Western tourists are fascinated by the 'golden road' in Ha Giang

Many tourists say the " Ha Giang loop" exceeds expectations, with its "surreal" natural landscapes.

Alina B., a German tourist, visited Ha Giang in October after being recommended the "Ha Giang Loop" route by many foreign backpackers. The images online were already stunning, but experiencing the route firsthand proved to be far beyond her expectations.

The "Ha Giang Loop" starts from Quan Ba, passes through Yen Minh, up to Dong Van, to Meo Vac, and then returns to the starting point. This "golden route" is approximately 350 km long, crossing high mountain passes and deep ravines, requiring skilled drivers to navigate the seemingly endless loop-like curves.

Alina conquered the route with a group of about 20 people, on a tour organized by a local company. Since she couldn't drive a motorbike herself, she was driven by a Vietnamese driver throughout the journey, but this didn't detract from her experience as she couldn't take her eyes off the majestic natural scenery of Ha Giang's mountains and forests.

"The scenery is surreal; I couldn't take my eyes off it for a single minute. This is the most beautiful place I've ever been to in Southeast Asia," she affirmed.

Photo taken by Alina of the group of tourists she met on the "Ha Giang loop" tour in October. Photo: Lina.btnr

During her four days in Ha Giang, the female tourist interacted with and gained a better understanding of the lives of the local people. Meo Vac and Pai Lung were two of the most impressive natural locations, with "mountains in the distance, hidden behind fluffy clouds and a clear blue sky."

Éadaoin Fitzmaurice, who lives in Ireland, also learned about the "Ha Giang loop" through what she thought was a somewhat exaggerated recommendation from friends.

"I've traveled to over 30 countries and this is definitely the best thing," she said after finishing her three-day trip in September.

Fitzmaurice remarked that the route was dramatic, making her heart race constantly. Occasionally, the Irish tourist had to pinch herself in disbelief at the natural beauty she was witnessing.

The local guide, Huey, drove Fitzmaurice, making her feel safe and comfortable throughout the journey. Most of the group members were young, making it easy to get to know them and strike up conversations. Because Huey brought a speaker, the whole group could sing and dance amidst the majestic mountains. Fitzmaurice cried when the journey ended, regretting the missed moments.

Charlotte and Natalie, a British couple aiming to travel around the world on a budget, visited Ha Giang earlier this year to experience the Golden Route. They maintained a moderate pace throughout the journey to immerse themselves in the breathtaking beauty of nature.

For them, Heaven's Gate (Quan Ba) was like paradise, where the sunset cast a golden glow on everything it touched. The pine forest of Yen Minh was a "source of pure energy from nature," making them forget about time. The two had to change their plans and find accommodation in Yen Minh because they didn't have time to reach the next town before dark.

"Besides the beautiful scenery, we also felt the warmth of the locals. They have created a harmonious and happy community," Charlotte said.

According to Linh Huu Khuong, co-founder of a company specializing in tours in Ha Giang, most foreign tourists who come here want to experience the "Ha Giang loop" route. The price for a three-day tour is approximately 150-300 USD per person, depending on the client's needs.

A group of tourists from Israel drove through Duong Thuong commune. Photo: BiBi Ha Giang Tour

He said that most of the tourists participating in this tour are backpackers. Despite its potential for development, the "Ha Giang loop" has not yet attracted high-end tourists with high spending power. Besides infrastructure issues, human resources are also a major problem because very few tour guides can speak English, let alone other languages.

A group of 15 tourists usually has two tour guides (if the tourists drive themselves). However, often only the group leader can communicate in English, which makes it difficult for companies to arrange staff to provide good service to the tourists.

Minh Hoang, who has worked in tourism in Ha Giang for over 10 years, also commented that this "golden route" has great potential but hasn't really developed yet. Tourists coming to Ha Giang currently mainly come to admire the scenery, and there aren't many things for them to spend money on.

"If a destination is beautiful and attracts many visitors but the total revenue from tourism is too low, it can sometimes backfire," Mr. Hoang said, expressing concern that too many tourists could have a negative impact on the environment and local culture.

Alina also realized that Ha Giang didn't really have much to spend money on. She went on a tour, so her expenses were mainly for coffee and snacks.

But the German female tourist commented that the "Ha Giang loop" is becoming increasingly popular thanks to backpackers. However, it is difficult to turn it into a destination for older people and families because the route is highly adventurous.

Tu Nguyen

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