Majestic Nho Que River in Ha Giang

Nho Que River in Ha Giang is the perfect suggestion for foot enthusiasts planning to visit the Northeast Vietnam. If you want to have photos of a lifetime during your upcoming trip to Ha Giang, you must definitely stop by Nho Que River to fully feel the majestic nature of heaven and earth!

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1. General introduction to Nho Que River, Ha Giang
 

1.1. What is the origin of the Nho Que River in Ha Giang?

Originating from the Nghiem Son mountain area (Yunnan, China) at a height of 1,800m, the Nho Que River flows northeast, through wild and dangerous mountains and forests, pouring into Lung Cu commune, Dong Van district to enter Vietnam. The river continues downstream through the Tu San Alley, along Ma Pi Leng. When it reaches Meo Vac, it splits into two branches and flows into Cao Bang province, finally merging with the water of the Gam River at the Na Mat junction.

1.2. Legend of the Nho Que River

Nho Que River not only attracts tourists because of its fairyland-like beauty, but the story behind it is also worth sitting for hours and listening to. Legend has it that a long time ago, there was a landslide war between the River God and the Mountain God. The Mountain God refused to let the water flow from one side to the other, leading to the River God's anger. The River God then used his lightning sword to split the Mountain God into two.

As a result, the dry mountainside turned into a smoothly flowing river and this was also the beginning of the Nho Que River. Over time, this legendary river is still present there, flowing through majestic mountains and expressing its wild, enchanting beauty with the emerald green colour of its water. It can be said that Nho Que River represents the beauty of Ha Giang, a wild and pure beauty.

2. How to get to Nho Que River
 

2.1. By bus

Ha Giang does not have an airport or a train station, so the road is the only way to travel. From Hanoi, you can book a bus ticket to Ha Giang. Once you arrive in Ha Giang city centre, you should take a taxi for a safer journey instead of renting a car if you are not familiar with the road conditions. There are many types of buses to Ha Giang, including traditional buses, sleeper buses, and limousines, depending on your preferences and budget.

Below are some reputable bus companies serving the Hanoi - Ha Giang trip that you can refer to.

Limousine Express: Departs from My Dinh bus station at 8:30 p.m. and arrives in Ha Giang at 3:00 a.m. The ticket price for the sleeper class is 350,000 VND.
Quang Nghi Limousine: Different departure times (7:40, 7:45, 4:00 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 4:45 p.m.) and basic ticket price is 300,000 VND.
Bang Phan: Departure time is from 0:30 to 22:30, with average ticket prices ranging from 250,000 to 550,000 VND.

In addition, you can also book a tour in advance for convenience and safety during the journey to Nho Que River in Ha Giang. Ama Journey is a reputable and experienced company providing attractive tours to explore Ha Giang. We are proud to offer various offers at the most competitive prices on the market.

2.2. By motorbike

If you are an adventurous person, you can choose to ride a motorbike to Ha Giang. However, this is a very long journey which is not easy at all. Therefore, you need to be carefully prepared in terms of vehicle, health, and driving experience. While driving, you can fully enjoy the beautiful landscapes and experience the simple lifestyle of the local people.

There are two suggested routes to fully explore the beauty of Ha Giang by motorbike:
Route 1: Hanoi - Trung Ha Bridge - Co Tiet - Phong Chau Bridge - Doan Hung - Tuyen Quang - National Highway 02 - Ha Giang - National Highway 34 - National Highway 4C - Nho Que River.
Route 2: Hanoi - Vinh Phuc - Son Duong - Tuyen Quang - Ha Giang - National Highway 4C - DT 182 - DT 176 - DT 182 - National Highway 4C - Nho Que River.

3. How to visit the Nho Que River

Nho Que River with its peaceful and rustic scenery is often considered a symbol of Ha Giang by local people. Stretching more than 192km, the river meanders through limestone mountains, like a ribbon winding between the towering mountains of the Northeast sky.

When you embark on the journey to explore this tourist destination in Ha Giang, you will be fascinated by its unique and rare green colour. It is a place where you can immerse yourself in nature, let your soul be carried away by the clouds, and find tranquillity while admiring the breath-taking landscapes of Vietnam's mountains and forests.

Boat trip on Nho Que River

Nowadays, the most popular way to visit Nho Que - Tu San Alley is by boat. Under the development of Ha Giang, visiting by boat has become much safer. Particularly, on boats, all are equipped with life jackets. This creates a feeling of safety and attracts tourists to visit this destination.

Although you can visit Nho Que River at any time of the year, the best time to witness the beauty of this paradise is during October and November. This is when the paradise of buckwheat flowers blooms, and you can stand on the high mountains, watching the green Nho Que River and the romantic colours of pink and purple.

4. The beauty of the Nho Que River
 

4.1. Tu San Alley - The deepest abyss in Southeast Asia

Travelling to Nho Que River, you will not be able to miss Tu San Alley and the journey to explore this river. Sitting by boat is the only way for you to travel along the Nho Que River. Nowadays, the number of tourists visiting Nho Que is increasing, so there are two boat wharves to serve tourists: one in Ta Lang village, and the other in Xin Cai commune. On average, it takes about 2 hours for the exciting journey to explore the Nho Que River.

