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Hoang Su Phi District: The Breathtaking Rice Terraces of Vietnam

08:02 - 21/12/2024

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Hoang Su Phi District in Ha Giang is a wonderful location with vivid cultures and scenery. Often known for its famous terraced rice fields and great ethnic diversity, this place is a hidden treasure waiting for many visitors to find. With MOTOGO Tours, let’s investigate this place!

An Overview of Hoang Su Phi District in Ha Giang

Hoang Su Phi District in Ha Giang is famous among both domestic and international travelers for its stunning terraced rice fields, often considered the most beautiful in Vietnam. With its basic yet beautiful natural surroundings and many national heritage sites, this enchanted area enthralls visitors.

Where is Hoang Su Phi District Located?

About one hundred kilometers from the Ha Giang city center, Hoang Su Phi is a hilly area in western Ha Giang province. Geographically, it shares a 41-kilometer-long border with China to the north and is bordered east from Vi Xuyen and Bac Quang districts; west from Xin Man; south from Quang Binh.

Hoang Su Phi, tucked up on the upper reaches of the Chay and Bac rivers, has a rocky environment marked by many streams and high slopes. The local inhabitants have been motivated to create amazing terraced rice fields that elegantly weave across the terrain by this unusual topography. Additionally, the region boasts many distinctive natural attractions, contributing to its reputation as a prominent tourist destinations in Ha Giang.

Covering an area of approximately 632.38 square kilometers, Hoang Su Phi comprises 24 communes and one town, with the most notable being Ban Luoc, Ho Thau, San Sa Ho, Ban Phong, Thong Nguyen, and Nam Ty. This district is also home to twelve different ethnic groups, including the Nung, Mong, Tay, Dao, and La Chi, with the highest population density among these communities .

The History of Hoang Su Phi Ha Giang

Historically, Hoang Su Phi was part of Binh Nguyen district in Tuyen Quang province. By the end of the Le dynasty, Binh Nguyen was renamed Vi Xuyen, falling under the administration of Tuong Yen prefecture in Tuyên Quang province. In 1831, Vi Xuyen was further divided into Vi Xuyen and Vinh Tuy districts (now known as Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang).

In 1833, the Nguyen dynasty annexed land from the right bank of the Lo River to establish a new district named Vinh Tuy (later renamed Bac Quang). The remaining territory continued as Vi Xuyen. At that time, it comprised five total communes and 31 hamlets, including Hoang Su Phi commune. On August 20, 1891, Ha Giang province was officially established, incorporating Vi Xuyen district. Consequently, this district was divided into Vi Xuyen and Hoang Su Phi.

When is the Best Season to Visit Hoang Su Phi District in Ha Giang?

Hoang Su Phi in Ha Giang is exquisite in its own special manner regardless of the season. The natural beauty and atmosphere of this region will always enthrall you regardless of your visiting date. You can join Hoang Su Phi trips at any moment according for your schedule and tastes.

Many visitors swarm Ha Giang, especially to Hoang Su Phi, in spring, a peak season. The natural surroundings explode in life right now. Attractive landscape is created by the competition of cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, and mustard blossoms. Also, visiting Hoang Su Phi during this season lets you take part in several amazing cultural events.

Hoang Su Phi will be most beautiful in summer, with its lushness. Ha Giang starts the flood season in May and June. Locals use the water coming down from the mountains for farming, turning the terraced rice fields into striking deep green tones.

Visitors also like the autumn months at Hoang Su Phi especially. Hoang Su Phi is most breathtaking early fall, around September and October, when fields of golden rice are just ready for harvest. This is a main reason why travel to Hoang Su Phi has become more and more popular recently. Moreover, the autumn weather is really comfortable for travel since it is chilly, pleasant, and rather dry.

Hoang Su Phi has rather severe weather when winter hits. Often accompanied by dense fog, temperatures fall drastically. That season, though, is ideal for cloud and snow hunting. If you visit Hoang Su Phi in the winter, don’t miss the chance for treking to catch clouds on the mountains of Chieu Lau Thi or Tay Con Linh. Apart from that, the buckwheat blossoms enthrall guests with their delicate beauty.

How to Get to Hoang Su Phi District in Ha Giang

Most visitors in Ha Giang go in two main sections in order to reach Hoang Su Phi. The first leg is from the capital city, Hanoi, to Ha Giang. The second leg is from the center of Ha Giang city to Hoang Su Phi. Your particular tastes will guide your choice of method of transportation—motorbike, vehicle, or passenger bus.

Because they have a short journey time and are rather safe, passenger buses are a common option among visitors. Still, it can be difficult to appreciate the lovely natural surroundings as you are on a bus. Limousines and sleeper buses let you pick from among the several bus companies running routes from Hanoi to Ha Giang.

Additionally time and effort are saved when one drives. To get from Hanoi to Hoang Su Phi, either rent a self-drive automobile or use your own. This choice lets you more freely change your vacation plan. Be advised, nevertheless, that the road is long and contains some difficult and demanding parts.

Finally, there’s the motorcycle. Young adventurers who like to travel alone in Ha Giang will find ideal fit for this kind of transportation. Riding a motorbike, however, can be dangerous since Ha Giang to Hoang Su Phi’s roads are twisting and hilly. Before making this decision, it is therefore imperative to have strong riding abilities and confidence in negotiating the descents.

MOTOGO Tours suggests that using a mix of both transportation options is a best strategy you could think about. First, ride a bus into Ha Giang city. Then choose a respectable motorbike rental company and begin your journey to Hoang Su Phi. Ha Giang boasts several excellent motorbike rental companies; MOTOGO is among the most highly regarded among them by clients.

Once you reach Ha Giang city by bus, you can keep on your adventure on two paths by motorbike. To get Hoang Su Phi, one first choice is to head back along National Route 2 towards Tan Quang then turn onto DT177. The second choice is to pass Tay Con Linh across the Thanh Thuy border gate, therefore arriving at Hoang Su Phi. You also have the option of guided excursions including Ha Giang Loop Tour. The road is challenging for the first time riding to Ha Giang, hence they will provide easy rider for you.

Famous Attractions for Tourists in Hoang Su Phi District

The Terraced Rice Fields of Hoang Su Phi Ha Giang

Hoang Su Phi District in Ha Giang, is famous for its stunning terraced rice fields that stretch endlessly to the horizon. This is considered one of the most valuable assets of the district. When visiting Ha Giang during the rice harvest season, you’ll find Hoang Su Phi resembles a golden painting interwoven with the vibrant green of the hills and mountains.

Often called the center of Hoang Su Phi, Ban Phung presents some of the most amazing terraced views. About thirty kilometers from Vinh Quang town, this community is close to the Chinese border. Visitors in Ban Phung might wonder at the magnificent terraced fields down the steep mountains.

Ho Thau, roughly 30 kilometers from the district headquarters at an elevation of 952 meters above sea level, is another must-visit location for terraced rice field aficioners. This region has a cool year-round temperature and a lovely and invigorating air. Apart from the lovely straight rows of rice fields, guests may enjoy the natural beauty.

The terraced fields in Thong Nguyen also captivate a large number of tourists. Situated at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level, Thong Nguyen features three converging streams surrounded by towering mountains, creating a picturesque landscape with undulating rice terraces.

Another amazing place to view the magnificent terraced fields of Hoang Su Phi is Ban Luoc. Travelers must negotiate narrow, rocky dirt roads to reach Ban Luoc. When they arrive, though, the landscape—which features lots of hills and slopes—will astound them.

Chieu Lau Thi Peak in Ha Giang

Rising about 2,402 meters above sea level, Chieu Lau Thi is regarded as the second rooftop of Ha Giang province. Within Ho Thau commune’s Chien Thang and Tan Minh villages in Ho Ang Su Phi district, is this magnificent peak. This tourist spot draws a lot of people despite its quite far distance from the city core because of its amazing surroundings.

Trekking to capture the clouds in the early morning is among the most fascinating events at Chieu Lau Thi. Once at the top, you won’t be let down by the dreamlike sea of clouds that seems to be a celestial paradise. Visitors can also snap unforgettable pictures with the stainless steel pyramid-shaped monument marking the top of Chieu Lau Thi, weighing 82 kg and measuring 1.08 meters height.

Hoang Su Phi Market

Without shopping the local market to fully appreciate the rich culture of Hoang Su Phi Ha Giang, a visit is incomplete. Having existed for two hundred years, this market is among the special local markets in Ha Giang. Hoang Su Phi Market operates only on Sunday mornings each week, with stalls lining the streets in the center of Vinh Quang town.

The market begins to bustle with activity at dawn. Before the roosters crow, local residents carry goods across dozens of kilometers of mountainous terrain to reach the market. Here, you can find a variety of agricultural products and essential household items, along with the chance to sample delicious Ha Giang specialties.

Nam Hong Village in Hoang Su Phi District

If you’re looking for a pristine and simple village in Hoang Su Phi, consider visiting Nam Hong. Located in Tham Nguyen commune, this village is home to the Red Dao ethnic community. It is situated about 33 kilometers from National Highway 2 at Tan Quang junction and only 3 kilometers from the commune center. From Ha Giang city, you need to travel approximately 77 kilometers to reach this destination.

There are 38 Red Dao ethnic houseings in Nam Hong. The very cordial, welcoming nature of the residents gives visitors interesting encounters. Activities including cloud hunting hikes, appreciating the unspoiled woodland surroundings, and marveling at the grand terraced rice fields are available to visitors.

>>> Explore Accommodation in Hoang Su Phi | Find the Perfect Place to Relax

Tay Con Linh Mountain

Rising in the western portion of the province at 2,427 meters above sea level, Tay Con Linh peak in Ha Giang is the tallest peak in Northeast Vietnam. Though it might not be as high as Fansipan, its steep and difficult paths, thick woods, and deep valleys make conquering far more difficult.

On your ascent to the summit of Tay Con Linh, you’ll be treated to breathtaking natural landscapes. First, you’ll encounter the ancient Shan Tuyet tea hills, which are hundreds of years old. This variety of tea is famous in Ha Giang for its delicious flavor and health benefits. Additionally, visitors can gaze down to see the layers of terraced rice fields cascading below.

Buckwheat Flower Fields

Hoang Su Phi is not an exception; buckwheat flower are classic of the rugged mountains. Visiting Hoang Su Phi in October and November will let you really experience the valleys bursting with buckwheat blossoms. Different phases of development affect the color of the blooms.

During the flower season, buckwheat blossoms abound in Hoang Su Phi around the hillsides, roads, terraced fields, even close to the local traditional homes. Remember to get some elegant clothing ready to grab amazing pictures during your visit!

>>> Explore The Simple Beauty of Buckwheat Flower Valley in Ha Giang

Ancient Graves of the La Chi Ethnic Group

Between Ban Phung and Ban May, the ancient cemeteries of the La Chi ethnic group provide a spiritual destination drawing many visitors in Hoang Su Phi Ha Giang. Hundreds of burials arranged in a semicircular pattern abound on this location. Each one big, roughly 1.5 meter tall and covering 15 to 25 square meters.

One very noteworthy burial has a height more than six meters and a circumference of more than seventy meters. These graves are thought to be belonging to Hoang Van Thung, a local landowner. Amazingly, these burials have not changed with the seasons after hundreds of years. Travelers visiting can listen to intriguing folklore and old stories connected to every tomb.

What to Eat in Hoang Su Phi District in Ha Giang

Hoang Su Phi offers a plethora of delicious Ha Giang’s culinary specialties for you to savor. Each dish has its own unique flavor, which you can enjoy at the markets or restaurants, or you can buy some as souvenirs for friends and family.

Bac Me Lam Rice

One of the rustic dishes often found in Hoang Su Phi is Bac Me Lam Rice. Though it sounds familiar, it has a different taste sensation. Made from fragrant glutinous rice heated inside bamboo tubes, grilled sticky rice is Locals cut the bamboo used here just now. The rice also smells wonderfully and has a chewy texture since it is cooked using water from the immaculate mountain streams.

The rice smells harmonically of bamboo, dong leaves, banana, and sticky rice mixed together. Eat it and you’ll find it to be far sweeter than lowland rice. Sesame or ginger salt will help you enjoy it; many also mix it with grilled chicken or wild boar to accentuate the taste.

La Chi Rat Meat

For the La Chi people, rats have particular meaning historically. For Hoang Su Phi’s population, rat meat is also a staple meal for traditional festivities. These days, it’s a seductive specialty you should at least once experience. Every harvest season, when rats are plentiful and plump, residents come hunt them.

Rats are prepared differently once they are caught. Grilled and smoked rat meals are the most often consumed ones. The people have a special way of cooking. After cleaning and gutting the rats, they are marinated with salt, fish sauce, monosodium glutamate, cardamom, and other spices, therefore giving the rat flesh a very pleasing taste.

Thang Co (A Traditional Stew)

Thang Co is a popular dish not only in Hoang Su Phi but also throughout other areas of Ha Giang. Here, tourists can easily find vendors selling this traditional specialty. It is a dish that combines meat and animal innards with various mountain spices. The ingredients used may include buffalo, cow, horse, or pig.

Thang Co is usually simmered for about an hour before being kept on low heat. During this time, the ingredients become tender and infused with the spices. Its taste may seem unusual and a bit strong for first-time eaters. When enjoying thắng cố, you might want to sip a glass of corn wine to mask any unpleasant flavors.

Hoang Su Phi District in Ha Giang is an invitation to fully appreciate the breathtaking scenery of Vietnam and the rich fabric of its civilizations, not only a place. So start packing and be ready for an exciting and enlightening journey. Hoang Su Phi is waiting to mesmerize your soul and heart.

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07:58 - 28/12/2024