Are you planning an adventure to Vietnam’s northernmost frontier on our expertly crafted Ha Giang Tours visit Lung Cu Flagpole? Ha Giang Tours mean more than just scenic drives, they are a way to step inside the proud soul of the nation against the backdrop of the majestic limestone peaks and ethnic heritage. The central feature of this journey, we will find the top Lung Cu Flagpole soaring in the sky with the sovereignty of Viet Nam written on its Tip, on the legendary Dragon Mountain. This is your opportunity, whether with a 3-day or 4-day itinerary to discover the wild beauty and cultural depth of Ha Giang like never
Standing erect on the legendary Dragon Mountain, the Lung Cu Flagpole is more than just a beautiful checkpoint site, it’s a marvel of sacredness representing Vietnam’s territorial pride. Every traveler on our Ha Giang Tours visit Lung Cu Flagpole reaches not just a physical height, but an emotional peak, climbing to a symbol of national identity.
This iconic site’s roots stretch back nearly a millennium when General Ly Thuong Kiet first planted a flag on this very mountain to assert Vietnam’s sovereignty during the Ly Dynasty. The flagpole has been renovated many times over the centuries and transformed from a simple sam mu tree trunk into a majestic, solid stone structure as seen today. The most important reconstruction ended in 2010, leading to the monumental shape that we have now: up to 33 meters high, made in octagonal form with rich Dong Son drum motifs carved on its pedestal.
What makes this flagpole even more exceptional is not only the design but also the very symbol it flies: a national flag of 9 by 6 meters, precisely 54 square meters, carrying the representation of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. The flag flies in the highland wind, visible from miles away, as if to remind every visitor that the Vietnamese people continue to be united in their resolve, more than ever.
But what is a monument without a story? Legend has it that Dragon Mountain (Nui Rong) was where celestial dragons landed, leaving behind their eyes in two mystical lakes known as Dragon’s Eyes today, that never run dry, even during the harshest of dry seasons. These lakes feed the Lo Lo and H’Mong communities that reside in this remote area.
To access the Lung Cu Flagpole summit, visitors must pedestrianize an inspiring rocky path of 839 stone stages, divided into three stages with many scenic rest stops. The last two planes of ascent are up a spiral staircase inside the tower itself a brief but thrilling ascent when excitement heightens with every floor.
And rewarding it, once you step onto the upper platform is breathtaking: A 360-degree view of Dong Van Karst Plateau, upland tribal villages, buckwheat flower fields in full bloom in season, terraced rice paddies cascading the hills like waves of gold.
So it is understandable that for many, Ha Giang Tours visit Lung Cu Flagpole is at the emotional peak of the journey. Whether you visit for the heritage, the scenery or the meaning, one thing is sure, the experience of arriving at this summit will leave you feeling awestruck, proud, and utterly connected with Vietnam’s northern spirit. And that is the charm of Ha Giang Tours.
Lung Cu Flagpole (Sours: localvietnam)
06:00 – 06:30: Early in the morning, our guide and driver of Impress Travel will pick you up at the Old Quarter of Hanoi. The adventure ahead takes you to the incredible highland of northern Vietnam, a must-have for all Ha Giang Tours.
08:30 – 09:00: Breakfast at a local rest stop near Kim Anh, and breathe in some good fresh countryside air before heading north again.
11:30: Arrive in Tan Yen town, Tuyen Quang province, for a homey Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant, a satisfying meal to prepare you for the winding mountainous drive ahead.
14:00 – 15:00: On the way, we stop at Doi Co Temple, where spiritual souls find the peaceful harbor inside the Lo River; then a brief break at Kilometer Zero in Ha Giang City, one of the tourist symbols of the starting point of northern Vietnam.
16:30: Prepare your camera as we make our way to the Quan Ba Heaven Gate, a breathtaking mountain pass with a sweeping view of Tam Son Town and the enigmatic Twin Fairy Mountains (Nui Doi Co Tien). These twin limestone formations soar from the valley floor, wrapped in myth and beauty.
