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Lung Cam Cultural and Tourist Village
Lung Cam Cultural and Tourist Village is a serene getaway amidst nature and a lesser-known spot for those visiting Ha Giang. It's known as one of the most beautiful villages of the White H'mong people, featuring ancient houses with traditional architecture and a history that goes back up to 100 years. Three ethnic groups call this place home: Lo Lo, H'mong, and Han.
When you visit Lung Cam Village, you'll be struck by the distinctive beauty of the rocky plateau, with its endless mountain ranges, colorful flower gardens, lush green cornfields, shady trees, ancient century-old houses, and the vibrant, shimmering traditional costumes of the highland people.
Photo: Vũ Cừ - Minh Đông
Where is Lung Cam Cultural Village? How to get there?
Location: Sung La Commune, Dong Van, Ha Giang,
To reach the Lung Cam Cultural and Tourist Village from Hanoi, you can catch a sleeper bus to Ha Giang from My Dinh bus station, which usually takes around 6-7 hours.
After reaching Ha Giang City, you just need to rent a motorcycle and travel an additional 120 km in the direction of Yen Minh towards Dong Van. The Lung Cam Cultural and Tourist Village is 25 km north of Dong Van Old Quarter, near National Highway 4C. On National Highway 4C, you will see the sign leading you to Lung Cam Cultural and Tourist Village.
What’s so cool about Lung Cam Cultural Village?
Photo: Pao's House (Credit: Ha Du)
If you're ever in Ha Giang, don't miss out on visiting the Lung Cam Cultural and Tourist Village. This place is a real gem, with its breathtaking rocky plateaus and majestic mountains that make for a stunning view. The best times to visit are in the spring (December to March) and autumn (September to November). During autumn, the whole valley bursts into vibrant pink as the buckwheat flowers bloom, and in spring, you’ll see plum and apricot blossoms along with bright yellow rapeseed flowers.
Lung Cam Village is all about preserving the rich culture of the H'Mong people. The village design, the houses, farming practices, and customs reflect their traditional highland culture. Back in the French colonial days, this area was known as the "opium valley" because they mainly grew opium and corn. Nowadays, they’ve switched to growing rice, corn, a variety of flowers, buckwheat, fruit trees, and other veggies.
The ancient houses here are particularly interesting, with their yin-yang tile roofs. Over the years, green moss has covered these tiles, giving the houses a timeless and enduring charm. When you visit, you'll get to see these well-preserved traditional homes and experience the local culture through their customs and festivals.
Fans of Vietnamese cinema might recognize this place from the award-winning film "The House of Pao," which used Mr. Mua Sua Pao's house as a setting. This house now attracts many tourists, both local and international, who come to see it, take photos, and soak in its history.
Lung Cam Village has a rustic, simple, and welcoming vibe. The locals keep traditional music alive with instruments like the khèn and drums, and their folk songs are truly captivating. What makes a visit here so special is watching the sunrise over the mountains, breathing in the crisp morning air, or catching the sunset while listening to the gentle sounds of traditional music. It's an experience that stays with you.
Visiting Lung Cam Cultural Village
It is free to visit Lung Cam Village, but you need to buy a ticket of 10,000 VND if you want to see Pao’s House. There aren’t fancy hotels in Lung Cam, if any hotels at all. If you plan on spending the night in Lung Cam, you can stay at Nhà Cổ Lao Xa Homestay Hmong, for 200,000 - 300,000 VND/night.
If you're traveling with a large group, you might consider staying in stilt houses, which cost only about 30,000 VND per person per night when split among everyone.
You can combine your visit to Lung Cam Village with other sites in Dong Van, like the Lung Cu Flag Tower and the Vương Family Mansion. Here’s a 2-day Ha Giang Loop itinerary for those interested:
Day 1: Ha Giang City – Quan Ba – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Sky Path – Dong Van
Morning: Begin your journey early to make the most of the day. Make your way towards Quan Ba, visit Heaven’s Gate, for your first stop. Enjoy the panoramic views of the terraced fields and mountains. Continue to the Twin Mountains, also known as Fairy Bosoms Mountains, then have lunch at a local eatery in a nearby town or village along the route.
Afternoon: Ride through one of the most stunning mountain passes in Vietnam. The views from Ma Pi Leng Pass are breathtaking, with steep cliffs and the Nho Que River below. Continue to the Sky Path for more stunning views and a sense of adventure as you ride along the winding roads.
Evening: Reach Dong Van in the late afternoon. Check into your accommodation and explore the old town. Dong Van has charming old streets, traditional houses, and a lively night market. Enjoy a local dinner and perhaps try some of the regional specialties.
Day 2: Dong Van – H’Mong King Palace – Lung Cam Cultural Village – Lung Tam Village – Ha Giang city
Morning: If you didn't have time the previous evening, take a morning stroll through the old quarter. If you’re here on a Sunday, there’s also a market to visit early in the morning. Next, ride to the H’Mong King Palace, an important historical and cultural site. The palace offers a glimpse into the life of H’Mong royalty with its unique architecture and artifacts. Then, make your way to Sung La, home to the Lung Cam Cultural Village, which is famous for its traditional H'Mong houses and was featured in the movie "The Story of Pao."
Afternoon: After lunch, continue to Lung Tam village, renowned for its traditional brocade weaving. Visit the local workshops and learn about the weaving process. Begin your journey back to Ha Giang City. The ride will be long but filled with scenic views of the countryside.
Evening: Reach Ha Giang City in the late afternoon or early evening.
=> Pao’s House in Dong Van, Ha Giang
