From 'hell villages' to the most beautiful hamlets in Ha Giang.

Ha Giang (formerly) is not only attractive for its winding mountain passes and limestone mountain ranges, but also for its villages that preserve the cultural essence of the Mong, Dao, Tay, and Lo Lo ethnic groups.

Tourists check in at Lo Lo Chai village on November 23rd. Photo: Phuong Thanh.

Lo Lo Chai

Lo Lo Chai, located at the foot of Dragon Mountain, north of the Lung Cu flagpole (formerly Lung Cu commune, Ha Giang province, now Tuyen Quang province), is described by tourists as a "fairy tale village" thanks to its scenery and the distinctive culture of the Lo Lo people.

From here, visitors can easily continue their journey to the Lung Cu flagpole or the northernmost landmark.

Over the years, the Lolo people have developed a community-based tourism model that allows visitors to explore local culture, experience daily life, cuisine , and traditional customs in this border region. The pristine landscape and cultural space are preserved, while promoting sustainable tourism linked to ethnic identity.

The number of visitors to Lo Lo Chai has increased sharply after the village was honored as the " World's Best Tourist Village" by the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) in October.

Then Pa Village lies peacefully at the foot of Dragon Mountain and Lung Cu Flagpole. Photo: Then Pa Village.

Then Pa

Besides Lo Lo Chai, at the foot of Dragon Mountain lies Then Pa village, which still preserves many traditional cultural features of the Hmong people. In a small hamlet of the village, there are 11 households belonging to the extended Vang family who have lived there for over 100 years.

Since 2021, recognizing the tourism potential, locals have begun renovating traditional rammed-earth houses, combining them with homestay accommodations. Some households have also opened restaurants serving local specialties such as thang co (a type of stew), black chicken hotpot, and men men (a type of corn porridge).

Accommodation services in Then Pa are not as developed as in Lo Lo Chai, currently mainly consisting of two types: homestays where you live with a host family to experience the culture, and the secluded Then Pa Village resort.

In Then Pa, visitors feel as if time slows down. Popular experiences include beeswax painting, indigo dyeing, or walking around the buckwheat fields.

Tourists gather at the hexagonal playground of the Pa Vi ethnic cultural village. Photo: Ha Giang Loop.

Pa Vi

The Mong ethnic cultural village of Pa Vi hamlet (Meo Vac commune) is located about 160 km from the center of Ha Giang province. Nestled in a valley and surrounded by mountains and forests, the village boasts a majestic landscape with jagged limestone mountains, a wide-open valley, and is close to the Ma Pi Leng pass and the Nho Que river.

Open to visitors since 2019, the village, spanning over 46,000 square meters and comprising three zones (A, B, and C), is home to nearly 30 Mong ethnic households who live and work in tourism. The hexagonal playground is used for performing traditional culture and arts, contributing to the preservation and promotion of local identity.

The houses in the village feature the distinctive architecture of the H'Mông people, with wooden frames, two-tiered yin-yang roofs, stone fences, and earthen walls. The appeal of Pả Vi comes from the harmonious combination of preserving culture and developing tourism.

In September, this community-based tourism destination was voted the best in Vietnam for 2025 by the Vietnam National Tourism Administration.

Fog blankets the entrance to Sao Ha, the "village of hell." Photo: Andy Trung.

Sao Ha Village, the "Hell" Village

Sao Ha village, formerly located in Dong Van district, is home to the Mong ethnic community and lies amidst the ancient Van Chai forest. The village was chosen as the setting for two Tet films, "The Hellish Village" and "The Soul Eater," in 2023.

To reach the village nestled deep in the forest, visitors can travel by motorbike along a 2km stretch with many dangerous curves, or walk for 30 minutes to an hour depending on their speed. The path winds through dense forest and leads to a shrine dedicated to the forest spirit, where villagers warn visitors not to call each other by name to avoid misfortune.

In the Hmong language, "Sao Ha" means "high valley," located at an altitude of about 1,500 meters, and often covered in fog, especially in winter.

Sao Ha village is notable for its stone fences, approximately 1.5 meters high, tightly fitted by hand without any binding material, lasting for decades and covered in green moss.

The village is home to 22 Hmong households with the surname Vang, living together in one area. Their traditional houses with yin-yang roofs are nestled amidst a vast, ancient primary forest of approximately 500 hectares, creating a pristine and peaceful landscape.

The rustic houses in Lao Xa village. Photo: @ltrunghieu.

Lao Xa

Lao Xa may not be as famous as Du Gia, Lo Lo Chai, or Ban Phung, but in recent years, this small village has become a popular spring destination for many tourists.

Located in Sung La commune, this place is considered the cradle of the traditional silver carving craft of the H'Mong people.

The village still preserves many traditional houses with yin-yang tiled roofs and characteristic three-compartment architecture, surrounded by fences and stone walls. In the courtyards, densely planted peach and plum trees bloom simultaneously every spring, creating a peaceful and poetic scene.

In Lao Xa, tourists can learn about the traditional silver casting craft that has existed for nearly a century. For a more complete experience, many choose to stay overnight in the old houses for 300,000-500,000 VND.

Visitors can touch the time-worn earthen walls, admire the moss-covered yin-yang roof tiles, and enjoy the slow pace of life in the highland village.

Source: https://znews.vn/tu-lang-dia-nguc-den-nhung-thon-ban-dep-nhat-ha-giang-post1609517.html