Most people see Ha Giang (part of Tuyen Quang province since July 2025) from the back of a motorbike. On foot, you see it differently: slower, closer, and in places no road reaches, from the Dong Van Karst Plateau to the old forests of the Tay Con Linh range.
Buffalo paths link Tay, Dao and Hmong villages that have no road, old Shan Tuyet tea trees, and limestone cliffs above Tu San Canyon. This guide covers four routes, when to go, what to wear on karst, and the border permit.
Four trekking routes in Ha Giang
1. Tay Con Linh summit and Khuoi My village trail
- Trail profile: 32 km in total, about +1,800 m of climbing, hard.
- The route: from TVPalm Ecolodge near Khuoi My, up through the stilt-house villages of Thon Tha and Khuoi My, through cardamom plantations and old Shan Tuyet tea forest, to the 2,428 m summit of Tay Con Linh, the highest peak in Northeast Vietnam.
2. Ma Pi Leng white cliffs walk
- Trail profile: 8 to 12 km, about +450 m of climbing, moderate.
- The route: the White Cliff footpath (Vach Da Trang), cut into the limestone face at around 1,700 m above sea level, looking straight down into Tu San Canyon and the green Nho Que River.
3. Hoang Su Phi rice terraces
- Trail profile: 24 to 36 km, about +900 m of climbing, moderate.
- The route: through the terraced rice fields of Ban Phung, Nam Ty and Ho Thau, a national heritage site, with nights in Dao and Nung family homestays. Hoang Su Phi has four main Dao groups: Red Dao, Dao Ao Dai, Dao Tien and White-trousered Dao (Dao Quan Trang).
4. Chieu Lau Thi ridge hike
- Trail profile: 16 km, about +1,100 m of climbing, moderate to hard.
- The route: up Chieu Lau Thi (2,402 m), one of Ha Giang’s highest peaks, along a ridge known for sunrise above the clouds and old rhododendron forest.
The four routes side by side
| Trekking Route | Region / District | Distance & Duration | Trail Difficulty | Key Scenic Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tay Con Linh Summit | Vi Xuyen / Ha Giang City | 32 km (3 Days / 2 Nights) | Challenging | Ancient centuries-old tea trees, jungle canopy, peak summit |
| Ma Pi Leng Skywalk | Dong Van to Meo Vac | 10 km (1 Day / 5-6 Hours) | Moderate | White Cliffs, Tu San Canyon abyss, Nho Que River |
| Hoang Su Phi Terraces | Hoang Su Phi District | 28 km (2-3 Days) | Moderate | Sculpted golden rice terraces, ethnic Dao/Nung cultures |
| Chieu Lau Thi Peak | Hoang Su Phi / Xin Man | 16 km (2 Days / 1 Night) | Moderate-Hard | Cloud inversion seas, mossy alpine forests, sunrise ridge |
When to go
Autumn harvest and buckwheat flowers
- Conditions: dry air, daytime temperatures of 16°C to 24°C, little rain.
- What you see: Hoang Su Phi’s terraces turn gold in September and October, then buckwheat flowers in Dong Van in November. This is the best trekking season.
Spring blossom and flooded terraces
- Conditions: mild sun, peach and plum trees in flower, cool wind.
- What you see: in April and May, farmers flood the terraces with spring water, and the fields reflect the sky.
Gear and safety on karst
Northern Vietnam’s limestone is sharp when dry and very slippery when wet. The right gear keeps your feet steady.
- Trekking shoes or boots with deep-lugged rubber soles, such as Vibram or Contagrip.
- Trekking poles with rubber tips and mud baskets, to spare your knees on steep descents.
- Breathable synthetic or merino layers and a light waterproof jacket.
- A 25 to 35 L daypack with a rain cover.
- A filter bottle, electrolyte tablets and trail snacks.
Trekking in Ha Giang: common questions
Do I need a local guide to trek in Ha Giang?
Yes. Thick forest, unmarked junctions, steep karst drops and fast-moving fog make a local guide necessary for safety. It also makes the evenings with your homestay hosts much easier.
Do I need a border permit to trek?
Yes, in the border districts. Foreign trekkers need a Border Area Entry Permit (Giay phep vao khu vuc bien gioi). If you trek with TVPalm, we arrange it for you.
Can beginners trek in Ha Giang?
If you are reasonably fit, yes: a 1-day walk at Ma Pi Leng or 2 days in the Hoang Su Phi terraces are fine. The multi-day Tay Con Linh summit trek needs good stamina.
Written by Nguyễn Văn Trung, founder of TVPalm. He has led small-group trips across Northeast Vietnam since 2021.
