.jpg)
Best time to visit Ha Giang
Ha Giang, as a border province in the Northeast region of Vietnam, is approximately 300 km from Hanoi and has become a captivating destination for both domestic and international tourists. With its majestic and pristine landscape, Ha Giang is enchanting throughout the year. Each season adorns Ha Giang with vibrant colors that captivates the hearts of those who get the chance to visit the stone plateau. Standing before the magnificent natural scenery, many tourists find themselves in awe, feeling as if they have stepped into an otherworldly paradise.
Ha Giang showcases a unique beauty in every season, making it a destination worth visiting at any time of year. Spring and autumn, in general, are popular periods for you to pack your bags and discover the magnificent beauty of the rocky plateau. But that doesn’t mean that the other times of year have anything less to offer. Here are some suggestions for the best time to visit Ha Giang, which you can consider for your upcoming journey.
Best time to visit Ha Giang
January - A floral painting
January is the transition period from winter to spring, and the temperature is still quite low. You might think it’s gonna be depressing or somber in Ha Giang but on the contrary, you will witness a vibrant Ha Giang, with all kinds of flowers showing off their colors to welcome spring. If you’re wondering when to visit Ha Giang, January is when you can admire elegant white plum blossoms instead of snow, and pink early-blooming peach blossoms in certain areas like the foot of the Lung Cu flagpole, Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Pho Cao and Meo Vac.
Ha Giang also boasts another flower that flaunts its beauty alongside peach and plum blossoms amid the freezing January weather—yellow rapeseed flowers. After the reign of buckwheat flowers in December, buckwheat fields are gradually replaced by yellow rapeseed flowers. The radiant yellow adds a touch of freshness and warmth to the otherwise somber atmosphere.
February - The season of traditional festivals
February can be considered the best time to visit Ha Giang for traditional festivals of the ethnic communities, such as:
Buffalo Fighting Festival: held in Trung Thanh commune, Vi Xuyen district, Ha Giang province, usually in the middle of February.
Long Tong Festival of the Tay people: organized on the 8th day of the first lunar month to pray for favorable weather and an abundant harvest.
Gau Tao Festival: one of the most important festivals of the Hmong people, held from the 1st to the 15th day of the first lunar month.
When visiting Ha Giang in February, tourists should not miss out on unique local dishes such as buckwheat cakes and five-color sticky rice.
Note: The specific lunar calendar days mentioned in the festivals may vary each year.
Wild orange daisies in Ha Giang
March - An ideal time for spring exploration
March in Ha Giang is the prime time for peach blossoms and plum blossoms. When you visit Ha Giang during this period, you can easily encounter the picturesque sight of peach and plum blossoms blooming along the roadsides. Some of the most beautiful locations for peach and plum blossom hunting include Pho Cao village, Sung La, Lung Cu, and more.
In March, Ha Giang is adorned with another type of flower – the red silk-cotton flower. The vibrant blooming of red rice flowers signals the transition to a new season in this region. You can witness these red rice flowers along the Nho Que River or alongside mountain passes.
March is also the ideal time to visit Ha Giang to witness the lush green color of ancient tea hills stretching across the northern mountains. The famous Shan Tuyet tea, indigenous to Ha Giang, thrives in the mountains of Dong Van, Hoang Su Phi, and Vi Xuyen.
Plum flowers in Ha Giang
April - Ha Giang in the gentle hues of April flowers
In April, Ha Giang is still filled with vibrant colors, but it's no longer the pink of peach blossoms or the white of plum blossoms. Instead, the mountainous region is adorned with the purple of mountain ebonies, the red of cockspur coral flowers, and the white of wild orchids along the roadsides and on the stone plateaus.
This is also the first season of buckwheat flowers. Buckwheat flowers are cultivated in abundance in Quyet Tien commune, along the Happiness Road from Ha Giang city to Yen Minh, and in Quan Ba.
You can also participate in traditional festivals held in April, such as the buffalo fighting festival in Meo Vac, or the Khau Vai love market. Ha Giang in April offers a unique and enchanting landscape with a variety of flowers, making it an ideal time to visit Ha Giang for nature lovers and those interested in cultural festivities.
Khau Vai Love Market
May - The watering season in Hoang Su Phi
In May, the weather in Ha Giang is cool and pleasant, ranging from 24 to 27 degrees Celsius. May is one of the best times to visit Ha Giang to witness the watering season, particularly in Hoang Su Phi, where heavy rains pour down on the terraced fields. The cascading water flows from the upper terraced fields to the lower ones, resembling a giant waterfall, extending endlessly from one hill to another. It’s a magnificent painting created by the farmers in the northern mountains.
Besides admiring the terraced fields during the pouring water season in Hoang Su Phi, May also brings an exciting experience for tourists—cloud hunting in the summer. Two cloud hunting locations in Ha Giang are selected: the peak of Chieu Lau Thi mountain and the peak of Tay Con Linh mountain. Both mountains are located on the road leading to Hoang Su Phi district.
In May, Ha Giang also offers unique specialties that visitors must try, such as San Tuyet tea, plums, pears, táo mèo (a special type of apples), all of which are delicious gifts from the Northeastern mountains. In addition to these, there are other local dishes like buckwheat cakes, buffalo meat, bamboo-cooked rice, and more.
Hoang Su Phi terraced rice fields during watering season
June - Pristine nature and delightful local specialties
The watering season in Hoang Su Phi lasts for about 2 months, so if you missed the opportunity to admire the scenery in May, be sure to plan a trip to Ha Giang in June to witness the breathtaking view.
The weather in Ha Giang in June features some hot and sunny days, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius on average. Before traveling, tourists should prepare comfortable clothing, apply sunscreen, and expect random showers.