Nho Que river with Tu San alley - View from Ma Pi Leng Pass

When mentioning Nho Que River, few people can forget Tu San Alley. Recognized as the deepest abyss in Southeast Asia with a depth of more than 1,000 metres, Tu San Alley is the dream and desire to conquer of every far-away traveller. Sitting on a boat on the Nho Que River, you will certainly be overwhelmed by the majestic scenery that Mother Nature has created for the land of Ha Giang, including the blue river and the canyons as high as the top of the sky, etc. All are waiting for you.

4.2. See the entire Nho Que River from the top of Ma Pi Leng

Ma Pi Leng - one of the four great passes in the mountains of Northern Vietnam and closely related to the Nho Que River. This is not only a challenging road for drivers but also a gateway to the "wonderland" when they visit Nho Que River in Ha Giang. You can combine conquering Ma Pi Leng with exploring other beautiful attractions on a journey to exploreHa Giang and Nho Que River.

Great view to Ma Pi Leng pass and Nho Que River

There are not many places on the S-shaped strip of land that offer such wonderful scenery as Ma Pi Leng Pass. When standing on top of Ma Pi Leng during the journey to Nho Que River in Ha Giang, you will admire the breath-taking view of the river winding through towering mountains lying under peaceful clouds. Therefore, don't miss the opportunity to witness the most captivating, majestic, and also memorable moment during your trip to Ha Giang.

>>> See tour: Explore Ha Giang Loop 5 days

4.3. Kayaking on the Nho Que river

In addition to taking a boat trip to admire the beauty of the Nho Que River, you can also experience kayaking. This allows you to not only conquer the beautiful scenery but also capture the unique views of Tu San Alley that can only be gotten when kayaking.

Kayaking on the Nho Que River

October to November or February and March are the most ideal times of the year for you to conquer the Nho Que River. At this time, you can witness the bright red colour of red silk-cotton flowers and the yellow colour of ripe rice. Seeing red silk-cotton flowers, buckwheat flowers, or immersing yourself in the harvest of local farmers is what awaits you in the Ha Giang rocky plateau.

To rent a kayak during the journey to Nho Que River in Ha Giang, you should contact the boat rental service at the boat pier. The average price is about 100,000 - 150,000 VND/person for about 30 minutes - 1 hour.

4.4. Challenging cliffs

As expected to be the deepest abyss in Southeast Asia, the cliffs along both sides of the Nho Que River pose a high level of danger. This does not allow visitors to arbitrarily climb and take photos among these cliffs. However, even if you cannot conquer these cliffs with your own hands, looking at them will still leave a deep impression in your mind. Overall, Tu San Alley will mark a beautiful memory in your Ha Giang discovery diary

5. Accommodation at Nho Que River, Ha Giang

If you want to spend more time exploring the Nho Que River area, you should stay in Dong Van town because it is very convenient to get to Tu San Alley. Here are some accommodation options in Dong Van:

Dong Van Resort: This resort is one of the most popular places to stay for tourists visiting the Nho Que River area. Guests can experience local culture and enjoy Dong Van Ancient Town (only a 10-minute walk away). Room prices range from 150,000 - 700,000 VND/night, depending on room type.

Dong Van Ancient House: This more than 200-year-old traditional house has been converted into a homestay to bring visitors a unique experience about the mysterious and ancient culture of the highlands of Ha Giang. Dong Van's ancient house has an architectural style that clearly reflects the local lifestyle. The homestay offers rooms for 200,000 VND per night, allowing you to immerse yourself in the unique culture of the area.

Dao Lodge: This is one of the most beautiful homestays in the Dong Van area. You can experience the beauty of the Dao culture that is still being preserved today. The materials used to build the homestay are environmentally friendly. Room prices range from 250,000 to 300,000 VND per night, making it a popular choice among travellers.

6. Some things to note when traveling to the Nho Que River
 

6.1. Appropriate clothing

In addition to aspects such as geographical location, route, means of transportation, and accommodation, clothing is also an important factor for any tourist when travelling to the Nho Que River. If you come here during the cool and fresh season, choose comfortable and active clothing. T-shirts combined with jeans are always a trendy choice no matter the time. Additionally, you can wear a dress while sitting on the boat to add elegance to your photos.

If you visit Nho Que River during winter, it is important to prepare warm and waterproof clothing to protect yourself from the cold. Hoodies, long coats, and puffer jackets are suitable options to both protect your health and help you look more fashionable regardless of the weather. You can pair them with sneakers, hats, and scarves to add a stylish touch to your outfit.

6.2. Avoid giving money to local children

One of the "annoying" things when traveling to Ha Giang is that children will ask tourists for money. Instead of giving money, you should prepare a small amount of cookies or candy to share with them. Moreover, because there are many tourists, children here do not want to go to school but stay at home to help their families earn a living easier. That is the reason why it is very difficult for teachers working here to encourage children to go to school.

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