Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark
Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark
5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Located in the northernmost part of Vietnam and covering an area of 2,345km2 of the entire four northern districts of Ha Giang Province (Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van and Meo Vac), the Dong Van UNESCO Global Geopark has been recognized as the first Global UNESCO Geopark of Vietnam since 2010.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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5.0
223 reviews
Excellent
204
Very good
16
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Arthur
Oyonnax, France5 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
We ventured off-the-beaten-path to Dong Van Plateau in Ha Giang and were captivated by its remote and unspoiled beauty. The landscape is breathtaking, and we loved exploring the Sunday markets with their vibrant displays of local life. If you enjoy diverse flora and fauna, and a sense of adventure, we recommend adding Dong Van Plateau to your Vietnam itinerary.
Written 9 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Molly K
3 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
We motor-biked the geopark loop in 3.5 days. I would not recommend doing it any quicker, especially if you are a new or inexperienced rider. We got to Ha Giang city by private car hire; left Hanoi at 6 am and rented bikes and got on the road by 2 pm. We felt more comfortable driving than we expected--we took it slow and drove only 20-30 km / hr (14-20 mph) the whole way. We drove in one day of rain--that day was mentally tough. We got stuck in some very deep clay like mud in a washed out section of road; no damage or injuries, but a frustrating snafu to be sure. Going in the rainy season, we consider ourselves lucky for having only one day of rain. Driving in rain the whole way would probably ruin the trip, so consider your timing. It's hard to describe the difficulty of the loop. About half of the loop is wide, paved, comfortable driving roads leaving enough room for trucks to pass bikes. The other half is narrow, steep, hairpin turns, with a few small sections of dirt or gravel--very technically difficult. Traffic is constant for about 60% of the loop and light to nonexistent for the other 40%. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip, but it is exhausting. Give yourself plenty of time and try to go in a sunny season; it is much more pleasant to drive in good weather. The sights are incredible, breathtaking, and soul-lifting. We highly recommend it for the adventure seeking traveler!
Written 20 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane M
Portland, OR44 contributions
Lovely but come with a plan or with a tour company that knows what it is doing or you will regret it
Dec 2015 • Family
Just like everybody says, this is a beautiful part of Vietnam. However, I would caution travelers about coming here. I too went on Trip Advisor, saw how highly rated this was and decided to go. However, I feel that there was little information on Trip Advisor that prepared me for my experiences while up there.
1. This trip involves A LOT of traveling. By car, it takes ~6-7 hours to get to the largest town in Ha Giang province. It takes another 2 1/2 hours to get from this main town to Tam Son in Quan Ba. It takes ~3 hours to get from Tam Son to Dong Van. I cannot ride motorbikes (a popular option for trips up North), so I opted to use a car. This was the first issue. When you are in a car, there is a palpable distance between you and the landscape you are observing. I think the traveling portion of the trip would have been much more engaging if I had been on a motorbike, more able to interact with what I was seeing. Instead, all those hours in the car dragged on and on, making me wonder why I had decided to come.
Note: do not attempt going via motorbike if you are not super comfortable on a motorbike. The roads here are a bit treacherous and people drive fast and aggressively.
2. Make sure to go with a tour company that knows what it is doing. My party went with Haivenu Tours and we were not impressed in the slightest. We struggled to communicate with our guide. It was so bad to the point we just stopped asking him questions because we had a hard time understanding his answers and he had a hard time understanding our questions. Furthermore, we were in a car for hours at a time passing by villages and mountains and he had almost nothing interesting to share. We expected they would assign us someone with knowledge of the region or who had some knowledge of the natural aspects of the area. This guy had no information or he didn’t share it. The trip North left us feeling very stressed, exhausted and cheated. So, choose your tour company wisely! Try to find a company that specializes in these kinds of trips.
3. Like I said before, this trip involves hours upon hours of travel. If you just want some exposure to life in the North, I suggest you go to Sapa instead. Sapa is much more touristy and not as breathtakingly beautiful as Dong Van Karst is, but it is much easier to get to and is very pretty in its own right. It takes ~5 hours to get there and there is the option of taking a train there.
4. The time to come to Dong Van Karst is in November. The flowers are blooming and the weather is good. While it was still beautiful, it was cold and foggy the entire time we were there in December. I think we saw the sun once for about 1 1/2 hours the entire 4 days we were there.
1. This trip involves A LOT of traveling. By car, it takes ~6-7 hours to get to the largest town in Ha Giang province. It takes another 2 1/2 hours to get from this main town to Tam Son in Quan Ba. It takes ~3 hours to get from Tam Son to Dong Van. I cannot ride motorbikes (a popular option for trips up North), so I opted to use a car. This was the first issue. When you are in a car, there is a palpable distance between you and the landscape you are observing. I think the traveling portion of the trip would have been much more engaging if I had been on a motorbike, more able to interact with what I was seeing. Instead, all those hours in the car dragged on and on, making me wonder why I had decided to come.
Note: do not attempt going via motorbike if you are not super comfortable on a motorbike. The roads here are a bit treacherous and people drive fast and aggressively.
2. Make sure to go with a tour company that knows what it is doing. My party went with Haivenu Tours and we were not impressed in the slightest. We struggled to communicate with our guide. It was so bad to the point we just stopped asking him questions because we had a hard time understanding his answers and he had a hard time understanding our questions. Furthermore, we were in a car for hours at a time passing by villages and mountains and he had almost nothing interesting to share. We expected they would assign us someone with knowledge of the region or who had some knowledge of the natural aspects of the area. This guy had no information or he didn’t share it. The trip North left us feeling very stressed, exhausted and cheated. So, choose your tour company wisely! Try to find a company that specializes in these kinds of trips.
3. Like I said before, this trip involves hours upon hours of travel. If you just want some exposure to life in the North, I suggest you go to Sapa instead. Sapa is much more touristy and not as breathtakingly beautiful as Dong Van Karst is, but it is much easier to get to and is very pretty in its own right. It takes ~5 hours to get there and there is the option of taking a train there.
4. The time to come to Dong Van Karst is in November. The flowers are blooming and the weather is good. While it was still beautiful, it was cold and foggy the entire time we were there in December. I think we saw the sun once for about 1 1/2 hours the entire 4 days we were there.
Written 17 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nzlatev
Munich, Germany93 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
This is an absolute must for anyone visiting Vietnam and enjoying the off-the-beaten-track places with stunning natural scenery. Going from Ha Giang on two wheel (motorbike) is recommended, you can rent your bike from Johhny Nam Tram, top dude. You would also need to get a permit for the region, but you can do that in the hotels where you are staying. Make sure to get armed with a lot of patience as there is very little English (and certainly no other Western language) spoken in this region. The road at first might be a little scary, especially until you reach Yen Minh, but after that it gets more quiet with less traffic of big vehicles. It is probably recommended to take a day and ride around Ha Giang to get used to the bike and traffic before you set out if this is your first time on a bike in Vietnam. The most stunning scenery is between Dong Van and Meo Vac, but there are definitely beautiful spots also elsewhere. In general you can do the whole thing in 3 days, but I would definitely encourage you to stay more and go around to the little villages. Absolutely amazing region.
Written 9 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peartoh
Cat Ba, Vietnam12 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
My husband and i went on a fantastic tour in Oct 15 with Ethnic Travel Vietnam. We began in Hanoi and took most of the day to get to Ha Giang making many photo stops and stops for walks thru different minority group villages. The 1st night we stayed at a homestay and we both enjoyed the experience alot. The food was yummy and our homestay was clean, comfortable and we were made to feel part of the family..le 2-3 star hotel that evening and the same on the 3rd night.
Day 3 we hiked through villages and Mountain areas and the scenery was fantastic but the scenery got even better as we got closer to Meo Vac. The hiking we did was not that difficult but was in very scenic places.
Day 4 we headed back to Ha Giang and it rained that day so we only did one small hike that day and homestay that night.
Day 5 we went to Sapa and that is where our Tour ended.
Phi was our driver and did a fantastic job of driving safely in what was some hairy bends and roads. He always made sure the car was always clean. Our guide was Cho and he was also great and very amusing. I would highly recommend to go and see this area. I think it is possible to do on your own however Im not sure you would know where to go for walks in the villages etc. I would recommend a tour for sure.
Day 3 we hiked through villages and Mountain areas and the scenery was fantastic but the scenery got even better as we got closer to Meo Vac. The hiking we did was not that difficult but was in very scenic places.
Day 4 we headed back to Ha Giang and it rained that day so we only did one small hike that day and homestay that night.
Day 5 we went to Sapa and that is where our Tour ended.
Phi was our driver and did a fantastic job of driving safely in what was some hairy bends and roads. He always made sure the car was always clean. Our guide was Cho and he was also great and very amusing. I would highly recommend to go and see this area. I think it is possible to do on your own however Im not sure you would know where to go for walks in the villages etc. I would recommend a tour for sure.
Written 21 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Akatsuki_Zetsu
Hanoi, Vietnam8 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
If you have time in Vietnam, don't miss it. Although it's a long way from Hanoi to Dong Van, with hundreds of kilometers in dangerous and curving passes but once you get there, it's very rewarding. Not only the Karst Plateau itself but also the local in market in Ha Giang, the local people living here will make your journey a pleasant and unforgettable one.
