Tham Ma Pass, one of the must-visit destinations on your journey to conquer Ha Giang . Photo: Phong Linh
Flying from the plains
The late-night flight from Can Tho to Hanoi carried not only our luggage but also our yearning to "wash away" the dust and grime of everyday life. That very night, we immediately took a sleeper bus straight to Ha Giang.
In the early morning, Ha Giang 1 ward welcomed us with the characteristic chill of the border highlands . The first thing to do was find a good motorbike, because for backpackers, the motorbike is like a reliable companion on the road.
Our first stop was the Ha Giang Km0 landmark, which has undergone several interesting changes compared to three years ago. There's a current trend here of eating ice cream with the iconic tourist symbol printed on it, and we didn't hesitate to try it. Holding the ice cream cone in the cool mountain air, everyone laughed with excitement. We even acquired a "travel visa" booklet. For travel enthusiasts, this "passport" helps mark the achievement of conquering Ha Giang's destinations. Each time we pass a scenic spot, tourists can go to the information station to get the symbol stamped.
Many homestays in Lo Lo Chai village are designed to offer views of the Lung Cu National Flagpole. Photo: Phong Linh
From here, the "visual feast" begins as we pass through Quan Ba Heaven's Gate, admiring the ethereal Twin Mountains shrouded in early morning mist. The feeling of the wind whistling in our ears only heightened our excitement as we passed the solitary Can Ty tree, towering majestically between heaven and earth.
But perhaps it was Tham Ma Pass that truly overwhelmed us. The winding curves resembled a soft silk ribbon draped across the barren, rocky mountainside. Viewed from above, the pass was both majestic and graceful, a challenging welcome to those who wished to conquer it. Here, the improvements weren't just in the smoother, paved roads, but also in the smiles of the local ethnic minority people. They were developing tourism in a more organized way, with many charming little homestays featuring local architecture and meticulously maintained small roadside shops. It's safe to say that tourism has truly breathed new life into the area, easing the hardships of the local people's lives.
That evening, we stopped at Lo Lo Chai village. If someone asked me about the most peaceful place, I would point to this one. The village lies right at the foot of the Lung Cu National Flagpole, with its warm brown earthen houses and hand-laid stone fences. In the tranquil atmosphere of the mountains and forests, we enjoyed a fragrant pot of black chicken hotpot, the sweet flavor of wild chicken meat blended with the distinctive taste of various forest leaves. As night fell, from the homestay window, we saw the national flag shimmering under the lights on the top of Dragon Mountain, both magical and passionate.
The trend of stamping "Ha Giang tourist visas" is a creative idea, offering a fun and unique experience for tourists. Photo: Phong Linh
When the rock tilts
If the 160km journey on the first day was an exhilarating prelude, then conquering Ma Pi Leng Pass was the most spectacular and brilliant chapter in our youthful symphony. Along the road named "Happiness Road," mist lingered over the mountain peaks, morning and noon alike. Throughout the journey, we were reminded of and proud of the historical landmarks – where thousands of young volunteers had hung themselves on the cliffs for years, chiseling and breaking rocks with the most rudimentary tools. Now, beneath the motorbikes of two children from the Mekong Delta, that road appeared both majestic and challenging.
As we ascended higher, Ma Pi Leng – whose name in the Hmong language means "Horse's Nose" – gradually appeared, with its hairpin bends resembling tangled threads thrown into the vast forest. On one side were towering, jagged limestone cliffs, and on the other a bottomless abyss. In some sections, the road was so narrow that I felt as if a slight turn of the steering wheel would cause both me and my motorbike to vanish into thin air.
Finding a deserted stretch of overgrown grass, we spent hours just looking at each other and down at the Nho Que River. At this altitude, all the sounds of modern life completely disappeared, leaving only the wind whistling through the rocks and the pounding of our own hearts.
On the second night, we chose Pa Vi H'Mong village in Meo Vac as our stopover. This cultural tourism village features houses built in a distinctive architectural style with wooden frames, two-tiered yin-yang roofs, stone fences, and earthen walls. The highlight that makes Pa Vi so attractive is the harmonious combination of cultural preservation and tourism development.
"It looks like a beautiful scene from a historical drama, but it's not somewhere far away; it's right before our eyes," shared Dang Bich Ngan, my travel companion.
Food is an indispensable part of long journeys. That evening, with golden-brown grilled wild boar and a few glasses of fragrant apple cider, we chatted endlessly about the places we had visited. The highland scenery was like a captivating dream for two people from the Mekong Delta who didn't want to wake up.
While visiting, tourists can stop and gather around a warm hearth to enjoy local specialties. Photo: Phong Linh
Rejuvenate the soul
On the return trip to the center of Ha Giang to conclude the "Ha Giang Loop" journey, I deliberately drove slower, as if wanting to "take in" all the beautiful scenery. As the bus rolled towards Hanoi, from where we would fly to the Mekong Delta, both of us felt a little regretful. Regretful because time had passed so quickly, regretful that we hadn't had time to admire another season of buckwheat flowers or ripe rice fields. But more than regret, there was a feeling of spiritual renewal, a renewed energy to start work again.
“The trip not only brought back beautiful photos but also an understanding of the landscape, the life, and the people, so that I can live my youth to the fullest. Ha Giang, the land of blooming rocks, which holds some of the most beautiful memories of my 25th year, will definitely be a place I visit before turning 30,” Bích Ngân expressed.
Laodong.vn
Source: https://laodong.vn/du-lich/kham-pha/chuyen-di-tuoi-tre-o-mien-da-no-hoa-ha-giang-1645386.html
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