Hoangsuphi
Hoangsuphi, located in the Ha Giang province, bordering China 300 kilometers northeast of Hanoi, is a region of steep mountains and valleys that remain untouched by mass tourism. Renowned for its stunning terraced rice fields, which are classified as national cultural and tourist heritage, Hoang Su Phi is also the historical home of numerous ethnic minorities, including the H'Mong, La Chi, Dao Ta Pan, Tay with long tunics, and Nung.
Things to see and do
- Visit the terraced rice fields of Thong Nguyen, Ban Luoc, Ho Thau, Nam Son, and Ban Phung.
- Go trekking through bamboo forests and primary forests in Tay Con Linh and Kiou Leou Ti.
- Meet the various ethnic minority groups, a true cultural mosaic.
- Experience the herbal bath and medicinal plants, a tradition of the Red Dzao tribes.
- Witness the mystical fire dance of the Red Dzao.
- Explore the ethnic markets on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays – full of life and color.
- Stay with local residents.
- Hike alone, with family, or in a group through magnificent landscapes.
- Explore on two wheels, with a motorcycle or mountain bike.
- Learn about tea picking and drying.
- Create handmade paper.
- Long hikes and multi-day treks through valleys inhabited by different ethnic groups, amid the terraced rice fields and primary forests. (Unlimited possibilities, with long hikes ranging from 3 to 7 days, featuring moderate to steep slopes.)
- 3- to 5-day adventure trekking program.
Good to Know
When to visit?
Summer, from May to early October, is the best time to visit this region and fully enjoy the spectacle of the terraced rice fields. The landscapes are beautiful throughout the year, but after the harvest in October, the terraces, still charming, remain fallow until the following summer.
- May – June: Witness the plowing and transplanting of rice with water-filled terraces, glistening like mirrors with young, light green rice.
- July - August: The terraced rice fields are adorned with their sumptuous, intense green color.
- September to early October: The entire landscape turns yellow and green, as the rice ripens and the terraces are full, making it the best time to admire them.
- November to March: It's the season of weddings, traditional festivals, and the blossoming of pepper plants and wildflowers.
Access
- By minibus Limousine (day) or sleeper bus (night): It takes about 6 hours to Tan Quang and an additional hour by private vehicle to your destination.
- By private vehicle: A 7-hour drive from Hanoi.
- By train: Night train from Hanoi to Lao Cai or Pho Lu, followed by a private car to Hoang Su Phi (approximately 3.5 hours).
Where to eat and taste
While staying with local residents, you'll have the opportunity to savor specialties like grilled wild pepper fish or banana flower salad. Hotels and lodges also offer their own dining services
Continuing your journey
Ha Giang, the capital of the province, is 80 kilometers east of Hoang Su Phi. It serves as the gateway to the remote regions of Dong Van and Meo Vac, and further on, to Lake Ba Be. In the neighboring province of Lao Cai, to the west, you'll find Bac Ha with its famous ethnic market and Sapa, at the base of Mount Fan Si Pan, Vietnam's highest peak. On your return, Thac Ba Lake is an ideal stop halfway to Hanoi.
Places to Stay
With local residents.
Lodge - Hotel: Pan Hou Eco Lodge, Tay Con Linh Hotel
