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Situated on the border of Vietnam and China in the Ha Giang district of Vietnam, Dong Van is popular for its scenic landscapes and for good reason. The area features spectacular mountains, deep canyons, and rivers which make for some of the best hiking spots in the entire country. However, the region also features different sights you need to check out.
The Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark is the number one reason people visit the Dong Van region. The geopark actually encompasses the entire Dong Va district as well as neighboring districts like Meo Vac, Yen Minh, and Quan Balt. The geopark is one of the first geoparks in Vietnam and one of only 77 around the world. The park features massive limestone mountains which are home to 17 ethnic minority tribes as well as fossilized remains of dinosaurs. The park is also rich in flora and fauna including the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey which was thought to be extinct until it was found here in the 1990s.
Dong Van Old Quarter is a well-preserved historic town. It stretches on for a little more than a kilometer and is estimated to be around a hundred years old. It currently is home to several ethnic minority tribes like the Hoa, Mong, Kinh, and Tay. The architecture here looks like it's been frozen in time. The buildings take heavy inspiration from Chinese architecture. Nowadays, some of the buildings have been renovated to look more modern but the old quarter still manages to charm visitors. Every full moon night the streets of Dong Van Old Quarter light up with lanterns giving it a magical atmosphere.
The Lung Cu Flag Point is a flag tower located near the border of Vietnam and China to mark the northernmost point of Vietnam and honor the brave soldiers who guard the border. Built in 2010, the tower is 30-metres tall and placed on the summit of Lung Cu Peak. At the top of the tower is a massive Vietnamese flag which measures exactly 54 square meters, representing the 54 ethnic minority groups in Vietnam. From the tower, you can see over into China as well as have a bird’s eye view of the surrounding mountains and valleys for which Dong Van is famous.
The Dong Van Market is a great place to interact with the locals as they go about their everyday life and buy local products. The busy and vibrant market is held every Sunday and is a hotspot for local ethnic tribes who come from their villages to buy and sell their items. The market starts at 5 am and ends at 10 am which means you’ll need to get up early to be able to visit the market. The best thing to do here besides interacting with the people is to try out the various cuisines of the tribes and buy their handicrafts. If you are lucky, you might even get to enjoy performances by the tribes.
The Ma Pi Leng Pass is considered by many as one of the most beautiful in Vietnam. The 20 km long pass gets its name from the Hmong word “Ma Pi Leng'' which means “the bridge of a horse’s nose”. It was so named because of its narrow shape. The steep pass with its winding pothole-ridden roads can get quite dangerous especially during the rainy season. But despite the dangers, the pass is still one of the biggest attractions in Dong Van. The view from the pass is stunning. A winding river down below, lush green mountains all around, and tiny local villages scattered across the horizon.
Check out this blog to read about another one of Vietnam’s most famous passes, the Hai van Pass coastal road.
Dong Va is a destination worth visiting especially if you want a more raw and authentic view of Vietnam.
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