Things you need to know before trekking to Ha Giang
Ha Giang is a new destination especially for foreign tourists. In comparison with Sapa, Ha Giang is less popular and therefore less changed by tourism industries. For that reason, Ha Giang trekking is a great ideal if you want to experience an alternative to Sapa with similarly spectacular views and fewer tourists. However, there are something you should know before trekking to Ha Giang
1. Ha Giang trekking – Ha Giang landscape
The surrounding in Ha Giang is amazing with pine forests, granite mountains, farming villages and wonderful views from every corner. You can find that this land is blessed by the hand of Mother Nature. And that’s the reason for Ha Giang trekking is a worthy activity. You won’t be fed up with wandering its mountainsides uninterrupted for days at a time. I would say that is enough to make it the perfect alternative to trekking in Sapa.
I can say that Ha Giang trekking is perfect for those who are looking for a quiet place to visit, spared by massive tourism and to meet local ethnic groups of ancient traditions. And of course, you might have chance to find places that no one has set foot on.
2. Ha Giang trekking – How to get to Ha Giang
There are so many ways for you to get to Ha Giang from Hanoi:
By bus
This might be the cheapest way to get to Ha Giang. You can catch a bus from Hanoi to Ha Gaing at My Dinh station. It takes you about 7 hours and costs no more than $10. If you can get a sleeper bus instead of seats, your journey will be more comfortable and less tiring.
By motorbike
It’s the common way for travelers to explore Northern Vietnam by motorbike. If you are an adventure lover, it’s the best way for you to get ready for Ha Giang trekking. You will be amazed by the world’s most spectacular views along the way and enjoy more freedom than you would on a bus.
By car (private transfer)
It’s the easiest way to get to Ha Giang. If you book a Ha Giang tour from Hanoi, it will usually include minibus transfer.
3. How to have Ha Giang trekking?
Depending on your time and your purpose, you can choose independent trekking, Ha Giang trekking with local guide or buy a tour.
Independent trekking
After arriving in Ha Giang, you should check in the hotel and prepare package for trekking. I only recommend Ha Giang trekking without guide for those who have trekking skills and experiences, because the terrain of Ha Giang is quite dangerous and kind of strange for you. You should plan specific route and mark it on the map.
Ha Giang trekking with local guide
You can ask your hotel for a local guide. Maybe your trekking guide is not good at English and can’t talk too much, but he is the only one who knows the route best, even you are a good oriented person. With a local guide, you can go to wonderful places easily and avoid being lost. And if this is your first time of trekking, hire a local guide is no doubt the best ideal.
Ha Giang trekking tour
Perhaps the easiest way to go trekking in Ha Giang is to book with an operator based in Hanoi. These tours will include round-trip transport from Hanoi to Ha Giang, accommodation, meals, and an English speaking guide. We used Ethnic Travel for our trip to Halong Bay + Bai Tu Long Bay, and are sure they would offer a pretty great trekking experience in Ha Giang as well. 5-day tour packages (including transit) start at $500/person.
4. Ha Giang trekking – Accommodation in Ha Giang
Since this place hasn’t exploited much by tourism, the accommodation system in Ha Giang is limited. But there are some places that you can take into account
- Truong Xuan Resort ($23-$30): With gardens and a collection of bizarre birds, the Truong Xuan Resort might be the best accommodation. The rooms themselves are comfortable. And from the hotel you can gain spectacular views of Ha Giang.
- Cao Nguyen Hotel / Khách sạn Cao Nguyên ($25-$30): The Cao Nguyen is a well-located hotel near the river with modern and spacious rooms.
- Homestay: There are some homestays in Ha Giang. Facilities are extremely basic (floor mats and mosquito nets in an open-air house). You will have meals with local family so this is a really great opportunity for cultural exchange.
5. When is the best time for Ha Giang trekking?
If you go for Ha Giang trekking on spring, you will trek through the entire plateau flooded by flowers. You will see a full of Ha Giang spring with beautiful peach and plum gardens are blossoming. I would say that is the best romantic moment of your journey.
Pour water season: This season is from May to June. At this time you can admire Ha Giang canvases with fields filled with water. Along your Ha Giang trekking, you can see the terrace look like giant mirrors reflecting the sunlight.
October and November are the best time for Ha Giang trekking. It is the time that Buckwheat flowers are blooming around the slopes and foothills. No one can expect the barren plateau can grow such gentle flowers.
6. Ha Giang trekking – handy tips
– ATM : ATMs are available in Ha Giang, Tam Son and Dong Van, so no stress. You will easily find accomodation for 7-11US$ a night/pers and food for 3-6US$.
– Ethnic markets : Don’t miss the sunday markets of Dong Van and Meo Vac if you have a Ha Giang trekking. There is also one in Yen Minh on Wednesdays and Sundays, but you’ll need to find out when they happen (it’s not all the time on the same days). There are many markets in the area, you will certainly stumble on one when driving around. Don’t hesitate to stop, they are always quite enjoyable to visit!
– Road condition: That’s important thing you should take care when having Ha Giang trekking! Be extra careful because people also tend to be drunk more often than not in the area which amplify road hazard. Download the app maps.me to have an offline gps with you anytime. It’s always useful! Beware though, on this map a big road is noted down between Niem Son (south of Meo Vac) and Yen Minh, but it’s actually more like a mountrain track and it’s poorly signposted. We learned it the hard way… On the other hand, the road from Meo Vac going through Lung Phin has just been redone so it is the best road around.
– Seasons/Weather: Have a careful look at the forecast before going Ha Giang trekking. Heavy rains and fog are quite common up there. Summers are generally fresh in the evening and winters can be quite cold!
These are all things you need to stay focus on when trekking to Ha Giang. If you are fascinated by the nature you shouldn’t miss Ha Giang trekking. Hope you enjoy your trip!
