What Makes Meo Vac District in Ha Giang Special?
Meo Vac District in Ha Giang offers visitors an actual and immersive experience with its breathtaking scenery, varied ethnic culture, and energetic local markets. With MOTOGO Tours, let’s investigate and find the attraction of this well-known travel location!
An Overview of Meo Vac District in Ha Giang
Located along the border, Meo Vac District is part of Ha Giang province. It shares its eastern and northern borders with China, while to the west, it is adjacent to Yen Minh and Dong Van districts, and to the south, it borders Bao Lam District in Cao Bang Province. It comprises 18 administrative divisions, including Meo Vac Town and 17 communes such as Giang Chu Phin, Khau Vai, Lung Chinh, Lung Pu, Nam Ban,…
Meo Vac’s landscape is characterized mainly by limestone mountains, with about 12,000 hectares of agricultural land. Visitors to Meo Vac will be greeted by picturesque valleys resting serenely amidst misty hills, offering a scenic landscape that seems to belong in a painting. One of the district’s highlights is the Ma Pi Leng Pass, renowned for its challenging U-shaped bends and stunning views.
The district also draws tourists with its vibrant cultural festivals, showcasing the rich traditions of local ethnic groups, including the traditional dances of the Lo Lo and Hmong people, the Khau Vai Love Market, and folk songs that are both lively and sentimental. These events provide a glimpse into the fascinating culture and daily life of the local community.
The Best Time to Visit Meo Vac District in Ha Giang
Meo Vac is a place one should visit any time of year since it boasts breathtakingly beautiful natural settings that enthrall tourists. Meo Vac enters the summer between May and June, which corresponds with the period the fields are flooded in readiness for the rice crop. The terraced fields spread over the hillsides during this time in a rich green, sparkling like a lovely mirror reflecting the sky.
Meo Vac moves into the ripening rice season as October sets in. The huge green fields slowly become a golden sea of ripe rice. Visitors can savor the faint fragrance of the rice carried on the cool breeze. Fields of buckwheat flowers start to blossom over the mountain slopes and hill sides from October to December. Meo Vac appears to be wearing a dreamlike coat of pinkish-purple hues from the little buckwheat blossoms scattered around the scene.
Late December will also bring visitors the sight of golden mustard blossom fields glittering beneath the sun. Along the road, vivid orange chrysanthemums blossom amid the rocky karst mountains, lending a little magic that captivates visitors.
Meo Vac greets the spring season with brilliant peach blooms bursting over the mountains and forests as the Lunar New Year draws near. The scene gains dreamy character from the vibrant pink blossoms decorating the old earthen-walled homes. The immaculate white petals of plum and bauhinia flowers accentuate this pink backdrop and produce a quite amazing image.
>>> When is the Best Time to Visit Ha Giang? Discover the Ideal Seasons
How to Get to Meo Vac District in Ha Giang
Travelers must first arrive at Ha Giang City in order to get Meo Vac. From Hanoi, the most practical approach is to get to Ha Giang by sleeper bus. From My Dinh Bus Station, the buses leave with multiple daily journeys. Choosing a night bus would help you to reach in Ha Giang early in the morning, ready to begin your trip, after spending overnight.
A good choice for the 300 km journey, which takes roughly 6 to 7 hours, a sleeper bus ticket is from 250,000 VND to 600,000 VND. Once at Ha Giang, you will have to rent a self-drive car or motorbike to keep on your path to Meo Vac. In addition, you can choose Ha Giang Loop Tour to start your jouney. Knowing the paths from Ha Giang City to Meo Vac is crucial even once your means of transportation are ready.
Meo Vac is reached from three main highways. Two of these paths—including the well-known Bac Sum Pass—have somewhat difficult passes and meandering roadways. Adventurers love these among others. With less twists, the third path is rather more approachable and smoother than the others.
- Route 1 (151 km): Ha Giang City Center – National Highway 4C – Lung Buong – Coc Tieng – Bac Sum Pass – Quan Ba – Can Ty – Yen Minh – DT 182 – Lung Phin – DT 176 – DT 182 – Meo Vac Town Center.
- Route 2 (139 km): Ha Giang City Center – National Highway 4C – Thuan Hoa Bridge – Thuan Hoa – Lung Tam – Road 181 – No Thang – Ca Tau – French Fortress Site – DT 176 – Mau Due – Yen Minh – DT 182 – Lung Phin – DT 176 – DT 182 – Meo Vac Town Center.
- Route 3 (149 km): Ha Giang City Center – National Highway 4C – Yen Bien Bridge – National Highway 34 – Ta Mo – Yen Dinh – Na Cha – Na Vuong – Cao Bang – Lang Ca – Na Ban – Na Ca – Pac Pha – Nam Quang Bridge – Road 4C – Ha Giang – Ban Tong – San To – Meo Vac Town Center.
>>> Explore How To Get To Ha Giang From Hanoi: Travel Options and Tips
Places to Explore and Check In at Meo Vac
Nho Que River
Nho Que River is one of must-visit destinations in Ha Giang since its waters stay an amazing jade green all year long. Scientists say the river runs through limestone mountains, and the deposits provide this amazing hue. Running under Ma Pi Leng Pass, the river winds across rugged cliffs creating a natural border between the passes.
Standing on Ma Pi Leng Pass, you’ll be awestruck by the breathtaking scenery of the landscape below. From the top of the pass, you can follow a local path along the mountainside that leads downriver to the boat area. Choose from a wooden boat or kayak paddling to fully experience the magnificent surroundings. The cost ranges from 100,000 to 150,000 VND per person for a 20-minute ride, depending on the type of boat.
Tu San Alley
Before emptying into Meo Vac, the Nho Que River passes by Ma Pi Leng Mountain at Tu San Alley. Among Southeast Asian valleys, Tu San is among the ones with a depth of 1 km. Rising 700–800 meters high and spanning 1.7 kilometers, this “most majestic pass” in Ha Giang creates a unique and amazing scene among the Northwest mountains.
Tectonic activity for millions of years created the alley when this plateau sank under the water. The land raised over time, producing this amazing geological legacy. Here in the limestone layers have been found fossil groupings from prehistoric species.
Ma Pi Leng Pass
Ma Pi Leng Pass is part of National Highway 4C, connecting Pa Vi and Pa Lung communes in Meo Vac district, linking Ha Giang city to Dong Van and Meo Vac. Known for its rugged terrain, it is one of Vietnam’s “four great mountain passes” and a must-visit for adventure travelers heading to Meo Vac Ha Giang.
Stretching roughly 20 kilometers, the route challenges even the most experienced drivers with its tight curves and strong grades. Popular for check-in is the “Ha Giang Death Rock,” a little rocky protrusion juts out from the mountain near the end of Gio Pass. About two kilometers separate the A Pao café from the rock on a winding road.
The Happiness Road
Stretching almost 200km from the zero-mile sign in Ha Giang city through four highland districts— Yen Minh, Quan Ba, Dong Van, and Meo Vac—the Happiness Road is a section of National Highway 4C Completing construction took eight years, and young people from sixteen different ethnic groups volunteered over two million workdays under difficult conditions.
The rugged terrain and limited tools made this an arduous endeavor, with many sacrifices made along the way. For the province, this road has grown to be an important artery that greatly enhances local people’s quality of life. It is hence sometimes referred to as the “Happiness Road.”
>>> Explore Bac Sum Pass: Discover Ha Giang’s Stunning Mountain Road
Sang Pa A Brocade Weaving Village
Just near the center of Meo Vac town lies Sang Pa A, a colorful village of brocade, home to the Lo Lo ethnic group, one of Vietnam’s smallest ethnic groups, found only in Ha Giang. Sang Pa A became known as a Cultural Tourism Village in Meo Vac district in 2007.
Here you can learn about the painstakingly detailed traditional Lo Lo clothing creation process, which frequently takes 2-3 years to finish. A unique feature of the Lo Lo’s craft is that they embroider by hand, holding the fabric rather than using a frame. Due to the labor-intensive and skilled craftsmanship, Lo Lo costumes are often quite valuable.
Pa Vi Village Ha Giang
Pa Vi Village, sometimes known as Pa Vi Ha Community Cultural Tourism Village, is 4 km from Meo Vac town centre. Covering more than 46,000 square meters, it is home to 26 Mongol ethnic households majority of which provide homestays and participate in community tourism.
Traditional rammed-earth homes, yin-yang tile roofs, and unique stone fences define the hexagonal settlement. Additionally there is a playground for holding cultural events and performances, a traditional Mongol-style exhibition space, and a cultural house. Visitors can engage in daily events including flax stripping, weaving, and maize growing while really absorbing Mong culture.
The Ha Giang Death Rock
Situated at the end of Gio Pass in Pai Lung commune, Meo Vac district, Ha Giang, the “Death Rock” is a daring check-in spot for thrill-seekers who have conquered Ma Pi Leng Pass. It’s a flat, smooth rock jutting out from the steep mountainside. From here, you can take in the panoramic view of Ha Giang’s majestic mountains and the tranquil Nho Que River below.
With its sheer height, not everyone has the confidence and bravery to sit atop this rock. Near A Pao café at the end of Gio Pass, there’s a narrow trail leading to the rock. The route is about 3 km long and can only be accessed by motorbike, bicycle, or on foot. Make sure your riding skills are up to par if you choose to navigate this perilous path by motorbike.
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Khau Vai Love Market – The Year’s Most Anticipated Fair
Most well-known market in Meo Vac is probably Khau Vai Love Market. This is a place for socializing, hanging out with friends, watching games, or just storytelling—not for trade of products. Usually spanning three days from the 25th to the 27th, the market is held just once a year at the end of the third lunar month. The busiest period falls from the afternoon of the 26th to the end of the 27th.