17:30: We reach Yen Minh, a peaceful town nestled between pine forests and limestone summits. Check in to your hotel, relax, and take in the quiet beauty of Ha Giang’s mountains.
18:30: Dinner at a local restaurant. The evening is at your disposal for relaxation or a stroll through the dormant streets of Yen Minh. Day one of your journey to Lung Cu Flagpole ends with mountain air, starry skies, and anticipation for what’s to come on your Ha Giang Tours experience.
Twin Fairy Mountains (Sours: crystalbay)
06:00: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before setting off for a day packed with cultural discovery and jaw-dropping scenery. Today is the most iconic segment of your Ha Giang Tours visit Lung Cu Flagpole.
08:00: Our first stop is Pho Cao, a picturesque H’Mong village where traditional earth-wall houses, stone fences, and blooming buckwheat flowers paint a timeless rural canvas.
09:30: Move on to Sung La Valley, the famous movie set of the prize-winning film The Story of Pao. Visit Pao’s House, take photos amidst flower gardens, and strike the rhythm of highland living.
10:30: We move on to the Lung Cu Flagpole, Vietnam’s revered northernmost point. Climb up the 839 stone steps separated into three beautiful stages, and then ascend the spiral stairs in the tower. At the summit, the huge red flag, 54 square meters in area, billows in the air, representing Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minorities. The panorama from here is simply legendary: the Dong Van Karst Plateau, Chinese mountains in the distance, rice paddies and villages far down. This is the emotional highlight of any Ha Giang Tours adventure.
12:30: We head back to Dong Van town for a well-deserved lunch with local specialties like grilled pork, five-color sticky rice, and hot corn wine.
14:00: Time for northern Vietnam’s most thrilling drive, the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass. Delved into a cliff face, the road offers panoramic views for long stretches over the deep green Nho Que River and breathtaking valleys below. Every bend is a heart-stopping photographic stop.
17:00: Arrive in Dong Van Ancient Town, where French colonial structures are flanked by old highland villages. Check in to your hotel, rest, and prepare for your final day on this fantastic Ha Giang Tours visit Lung Cu Flagpole tour.
18:30: Enjoy a warm dinner. In the evening, stroll through the old quarter, take a local coffee, or talk to friendly townspeople under lanterned roofs.
Dong Van Ancient Town (Sours: yesd)
06:00 – 07:00: Get up early for a special cultural encounter: the Dong Van Sunday Market. The vibrant marketplace draws people from throughout the area, H’Mong, Dao, Tay, and Lo Lo clad in traditional clothing, trading homemade items, livestock, and mountain medicines. It’s an ethnic diversity living museum.
08:00: After breakfast, we head to Sa Phin Valley to explore the Hmong King’s Palace, the old seat of power for the Vương family, the H’Mong people lords of the early 20th century. The blending of Chinese and French architecture bears witness to a bumpy but fascinating page from Vietnam’s frontier history.
12:00: Lunch in Ha Giang City, where the road once again turns south.
19:30: Arrive back in Hanoi, ending an unforgettable three-day adventure filled with rugged landscapes, heartfelt connections, and the pride of having stood at the summit of Vietnam. You’ve completed a journey that defines Ha Giang Tours visit Lung Cu Flagpole, a trip that lingers long after the road ends.
Dong Van Sunday Market (Sours: karsterlyrock)
Tour Includes
Tour Excludes
To fully enjoy your Ha Giang Tours visit Lung Cu Flagpole, and prepare well for the rugged terrain and unpredictable weather. Pack a pair of good hiking shoes, you’ll need to ascend 839 steps to Lung Cu Flagpole’s peak and walk along skinny mountain trails. A light jacket is also a must, especially during the early morning and late afternoon, when the temperature in Ha Giang unexpectedly drops.
A power bank would be highly advised as electricity may be in short supply in rural villages. Don’t leave without your camera or a phone with a big memory, Ha Giang Tours are filled with sceneries worth remembering.
