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Dong Van Karst Plateau
Country: Vietnam
Province: Ha Giang
District: Dong Van

Tinh Ha Giang Holiday Weather today


Date/time of update: November 5, 2024, 12:37 am, Timezone: GMT+7
Broken Clouds

Temperature: 23.41°C
Temperature feels like: 23.48°C
Minimum Temperature: 23.41°C
Maximum Temperature: 23.41°C
Atmospheric pressure: 1022hPa
Humidity:64%
Visibility: 10000m
Wind speed: 0.82m/sec
Wind Direction: 355 degrees
Cloudiness: 72%
Sunrise: 2024-11-04 11:06:55
Sunset: 2024-11-05 10:20:14

Dong Van District is the northern most area of Ha Giang Province and Vietnam. The district is bordered to the west, north and northeast by China, to the east by Meo Vac District, to the south by Yen Minh. The district shares a national border with China with the total length of 52.5 km.

Geography

The total area of Dong Van District is 44.67 hectares of which 11.84 is land for agriculture. The surface area covered in rock accounts for 73.5%. The terrain is dissected into high rugged mountains and steep valley: Lung Tao Peak at 1,911m above sea level,… The averaged altitude is 1,200m above sea level. The terrain altitude is higher to the west and lower to the east.

Dong Van offers wild and yet breathtaking landscape
Dong Van offers wild and yet breathtaking landscape

Dong Van Old Quarter, Dong Van District, Ha Giang
Dong Van Old Quarter, Dong Van District, Ha Giang

Weather and Climate

Dong Van District has a temperate climate: rainy season from May through October which is also the time of the humid Southeasterly Monsoon; dry season from November through next April which is often characterized by dry, foggy atmosphere and frosts. The averaged annual rainfall is 1,600-2,000mm. The lowest temperatures in Dong Van could get below freezing point in the winter (mostly in December-January).

It may get foggy in the Dong Van Rock Plateau which makes it more of a mysterious beauty
It may get foggy in the Dong Van Rock Plateau which makes it more of a mysterious beauty

An amazing road snaking amid limestone mountains at Thai Phin Tung, Dong Van, Ha Giang
An amazing road snaking amid limestone mountains at Thai Phin Tung, Dong Van, Ha Giang

People and Population

There are 16 ethnic groups in Dong Van District: Hmong, Dao, Giay, Co Lao, Pu Peo, Lo Lo, Tay, Kinh, Hoa… of which the Hmong accounts for 88%. The multi-ethnic population makes the daily life and traditional culture at Dong Van highlights of a visit to the area.

Tay ladies at the Dong Van Sunday Market
Tay ladies at the Dong Van Sunday Market

Travel Guide, What to See, Tourist Attractions, Things To Do

Dong Van District is an important part of the Dong Van Karst Plateau. The district is home to several highlights of the plateau including: The Vuong Family Residence and the Sa Phin Valley, the Dong Van Old Quarter, Dong Van Market, Ma Le Market, Lung Tao, Pho Bang, Pho Cao, Sung La,…

A man at the Ma Le Market in Dong Van District
A man at the Ma Le Market in Dong Van District

1/ Walking Tours, Hiking Tours

The Dong Van Rock Plateau offers several secret paths amid rocky peaks which lead to heavenly valleys and villages. Some experienced local tour guides can assist you to discover these amazing beauties on short walking tours, long-distance hiking or trekking tours.

There are several tiny paths amid the rocky world of Dong Van which lead to beautiful surprises
There are several tiny paths amid the rocky world of Dong Van which lead to beautiful surprises

2/ Cycling Tours, motorbike Trips

Given the vast area of the Dong Van Rock Plateau, those on two wheels be it bicycle or motorbike can discover more places with less sweat and steam than on foot.

A Hmong house with walls made of stacked pieces of stone
A Hmong house with walls made of stacked pieces of stone

3/ Boat Trips on the Nho Que River

Having a boat trip on the Nho Que River allows you to adore the deepest and most magnificent canyon in Vietnam from the best angles.

4/ Photo Tours

The natural landscape with sheer gray or slaty black colors of the rock, lush green of the valleys, colorful daily costumes of the ethnic groups... makes it a wonderful place for an excellent photo tour.

Everywhere you turn you get a beautiful photo in Dong Van Plateau
Everywhere you turn you get a beautiful photo in Dong Van Plateau

5/ Sightseeing Tours, Cultural Visits, Homestay Experience

Dong Van District possesses fable-like natural beauty and amazingly diverse and original ethnic cultures. Visiting Dong Van, you can experience it all be it adoring the rocky world, houses with walls made of rock, people doing farm work on rock... Or you can visit ethnic villages, households and get engaged into their daily life. You are to have a wonderful trip to Dong Van for certain.

The atmospheric Dong Van Sunday Market
The atmospheric Dong Van Sunday Market

6/ Family Tours

It is a long drive from Hanoi and families with kids younger than six or seven years old may like to think twice before taking a trip here. If your kids are older, then you are more likely to have a fabulous family holiday in Ha Giang and in the Dong Van Rock Plateau.

Dong Van Market is a wonderful place to take in the vibe, smells, colors...
Dong Van Market is a wonderful place to take in the vibe, smells, colors...

How to get there and away

Dong Van District is 150km from Ha Giang City via Road 4C. Alternatively you can access Dong Van District from Cao Bang Province via Meo Vac District.

The road from Ha Giang City to Dong Van Plateau is with beautiful landscape
The road from Ha Giang City to Dong Van Plateau is with beautiful landscape

Another route which is extremely beautiful but reserved for only adventure travelers is via Bac Me District and Du Gia Commune of Yen Minh District of Ha Giang Province. This route is for motorbike or mountain bike only.


Vietnam Travel Guide