Hoang Su Phi, the must-experienced destination in Ha Giang

Situated in Western Ha Giang, Hoang Su Phi is an untouched highland district, which is granted with both unique cultural values of ethnic minorities and majestic natural beauty with remarkably pleasant climate, and immense golden terraced rice fields, covered by magnificent mountains.

Currently, Hoang Su Phi contains 24 communes and 1 town, in which there are four bordering communes with the total length of over 40 kilometers. The land is a long-term settlement of 12 ethnic groups, including most of Nung, Mong, Tay, Dao and La Chi. Located at the upstream of Chay River, Hoang Su Phi's topography is cut by various streams, causing steep mountains. Reaching here, tourists will be amazed at tea fields, immense terraced rice fields on the slopes, superb mountains hidden in the primitive forests. If arriving on time, tourists can join in numerous mysterious indigenous rituals, such as minority group’s festival, harvest ceremony, or forest spirit ceremony. With topographical features, unique culture and stunning landscapes, as the favor of the nature, from the Northeast to the Northwest, Hoang Su Phi tourism becomes an attractive tourist destination, which allures visitors even at the first sight.

Due to the mountainous terrain cut through streams and varied climate sub-regions, it is hard to decide the most suitable season for exploring this marvelous land. In the spring, visitors can participate in many exotic festivals and visit blooming peach, pear gardens and immense tea hill. From April to June, the time is for planting rice, so tourist can contemplate the terraced rice fields in the torrential water season. Since mid-September, tourists can feast their eyes with the golden terraced fields stretching endlessly on the cliffs, during the ripe rice season. The winter is ideal time for tourists to capture stunning photos of clouds and snow in Tay Con Linh and Chieu Lau Thi Peaks.

Just 80 kilometers far from the center of Ha Giang, there are various means of transportation here such as taking a coach, renting a motorbike or using private vehicles. Furthermore, the option for choosing an accommodation in Hoang Su Phi is varied. Tourists can stay in hotels and motels or choose homestay with good quality service and full of facility. For the reputation for exceptional natural and cultural values, here are some suggestions for must-visit destinations in Hoang Su Phi.

1. Rice paddies viewing points

For the panoramic view of the immense golden terraced paddies during the ripe rice season, tourists can come to some popular places, such as terraced fields in Ban Phung, Ho Thau, Thong Nguyen, Ban Luoc – San Sa Ho and Nam Ty. The terraced field in Ban Phung, situated precariously on cliffs, is renowned for the highest terraced fields in Vietnam. Different from Ban Phung, based on farming experience of Yao ethnic people, each rice field in Ho Thau terraced is surrounded by a small forest to prevent from landslides. Thong Nguyen terraced field is convergence of three large streams including Phin Ho, Nam Ong and Nam Khoa, and known as the best place to observe the most beautiful terraced fields. Moreover, the terraced fields in Ban Luoc and San Sa Ho look so charming in the bow-shape, owing to the mountainous terrain with moderate slope. Finally, Nam Ty terraced field, which is the asset of Yao ethnic people, is recognized as National Heritage.

2. Buckwheat flowers

Regarded as one of the most prominent flowers of the homeland, buckwheat flowers bring the wild and breathtaking beauty, certainly making visitors bewitched. Previously, this kind of flower was only grown in the rocky plateau. But now, this flower has been cultivated on terraced fields in Hoang Su Phi and Xin Man. In late autumn, the end of the ripe rice season, this land will wear a new colorful coat of vibrant vehement buckwheat flowers. Flower color changes from white, then turn pink, and finally dark pink. Arriving at the buckwheat flower season, tourists will be fascinated at the alluring beauty of the iconic flower of the northern province of Ha Giang and have chances to take part in buckwheat flower festival.

3. Tay Con Linh Peak

Situated on the upstream of Chay River, Tay Con Linh Peak spreads over Hoang Su Phi and Vi Xuyen districts. At an altitude of 2417 meters, Tay Con Linh is the highest mountain in the Northeast region and Vietnam. With a geodetic landmark on top and an ancient subtropical forest at the mountain foot, Tay Con Linh is considered a sacred mountain range of the La Chi ethnic community. Standing at Tay Con Linh Peak, tourists will be captivated by the tranquil painting of golden terraced fields rising into the sky, blue crisscrossing streams, and peaceful Dao, Tay, and Nung homesteads.

