Dong Van
Ha Giang Province
Dong Van is a small Vietnamese town located on the Chinese border, in the province of Ha Giang in the far north of the country.
Dong Van is at the center of an astonishing geological phenomenon which made the region a geological park recognized by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network in 2010: a karst massif of peaks and canyons planted there like an onshore Halong Bay , while the surrounding mountains are mostly high hills.
Dong Van is above all a territory with many ethnic minorities, belonging to different ethnic groups (Tay, H’mong, Dao, Nung, Cao Lan, Hoa, Lolo) who live in villages nestled on the steep slopes or lost in deep valleys. Dong Van is a destination that never leaves the traveler indifferent!
The best time to visit Dong Van
The ideal time to visit Dong Van Plateau is autumn (September to November). The weather is not as cold as in winter and there is less chance of rain than in the summer months. Moreover, from October to November, it is the blooming season of the buckwheat flower, a unique flower of the mountainous region of northern Vietnam. The fields are adorned with pink and white hues, it’s a real delight. You can observe its beauty everywhere, in the hills, the rice terraces or around the local houses.
Otherwise the other best season is spring, when the rice terraces are green.
The average annual temperature is 21°C to 23°C. It can reach 27°C to 28°C in July and August and drop below 0°C in January but it does not snow.
What to see, what to do….?
Dong Van is a great place for trekking and mountaineering, where awe-inspiring mountains can challenge your spirit for real. In return, breathtaking landscapes, encounters with local ethnic minorities and learning from their life stories cannot be found in the world.
Top 12 activities to do in Dong Van
- Discover the old town of Dong Van.
- Hike to the Belvedere (these are the ruins of the old French fort of Po Lu), to have an overview of the city and the surrounding area.
- Climb the Lung Cu Flag Tower, a symbol of Vietnam’s territorial sovereignty.
- Learn history at the fortified palace of the last H’mong king.
- Go to meet the minorities in the ethnic villages (village of Pho Bang, the valley of Sung La…).
- Hike and/or trek in the high plateau of Dong Van.
- Stroll through the fabulous Dong Van ethnic Sunday market.
- Attend a private concert of traditional H’mong music.
- Visit Quan Ba Heaven Gate and Fairy Mountain.
- Discover the Ma Pi Leng Pass and the Nho Que River.
- Attend the Dong Van “Old Quarter Night” market, which is held every month between the 14th and 16th lunar days.
- Treat yourself to a coffee at “Cà phê Phố Cổ”.
