Lung Cu, often referred to as the “roof of the homeland," is not only the northernmost point of Vietnam but also a legendary destination for anyone who loves travel and exploration. This place is significant not only as the country’s northern tip but also as a convergence of unique cultural features, magnificent natural landscapes, and an endless source of inspiration for those who have set foot on this land. Lungcu is more than just a geographical location; it is a proud chapter in the nation’s history, a sacred destination that every Vietnamese person yearns to visit at least once. With the towering Lungcu flagpole amidst the sky, this place has witnessed many historical ups and downs and has now become a symbol of national pride. Visitors to Lungcu can not only admire the majestic beauty of the mountains and fertile terraced fields but also immerse themselves in the unique cultural space of the ethnic groups. Every step on this land is a discovery, every breath is an inspiration, and every moment is an unforgettable memory for visitors. Lungcu is not just a destination; it is a journey – a journey of the heart and soul, where each person can find a part of themselves in the vastness of the land and sky.
The Lungcu Flagpole is a famous tourist spot located in Lungcu commune, Dongvan district, Hagiang province, marking the northernmost point of Vietnam. The flagpole is 33.15 meters high, with a red flag with a gold star measuring 54m², symbolizing the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. The flagpole is designed in the architectural style of traditional flagpoles in Hanoi and Hue but has its unique features. The base of the flagpole is octagonal, surrounded by decorative motifs that reflect the cultural identity of the highland ethnic groups such as the H’Mong, Tay, and Dao. At the top of the pole, the Vietnamese flag flutters, creating a very majestic and sacred image. Visitors must climb over 839 stone steps, but this stone stair journey offers many interesting experiences as one can admire the magnificent natural landscape of the Dongvan stone plateau. Upon reaching the top, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the mountains, remote villages, and feel the national pride from the national flag flying on the frontier. The Lungcu Flagpole is not only a famous tourist destination but also a sacred symbol of national sovereignty, where every Vietnamese person feels pride and love for their homeland when they visit.
Dongvan town, located in Dongvan district, Hagiang province, Vietnam, is one of the famous tourist attractions that captivates visitors with the pristine beauty of the stone plateau and the unique culture of the ethnic minorities. Dongvan town is situated at an altitude of about 1,000 – 1,600 meters above sea level, in the Dongvan stone plateau, an area recognized by UNESCO as a Global Geopark in 2010. This area has a long history, with many historical and cultural relics of the H’Mong, Tay, Dao, and Lo Lo ethnic groups. The old quarter is over a century old, with houses featuring traditional architectural styles of the Chinese and Tay people. The ancient houses are built of stone and wood, with yin-yang tiled roofs and intricately carved wooden doors. This scenery makes the old town of Dongvan particularly romantic and peaceful at dawn and dusk. The Dongvan market, held every Sunday, is a gathering place for local products, from brocade, agricultural produce to specialty dishes. Visiting and shopping here is a great opportunity for visitors to learn about the culture and life of the local people. Tourists can visit the Vuong Family Mansion, also known as Vuong’s house, a unique architectural work of King “Meo” Vuong Chi Sinh, located about 15 km from Dongvan town. The Vương Family Mansion is built in a traditional architectural style that combines elements of the H’Mông and Chinese, with many intricately carved details. One of the most beautiful and dangerous passes in Vietnam, the Mapileng Pass, is on the Happiness Road connecting Dongvan with Meovac. From the top of the pass, visitors can admire the winding Nhoque River between the steep cliffs. Dongvan town is not only a beautiful tourist destination but also a place that preserves and protects the unique cultural and historical values of the Hagiang stone plateau, offering unforgettable experiences to visitors.
Sungla Valley, located in Sungla commune, Dongvan district, Hagiang province, about 20 km from Dongvan town, lies on the legendary Happiness Road. The valley is surrounded by limestone mountain ranges and endless flower fields, creating a beautiful and peaceful natural painting. Sungla Valley is famous for its fields of buckwheat flowers in the fall when the flowers bloom, covering the fields and creating a romantic, dreamy landscape. In addition, in the spring, Sungla is vibrant with the colors of yellow mustard flowers, plum, and peach blossoms, attracting many tourists and photographers to visit and take pictures. Sungla Valley is known as the “cultural tourism village" of Lungcu because it is home to many ethnic minorities such as the H’Mong, Chinese, Lo Lo, and Tay. Visitors here can explore the culture, customs, and daily life of the local people. The earthen houses, stone fences, and small trails winding through the fields create a space full of rural charm and highland cultural identity. Additionally, when visiting Sungla Valley, tourists can participate in many interesting activities such as walking, mountain climbing, and exploring the villages.
