Capital: Ha Giang City
Population (2019): 846.5 thousand people
Ethnic groups: Mong, Tay, Dao, Viet (Kinh), San Diu
Highlights: Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, Lung Cu Flag Tower, Terraced fields in Hoang Su Phi
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark
Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark has been recognised as a member of the Global Network of National Geoparks (GNN) since October 2010. It covers the entirety of the four mountainous districts of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Meo Vac and Dong Van. Located on an altitude of 1,000m-1,600m above sea level, the 2,356km2 Dong Van Karst Plateau is one of Viet Nam’s special limestone areas, housing prominent imprints that depict the development of the earth’s crust and natural phenomenon. It boasts striking scenery, a high biodiversity and special cultural values of the local ethnic minority groups.
Thanks to weather changes and geodiversity, the karst evolution has created “rock gardens” and “rock forests” of diverse forms in the area, such as Khau Vai and Lung Pu rock garden in Dong Van, etc. A system of caves found in the Dong Van Plateau provides a proof of the evolution of karst with Rong Cave in Sang Tung and En Cave in Van Chai (Dong Van), and Kho My Cave in Tung Vai (Quan Ba) worth seeing.
The scientists have evaluated Dong Van Plateau as having a unique and diverse moutainous geo-ecosystem. Primitive forests here have been rather undamaged, habiting many rare floral species, including 40 species of orchids, especially slipper orchid. Here also has a rich diversity of habitat for fauna as 50 species of rare wild animals, birds and reptiles.
Dong Van Karst Plateau also reflects traditional cultural richness of minority inhabitants, including the Mong, Dao, Lo Lo, Pu Peo, etc. Pho Bang, Dong Van, Lung Cu, Sa Phin markets coupled with time-honoured ethnic festivals, rituals, customs and culture of local inhabitants weight the plateau’s unique charm.
When visiting Dong Van Plateau in the spring, you are hit by wonderful landscapes. The season covers rugged rocks and mountain peaks with its bright colours.
Lung Cu Flag Tower
Lung Cu, a commune of Dong Van District is a northern most point of Viet Nam, 20km from Dong Van Town, and 170km from Ha Giang City. The flag tower is built on top of 300m high Rong (Dragon) Mountain, 1,600m above the sea level.
At the foot of the mountain, there are two semicircular lakes. It is said that they were eyes of dragon. These lakes are always full of water even in the dry season. The flag tower shows the affirmation of position and sovereignty of Viet Nam as well as honour the patriotism and bravery of the people and soldiers in the border area. The new tower has been rebuilt at larger scale on the place of the old one and inaugurated on 25 september 2010. The flag on the tower has an area of 54m2, symbolishing the unity of 54 ethnic groups in Viet Nam. The 29.5m-high flag tower is hollow and has staircase to the top tower.
The car may bring visitors to a half of the slope mountain. From the parking, concreted-steps allow visitors to the top of mountain.
Nho Que Driver
Floating along Nho Que River at the foot of Ma Pi Leng Pass in Ha Giang Province, visitors can experience the lure of one of Vietnam’s most beautiful rivers.
Nho Que River originates from the Yunnan mountain region of China, and enters Vietnam at Seo Lung Village, Lung Cu Commune, Dong Van District. The river passes through Tu San Abyss Alley and then runs along Ma Pi Leng, one of the most well-known mountain passes in Vietnam for their beauty and danger.
The river resembles a silk ribbon embracing Seo Lung Village.
September to October is the ideal time to visit Ha Giang, in the grip of both harvest and buckwheat flower season.
Source: TITC; Vnexpress
Comments are closed.