Written 13 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
blackeaglejim
Chiang Mai, Thailand289 contributions
Jan 2018 • Friends
For those without the time or energy for an extended stay or a trek, the easiest way to appreciate the fantastic scenery of northernmost Hà Giang province is to take a motorbike ride around the ̣Đồng Văn circuit. Leaving Đồng Văn for Mèo Vạc the road immediately climbs into the hills, affording a fine view of the city’s lovely setting against steeply rising limestone hills. The landscape becomes more dramatic beginning at the Hmông village of Mả Pì Lèng, halfway to Mèo Vạc, full of jagged peaks, steep cliffs, deep canyons and oddly shaped promontories popping up from the slopes. After several more km the road starts winding down into the broad valley around Mèo Vạc.
After Mèo Vạc, you turn west towards Yên Minh, along a hilly route mottled with Hmông villages. The mountains are not as high along this route, but enhanced by the frequent sight of ethnic minorities walking along the road. At Yên Minh the road turns north, climbs into the splendid mountains again and after 20 km turns east back to Đồng Văn. Several km later, at Xà Phìn village, is the area’s most famous historical relic—the Vương Family Palace, former home of the Hmông chieftain appointed by the French to administer the area. Built in 1903 in the Chinese style, it comprises three connected courtyards of wooden buildings, surrounded by a brick wall. The exhibits inside provide insights into life in the colonial period. The road continues through more majestic mountains and passes through a forest on the final descent to Đồng Văn.
After Mèo Vạc, you turn west towards Yên Minh, along a hilly route mottled with Hmông villages. The mountains are not as high along this route, but enhanced by the frequent sight of ethnic minorities walking along the road. At Yên Minh the road turns north, climbs into the splendid mountains again and after 20 km turns east back to Đồng Văn. Several km later, at Xà Phìn village, is the area’s most famous historical relic—the Vương Family Palace, former home of the Hmông chieftain appointed by the French to administer the area. Built in 1903 in the Chinese style, it comprises three connected courtyards of wooden buildings, surrounded by a brick wall. The exhibits inside provide insights into life in the colonial period. The road continues through more majestic mountains and passes through a forest on the final descent to Đồng Văn.
Written 10 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heywoodyusume
Dallas, TX22 contributions
Aug 2015
An amazing experience via motorcycle. Terrain, roads scenery and culture. Memories for a lifetime. My only regret is I wasn't able to stay longer. I can't wait to return
Written 13 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nghia B
Hanoi, Vietnam44 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
I went to Ha giang 2 times by motorbike but I still want to come back here. It's very amazing & stunning.
The best time to visit Hagiang is Autumn and Spring (from September - March). There are many beautiful local flowers like Tam Giac Mach (I don't know its english name), the great trails, when you ride on motorbike yourself on the one of the greatest passes of Vietnam: O QUy Ho pass, and impressed with the beautiful of landscape, mountains, Nho Que river or minor ethnic people who are very friendly.
Many thanks to Zonitrip, help me and my friends organized the great trips. Good equipment, good guide and safe.
The best time to visit Hagiang is Autumn and Spring (from September - March). There are many beautiful local flowers like Tam Giac Mach (I don't know its english name), the great trails, when you ride on motorbike yourself on the one of the greatest passes of Vietnam: O QUy Ho pass, and impressed with the beautiful of landscape, mountains, Nho Que river or minor ethnic people who are very friendly.
Many thanks to Zonitrip, help me and my friends organized the great trips. Good equipment, good guide and safe.
Written 3 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John W
New York City, NY7 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
There is no better word for Dong Van. The road, the scenery along the way and the locals are everything that will make your trip in Vietnam unforgettable. One way to fully savor the beauty of Dong Van is doing a motor bike tour, as we did an wonderful one at the Landmark Hanoi Hotel's travel agency - only by doing so you can truly feel and understand why they call the road from Dong Van to Meo Vac town "Road of Happiness" and a famous idiom about the people living here "Born from stone and be buried under stones".
Written 14 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
quiero ir a Ha Giang en Diciembre, me dicen que es muy frio y estará muy nublado y que en gran parte se pierde el atractivo, es correcto? Me pueden aconsejar? Vivo en México y quiero hacer un viaje maravilloso, pero no quiero desencantarme por el clima, mil gracias
Written 9 August 2018
I wonder to travel around Ha Giang province on coming middle of September ...How about the weather condition over there ...maybe I will get a rental-motorbike in Ha Giang town or Dong Van .
Can anybody suggest any opinions and ideas ? It will be about 5days stay around there , thanks ..
Written 4 July 2018
I think the weather will be sunny, hot but rainy sometimes at that time.
Happy travel!
Written 6 August 2018
hi there
what are the costs to get to those parks?
thanks
Written 14 December 2017
Hi,
The park was free - you are supposed to purchase a permit to be in the Ha Giang province, which you can buy in Ha Giang City. Otherwise, we just drove our motorcycles through and were not required to buy a ticket for park entrance.
Cheers,
Laurissa
Written 19 December 2017
tôi muốn đặt 6 phòng tại cao nguyên đá đồng văn ngày 11 tháng 11 năm 2017
Written 5 November 2017
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