To travel to Lungcu from the center of Hagiang, visitors can book bus tickets in advance at the bus stations in Hagiang and go directly to Lungcu. Buses run daily and start at 5 am. From Hanoi, you can take a bus to Hagiang city. After arriving in Hagiang city, tourists can also rent motorcycles and drive to Lungcu themselves. This is a good option if you want to experience and explore the stone plateau freely. If tourists are not accustomed to riding motorcycles on mountain roads or want a more comfortable trip, taking the bus is a safe and convenient choice with the bus routes available there. The road from Hagiang to Lungcu is about 140km, and tourists will have the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent scenery of the stone plateau on their journey.
In Lungcu, you can find a variety of accommodation options from hotels to homestays like Lungcu Lake View. This homestay has a great location, offering free Wi-Fi, a garden, a terrace, and a restaurant. There is also a fee-based airport shuttle service. Tourists can also consider other guesthouses such as Hien Hoa, Cao Nguyen Đa, Khai Hoan, Hoang Ngoc, and many other options in Lungcu. Prices and services in Lungcu may vary depending on the tourist season, ranging from $15 – $20, so tourists should check information and book in advance to ensure the best choice for their trip.
Lungcu, with the cultural diversity of ethnic minorities and the majestic natural scenery, is also a great destination to enjoy the distinctive cuisine of the Hagiang highlands. Enjoying food in Lungcu not only allows visitors to taste the unique flavors of the stone plateau but also provides rich and memorable cultural experiences. The first dish that impresses visitors is “thang co”, a traditional dish of the H’Mong people, made from horse, beef, or pork meat along with specific spices such as cinnamon, star anise, and cardamom. This dish is usually cooked in a large pot and has a strong, unique flavor. Another dish is “men men”, made from finely ground cornmeal, steamed to perfection. “Men men” is a basic and important dish in the H’Mong people’s diet, often eaten with soup or “thang co”. Smoked buffalo meat or smoked pork is meat marinated with spices and then hung over the stove to smoke for a long time. The meat has a distinctive aroma and chewy texture, leaving an unforgettable impression on those who taste it. Additionally, in Lungcu, tourists can enjoy a unique cake called buckwheat cake, made from buckwheat flour, with a mild sweet and nutty flavor. This is a popular snack during the buckwheat flower season.
Shopping in Lungcu is an interesting experience, where visitors not only bring back characteristic souvenirs but also gain a deeper understanding of the culture and life of the local people. The place considered the “shopping center" for the ethnic community here is the market fair. The Lungcu market fair takes place every Friday near the flagpole area. Additionally, the Dongvan market fair is also one of the largest and most famous highland markets in Hagiang. The market is not only a place for buying and selling but also a meeting point for cultural exchange among the ethnic minorities. It is where the Lo Lo and H’Mong ethnic groups exchange goods. At the market fair, visitors can find and shop for unique products that feature the distinctive characteristics of the Lungcu highlands. Handwoven and embroidered brocade products such as scarves, skirts, shirts, and bags by the H’Mong and Lo Lo people are available. These products often have unique patterns, vibrant colors, and carry the local cultural identity. Additionally, there are culinary products like corn wine – a specialty of the H’Mong people, made from fermented corn; honey taken from mint flowers, with a distinctive, delicious, and nutritious flavor… Besides the ethnic market fairs, tourists can also find unique souvenirs at shops around the Lungcu flagpole area and Dongvan town.
Lungcu has a cool, year-round highland climate. However, for the best travel experience, tourists should plan to visit around September to November. This is the ideal time to visit Lungcu. The buckwheat flowers bloom, creating beautiful pink and purple flower fields stretching across the mountain slopes. Tourists can also choose the time from March to May. This is the springtime in Lungcu with a mild, comfortable climate. The natural scenery is fresh and beautiful, flowers and grass begin to bloom, and trees sprout new growth. During these months, the weather in Hagiang is quite favorable, not too sunny or rainy, making the visit and experience of tourists easier and more interesting.
