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Best time to visit Hoang Su Phi
Hoang Su Phi is a fairly new destination on the Vietnamese tourist map, it is a mountain district located in the West of Ha Giang, home to 12 ethnic tribes including the Nung, the Tay, the Mong and La Chi. Some of you might know of this region as one of the stops on the Ha Giang Loop, one of the craziest travel routes in the North of Vietnam that challenges even the bravest. Others might know of Hoang Su Phi as home to some of the most amazing terraced rice fields in Vietnam. If those reasons alone aren’t convincing enough, Hoang Su Phi also boasts incredible landscapes - majestic mountains nestled under the thick mist, which offers perfect trekking opportunities; incredible and unique dishes that captures the spirits of the local people; and if you’re lucky, you also get to witness one of a kind festivals that only happens once a year.
Best time to visit Hoang Su Phi
This mountain district always has something to offer and is beautiful year round, so when to visit Hoang Su Phi is just a matter of preference and weather conditions.
In the spring, the weather is cool and refreshing, making it an excellent time to visit Ha Giang. The stone plateau and Hoang Su Phi in particular is especially charming and romantic in March, the season of peach and plum blossoms.
As summer arrives, while Hanoi is scorching hot, Hoang Su Phi’s weather remains cool, sunny with temperatures fluctuating around 20 degrees Celsius. In April, the Khau Vai love market takes place, retaining its primitive charm and being one of the most anticipated festivals of the year. In May and June, the highland residents prepare for the new crop season, and the flooded rice fields, combined with the sparkling summer sunlight, create such mystical and pristine landscape, especially viewed from above.
During autumn, the weather in Hoang Su Phi is gentle, neither too hot nor cold. This is the season of ripe golden rice fields in Hoang Su Phi. The golden shine and the fragrant scent of ripened rice fields will give you a sense of simplicity and tranquility. This is probably the most popular time to visit Hoang Su Phi.
During winter, it is much colder in Ha Giang and in Hoang Su Phi than in the plains. However, Hoang Su Phi is still worth a visit. In October and November, purple buckwheat flowers blanket the entire region, and in December, it’s the season of yellow rapeseed flowers. These bold dashes of color are just what Hoang Su Phi needs during winter, a stark contrast to the gloomy weather, making the whole region look like an impressionist painting.
Buckwheat flowers in Ha Giang
How to get to Hoang Su Phi from Hanoi
By bus
There are several buses from My Dinh Station in Hanoi to Ha Giang, which we recommend booking in advance.
These buses depart daily at: 7:00 – 8:00 – 15:00 – 16:00 – 17:00 – 20:00.
Here are a few bus companies to consider:
Bus Cau Me: 0946 445 099 or 0912 848 216
Bus Bang Phan: 0915 223 171
Bus Hien Luong: 0972 423 636
Bus Ngoc Son: 0913 036 456
By motorbike
Ha Giang is approximately 300 km away from Hanoi, making it an ideal opportunity for those who want to conquer the mountainous region in the Northeast by bike. As you may know, the roads can be quite dangerous with mostly steep, small and winding mountain passes. Therefore, it's essential that you’re traveling with an experienced driver.
Directions from Hanoi to Hoang Su Phi:
Hanoi - National Highway 2 - Tan Quang - Turn left onto Provincial Road 177 - Hoang Su Phi
How to get to Hoang Su Phi by motorbike
By private vehicle
You also have the choice to hire a private car to save yourself all the hassle. If you want your trip to be taken care of from A to Z, you can arrange a guided tour through a local travel agency. This choice is ideal for those who want to discover off-the-beaten-path spots and to have a detailed itinerary tailored to your interests. If this sounds like your vibe then you can check out Vietnam Original Travel, who specializes in custom tours.
You can even hire a private car via a homestay in Hoang Su Phi. Hoang Su Phi Lodge is a highly-rated accommodation in Hoang Su Phi that also arranges both private and collective transfers from central Hanoi or Noi Bai airport to Hoang Su Phi. Once you get there, the staff will welcome you and instantly check you into a room. Here are the contact info:
- Info@hoangsuphilodge.com
- Whatsapp: 0084 866196878
Read more about how to get to Hoang Su Phi here.
What to do in Hoang Su Phi
Admire terraced rice fields
Hoang Su Phi is best known for its terraced rice fields, a majestic natural landscape no less impressive than that in Mu Cang Chai, which is why every year, a lot of people come to Hoang Su Phi during harvesting season, eager to witness this breathtaking scenery with their own eyes.
Along with Ban Luoc, Ban Phung is where you find the highest terraced rice fields in Vietnam. Unlike the wide valleys of Cao Pha or Muong Hoa, the terraced fields in Ban Phung are situated right alongside steep mountain slopes. About 58 km from Ban Phung is Thong Nguyen commune, where you also find some of the most beautiful terraced rice fields. Many describe Thong Nguyen as the conjunction of "Mountains and Waters'', where three major streams - Phin Ho, Nam Ong, and Nam Khoa - all converge amidst the mountains. The most ideal spot for photos is around Km24 on the road from Bac Quang to Hoang Su Phi.
