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Du Gia Village in Ha Giang
Du Gia is a village located in Yen Minh district, about 70 km from Ha Giang city center. This small but enchanting village is home to zigzagy passes that swirls around tall majestic mountains, pristine, untouched rivers and waterfalls, and the ethnic groups of Tay and H'Mong. Compared to other destinations in Vietnam or even in Ha Giang, Du Gia village is considered a special case because it's relatively new on the local tourist map, but no longer a strange name to international tourists or motorbike travelers.
It is approximately a 3 hour drive from Ha Giang City to Du Gia village, which is not that far, but the route is filled with slopes and sharp bends forming the shape of the letter M, so it might not be the fastest or smoothest road trip. However, Ha Giang is blessed with amazing, breath-taking landscape to make up for the road condition so it's gonna be an awesome ride anyway. So if you're up for it, stop by this beautiful village on your quest to conquer the Ha Giang Loop and discover spectacular nature, the hospitable ethnic minorities that reside here as well as their traditions and cultures.
Where is Du Gia Village?
To get to Du Gia village, you first need to get to Ha Giang. We've written a detailed article on how to get to Ha Giang from Hanoi, things to prepare before your trip, as well as a detailed travel plan, so feel free to check it out here.
About 70km from Ha Giang city, Du Gia Village is nestled amidst the mountains and forests of Yen Minh district. To reach there, the only means of transportation are private cars or motorcycles. You can travel along the winding road from Meo Vac to Yen Minh, which is famous for its narrow and winding roads along the mountain slopes, so make sure the person driving is an experienced driver.
Alternatively, you can also reach Du Gia via National Highway 4C to Mau Due and then turn onto route DT181. Although it is about 40km longer, the route is much smoother. Moreover, you can enjoy beautiful red cotton flowers, lush green cornfields, interspersed with scattered outcrops along the way.
What to do in Du Gia?
Visit the Tham Luong Waterfall in Du Gia
Tham Luong Waterfall is one of the few attractions in Du Gia Village, near Coc Pang village. You will be able to hear the water flowing, birds chirping and smell the moss as soon as you get close to the waterfall.
Tham Luong waterfall flows all the way from the mountains, through the crevices of the rocks. The waterfall, though not too tall, exudes powerfull streams that cascades down from above, creating beautiful emerald green pools that are irresistable to swim in. As you immerse yourself in the cool refreshing water, all your worries will fade away and you'll be revived with energy. Now, you may be tempted to jump from the top of the waterfall into the pool, but do so carefully because the moss can make it slippery.
Surrounding the waterfall is the lush greenery of the forest and rocky mountains. The best time to visit Tham Luong Waterfall according to the locals is around 10 AM to 2 PM when its warm out.
Spend the night
Though Du Gia village is an appealing destination, don't expect 5-star hotels, there are none. It is still the rural part of Vietnam and isn't touristically developed. However, it is fitting and promising for those who seek unique experiences. Spend the night in one of the stilt houses in the village and experience the rustic lifestyle of the mountainous region. A night in Du Gia village is the perfect getaway from all the hustle and bustle of the city, which allows you to relax and reconnect with nature and get to know the people of ethnic minorities. Du Gia village houses over 8000 people from Tay, H'Mong, Dao ethnic groups, who are all simple, honest and kind farmers. Eventhough tourism has been developing, the villagers still remain rustic, down to earth and simple.
The homestays might not be the most modern but the hosts will definitely make sure you have the best time. You will likely get to savor traditional cuisine made by the locals themselves. Other than immaculate landscapes, this place is also blessed with a plethora of amazing dishes that can be found nowhere else, from rustic rice dishes that embody the mountainous region to hearty and unique soups made from horse organs.
After a night at the locals, you can wake up early to watch the sunrise over the mountain and maybe watch the villagers as they work in the fields.
Du Gia Markets
Du Gia market is a vibrant and colorful ethnic market, where people from various ethnic groups such as the Tay, Dao, H'Mong, gather to exchange and trade products, such as fruits, vegetable, clothing, etc. There is even a livestock trading section, where people sell pigs and buffaloes, which makes this market even more unique. Although the markets are not very large, they carry the cultural essence of the Northwest people that is hard to find elsewhere.
When mentioning "Love Market" Khau Vai market is the thing that comes to mind, but not many people know that Du Gia village in Ha Giang also has a fascinating "love market" that takes place once a year. It is organized from Friday night to the end of Saturday on the second week of the lunar March. The locals often call this the "flirtatious market" - a place where young men and women meet, chat, and connect emotionally.
When to go to Du Gia Village?
Du Gia Village like Ha Giang is beautiful year round. You can visit at any time of year and this place would still have something to offer. Generally, its rainy season from June to September, which is a great weather to visit the waterfall as the water swells and has a more powerfull flow. However, it can get a bit slippery on the road, if you want a safer travel then you probably pick some other time of year. October to May of next year is usually a pretty nice period to visit Ha Giang. Especially around early October, as Ha Giang steps into harvesting season, and November, when you can witness blooming fields of buckwheat flower, a mountainous region delicacy.
Final thoughts
Among all the majestic nature nestled a tiny village that remains untouched, tranquil, with the most honest, down to earth people you'll ever meet. Du Gia village is a great escape from all the hustle and bustle of the city and a wonderful stop on the Ha Giang Loop Tour. Even though there aren't much to do in the village, that might be the beauty of it, you get to detach, reconnect with nature, and get to know the local people.
If you're interested, here are some articles that we think may be helpful, including a 5 day itinerary for you to enjoy Du Gia Village and all the other must-visits in Ha Giang:
