Do you want to discover the real Northern Vietnam? Ha Giang Tours, click here to discover the destination thrives in culture between clouds on the mountain and stone valley with Dong Van market share with us. The unforgettable journey immerses you in the grandeur of Ha Giang with the Dong Van Market held every Sunday adding color, flavor, and stories to the lives of ethnic minorities. There are more than just scenic experiences to be had on our expertly designed Ha Giang Tours, whether you opt for a 3-day escape or a 4-day cultural extension with the authentic connection behind every moment, those looking for responsible travel and lasting memories need to look no further.
The Dong Van Market takes place each Sunday, beginning before dawn and typically finishing by mid-morning. If you are fortunate enough to join Ha Giang Tours visit Dong Van Market takes place in the middle of the lunar month, you will also be able to experience a special cultural fair, an expanded version of this market, the fair includes traditional ethnic games, artisan displays, and ritual ceremonies, and they only take place once a month.
Constructed from 1925 to 1928, the market itself is a beautiful mix of Vietnamese and Chinese architectural styles and is distinctive for its U-shaped design that opens into the square of the old town. For visitors on our memorable Ha Giang Tours, the historic ambiance is palpable: a deep sense of time and place, the confluence of commerce, culture, and community where these three elements have met between ancient mountain passes for almost one hundred years.
It’s not just the setting that makes the Ha Giang Tours visit Dong Van Market possible, it’s the people. Here, the H’mong, Dao, Lo Lo, and Tay communities converge, all in full traditional attire, which transforms the market into a colorful, textured mosaic. Women wearing hand-embroidered garments, men selling honey, knives, or handwoven baskets that have been in their families for centuries, it’s a common sight.
Want to dive even deeper? When you travel on our Ha Giang Tours with us, you can put on traditional ethnic attire and sing and dance folk dances with the locals or good flute music and join some barter games, which is a tradition to exchange things without money like in ancient times. It is these spontaneous, unscripted encounters that turn the Dong Van Market from a pitstop on your journey into a cultural revelation.
Get your taste buds ready because Ha Giang Tours visit Dong Van Market is available for the senses. Food is everywhere and it’s as local as it gets. Have chao au tau (topped with a pickled egg) for breakfast, or if you’re feeling adventurous, try thang co, a dish of horse meat and herbs simmered for hours in giant pots, beloved by the H’mong people. Want something a little lighter? Sample grilled meats, cakes made from buckwheat (tam giac mach), or a cup of hot corn wine to warm your insides.
For travelers who have sensitive stomachs or special dietary names, our guides on all Ha Giang tours will support you in choosing vegetarian dishes or those that are prepared the slightest. You get a taste of the local but at a safe and comfortable stay.
If you’re looking to buy personal or meaningful gifts, Dong Van Market is a treasure trove for handcrafted goods. You will come across hand-woven textiles, elaborate silver jewelry, aromatic spices, and lovely embroidered bags by local artisans. Each item showcases the distinctive style and symbolism of a different ethnic group.
And don’t leave without the opportunity to bring back some of Ha Giang’s most famous delicacies:
Dong Van Market (Sours: localhagiang)
07:30 – 08:30 | Depart from Ha Giang City – Begin the Happiness Road
We set off early from Ha Giang City, going north on epic Happiness Road, a heroic build-over mountains. As the bus winds through among the limestone peaks, the excitement starts stirring Ha Giang Tours always gets underway with a view that steals your breath.
08:30 – 09:30 | Stop at Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate and Twin Mountains
We stop first at Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate, where we view from a distance the picturesque Twin Mountains, a local legend-shrouded natural wonder. The morning mist and towering cliffs provide the ideal photography backdrop.
09:30 – 11:00 | Visit Lung Tam Brocade Weaving Village
We then head down into the peaceful H’mong village of Lung Tam where women sit with incredible dexterity over looms. You will be able to see flax spun and dyed traditionally—a very old custom that continues. It is one of the reasons that make Ha Giang Tours visit Dong Van Market not only picturesque but truly cultural.
12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch in Yen Minh Town
We stop for a delectable local lunch. You have the option of tasting local bamboo shoots, barbecue meat, or greens from the mountains, our guides will make sure each meal accommodates your taste.
13:00 – 15:00 | Explore Pho Bang Ancient Town
After lunch, we arrive in Pho Bang, a sleepy settlement that once vibrated with the life of cross-border traders. Time is frozen in these places clay houses, moss-covered tiled roofs, and weather-blighted wooden shops evoke old-fashioned nostalgia. Do not miss the corners of streets where seniors still have tea under overgrown eaves.
15:00 – 16:30 | Visit Sung La – The Valley of Flowers
A brief ride will get us to Sung La, the lovely valley that starred in the award-winning Vietnamese film, The Story of Pao. Along maize fields and thatched fences, there will be smiling children, colorful blooms, and the quaint beauty of earth houses.
17:30 | Arrive in Dong Van – Check-in to Hoa Cuong Hotel 4*
We have arrived in Dong Van Old Quarter, where you will be checked into the 4-star Hoa Cuong Hotel, situated in the middle of everything comfortable rooms with mountain scenery, perfect for a night’s rest.
Evening | Leisure time in the Old Quarter
Enjoy a relaxed evening stroll around Dong Van: have honey tea at a colonial cafe, view traditional houses, or stroll through the local night market. The peaceful hum of the stone city under the soft light of lanterns is a magical end to day 1.
Hoa Cuong Hotel 4* (Sours: hotelmix)
05:30 – 09:00 | Visit Dong Van Market – Cultural Immersion
Rise early in the morning and get immersed in the pulse of Ha Giang Tours visit Dong Van Market. Dong Van on Sundays transforms into a canvas of colors, sounds, and aromas where tribes like H’mong, Lo Lo, Dao, and Tay converge on a single day of the week.
What to do:
09:00 – 11:30 | Conquer Ma Pi Leng Pass – One of the Four Great Passes
After breakfast, we set off with one of the most exhilarating drives of any Ha Giang Tour: the Ma Pi Leng Pass. Stop frequently for photo opportunities at numerous viewpoints to be awed by the Nho Que River twisting and turning like a jade ribbon through black limestone cliffs.
12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch in Meo Vac Town
We come into Meo Vac, an unassuming hillside town, for lunch in a local eatery. Food consists of mountain goat, herbs from around the region, and hotpot plain but hearty.
13:00 – 17:30 | Return to Ha Giang City
We take the route back towards Ha Giang in the afternoon with photo stops or tea breaks en route. We get there around 17:30 full of fantastic memories.
Ma Pi Leng Pass (Sours: originvietnam)
07:30 – 10:00 | Travel to Lung Cu Flag Tower – Northernmost Point of Vietnam
We depart after breakfast for the Rooftop of Vietnam, Lung Cu. Climb the stairs of the Flag Tower, look out over China’s province of Yunnan, and experience the deep feeling of being on the edge of your country.
10:00 – 12:00 | Visit Lo Lo Chai Village – Experience Authentic Culture
Beneath the flag tower sits Lo Lo Chai, a peaceful village whose houses are made of clay with smoke drifting from cooking fires. It’s where you get to experience the hospitality of the Lo Lo people and encounter their lively culture.
12:00 – 13:30 | Optional Lunch with Local Family
Experience a homemade lunch of corn flour, hillside produce, and barbecued meats. It’s an intimate cultural experience reserved only for the 4-day version of Ha Giang Tours visit Dong Van Market.
Afternoon | Return to Dong Van – Relaxation Time
The rest of the day can be spent independently exploring Dong Van or relaxing in the hotel. Optional: participate in a craft workshop or encounter local artists.
