Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark travel guide and highlights

Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark is one of the most famous attractions in Ha Giang Province. It features a vast area of limestone, spectacular mountain scenery, the richness and uniqueness of ethnic minorities’ culture. Let’s go with Vietnam Travel to explore what makes it attractive.

Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark was recognized as one of 77 geological parks in the world by the UNESCO’s Global Geoparks Network in 2010, and became Vietnam’s first geological park. Located about 1,400 – 1,600 meters above sea level, Dong Van Rock Plateau is formed by narrow valleys alternating with rocky mountain ranges in the north of Viet Nam. Up to 80% of Dong Van Rock Plateau is covered by limestone which contains the fossils of thousands of prehistoric species from 400-600 million years ago.

At present, Dong Van Rock Plateau is home to about 250,000 people of 17 different ethnic minorities of Vietnam, in addition to the H’Mong, Dao, Tay, Nung people also have ethnic groups such as La Chi , Pu Péo, Pa token, Lo Lo only living here.

Dong Van Rock Plateau is one of the special limestone areas, containing typical marks on the development history of the earth’s crust, natural phenomena, unique landscapes in terms of aesthetics and biodiversity. high and long-standing cultural traditions of the indigenous community.

Dong Van rock plateau has enough convergence elements to become a global geological park: the geological appearance of minerals, abundant natural resources; It also has a unique and impressive cultural identity like that of the H’Mong, Ngu Lo Lo, Pu Peo and Dao ethnic groups. The rock plateau is also home to many nationally recognized scenic relics such as: Vuong architectural relics, Lung Cu flagpole, Dong Van ancient town, Ma Pi Leng pass.

How to get there

By local bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang

From Hanoi, you should take the Hanoi – Ha Giang night bus from My Dinh bus station at 9pm and arrive 5am to Ha Giang (Some reputable bus companies are: Hai Van, Bang Phan, Cau Be , …). Vehicles will move directly from Hanoi to the city of Ha Giang.

Going from Ha Giang to Dong Van

When you come to Ha Giang City, have breakfast, then rent a motorbike from Ha Giang City to Dong Van, Meo Vac, Lung Cu Flagpole, return to Yen Minh and back to Ha Giang City because of the distance from Ha Giang to Dong Van, you will come across the most beautiful tourist destinations in Ha Giang.

Best time to visit Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark

The annual average temperature is 21 – 23ºC. It may get up to 27 – 28ºC in July and August and may drop down to below 0ºC in January. Tourists can visit Dong Van all year round but it is best in blooming season. Buckwheat, a typical flower of the northern mountain area of Vietnam, is blossoming from October to November. You can witness its beauty everywhere, in hills, stepped-rice fields, or in around makeshift local houses. Between January and February is time for blooming peach and plum. The moss-roofed roofs could be added with crimson peach petals and pure white plum blossoms.