Tourists visiting and experiencing Lungcu can refer to the following tips for a trip full of beautiful and memorable experiences. Visitors should book accommodation about a month in advance, especially during the peak tourist season from September to November with the buckwheat flower season, to ensure a place to rest. Although many places offer local cultural experiences, visitors should check basic amenities to ensure they meet personal needs. Many homestays and hotels offer additional services such as tour organization, vehicle rental, and dining services – this can make the trip more convenient and interesting. Visitors should choose reputable places or those recommended by locals to ensure food safety when wanting to enjoy the cuisine in Lungcu. Visitors should also not hesitate to try the local specialties, as they are an important part of the travel experience. Another special note is that visitors should check the market fair schedule to have the opportunity to enjoy more specialty dishes and shop for local products.
Traveling in Lung Cu is truly an emotional and impressive journey, where visitors can explore the pristine and majestic world of the high mountains in Northeast Vietnam. Lung Cu is not only famous for its stunning natural landscapes like the towering mountain ranges, lush forests, and magnificent waterfalls but also a place to immerse oneself in the wild space, bringing a sense of relaxation and excitement to travelers. Moreover, it is an opportunity to learn about and delve into the culture, history, and life of the diverse ethnic groups in this highland region, thereby broadening understanding and gaining deeper experiences of the land and its people.
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Hotel: Lasiesta Premium Hang Be / Deluxe room/ https://lasiestahotels.vn/hangbe/
Inclusion: English speaking tour guide, private car, cyclo, accommodation.
Meals: Lunch.
MORNING IN HANOI:
FREE AFTERNOON IN HANOI:
Vic Express Night Train: Hanoi to Sapa, sleep on the soft berth of train.
Inclusion: English speaking tour guide, private car, entrance fee, train ticket.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch (Cha Ca)
Hotel: Hotel De Sapa with Deluxe Window room
Inclusion: English speaking tour guide, private car, entrance fee, accommodation in Sapa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Vic Express Night Train: Lao Cai to Hanoi, sleep on the soft berth of train.
Inclusion: English speaking tour guide, private car, entrance fee, train ticket.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Diner.
Cruise: Dragon Legend Cruise / Cabin Deluxe/ Website:www.dragonlegendcruise.com
Inclusion: English speaking tour guide, private car, entrance fee, Dragon Legend cruise, kayaking, mini hotel for early morning train arrival from Lao Cai to Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner on cruise.
Cruise: Emm Hotel / Deluxe / Website: https://www.emmhotels.com/en/hotels/emm-hotel-hue/
Inclusion: English speaking tour guide, private car, entrance fee, flight tickets.
Meals: Breakfast, buffet brunch on cruise.
MORNING IMPERIAL CITY:
IN THE AFTERNOON:
Hotel: Emm Hotel with Deluxe Window room
Inclusion: English speaking tour guide, private car, entrance fee, boat trip.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa – Deluxe Balcony.
Inclusion: English speaking tour guide, private car, entrance fee,
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa – Deluxe Balcony.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Inclusion: English speaking tour guide, private car, entrance fee, meals, resort, basket boat, cooking class.
Hotel: La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa – Deluxe Balcony.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusion: Resort & breakfast.
Hotel: La Siesta Premium Saigon – Deluxe Window room
Inclusion: English speaking tour guide, private car, entrance fee, flight tickets
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: Victoria Can Tho Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Inclusion: English speaking tour guide, private car, entrance fee, boat trip & activities in Mekong, hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: La Siesta Premium Saigon – Deluxe Window room
Inclusion: English speaking tour guide, private car, entrance fee, meals, boat trip.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: La Siesta Premium Saigon – Deluxe Window room
Inclusion: English speaking tour guide, private car, entrance fee
Meals: Breakfast.
| Destinations | Hotel name | Room type | Star |
| Hanoi | La Siesta Premium / Silk Path | Deluxe | 4 |
| Halong | Dragon Pearl/Paradise Sail | Deluxe | 4 |
| Hue | Emm Hotel | Deluxe | 4 |
| Hoi An | Lasiesta/Allegro | Deluxe | 4 |
| Ho Chi Minh | La Siesta//the Myst Dong Khoi | Deluxe | 4 |
| Can Tho | Victoria | Deluxe | 4 |
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!
I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.
My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