4. Chieu Lau Thi Mountain

Chieu Lau Thi is known as one of the highest mountains in the Northeast region with an altitude of 2,402 meters. Chieu Lau Thi Mountain is formed by successive giant stones, which is extremely convenient for contemplating the panoramic view of Hoang Su Phi on clear days. Rainy and foggy days will cover this peak with the haze, making tourists like losing in a fairyland. Besides, the mountain is famous for a diverse ecosystem, with thousands of ancient trees and rare herbs in the primeval forest, and various fauna. Coming here, visitors can immerse themselves in magnificent nature and widen the knowledge about biodiversity of fauna and flora.

5. Nam Hong Hamlet, Thong Nguyen

About 40 kilometers far from the center of Hoang Su Phi, Nam Hong is a hamlet of 37 ethnic Red Dao households in the middle of terraced field landscapes. Spending several nights at a homestay in Nam Hong Hamlet, visitors have chances to immerse in the culture of the ethnic group. The structure of the homestay is based on traditional style of Dao Ethic people, which brings the sense of warmth and comfort, with the mountainous view out, opening up a world of rice terraces and incredibly spectacular landscapes. For a nature lover, trekking is a perfect choice to explore the amazing sloping roads and impressive mountainous scenery in Hoang Su Phi.

6. Hoang Su Phi Fair

Hoang Su Phi Fair is the most colorful cultural picture, which brings bold features of ethnic minorities’ life. Located at the foot of the majestic Tay Con Linh Mountain, Hoang Su Phi Fair is taken place every Sunday. The market is a place to exchange, sell and purchase items for daily use by local people. The main stuff sold here are diverse and usually used for daily-life, namely vegetables, clothes, embroidery thread, and cultivation tools. Coming here, tourists will feel the peaceful beauty of daily life, not noisy and bustling like markets in cities. Visitors can purchase items for gifts or souvenirs, and understand more about the lives of ethnic people.

7. Ancient tombs of La Chi ethnic group

On the slopes of Ban Phung and Ban May commune in Hoang Su Phi and Ban Diu commune of Xin Man district, hundreds of ancient tombs are scattered along the mountainside. Each tomb is about 1.5 meters in height, and the breadth fluctuates from 15 to 25 square meters, especially a tomb with over 70 meters in circumference and six meters in height. These tombs are sacred and no one can trespass because they are associated with a legend. Coming here to visit, tourists will have chance to hear about that mysterious legend.

8. Po Lung Post

Located on a hill in eastern Vinh Quang town, Po Lung Post (France Post, named by the locals) was constructed by the French in the late 19th century. This military architectural complex includes an airport, bunkers, and trenches. The system of those bunkers and trenches remains almost original as a remnant of the war and the testimony to the crime of the French colonialists. To build this architectural complex, hundreds of people had to die.

9. Suoi Thau Temple

Suoi Thau Temple is another destination that can’t be missed when travelling to Hoang Su Phi. The temple was established in the third year of the Minh Mang dynasty (1793) on the mountainous slopes of Suoi Thau hamlet, Ban Luoc commune, which is surrounded by immense terraced fields. This historical relic was constructed to worship the gods in folklore so it is considered a sacred place of the local people.

10. Vinh Quang Temple

Situated in the center of Vinh Quang town, Hoang Su Phi district, Vinh Quang Temple was established in the late 19th century to worship some deities as spiritual beliefs. Furthermore, Vinh Quang temple is the special place for the locals to express their great gratitude and thankfulness to Hoang Van Dang, the governor of Hoang Su Phi. Based on historical records, in 1908, Hoang Van Dang courageously stood up against the French, then was arrested and brutally tortured to death by the French enemy. In commemorating the gratefulness and admiration for his heroic spirit, people in Vinh Quang established an altar inside the temple, considering him the sovereign deity to safeguard residents.

Apart from stunning landscapes and unique culture of ethnic minorities, tourists coming Hoang Su Phi to have opportunities to taste special local dishes, such as delicious bamboo-tube rice, sticky rice with seductive taste, carp, La Chi mice meat, goat meat, Thang Co, buffalo meat which is marinated and then dried on the woodstove, rice wine, Shan Tuyet tea and red plums.  All of these dishes bring special flavor of the mountains, making tourists unforgettable even at the first try.