The roads are already humming in the afternoon of the 24th as people dash to the market, generating laughter and conversation. Visitors at Khau Vai can enjoy folk games such throwing a cloth ball, shuttlecock kicking, and pole pushing as well as traditional music and horse riding. Additionally there are food booths offering mouthwatering Ha Giang cuisine.
Other Unique Markets in Meo Vac
Explore Meo Vac’s culture at various marketplaces like Meo Vac Market, Niem Son Market, and Sung Tra Market. These Ha Giang local markets happen once a week, hence your trip schedule will be simple to incorporate them. Conveniently situated in the town center, Meo Vac Market is among the biggest in Ha Giang. From food and clothes to daily basics, it provides a large spectrum of items. Tourists would find the market perfect since it opens every Sunday morning.
Twenty kilometers from Meo Vac, Niem Son Market draws a lot of people eager to experience regional cuisine at the food court and enjoy the highland market environment. Every five days is it. Held every Saturday, Sung Tra Market, 17km from Meo Vac, is well-known for offering some of the best pork in the area at fair pricing. Parking outside and walking in is advised since the paths to the market are limited and difficult.
What to Eat When Visiting Meo Vac District in Ha Giang?
Arriving at Ha Giang is a voyage full of remarkable tastes where one may savor well-known Ha Giang’s culinary specialties with distinctive taste. Anyone who has tried these foods usually remembers them clearly.
Au Tau Porridge
For guests to Meo Vac, Ha Giang, Au Tau Porridge is absolutely must-try. Renowned for its therapeutic qualities, among the Hmong people this porridge is a quick fix for colds. With the richness of slow-cooked bone broth and a clear aroma, the dish is distinguished by its dark brown hue and somewhat nutty, creamy taste. Although the porridge tastes somewhat harsh as a traditional cure because of the au tau root, it is nevertheless really delicious and interesting.
Thang Co
One of the famous foods from the rocky highlands, thang co mostly uses animal innards. Though at first look it might not seem especially appealing, it’s made meticulously using a unique recipe that accentuates a strong and aromatic taste. The dish is especially enticing and savory.
Five-Color Sticky Rice
Five-Color Sticky Rice in Ha Giang is beloved not just for its delicious taste but also for its vibrant colors, which make it visually appealing. The dish features five different colors—white, red, yellow, green, and purple—arranged together on a single plate. For the best experience, enjoy the dish with some roasted sesame salt for an extra kick.
Smoked Buffalo Meat
A specialty from the Northwest mountains, smoked buffalo meat is well-known among lowland tourists. Carefully chosen, marinated with a range of traditional spices, the buffalo meat is smoked over a cooking fire until it gets hard. Men really enjoy this meal since it makes a great beer snack.
Where to Stay in Meo Vac District in Ha Giang?
The district has greatly improved its lodging options, providing a range of hotels and homestays, to meet the increasing volume of visitors to Meo Vac year. The numerous housing choices guarantee that reasonably priced all required conveniences are present.
Homestays in Meo Vac District in Ha Giang
Staying at a homestay is a great option for people wishing to really engage in local customs. Though they offer modern conveniences, Meo Vac’s homestays wow guests with their traditional architecture, which features yin-yang tiled rooftops and mudbrick walls. Usually featuring three kinds of rooms—single, double, and dormitory-style—homestays have roomy, airy interiors.
Usually consisting of a warm yellow, homestay’s color scheme makes the place cosy for visitors. Particularly most homestays provide a sizable yard where guests may congregate for barbecues or view ethnic groups performing their traditional dances. Often filled with little tables, flowers, and plants, the yard accentuates the homestay’s appeal.
Meo Vac’s homestay costs typically range from 150,000 to 300,000 VND a night, providing first-rate service and reasonably modern amenities. Maintaining a homestay also offers a chance to engage with local residents and gain knowledge about their way of life.
>>> Let’s see: Accommodation in Meo Vac Ha Giang | Find Your Perfect Stay
Hotels in Meo Vac District in Ha Giang
Meo Vac hotels are typically built with a contemporary and sophisticated design. Though they are just designed, interiors with black and white dominate colors radiate richness. These hotels’ employees offer attentive care, and simple conveniences help to guarantee visitors’ comfortable stay.
Usually featuring a combination of single and double rooms, a Meo Vac hotel has between 21 and 30 rooms. Usually, every room features an en-suite bathroom and a window overlooking the nearby mountains. Room costs cover 200,000 to 550,000 VND every night.
Meo Vac District in Ha Giang is a remarkable destination that offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. Its charm lies in the authenticity of its people and the breathtaking landscapes that unfold around every bend. Embrace the journey, explore the highlands, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
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