Travel experience in Dong Van - The majestic plateau in Ha Giang

Dong Van is blessed with diverse and majestic terrain, with mountains, winding rivers and streams, immense golden rice fields and peaceful ethnic minority villages.

1. Dong Van – The intersection of nature and culture

The beauty of the poetic and charming Dong Van plateau (Photo source: Collected)

Located in the mountainous district of Ha Giang province, Dong Van is an unmissable destination for those who are passionate about exploring the wild natural beauty and diverse cultural picture. Dubbed as "the intersection of cultural colors," Dong Van gathers more than 17 ethnic groups, each of which brings its own unique features in terms of costumes, festivals, and cuisine.

Located on the Dong Van stone plateau, recognized by UNESCO as a Global Geopark, this land possesses overlapping mountains, winding mountain passes and lush green valleys. Dong Van tourism not only brings wonderful natural scenery but also helps you immerse yourself in the life of ethnic minorities such as Mong, Lo Lo, Pu Peo, Dao, Tay, Nung...

2. Ideal time to travel to Dong Van

Ha Giang is brilliant with buckwheat flower season (Photo source: Collected)

Each season of the year, Dong Van has its own beauty. Depending on your purpose and interests, you can choose the right time to plan your exploration . According to Dong Van travel experience, this is the weather and main landscape in the 4 seasons of the year here.

Spring (January - March): This is the time when peach and plum blossoms bloom, coloring the villages. Many traditional festivals are also held, creating a bustling atmosphere. However, the weather may have drizzle and light fog.
Summer (April - June): The beautiful scenery of the water pouring season on the terraced fields will captivate visitors. This is also the ideal time to join trekking and explore nature.
Autumn (September - November): This time is considered the best season to travel to Dong Van. The golden ripe rice fields, combined with the purple-pink color of buckwheat flowers (late October - early November) create a poetic scene.
Winter (December - February): If you want to experience the cold air and have a chance to see snow, you can come to Dong Van in winter. However, you need to prepare warm clothes and pay attention to safety when moving.

3. Means of transportation to Dong Van

According to Dong Van travel experience, you can travel to this land by the following means:

Bus: The most economical and popular way to get to Dong Van is by bus. You can catch a bus from My Dinh or Giap Bat station (Hanoi) to Ha Giang, then continue your journey by bus or minivan.
Motorbike: If you love freedom and adventure trips, motorbike is the right choice. However, the steep terrain in Dong Van requires the driver to have good skills and stable health.
Self-drive or rental car: If you are traveling in a group or with family, you can choose a self-drive car to ensure comfort. Be sure to rent a quality car and check it carefully before the trip.

4. What is beautiful in Dong Van Ha Giang?

Dong Van is known as "gray paradise" in the middle of the mountainous region" (Photo source: Collected)

4.1. Dong Van Ancient Town

Dong Van Old Quarter is one of the unique destinations that you should not miss when traveling to Dong Van. Built in the 19th century, this quarter not only has the traditional architecture of the Tay people but also preserves unique historical and cultural values. Located right in the center of Dong Van town, the old quarter with its ancient rammed earth houses and yin-yang tiled roofs, creates a space that is both nostalgic and poetic.

Walking around the old town, visitors can admire the two or three-story houses, made from clay mixed with straw and ash, creating a sustainable and rustic look. This is also an ideal place to discover unique handicrafts and enjoy local specialties such as buckwheat cake or thang co. Take the time to visit here in the early morning or at sunset to fully feel the beauty of the old town.

4.2. Lung Cu Flagpole

Lung Cu flagpole, the sacred symbol marking the northernmost point of the Fatherland, is an indispensable highlight in the Dong Van tour itinerary. Located on the top of Dragon Mountain, the 33.2m high flagpole stands tall in the sky, carrying national pride. From here, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Dong Van stone plateau and the rice fields stretching all the way to the border.

To reach the flagpole, you need to conquer a walking path of about 300m with winding stairs. Although the journey is somewhat challenging, the beautiful natural scenery will make all fatigue disappear. The advice for you is to prepare comfortable sports shoes and some drinking water to ensure your health throughout the journey.

4.3. Vuong family mansion

The Vuong family mansion, also known as the “Meo King’s House”, is a unique architectural work, demonstrating the wealth and power of the Vuong family in Dong Van. Located in the middle of Sa Phin valley, the mansion, which is nearly 3,000 square meters wide, was built in a style combining Chinese and Hmong architecture.

Each area of the mansion has its own function, from the central area to the church and the barn. This is an ideal place for you to learn about the history, culture, and lifestyle of the powerful families of the past. Don't forget to take beautiful photos with the mountain scenery surrounding the mansion!

4.4. Lung Cam Cultural Village

About 15km from Dong Van town, Lung Cam cultural village is a convergence of traditional cultural values of the Mong people. Simple rammed earth houses, colorful brocade costumes, and the daily life of the people here create a lively and peaceful picture.

Coming to Lung Cam cultural village, visitors will have the opportunity to experience life close to the local people, participate in activities such as weaving, embroidery and enjoy typical traditional dishes. This is definitely a stop that brings many special emotions in the journey to explore Dong Van.

5. Cuisine in Dong Van Ha Giang

Au tau porridge is a typical dish of Ha Giang cuisine (Photo source: Collected)

According to Dong Van travel experience, this place is not only a famous destination with majestic scenery but also a culinary paradise with bold highland culture. The specialties in Dong Van are both unique and an indispensable part to make your trip more complete. Below are the typical dishes that you should try when participating in Dong Van tour:

Thang Co: A typical dish of the Mong people, made from horse meat and offal, combined with typical spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, and star anise. This is a culinary experience that anyone should try when traveling to Dong Van.
Au Tau porridge: A special porridge made from Au Tau seeds, has a slightly bitter taste, and is often considered a dish that nourishes the body and effectively treats colds.
Dong Van rice rolls: Made from rice flour, the rice rolls here have their own flavor thanks to the handmade rice paper and rich filling of meat, wood ear mushrooms, and hot dipping sauce.
Smoked buffalo meat: This is a traditional dish, made from carefully marinated buffalo meat, then smoked for many days. The meat is chewy, fragrant, rich in flavor, suitable as a gift after a trip.
Buckwheat cake: The combination of buckwheat flour, sugar and honey creates a fragrant, sweet cake that is not only delicious but also associated with the image of Ha Giang land.
Pho chua: With the combination of rice noodles, pork, chicken, raw vegetables and sweet and sour sauce, this dish brings a cool, light feeling, suitable to enjoy at noon.

In addition to the above dishes, Dong Van is also famous for other specialties such as black chicken, armpit pig or corn wine with leaf yeast, helping you understand more about the culture here. Save these Dong Van travel experiences to prepare well for your journey to explore the rocky plateau, where the natural beauty and the quintessence of Northwest cuisine converge.

6. Accommodation when traveling to Dong Van

In Dong Van, Ha Giang, there are two popular types of accommodation: hotels and homestays. If you want to experience the life of local people, homestays will be a suitable choice. If you want a more private and comfortable space, hotels will be a reasonable choice. For convenience in traveling to tourist attractions, you should choose hotels or homestays in the center of Dong Van town. Prices range from 200,000 VND/night to 1,000,000 VND/night, which is quite reasonable. (Room prices are for reference only and may change over time).

With the shared experiences of traveling to Dong Van, we hope you will have a complete and impressive trip. Pack your backpack and feel the attraction of this charming stone plateau for yourself!

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/kinh-nghiem-du-lich-dong-van-v16306.aspx