Dong Van Karst Global Geopark (Ha Giang) — Travel Tips ☀️
Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark is a spectacular place written in the UNESCO list.
Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark is a place you will definitely want to see and travel if you are in northern Vietnam. It is located in Ha Giang province and consists of 4 districts - Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van and Meo Vac. Right there you will see the most interesting mountain sceneries, nature, rivers and ethnic villages. The geopark covers an area of 2380 km² - Dong Van (460 km²), Meo Vac (577.6 km²), Yen Minh (785.2 km²) and Quan Ba (557.2 km²) and the altitude is as high as 2 265 m. Ha Giang is easily accessible by bus from Hanoi.
Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark in Ha Giang is defined as a nationally protected area containing a number of geological heritage sites of particular significance. Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark was written in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004 as vietnam’s 1st geopark and it is a home to 17 ethnic groups that create the unique and rich cultural heritage of this area.
How to travel in Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark? You can travel by motorbike, mototaxi, bus.
You have several options for traveling in Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark. The ideal starting place is to begin from the city of Ha Giang and continue to the far north, then you can return. The best way for experienced drivers is to travel on a motorbike. This is a mountain area, so some sections can be dangerous and side roads may not be in good condition. The main road that runs through the geopark (QL4C) is generally in good condition, but there are also some sections that are not very well maintained.
Drive carefully and slowly, roads are unpredictable!
In the monsoon season (summer months) there is a risk of landslides, so it is good to choose a suitable and dry season (autumn - winter), but you can travel on a motorbike throughout the year. As an international tourist you have to own an international driving license, you may be checked by the police and they will be requre this licence. Before you start your motorbike trip in Ha Giang check carefully current weather and also your motorbike.
What are the other travel options in Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark?
If you do not want or can not travel by motorbike, there are another ways to travel this geopark:
1. Professional motorcycle driver/tourist guide
You do not have to drive a motorbike if you can not or you are scared. Just hire a professional motorcycle driver/guide. You become a co-driver, you do not drive, you only sit and watch the scenery. These drivers know this place and sometimes they can partly adapt to your requirements. These trips can be provided by some motorbike rentals in Ha Giang town.
2. Tourist agency, Tour operator
There are various travel agencies that can arrange a multi-day sightseeing tour/trip in Ha Giang province. Minibuses or limousines are often used for these trips. The advantage is, you do not have to worry about anything, these tourist agencies organize everything, the disadvantage is the higher price of these trips. A number of tourist agencies in Hanoi offer such trips to Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark.
3. Travel by local bus
You can also travel by local buses. But it’s not so easy. You will always have to find out on site, when and if the bus will go. Ask at the hotel/guesthouse, often they have such information. It still works so that you can wait for the bus in the center of the town and stop by waving the passing bus. However, the numbers of buses are limited, drivers usually drive dangerously, and travel by bus can take a lot of time, buses often stop, unload and load various goods and carry other items.
What are the roads in Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark in Ha Giang province?
The main road - marked as QL4C (Ha Giang - Dong Van - Bao Lac) - It is necessary to take the fact that it is a road leading across mountain areas, but this road is quite decent, but there may be sections that are under constant repair (eg. from Meo Vac to Bao Lac). Some smaller sections may also be damaged and there may be some holes. It is important to drive slowly and very carefully, everywhere in Ha Giang province. Secondary roads - these roads may not be in good condition and can be damaged. However, for example, the secondary road from Dong Van to Lung Cu (via Mã Lé) is very good.
What is the weather and when to travel in Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark?
The same applies to Ha Giang Province (more here). It is a mountain area, it can be very cold in the winter months (but it is a dry season), in the summer months (monsoon season) - it may be more rainy. A good time to visit Dong Van Karst Geopark can be the autumn months (September - November), however, it can not guarantee accurate weather, it can change, I recommend to watch the weather forecast before your travel.
What to see and what to visit in Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark?
In this geopark you can see a lot of interesting and fascinating places. It will be mainly fantastic natural and mountain sceneries, passes, valleys, viewpoints, ethnic villages, ethnic markets (especially on Sunday). Take a look at the detailed Google map of Ha Giang province, where most of these places are marked + “Ha Giang Motorbike Loop” motorbike trip. Ma Pi Leng Pass - one of the most interesting places in Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark.
The most popular tourist places in Dong Van Karst Geopark:
1. Quan Ba viewpoint (Fairy Mountain )
2. Tham Ma Pass
3. Hmong Royal Palace
4. Ma Pi Leng Pass
5. Lung Cu Flag Tower
6. Ethnic markets and villages…
Summary and practical information about the Dong Van Karst Geopark:
How to get from Hanoi to Ha Giang?
> The only way is to take a bus to Ha Giang town. In Ha Giang town you can rent a motorbike (or to buy some motorbike tour) or take a local bus to Dong Van town. Bus tickets from Hanoi to Ha Giang you can book and buy online.
➤ ➤ ➤ book and buy bus e-tickets from Hanoi to Ha Giang easily online + schedule on Baolau or 12go.asia
How large is Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark?
> Dong Van Geopark covers an area of 2380 km². 4 districts - Dong Van (460 km²), Meo Vac (577.6 km²), Yen Minh (785.2 km²) and Quan Ba (557.2 km²).
Is transportation and traffic in Dong Van Karst Geopark dangerous?
> If you are traveling on a motorbike - yes, some roads can be dangerous. In 2017 there was also a fatal accident of a Spanish tourist who drove in a fog and at an inappropriate speed, unfortunately he left the road and died. Drive carefully and slowly.
Which type of motorbike to choose for traveling in Ha Giang?
> In the province of Ha Giang, I recommend to choose a 110cc or better / semi-automatic or manual motorbike. I do not recommend to travel on a very weak automatic scooter, it is not really a good idea in these mountains.
Ban Gioc Falls｜Hue to Ninh Binh｜Danang to N.Binh｜Nha Trang to Ha Long｜Nha Trang to Hoi An｜Mu Cang Chai｜Ha Long Bay｜Cat Ba Isl.
