Exploring Ha Giang’s Most Picturesque Villages

To visit Ha Giang province is to embark on a journey back in time, showcasing some of Vietnam’s most rugged and majestic landscapes. This province is best experienced through a road trip on two wheels, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery and unique atmosphere of its remote towns and minority villages.

Lao Xa Village

Lao Xa village, located approximately 6km from the center of Sung La commune in Dong Van district, is characterized by gentle slopes. The villagers live halfway up the mountains, while the foothills are used for growing corn and vegetables. During springtime, Lao Xa village becomes a captivating sight with peach blossoms and plum flowers blooming across the hills and mountains. The village is also renowned for its famous handicraft silver carving done by the Mong people, which involves intricate and meticulous stages.

Photo: Ha Giang Tre Group

The village’s pristine beauty is showcased through its traditional ‘trinh tuong’ (earthen) houses, which embody the cultural identity of the Mong people. These houses are constructed using a mixture of clay and mud, topped with rare yin-and-yang tiled roofs.

Visiting Dong Van and experiencing Lao Xa village provides an opportunity to delve deeper into the Mong people’s culture and indulge in the poetic beauty of the landscape. The journey to Lao Xa village takes you through rustic and winding roads, with each step revealing the hidden beauty of this land.

Lo Lo Chai Village

Lo Lo Chai village, situated at the foot of Dragon Mountain where the sacred Lung Cu flagpole of the country stands, is home to the Lo Lo ethnic group – one of the ethnic minorities in Ha Giang. In recent times, households in Lo Lo Chai have started offering homestays and travel services to cater to tourists. With over 140 households, this village is gradually becoming a popular tourist destination.

Photo: Ha Giang Tre Group

Lo Lo Chai has transformed into a community-based cultural tourism village, offering homestays for visitors. The main road leading to the village center is adorned with daisies, inviting visitors to leisurely explore the village. Familiar trinh tuong (earthen) houses can be spotted beyond stone fences, with maize hung on the houses and peach trees adorning the front yards.

Thien Huong Village

Thien Huong village, hidden deep amidst the mountains and near the Nho Que River, lies more than 5km north of Dong Van town. This secluded location is perfect for tourists seeking a “slow-paced” life and immersion in the beauty of nature. Thien Huong village is home to the Tay ethnic community and is known for its traditional craft of winemaking.

Photo: Ha Giang Tre Group

Upon arrival at Thien Huong village, visitors are greeted by a group of century-old banana trees, symbolizing the time dedicated to the forest god. As per tradition, villagers gather there on the 1st and 15th lunar days to worship the god and wish for good harvests and good health. The village is home to several centuries-old trees, with four being classified as 700-750 years old.

Pa Vi Village

Pa Vi village is a newly established community-based tourism village that has captured the attention of tourists visiting the Dong Van Rock plateau. The homestays in Pa Vi village are designed in the style of the Mong ethnic group, surrounded by stone fences and adorned with beautiful flowers, creating a picturesque landscape.

Photo: Ha Giang Tre Group

The village spans over 46,000 m2 and includes three main areas with nearly 30 households engaged in community tourism. It features a cultural house and a display house showcasing the traditional model of the Mong people. The village also boasts a hexagonal playground used for traditional cultural and artistic performances, aimed at preserving and promoting the Mong people’s culture.