Experience Dong Van in Ha Giang

Come to Dong Van Ancient Town to experience Ha Giang culture

Vietnam tourism is not only attractive because of the landscapes bestowed by nature, but also the ancient towns that carry many beautiful cultural features of the indigenous people. When mentioning the ancient town, many people will immediately think of Hoi An or Hanoi, however, Vietnam also has Dong Van ancient town which is in the northern Vietnam.

Dong Van ancient town is located in Dong Van district, Ha Giang with a development history of hundreds of years. This place has become busier thanks to the Nung and Dao ethnic groups migrating here to live. Up to now, it has become a particularly interesting destination for tourists when traveling to Ha Giang.

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1. Dong Van ancient town – Overview of Information & Experience

1.1. Introduction to Dong Van ancient town

Dong Van ancient town is located at an altitude of 1,000 - 1,600 m in Dong Van district, Ha Giang. This place is very hidden, with all four sides covered by dense mountains and forests. That's why the air is also extremely fresh and cool.

If you go in the winter, it will still be cold, or even colder! In the early 20th century, this neighborhood was home to a number of Tay, Mong and Hoa families. After that, it gradually became more vibrant and bustling thanks to the Nung and Dao ethnic groups migrating here to live.

After so much development and change in Ha Giang made to stimulate tourism, this neighborhood still retains its ancient, impressive simplicity. During their trip to Ha Giang, many young people still choose Dong Van ancient town as a discovery destination that should not be missed to find peace in their busy lives.

It is no exaggeration to say that Dong Van ancient town in Ha Giang is an extremely special highlight in this somewhat dry rocky mountain space.

1.2. How to get to Dong Van ancient town?

From Hanoi to Dong Van ancient town, you first need to go to Ha Giang. Many local buses from Hanoi to Ha Giang and vice versa have also opened, from 5 am to 9 pm, so it will be extremely convenient for you to find the departure time that best suits you. This is also a quite safe and less tiring and strenuous option, so you can freely explore Ha Giang. Local buses will usually depart from My Dinh bus station.

In addition to buses, most young people today want to conquer the journey to Ha Giang from Hanoi on their own, so they often choose to travel by motorbike and in large groups. However, because the journey is quite long, if you have previous experience of long-distance backpacking, you should risk going big. Otherwise, a bus is still the most reasonable choice.

After arriving in Ha Giang, you will also travel another distance of nearly 100km to reach Dong Van ancient town. The road is quite dangerous because the pass has many cliffs, so if you come here by motorbike, you should check the time to return. Absolutely avoid running at night to keep yourself and others safe.

1.3. The best time to check in Dong Van ancient town

Dong Van ancient town attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors all year round, especially during major festivals. You do not need to have a specific schedule to come to Dong Van because the poetic beauty of this place is preserved all year round.

The buckwheat flower season in Dong Van, Ha Giang

However, the most beautiful trip to Ha Giang will be during the ripe rice season in September, the buckwheat flower season in November, or the Khau Vai love market festival season around March and April of the lunar calendar. Therefore, you can consider coming to Ha Giang at a suitable time and combining visiting Dong Van ancient town!

2. Dong Van ancient town - Where time seems to stop in the old years
 

2.1. Explore the old nooks and crannies of the houses

Dong Van Ha Giang still retains about 40 houses located close together under rocky cliffs. The picture of the old town's space is tinged with the quiet colors of time, mixed with the yellow of the sun and the gray-black of the moss and old houses.

The ancient houses in Dong Van town, Ha Giang

The main architectural style of the houses here is tube houses, built with two floors, and the roof is roofed in a harmonious yin and yang direction, which  is also the typical tile type in the northern border region. Besides, if you visit Dong Van ancient town, you will also see many houses hanging red lanterns to highlight the space of the house.

The special feature of this old town is that every time of the day it has its own, delicate and different beauty. In the morning, it is beautiful and gentle with the colors of sunlight in a magical quiet space and brings fresh, pleasant air in the high mountains, while in the afternoon, when the sunset falls, this place becomes gentle and romantic under the setting sun. Then, night is the time when Dong Van old town is most brilliant thanks to red lanterns that highlight the entire area.

2.2. Experience unique Northeast cuisine

Northeast cuisine has long been a famous cuisine not only in Northern localities but also in the South. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to visit Dong Van ancient town in Ha Giang, don't forget to experience this cuisine! Roadside restaurants have all kinds of Ha Giang specialties for you to enjoy or buy as gifts for friends and relatives.

Especially on weekends or festival seasons, there will be many other typical delicacies such as corn wine, thang co, Dong Van rice rolls, au tau porridge, five-color sticky rice, Bac Me tube rice, and dried buffalo meat hung in the kitchen. All will definitely give you many different interesting culinary experiences!

2.3. Come to Dong Van market

Coming to Dong Van ancient town, if you want to experience culture, besides the moss-covered houses, you should also go to the famous traditional Dong Van market. The market viewed from above will look like a U shape, conveniently arranged for trading and market meetings. This place will be the area for trading and exchanging the main ethnic specialties of the entire Dong Van district.

Local ladies selling their brocade products in Dong Van market

In addition, it is also a place to meet, make friends, and get married for boys and girls in town. This market is amazing and really friendly, and people often come here to sell fruit trees, things they grow or make, and a lot of other things.

At the market, you will also see girls wearing colorful brocade dresses, smiling brightly to welcome visitors. You can also find equally beautiful dresses right at this market without having to look far. Extremely convenient, right?

2.4. Mansion of Vuong Family

The Mansion of Vuong Family - a unique features of this mansion are not as romantic as the buckwheat flower fields or as majestic as the natural scenery of rocky mountains seen from Ma Pi Leng Pass, but tourists are still attracted to the architectural works here.

A part inside the Hmong King Palace or King Meo Palace

The architecture smells of time through moss-covered walls, and the smell of ancient wood lingers in our noses, making our hearts feel lighter and more peaceful. Stepping inside, you will see the ancient vibe through each interior arrangement. If you love vintage photos with a bit dark, then this will definitely be an extremely suitable place for you to pick up your camera and take a shoot.

The Mansion of Vuong family or King Meo Palace has a harmonious architecture between the three cultures of France, China and H'Mong, seemingly unrelated but extremely harmonious, novel and unique. That's why even though tourist attractions in Ha Giang are springing up like mushrooms, this place still maintains its popularity.

2.5. Explore culture at Lo Lo Ethnic Village

A beautiful small village, located at the foot of Dragon Mountain, 1km from Lung Cu flagpole, Lo Lo Village is home to the Mong and Tay ethnic minorities. People live here mainly on a self-sufficient basis with farming and animal husbandry.

Beautiful Lo Lo Chai village in Ha Giang

In addition to the "specialities" of thousands of clouds, rocky mountains or valleys filled with flowers, when coming here, people can discover unique cultural features that only Lo Lo Ethnic Villages have. In addition, according to shared experiences of travelling to Meo Vac - Ha Giang, there are also a number of cultural activities and community cultural exchanges regularly taking place here, including the corn celebration taking place in September, the rain praying festival held in March, etc.

Dong Van ancient town is an interesting destination with many poetic and romantic places to visit. Whether traveling as a couple, in a group of friends, or with family, you will definitely find joy in Dong Van. Although it is not flashy and modern, there is a peaceful, simple, and closeness that, Ama Journey is sure, many of you are looking for in this busy world of work. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to travel to Ha Giang, take the time to visit
Dong Van ancient town once.

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