Ha Giang’s mountain roads are stunning but demanding, featuring hairpin bends and high mountain passes. Though your safety is guaranteed by our experienced drivers, those susceptible to motion sickness might consider bringing medication. At all times, obey the instructions of your guide, dress in comfortable layers, and rest when necessary.
If you are trekking or traveling to more remote areas, your Ha Giang Tours visit Lung Cu Flagpole guide can recommend more gear, including trekking poles or rain sleeves if it is rainy season (May-August).
Ha Giang (Sours: hanoivoyage)
International travelers with Ha Giang Tours must ensure that their visa is valid for the whole traveling duration. We also highly recommend travel insurance that includes altitude travel, medical conditions, and trip delay.
Note: To go to sensitive border zones such as Lung Cu, foreign travelers are required to register with the local authorities. This is simple, and your Impress Travel guide will arrange this for you. There may be a nominal border permit fee.
1. How long does it take to reach Lung Cu Flagpole from Hanoi?
From Hanoi, it’s typically 7–8 hours by vehicle to Ha Giang City, and then another 4–5 hours of breathtaking driving on curvy mountainous roads to reach the Lung Cu Flagpole. For this reason, most tourists choose a 3-day or 4-day Ha Giang Tours visit Lung Cu Flagpole trip to break up the drive and explore more along the route!
2. Is it suitable for families with kids or elderly travelers?
Yes! While some light hiking or stair walking on sections of the tour like the 839 steps to Lung Cu, the pace is gentle and led by professionals. Our Ha Giang Tours can be tailored to suit individual families, kids, and even healthy elderly. Breaks and transport are always planned with comfort and safety in mind.
3. Can I rent a motorbike in Ha Giang?
Yes. For adventurous travelers who have a valid license and good motorbiking skills, motorbiking is also one of the most thrilling ways to explore Ha Giang. Having said that, roads are narrow, steep, and misty, especially in Ma Pi Leng Pass so beginners are advised to join our guided car-based Ha Giang Tours visit Lung Cu Flagpole.
4. What are the top 3 highlights in this tour?
That’s a tough question because every moment is a highlight! But if we have to choose:
These moments sum up why visitors rave about their Ha Giang Tours experience!
5. Can I customize the itinerary with Impress Travel?
Yes, and we highly recommend it! We’re pros at tailor-made experiences at Impress Travel. If you’re interested in cultural immersion, photography, off-the-beaten-path villages, or a more relaxed pace, we’ll tailor-make your Ha Giang Tours visit Lung Cu Flagpole to reflect your travel style. Just tell us what drives you, and we’ll do the rest.
Every moment of our Ha Giang Tours visit Lung Cu Flagpole is not only a snapshot, but a step into heritage, pride, and the breathtaking beauty of Vietnam’s northern frontier. From panoramic passes to the summit where the national flag flies high, Ha Giang Tours gives stories to share long after the trip’s completion.
Let Impress Travel bring you to the country’s border, where the flag of Vietnam dances with the clouds.
Contact Impress Travel:
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
The imposing mountains, hills, lure valleys, and scattered Karst Parks have all made Ha Giang one of the most appealing destinations in Vietnam for travelers around the world. Additionally, the culture, tradition, and diversity of ethnic minority people such as the H’mong make Ha Giang more immersive for people to come to explore this land at the intersection of earth and heaven more and more.
You will take an experience of stunning scenery, to obtain the active venture for trekking and driving on the winding paths to discover the authentic hill tribe of Hmong Village in Ha Giang.
To discover the most appealing landscapes such as Meo Vac, Lung Cu, Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark and further hidden tracks and the culture and traditions of Ha Giang ethnic minority people such as H'mong, Red Dzao, and try to specialty local foods.
This tour bring you to explore Ba Be lake and Giang Giang loop adventure tour for 5 days/4 nights. Real experience combines Ha Giang & charming part of North East. This is private for small group tour who is interested North East West Vietnam.
Adventurous package tour combine the discovery along the north west of Vietnam. Additionally to explore the northern pole of Vietnam - Ha Giang with breathtaking scenery of Meo Vac & Lung Cu.
