Exploring Ha Giang: A Journey of Majestic Landscapes and Heartfelt Connections
Majestic Mountains, Passes, People, Nature, and Culture: Filled with Pride and Emotion Duc Minh, an eighth-grade student, shares his enriching experience during his vacation to Ha Giang in June.
Last Thursday, my family and I embarked on a trip organized by my parents’ company to Ha Giang. We reached there after a five-hour drive. Our first culinary stop was at the Vuong Gia restaurant, where we savored the local specialty, Ca Bong, which was both tasty and delectable.
After our meal, we headed to the Thanh Thuy border gate, a vital international border crossing between Vietnam and China that facilitates significant trade and transport, particularly in food and agricultural products. At the border, we observed the interactions between the people of the two countries.
We then proceeded to high point 468 to visit temples dedicated to soldiers from the Sino-Vietnamese War at the Vi Xuyen front. We paid respects and took photos with a flycam. Our next destination was waterfall number 6 in Phuong Do, where we enjoyed the cool, blue waters and many people came to swim and unwind, allowing time to seemingly slow down.
We captured moments post-swim and later retreated to our resort to unwind after a fulfilling day. Dinner was a lively, healthy, and delicious affair. We retired early to ensure we were refreshed for the next day.
On our second day in Ha Giang, we explored Du Gia and Phuong Thien, immersing ourselves in the stunning natural landscapes and local culture, including interactions with ethnic minorities. Our journey continued to Mau Due to observe the unique stone crab road, capturing memorable photos. The day’s highlight was visiting Meo Vac, where we delved deep into the cultural villages and learned about the history and culture of the H’mong ethnic group. By noon, we dined at the Xuan Huong restaurant and spent the afternoon in Pa Vi commune, sharing food and engaging with the community, making meaningful contributions.
This trip was both transformative and educational for me. I gained an understanding of the lives of many people and children my age who reside in the highlands under impoverished conditions, which made me realize how fortunate I am to live and attend school in Hanoi.
On this voluntourism trip, my parents’ company brought gifts of love to the people of Ha Giang. Despite the challenging roads following the floods on June 10th, we hoped these gifts would alleviate some of the hardships faced by the residents of Sa Phin.
The initiative, “Providing Water Tanks to the People of Ha Giang’s Stone Highland,” aims to address the severe water scarcity in the rocky highlands. Especially during the dry season, residents often have to walk several kilometers to fetch water.
In addition to donating water tanks, my paảents’s company also distributed 48 gift packages to those in need. This included 28 packages for impoverished and near-poverty families affected by the floods in Lung Thau village and 20 gift packages for Pa Vi Ha village in Meo Vac district. These packages contained essential supplies such as rice, salt, soy sauce, and monosodium glutamate, aiming to provide some relief during these tough times.
Our experiences also took us to the Tusan resort, where we shared our experiences, enjoyed a gala dinner, and admired the nutritious and well-prepared food. Feeling rejuvenated, we then traveled to the Ma Pi Leng pass, known as “the king of passes,” and famous for the Happiness Road.
We learned about its construction from 1959 to 1965 by 1,300 young people and thousands from 16 ethnic minorities. A monument now stands there to honor their efforts. Our exploration continued to Dancyuan old town, where we enjoyed the town’s mountainous setting and fresh air.
Another memorable part of our trip was visiting the Lung Cu flag tower, the northernmost point in Vietnam. We ascended the tower, touched the flag gently, and savored the view amid gentle rain. We also visited the Vuong Chinh Duc mansion, known in the Hmong language as Vuong Chi Sinh, where we were introduced to the mansion’s impressive relics and architecture. Our day concluded at the Dao Lodge homestay, where we rested well.
Our last day involved a trip to Dong Van market to shop for local produce, enjoying the vibrant market atmosphere, followed by a visit to the Quan Ba heavy gate, where we learned of its legendary status as a bridge between heaven and earth. The cool and pleasant weather at Quan Ba was particularly refreshing.
After a hearty lunch, we headed back to Hanoi, concluding our memorable trip to Ha Giang. The journey left us with unforgettable emotions and a wealth of enriching experiences, fueling our desire to return and explore more in the future