Terraced rice fields in Hoang Su Phi
Visit Tay Con Linh mountain and Chieu Lau Thi peak
Tay Con Linh is a mountain peak in the upper reaches of the Chay River in the western part of Ha Giang Province. The Tay Con Linh mountain range spans across two districts, Hoang Su Phi and Vi Xuyen, approximately 46 km west of Ha Giang town. With an elevation of 2419 meters, it is the highest mountain in Northeast Vietnam and one of the highest in the entire country. There is a geographical landmark at the summit, and at the foothills, a tropical primary forest is preserved. Tay Con Linh is considered a sacred mountain by the La Chí ethnic group.
Chieu Lau Thi, locally known as "Chín tầng thang" or Nine-Story Staircase, is located 42 km from the center of Hoang Su Phi district. This mountain is one of the highest peaks in the Tay Con Linh range, with the highest point reaching an altitude of 2,402 meters above sea level. Currently, in this area, a highly diverse ecosystem is still preserved, notably a rich population of wildlife and a primeval forest carpeted with thousands of ancient trees of various species and precious medicinal herbs.
Chieu Lau Thi peak in Hoang Su Phi
Stop by Nam Hong village
Located approximately 40 km from the center of Hoang Su Phi district, Nam Hong village in Thong Nguyen commune is home to 37 households of the Dao ethnic community. This area boasts terraced rice fields stretching along the hillsides, officially recognized as a national Scenic Landscape. In addition to the captivating terraced fields, Shan Tuyet tea is one of the prominent specialties of Nam Hong village. This high-quality tea is renowned for its natural and refreshing aroma from ancient tea trees, bitter with a lingering sweet after-taste. Enjoying a cup of tea amidst the picturesque scenery of Nam Hong is like a revitalizing "remedy" for your soul.
Nam Hong village is a fairly new tourist destination, so if you want an off-the-beaten path adventure, make your way to the village and explore! Read all about this village with this in depth article.
Nam Hong village in Hoang Su Phi
Visit the ancient tombs of La Chi ethnic group
Currently, in the areas of Ban Phung and Ban May in Hoang Su Phi district, as well as Ban Diu in Xin Man district, there still exist hundreds of ancient tombs scattered within an area of thousands of square kilometers along the mountain slopes. Each tomb has a height of about 1.5 meters and a width ranging from 15 to 25 square meters. Some are notably larger, with a circumference of over 70 meters and a height exceeding 6 meters. Despite enduring for hundreds of years, these tombs have not been weathered. According to local legends, these are the false tombs of Hoang Van Thung (also known as Hoang Van Dong), a local hero during the Nguyen dynasty. In addition to guarding the border areas, Hoang Van Thung also organized his troops to exploit mineral resources. He helped local people in this area establish villages, taught them how to cultivate corn and rice, and assisted in protecting the community from malicious forces. After his passing, the villagers buried him with various valuable belongings, and built false tombs to avoid grave robbers. Additionally, a shrine was erected at the mountain summit in Lung Cau village, Ban Phung commune, Hoang Su Phi district, to honor him.
Where to stay in Hoang Su Phi
In Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang, there is a diverse range of accommodation options for travelers to comfortably choose from. If you prefer a clean, private, and well-equipped place, you can consider these accommodations:
Hotels in Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang:
1. Ecolodge Panhou Village – Thong Nguyen Commune
2. Hoang Su Phi Lodge – Nam Hong Village, Thong Nguyen Commune
3. Song Chay Hotel – Vinh Quang Town
Hoang Su Phi Lodge
Homestays in Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang:
1. Homestay Mr. Quyen – Nam Hong Village, Thong Nguyen Commune
2. Thanh Van Homestay – Vinh Quang Town
3. La Chi Phong Homestay – Ban Phung
Vinh Quang, Thong Nguyen, Ban Phung or Ho Thau are towns and communes with a lot of guesthouses and homestays with reasonable prices. You can also choose to stay with local ethnic families which will provide you with a more authentic experience.
Final thoughts
We hope this article helped answer some of your most burning questions. If you do decide to visit Hoang Su Phi by bus, we recommend getting on a night bus to get to Ha Giang, this way you save time by sleeping on the bus. Bring warm clothes, medicine for motion sickness and headaches just in case, and an extra pair of shoes if you want to go trekking. If you’re not confident enough to do this on your own, you could always use the help of a local travel agency which will cover everything from A to Z, your only job is to sit back and relax.
=> Hoang Su Phi terraced rice fields and Ha Giang Northern Loop