Lung Cu Flag Tower (Sours: localhagiang)
08:00 – 10:00 | Slow Return through Ma Pi Leng – Optional Nho Que Boat Ride
For your last day, we go slowly back down to Ha Giang with a stop once more in Ma Pi Leng. For anyone up for it, we’ll go down to Nho Que River and take a peaceful boat ride through one of the most spectacular canyons of Vietnam.
10:00 – 13:00 | Scenic Drive via Meo Vac – Lunch En Route
Lunch will be made in either Yen Minh or Quan Ba, depending on timing. Spend your last moments among the terraced hill country and the valleys of stone.
14:00 – 17:00 | Arrival in Ha Giang City – End of Tour
We make our way back to Ha Giang City late in the day, where the journey finishes but your adventure with the uplands starts.
Nho Que River (Sours: vinwonders)
When you travel with Impress Travel, we ensure that your experience with us is seamless, authentic, and stress-free. All of our Ha Giang Tours visit Dong Van Market include:
What’s Not Included
For flexibility in your journey, the following are not part of the usual Ha Giang Tours visit Dong Van Market tour package:
September through November is the best time for our Ha Giang Tours. Golden rice terracing covers the mountainsides, with the iconic tam giac mach (buckwheat) flowers blooming in pale pink and purple colors, especially breathtakingly beautiful around Dong Van and Sung La. If flower scenes get you going, springtime in January through March is enchanting with white-and-blushing plum and peach blossoms bathing the valleys. Pair that with Sunday market attendance, and you have yourself a surreal cultural retreat.
While stunning, Ha Giang is up in the mountains and weather conditions change quickly. It may be chilly mornings and evenings, even during summer, so be sure to pack for that. From May through August, the rainy season occurs, but with that comes a gorgeous abundance of green that photographers love. While on Ha Giang Tours visit Dong Van Market, one will be traversing altitudes of 800–1,500 meters, so weary travelers should not rush and must drink plenty of fluids.
For all Ha Giang Tours, we suggest:
Your tour leader will always have first-aid and basics with them, but a personal kit of essentials never hurts.
You begin your journey from Hanoi, for which there are a few comfortable options:
Considering joining our Ha Giang Tours but have a few questions? Don’t worry, we’ve got your answers! Below are the most frequently asked questions we get from travelers and our on-the-ground answers to make you feel more than ready.
1. Can I join if I’m traveling solo?
Absolutely! We have Ha Giang Tours visit Dong Van Market which caters to solo travelers. Depending on what you prefer, you’ll be placed with a friendly group (or you can have your own private experience). Indicating it’s one of the most fulfilling parts of their Vietnam experience, many solo travelers speak highly of this tour.
2. Is this tour family-friendly?
Yes! In this Ha Giang Tours are great for families in particular those that have adventure-loving teenagers. The colorful markets, the mountain roads, and the cultural encounters are great fun for kids. We tune the speed and the accommodations so that everyone kids to grandparents feels comfortable and excited.
3. Are English-speaking guides available?
Definitely. English-speaking guides are licensed, experienced, and passionate, sharing their insider knowledge of the region. They’ll talk you through history, translate conversations, and introduce you to locals with ease and warmth.
4. Can I combine this tour with other destinations like Sapa or Ba Be?
Yes, and we strongly recommend it! For Ha Giang Tours, many travelers either continue their journey with some additional add-ons such as Sapa, Ba Be Lake or even Cao Bang. Call up Impress Travel and they’ll design a bespoke, multi-destination itinerary around you, merging cultural depth, nature and flexibility.
Let the mist-draped passes, ancient stone towns , and the contagious spirit of hill country markets pen a chapter you’ll want never to forget. Ha Giang Tours visit Dong Van Market, and not just see local life, but live it. From the cultural exchanges in Dong Van to the scenic drive along Ma Pi Leng to meals shared with ethnic families, it is that kind of journey that descends deep in the marrow, long after the road has been traveled.
If you want to explore the real North of Vietnam, with caring and true guides, Ha Giang Tours by Impress Travel is for you.
Get in touch with us to schedule your experience:
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.
