Are you wanting to discover Vietnam and its authentic culture and sights? Carrying the wild beauty and unique history of Ha Giang, Dong Van ancient town is a great destination to explore the culture and majestic nature of the northern mountains of Vietnam. Dong Van ancient town is popular with many tourists when taking a Ha Giang tour, with its rustic, old beauty and strange attractions.
An overview of Dong Van Ancient Town in Ha Giang
Dong Van ancient town is located in Dong Van town, Dong Van district, Ha Giang province, about 160km from the city center. Visitors will be truly attracted by the architecture and culture of the neighborhood, which still retains its ancient features like a painting that preserves time.
Located at an altitude of 1000 – 1600m, Dong Van ancient town initially had only a few Tay and Mong households living. Today, although this place is still simple, it has become more bustling because more Kinh, Nung, and Dao people have come to reside, forming the cultural interference of highland ethnic groups.
Where is Dong Van Ancient Town in Ha Giang?
Located in Dong Van town, Dong Van district, Ha Giang province. The old town is home to many ethnic groups of Mong, Chinese, Tay, Dao, Nung, and Kinh. Therefore, coming to this neighborhood you will have the opportunity to experience many different cultures when traveling to North Vietnam.
How to Get to Dong Van Ancient Town?
There are many ways for tourists to get to the ancient town. However, for tourists from the North, you can get here by bus quite easily or rent a car with a private driver in Vietnam to explore not only Dong Van Ancient Town but also all the popular destinations in Ha Giang.
For tourists from the Central or Southern regions of VIetnam, after arriving in Hanoi, you can choose to catch a sleeping bus from major stations such as My Dinh, Yen Nghia, Luong Yen, Gia Lam to get to Ha Giang.
When to Visit Dong Van Ancient Town?
The climate in Dong Van ancient town is consistently cool and pleasant throughout the year, making it an ideal travel destination regardless of the season.
For a unique experience, consider visiting Dong Van ancient town during the buckwheat flower season in Ha Giang, which occurs from early October to November. During this time, you can explore the town while being surrounded by the mesmerizing scent of vibrant flower fields.
Additionally, the most breathtaking time to visit Ha Giang is during the ripe rice season in September or during the Khau Vai love market festival, which takes place around March and April according to the lunar calendar.
Tourist Attractions around Dong Van Ancient Town
Dong Van Old Town
Coming to the old town, many tourists feel excited about the nostalgic beauty here. The main architecture of the houses here is tube houses, built with two floors and roofs designed in the yin and yang direction – this is the typical architecture of people in the northern mountains.
In addition, when visiting Dong Van Ha Giang old town, you will see many houses decorated with red lanterns to highlight the space. The surrounding area is covered by high mountains and lush green flora. In the morning, when the morning sunlight shines through the mountains, this light shines on each roof, creating a peaceful and romantic scene for Dong Van old town.
Explore Dong Van Market
Dong Van Market is one of the most popular ethnic minority markets in Vietnam, constructed in the form of three U-shaped blocks, situated right in the center of the ancient town. This is the trading center of local ethnic communities, where they buy, sell and exchange goods. Additionally, the market is also a meeting place for boys and girls looking for love.
When visiting Dong Van’s old town market, tourists will encounter locals wearing eye-catching traditional costumes. Here, you can also find souvenirs, handmade products, famous Ha Giang spices and specialty ingredients.
Enjoy Ha Giang Cuisine
For a long time, Northern mountain cuisine has been an attraction for many tourists because it has a unique characteristic that no other region has. Therefore, most people when visiting Dong Van ancient town never miss the famous specialties here.
Famous dishes that you cannot miss include “Thit trau gac bep” (Buffalo meat from the kitchen), Bac Me sticky rice, colorful sticky rice, Au tau porridge, “Thang Co,” and rice rolls.
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