Spectacular Dong Van Karst Plateau

Visiting Dong Van Karst Plateau, you will have chance to experience the thrilling feeling when climbing high passes and looking down the abyss from above. If you are not a kind of person who enjoy adventures and wild  nature, this place is not suitable for you. If you are, let’s drop by Dong Van Karst Plateau without any delay. This place is worth being visited for its breathtaking scenery, people who are always happy with their life, and the beautiful music made from flutes and khèn (a music instrument of an ethnic minority).     

Dong Van Karst Plateau is situated at a distance of about 132 kilometers from Ha Giang town. It is a rugged and craggy mountainous area which possesses majestic and magnificient scenery in the northernmost land of Vietnam.

Dong Van karst geopark

Dong Van Karst Plateau is about 1,000 – 1,600 meters above sea level, covering an area of nearly 2,356 kiliometers squared, and running  across 4 districts of Ha Giang province: Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Meo Vac and Dong Van. This is one of the special limestone areas of the country for it hides typical markers of the development history of the Earth’s crust. 80% area of Dong Van is limestone formed in different conditions of the environment and through development stages in millions years.

From Ha Giang city, going along the national road 4C for about 43 kilometers, you will reach Quan Ba district. If you continue to follow the road through the cragged pass Can Ty, deep pine forests, and winding slopes, you may drop by Yen Minh district, Dong Van district and Meo Vac district respectively to discover the karst plateau.    

The architectural relic area of Vuong family: 

The construction built in the early twentieth centery imitates Chinese architecture under Qing dynasty with curves and ingenious carvings. This is not only a mansion but also a defensive fortress of the karst plateau in the historical period. The Vuong family’s home, which occupies an area of over 1,000 meters, was recognized as a national architectural relic. This mansion has been restored and it will promisingly become a unique highlight of your trip to Dong Van Plateau.

the mansion of Vuong family     

Dong Van ancient town:

The nearly 1 kilometer long town was built almost a century ago. It possesses unique features of the highland culture with beaten-cob constructions, double tile, and stone paving. The hightlight of the town is the old market built of stone with the typical double tile. There are now 40 houses of 100-300 years among which, the house of Luong family is the oldest one. In the full-moon night the entire town is brighten by red lanterns in various sizes. Many cultural activities also take place in the town through this night.  

Typical beaten-cob construction in Dong Van Karst Plateau

Lung Cu Flag Tower:

Lung Cu Flag Tower is a meaningful site for its historical values. Standing at the top of it and looking down, you will see the whole magnificient scenery of the land arround the flag tower. It is about 1,600 meters above sea level; with Then Van valley lying on the right; and on the left lies Nho Que river which originates from Yun Nan, China, flows to Dong Van and Meo Vac.

Ancient stone area, archaeology sites: located at a distance of about 17 kilometers from the center of Xi Man district, an area of stones has become special for the signs carved on stones. The carvings, according to scientists, have been dated for about 2,000 years. There are 7 large stone slabs and 2 huge rocks on which 80 sculptures are engraved. The ancient stone carvings are fascinating sources for scientists and visitors to explore the history.

Carvings on rock

Highland market fairs:

Like many other mountainous regions, Ha Giang also has market fairs. This is not only a type of economic activity but also cultural custom implying traditional and highland cultural values.

highland market fair