palm Ha Giang Ecolodge, a sustainable eco-resort in Ha Giang, situated about 2,7 km from the village of Tha in Phuong Do commune, which gives you the opportunity to enjoy your stay with the view of vast mountains of Tay Con Linh and to discover the indigenous culture of the Dao people in the mossy stilt houses.
For a more affordable but excellent choice: Odyssey Ha Giang Hostel, 4,5 km from village of Tha. This is also a stilt house surrounded by nature and tranquility which offers a variety of rooms to suit your needs and budget.
For your second night in Ha Giang, pay Dong Van Cliffside House a visit, situated at about 250m from Dong Van city center. Built against the mountain with a view of the valley, Dong Van Cliffside House consists of cozy rooms in the style of traditional stilt houses with a modern twist.
If you enjoy hiking and camping, we highly recommend Lung Cu Lake View, a rustic homestay in Dong Van city center, featuring a terrace and/or a balcony with lake views and an outdoor fireplace. Guests at Lung Cu Lake View can enjoy fishing and hiking nearby, or make the most of the garden.
What to eat for 3 days and 2 nights in Ha Giang?
Ha Giang attracts tourists from everywhere not only for its breathtaking scenery, it's warm people and rich customs and cultures, but also for its unique cuisine. You definitely need to try these dishes while in Ha Giang:
- Trau gac bep: smoked buffalo meat, meaning "Buffalo meat hung up in upstairs kitchen".
- Com lam: grilled rice in a bamboo tube with a rustic taste and aroma.
- Thang co: stir-fried horsemeat with local spices.
- Banh cuon trung: similar to regular Banh cuon, but they add an egg to the steamed ravioli, and is eaten with hot soup instead of nuoc mam.
- Banh tam giac mach: a cake made from buckwheat flower, giving it the distinguished purple color and scent of the flower. This buckwheat cake is flavorful, soft, chewy and all around delicious.
- Reu nuong: stone moss seasoned with herbs and spices then grilled on charcoal. It's a delicious and healthy dish that helps improve blood circulation and detoxify.
Bus companies to and from Ha Giang
Getting to Ha Giang from the Northern provinces is very easy because there are many direct bus companies. On the contrary, tourists living far away in the South or Central region should start their journey from Hanoi. From Hanoi, almost every hour there are buses departing from My Dinh, Luong Yen, Yen Nghia, Gia Lam bus stations. Tourists can choose high-quality sleeper buses or limousines, depending on their finances.
- Bang Phan: 250.000 - 550.000 VND
- From Hanoi - Ha Giang: 09:30 AM - 22:00 PM
- From Ha Giang: 07:00 AM - 21:00 PM
- Ngoc Cuong Limousine: 250.000 - 300.000 VND
- From Hanoi: 07:00 AM - 21:00 PM
- From Ha Giang: 07:00 AM - 21:00 PM
- Dang Quang: 250.000 VND
- From Hanoi (Gia Lam): 15:40 PM - 21:00 PM
- From Ha Giang: 15:40 PM - 21:00 PM
- Quang Tuyen: 250.000 VND
- From Hanoi (Yen Nghia): 16:00 PM - 20:00 PM
- From Ha Giang: 16:30 PM - 20:00 PM
Why you should book your trip through a local travel agency
Other than taking the bus or going by motorbike, if you have the opportunity, we highly recommend booking a private car via a local travel agency, for it's less dangerous and will save you a lot of time and effort. There are other benefits of booking your trip through an agency:
- They are aware if cool spots off the beaten track
- You get the best deals, angencies can negotiate the most favorable prices on their behalf
- You have a custom trip: as experts, they can plan a unique trip that tailor to your interest and can give you assistant at any moment during your travel
Vietnam Original Travel is a local travel agency that specializes in private and customized tours in Vietnam and in Southest Asia, with almost 20 years of extensive experience in tourism. One of their bestselling tours is Northern of Vietnam, including tours in Ha Giang and other mountainous regions.
Without further ado, let's dive in the 3-day in Ha Giang itinerary that we've put together for you.
Day 1: Hanoi - Ha Giang
In the morning, get on a comfortable Sleeper Bus and depart for Ha Giang. We recommend booking your tickets in advance for the best price. You could also get there via private car provided by a trusted local travel agency. Either way, it's gonna be a 6-hour ride to Ha Giang so prepare all your essentials and get comfortable!
You arrive at Ha Giang Province in the afternoon. In Phuong Do commune, Ha Giang, there are two villages located adjacent to each other, Tha village and Ha Thanh village, named "The thatched village". Visit the two villages and discover over 200 peaceful stilt houses, located along Tien Spring with fresh flowing water all year round, along with the rustic life of the indigenous Tay people, attracting tourists all over the world. Enjoy a local dinner and night in a homestay in Tha village.
Day 2: Ha Giang - Quan Ba - Yen Minh - Dong Van
After breakfast, depart for Dong Van and via Quan Ba Pass and Yen Minh Town.
About 40km from Ha Giang city, Quan Ba Pass or Quan Ba Heaven Gate is a famous check-point ressembling a doorway to Heaven, where you get a full view of the Twin Mountains, the valley and small villages down below. In addition to the heaven gate, you can also visit Co Tien Twin Mountain not far away.
Continue your visit and head toward Yen Minh Town. Stop by Yen Minh pine Forest, located right next to Highway 4C, about 100 km from Ha Giang city. The pine forest is like a miniature Da Lat that attracts many tourists for its beautiful pine trees and lush green grass. Here you have the choice to camp within the forest or have lunch in a local restaurant. Next, head to Dong Van via Tham Ma Pass, one of the most challenging zigzag passes in Vietnam, but totally enchanting and breathtakingly beautiful.
Arrive at Dong Van, dine at a local restaurant and night at a homestay.
Day 3: Dong Van - Meo Vac - Ha Giang - Hanoi
After breakfast, you can depart at 6:30 from Dong Van to Lung Cu to visit the Lung Cu flagpole in the morning. Upon arriving, climb to the flagpole and look at the mountains and forests at the northernmost point of the country. If time allowed, have a cup of coffee at a coffee shop at the top of the mountain before heading back to Dong Van.
Depart for Nho Que River in Meo Vac commune, at the foot of the mountains in Ha Giang. Take a boat ride on the river to immerse in the surrounding landscape along the sparkling cerulean water. Next, head back to Ha Giang in time to catch the night bus to Hanoi.