In June, Ha Giang welcomes visitors with the grandeur of its mountainous landscapes, both mysterious and alluring, seemingly inviting people to conquer. You can also explore other attractions such as Ma Pi Leng Pass, Yen Minh Pine Forest, Nho Que River, or the Dong Van Karst Plateau.
Tourists will also have the opportunity to indulge in seasonal specialties unique to the summer, such as Hau plums, seedless peaches, Dong Van apples, and more. June is a great time to visit Ha Giang as it offers a perfect blend of stunning scenery and delightful local flavors for visitors near and far.
Ha Giang's local specialties
July - Commemorating the Fallen Heroes
Every July, people across the country unite in remembrance of the heroes who have made significant contributions to the nation. As the northernmost region of the country, Ha Giang has seen many of its people sacrifice their lives to protect the nation. If you visit Ha Giang in July, you can take the time to stop by Vi Xuyen Cemetery, the final resting place for over 1,700 martyrs during the border protection war in the North. The construction of this cemetery officially began in 1990.
July is a month dedicated to honoring and remembering the fallen heroes. It is a time for the people of Ha Giang and the entire nation to reflect on the courage and sacrifices of those who laid down their lives to safeguard the homeland. The Vi Xuyen Cemetery and the 468 Memorial Monument stand as poignant reminders of the price paid for national freedom and security.
Vi Xuyen cemetery in Ha Giang
August & September - The season of rice terraces in Ha Giang
In August and September, the rice fields in Ha Giang undergo a magical transformation from lush green to shimmering golden yellow. The image of terraced fields gradually changing from green to yellow, accompanied by the fragrant scent of ripening rice, creates such a serene and satisfying experience. This is one of the best times to visit Ha Giang.
Apart from visiting Hoang Su Phi, tourists can also witness the picturesque ripe rice fields at other locations such as Ho Thau or Ban Phung.
Terraced rice fields in Ha Giang
October - More flowers on the stone plateau
October marks the transition from autumn to winter in Ha Giang, with average temperatures ranging from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius. During this time, flowers such as buckwheat, daisy, and red amaranth start to bloom amid the rocky plateaus.
In October, buckwheat flowers start to blossom everywhere. Orange daisies are also competing to showcase their vibrant colors, adding more charm to the landscape. Tourists can enjoy the buckwheat flowers in October in various locations, including Pho Cao, Lung Cu Flagpole, and Lung Cam Cultural Village.
Orange daisies are wildflowers found along roadsides or on hillsides in Ha Giang, which are especially beautiful in Sung La, an excellent spot for those wanting to admire these flowers at their best.
Along the travel routes, you will notice reddish-purple flowers among the wild grass. These are red amaranth flowers. The distinct feature of these flowers is that both the stem and the leaves are tinged with a deep purple-red hue, making the landscape even more striking.
You can also engage in activities such as boating on the Nho Que River, exploring local markets, or participating in the Cap Sac festival (rite of passage) of the Dao ethnic people during this season. This is when to visit Ha Giang for those who enjoy beautiful scenery and a bit of activity.
Cap Sac festival in Ha Giang
November - Buckwheat flower season
One of the most beautiful flower seasons in Ha Giang is the buckwheat flower season, which symbolizes the beauty of the region, hence the perfect time to visit Ha Giang. November is the peak time for the buckwheat flowers to bloom, spreading their delicate lilac hues among the rocky plateau, mountainsides, and along village roads. Everywhere you look, you'll see the sweet pink or purple color of these delicate flowers. You can visit and take photos in Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Pho Cao, and Sung La.
In November, there is also the opportunity to participate in the Buckwheat Flower Festival held in the Dong Van Ancient Town. You can enjoy unique dishes like buckwheat cakes and corn wine.
Buckwheat flowers in Ha Giang
December - Rapeseed flower season
December is the time when golden rapeseed flowers bloom brightly after the buckwheat flower season. December is when to visit Ha Giang if you want the vibrant yellow rapeseed flowers covering the fields to leave you in awe and fascination.
You can also experience cloud and snow hunting in Ha Giang at locations such as Lung Tao, Pho Bang, and Lung Cu. However, keep in mind that the temperature in Ha Giang drops significantly during this time, so be sure to stay warm and prepare thoroughly before going.
Rapeseed flowers in Ha Giang
If you’re still unsure about the best time to visit Ha Giang, my answer to that question would be: you can visit this mountainous region at any time of the year and it would still be worth it, because each season has its unique charm that captivates travelers. Traveling to Ha Giang is guaranteed to be a fascinating and wonderful experience!
How to get to Ha Giang
Hanoi - Ha Giang
Ha Giang is located 320 km north of Hanoi, which you can reach by bus, motorbike, or private car. However, the journey is quite long, taking between 6 to 7 hours on the road. Several bus companies offer the Hanoi-Ha Giang route departing from different bus stations such as My Dinh, Giap Bat, Gia Lam, or the Old Quarter in the center of Hanoi.
The safest way to get to Ha Giang is by bus or private car, riding a motorbike however, can be fun but requires experience in driving. You can get to Ha Giang by motorbike via Vinh Phuc or Phu Tho.
Sapa - Ha Giang
Sapa is located 250 km from Ha Giang, and it is entirely possible to travel from Sapa to Ha Giang by various means: motorbike, bus, or private car.
Ho Chi Minh - Ha Giang
Ha Giang is approximately 2000 km north of Ho Chi Minh City, so if you are departing from Ho Chi Minh, flying is highly recommended. You can take a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to the capital, Hanoi. Then, you can travel to Ha Giang by bus or private car from Hanoi.
Read more about how to get to Ha Giang here, we’ve written all about it.
