How to get to Hoang Su Phi
You can choose a bus to travel from Hanoi to Ha Giang. At My Dinh bus station, there are many sleeper buses with routes to Ha Giang. Usually the buses leave the station in the evening. You should learn about bus companies, you can call to book tickets in advance to be more proactive in your travel schedule.
When I took the bus to Ha Giang bus station. To get to Hoang Su Phi, you can rent a motorbike to ride. You can go opposite National Highway 2 to Tan Quang and then turn onto DT177 to go to Hoang Su Phi. Or you can go up to Thanh Thuy border gate and then go through Tay Con Linh to Hoang Su Phi.
Backpackers will usually travel by motorbike from Hanoi to Ha Giang. Traveling by private vehicle can be a bit strenuous, but you'll have a very enjoyable experience. If you go by motorbike, you follow National Highway 2 to Hoang Su Phi. After that, you can turn into Xin Man, Bac Ha to visit and then follow Yen Bai road to Hanoi.
Ideal places to see rice
Ban Phung Rice Terraces
Ban Phung is located about 30km from the center of Vinh Quang town, this commune is located near the Chinese border. The terraced fields here are located on a steep mountainside, which looks very impressive. This place is known for the highest rice terraces in Vietnam.
Ho Tau Rice Terraces
Tau Lake is the main habitat of the Red Dao ethnic group, the terraced fields here are quite special, each section will be left a clear forest area to keep the land from landslides. The terraced fields in Ho Tau Lake are soaring and vast.
Thong Nguyen Rice Terraces
It is the convergence of 3 streams including Phin Ho, Nam Ong and Nam Khoa. Tong Yuan was peaceful in the middle of the mountain. This is known as the most beautiful place to see the terraced fields in Hoang Su Phi.
Ban Luoc terraced fields – Lemongrass production
The mountainous terrain is moderately steep, so the terraced fields in Ban Luoc and San Sa Ho are curved in the shape of a bow and look very beautiful.
Nam Ty Rice Terraces
The rice terraces in Nam Ty attract many tourists when coming to Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang. The rice terraces here are recognized as national monuments.
Other attractions in Hoang Su Phi
Tay Kun Linh
This is a mountain range in the territory of two districts, Vi Xuyen and Hoang Su Phi. Tay Con Linh is located on the upper reaches of the Chay River. This is the highest peak of Vietnam. Below the foot of the mountain is a primeval forest, especially Tay Con Linh is the sacred mountain range of the La Chi people.
Chieu Lau Thi Mountain Peak
This is one of the highest peaks in the Northeast region. Chieu Lau Thi mountain peak in Ho Thuu commune, the highest position of the peak is made up of large rocks. On rainy and foggy days, this place is no different from a fairyland. Especially, coming here, you will be able to visit a diverse ecosystem.
Nam Hong Village, Thong Nguyen
Located about 40km from the center of the district, to Nam Hong and Thong Nguyen, you will learn and explore the life and culture of the Red Dao ethnic group.
Hoang Su Phi Fair Market
Bearing the characteristics of local people's life. The market takes place every Sunday at the foot of Tay Con Linh Mountain. It is not noisy, busy and bustling like in the markets downstream. The market here is a place to exchange, buy and sell items for daily use of local people. You will understand more about the life of ethnic people when participating in the fair here.
Itinerary in Hoang Su Phi
Day 1: Travel from Hanoi, Vinh Phuc, Tuyen Quang, Bac Quang, Hoang Su Phi
Day 2: Hoang Su Phi, Xin Man, Bac Ha
Day 3: Bac Ha, Si Ma Cai, Lao Cai and then return to Hanoi
Notes when exploring Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang
- Book as early as possible, especially during the tourist season
- It is advisable to make a specific itinerary of stops, destinations, and attractions
- If you want to conquer the peaks, you should prepare comfortable clothes, warm enough and have protective gear
- If you are riding a motorbike to explore Hoang Su Phi, you should check the bike carefully before running. It is recommended to fill the fuel tank and bring a reserve of gasoline
- If you don't know the way, you can ask the locals
- It is recommended to prepare extra dry food and water to use on the road
Photo: Shutterstock
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