Embark on a 3-day tour of Ha Giang, Vietnam’s remote villages and ethnic communities. Experience breathtaking scenery, cultural immersion, and support local livelihoods.
The Shock
Quan Ba Heaven Gate - At 1,500 meters above sea level, Quan Ba’s Heaven Gate offers the first glimpse of the rock paradise of Dong Van, visible on the horizon. From this vantage point, you can admire the majestic mountains encircling the valley where Tam Son village lies, often shrouded in clouds and mist. Whether it’s winter or summer, you’ll likely need a jacket. The coolness is refreshing!
Yen Minh - Our journey continues through Yen Minh’s stunning Cloud Mountains and its picturesque pine forest atop the peaks. The scent of pine resin fills the air long before you reach the forest. This forest, crowning the mountain before Yen Minh town, changes its magical colors with the seasons. In spring, it’s adorned with beautiful pink and purple buckwheat flowers. After passing through Yen Minh town, we’ll experience the breathtaking Tham Ma Pass, a must-see on the Loop.
Phố Cáo - We’ll explore the ancient town of Pho Cao, the gateway to the Dong Van Karst Plateau. Built in the last century, Pho Cao was once a significant village and still retains its wild and rustic charm. The old houses, with yellow walls and stone fences, have few windows, keeping them warm in winter and cool in summer. The village, home to around 5,000 Hmong people, was extensively used for opium cultivation during the French occupation. This history is reflected in the well-structured houses and opium flower-shaped sculptures.
Phó Bảng - We’ll admire the beauty of Pho Bang town, once the capital of Dong Van district. Still inhabited by Chinese (Han) descendants due to its proximity to the China border, the town features over 100-year-old clay houses with wooden doors, Chinese script inscriptions, moss-covered walls, and yin-yang roof tiles. The residents engage in agriculture and small trade, benefiting from their location near the border. Recently, villagers have also started cultivating roses, creating a colorful floral carpet when in bloom.
Lao Sa - A quick visit to see the new Trump-style fence built last year, now separating China from Vietnam. Previously, ethnic groups crossed informally without papers. We’ll enjoy the sunset on the road leading to the cultural village of Lao Sa, perched on a cliff. Besides the stunning views, this hilly terrain is home to a Hmong community known for silver casting. For over a century, families here have crafted rings, necklaces, and bracelets, often shaped like flowers and butterflies, with bells that tinkle with every step women take.
The After-Shock
Dong Van - We’ll visit the Old Quarter, one of the most iconic areas in Dong Van town, surrounded by evergreen valleys and rocky mountains. Most of its 40 houses were built during the French colonization, with some dating back to 1810-1820. Their architecture is inspired by Chinese designs, featuring yin-yang roofs, thick walls, and ironwood structures. Today, these houses serve as small restaurants and shops for travelers. The most famous is Pho Co Coffee, owned by the Luong family from the Tay ethnicity, retaining its impressive ancient beauty.
Ma Pi Leng Pass - Known as the ‘Bridge of a Horse’s Nose’ due to its shape, this is the most spectacular mountain pass in Vietnam. At 1,500 meters high, it offers views of endless limestone mountain ranges and clear skies, along with a balcony overlooking Su Tan Canyon and the Nho Que River below. We’ll then pass through Meo Vac village and see incredible sites like the ‘M’ road and the French fortress on our way to Du Gia.
Du Gia - The road to Du Gia is flanked by rocky mountains that give way to lush green hilltops and terraced rice fields beside small ethnic local homes. Upon arrival in Du Gia village, we’ll rest and take in the sight of rice fields bathed in the light of the setting sun.
A Romantic Goodbye
Đường Thượng - We’ll drive through the serene villages of Duong Thuong, nestled in a beautiful valley and surrounded by high mountains. Traveling along its flat road, we’ll pass through cornfields and small villages at the heart of the mountains.
- Water
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Motorbike, gas, protective gear
- Soft drinks, alcohol
We are the only local tour group offering a road trip to the most unspoiled and remote villages of Ha Giang, hidden in lost valleys and topping karst mountain peaks. A fascinating tour through breathtaking scenery, with steep cliffs, lush landscapes, and curvy roads. We offer a close view of the ethnics who once migrated from China to Vietnam, and whose generations still keep the flame of their own oral legends, distinct language, and religious rituals. We go far from the crowds and close to the real daily life of Ha Giang’s people. A deep cultural immersion for a unique and life-changing experience.
Our tours are unique in this area and focus on having a 100% positive impact on local people’s lives. What does that mean? You will eat, sleep in authentic ethnic restaurants and accommodations, and get guided by real local people. Currently, agencies take fees from the local people and guide people to eat and sleep in businesses run by rich outsider investors.
If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.