Traveling to Ha Giang Loop during Tet will be a great discovery trip for tourists who like to explore culture and nature. Ha Giang is one of the provinces in the Northeast region of Vietnam which is not only famous for its majestic scenery and the beauty of blooming buckwheat flowers. Traveling to Ha Giang during the Lunar New Year will bring you an extremely attractive and wonderful experience along with unique traditional festivals, or admiring the beautiful scenery. In this article, Karst Plateau explores what’s interesting about traveling to Ha Giang during the Lunar New Year.
1. Reasons to explore Ha Giang Loop during Tet
What attracts tourists to Ha Giang Loop during Tet is not only the beautiful natural scenery but also the festive atmosphere, where everyone joins in the same rhythm in the uniqueness of cultural identity.
Unique cultural experience
When exploring Ha Giang Loop during Tet, not only beautiful nature but also a rich cultural feast awaits you. The unique cultural experience here gives visitors relaxing moments, along with deeper insights into the culture of ethnic minorities. Traditional cultural activities are organized in a very fun way, creating a jubilant festive atmosphere, and helping visitors easily integrate.
- Buffalo Fighting Festival: This is not only a traditional sport but also an opportunity for people to express their unique cultural identity. The winning buffaloes are often honored in festivals, creating a joyful and vibrant atmosphere.Â
- Long Tong Festival: This is a traditional festival of the Tay people with many interesting folk games such as tug of war, stick pushing, shuttlecock throwing, etc. The meaning of the festival is to pray for good weather and good weather in the new year. bumper membrane.
- Spring Festival of the Lo Lo people: The festival begins on the 28th day of the 12th lunar month and lasts until the 30th night. The Lo Lo people will use red or yellow paper to stick on all working tools and then make offerings with sticky rice. , meat, wine. The rituals are performed simply and warmly to close the year and open a warm and peaceful new year.Â
- Explore Tet market: The Tet market is very crowded and bustling. Here you will enjoy the traditional dishes of the Ha Giang people, explore shopping customs, and prepare for the Lunar New Year.
With the blend of people, nature, and culture, Ha Giang offers visitors unique experiences that you can hardly find elsewhere. Coming here, you are not just a stranger but will become a part of the diverse cultural picture of the people here.
Brilliant spring natural scene
The Ha Giang Loop during Tet puts on a bright spring dress, as beautiful as a vivid natural painting. Each petal of pink peach blossom, white plum blossom, or yellow mustard flower blooms all over the hillsides, all creating a splendid natural picture. In the spring air, the scenery here is like dreams becoming more real than ever.
The scenery of heaven and earth with brilliant peach blossom fields, along with traditional houses in the highlands is so beautiful. The pine forest roads and mountain ranges sparkling with mist create a beautiful natural picture, making tourists love Ha Giang Loop during Tet.
If you want to fully see the charming blooming peach blossoms, you can visit regions such as Yen Minh, Quan Ba, ​​and Dong Van to see them with your own eyes. Not only is the natural beauty of peach blossoms, plum blossoms, and pear blossoms blooming, but visitors can also enjoy the warm Tet atmosphere of the highlanders with the cheerful laughter of children and kitchen smoke radiating into the air.
Beautiful natural landscape
When arriving in Ha Giang Loop during Tet, visitors will enjoy witnessing the beautiful natural scenery here. The rolling mountains, with majestic scenery, give visitors wonderful moments to take commemorative photos. The harmony between nature and people here creates an irresistible attraction. Destinations such as Quan Ba ​​Heaven Gate, Quan Ba ​​Twin Mountains, and Dong Van Karst plateau are all places you cannot miss on this trip.
In particular, participating in outdoor activities such as trekking or cycling around the valleys brings a wonderful feeling. In the chilly days of early spring, traveling on cool roads will make you feel the vibrancy of nature and the wonders that heaven and earth bestow.
Enjoy unique cuisine
Exploring Ha Giang Loop during Tet brings colorful experiences with the typical dishes of local people. During Tet, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy traditional dishes such as the black banh chung of the Tay people, and dried buffalo meat of the H’Mong people, along with typical corn wines and apple cider with strong aromatic flavors.
Besides typical Tet dishes, visitors can also enjoy famous specialties of Ha Giang such as au tau porridge, thang co, and sour pho, imbued with the cultural identity of ethnic minorities here.Â
2. How is Tet celebrated in Ha Giang?
Lunar New Year in Ha Giang takes place with unique rituals and customs, reflecting the cultural identity of ethnic minorities here. Before Tet, people are busy cleaning their houses and preparing offerings to their ancestors. An indispensable feature is the Tet feasts. Temporarily putting aside the worries of daily life, everyone turns to their families and ancestors, gathering together around the feast.
The diversity in customs and traditions of the H’Mong, Tay, Dao, or Giay ethnic groups makes the Tet atmosphere here richer. Each ethnic group has its own unique rituals and dishes, creating a colorful cultural picture. Some outstanding activities during Tet include:
- Ancestor worship ceremony: This is an opportunity to express respect and remember the deceased, usually on New Year’s Eve.
- Tet Market: Where people exchange goods, especially Tet foods such as black banh chung, armpit pig, or five-color sticky rice.
- Traditional festivals: Such as buffalo fighting festivals, or folk games, attract a large number of people and tourists to participate.
Ha Giang not only overwhelms visitors with its natural scenery but also with its unique cultural values ​​and customs. Participating in these Tet activities not only brings joy but also an opportunity for each person to understand more about the lives and customs of each ethnic group in Ha Giang.
3. Pack necessary items for the trip around Ha Giang Loop during Tet
When preparing for a trip to Ha Giang Loop during Tet, packing all the necessary items is very important. Determining what you need based on the weather and expected activities can help your trip go more smoothly
- Warm clothes: Especially on cold days, you need to wear a thick coat, scarf, and socks to keep your feet warm. At night in mountainous areas the temperature often drops, so you need to prepare warm clothes to avoid catching a cold.
- Shoes: Bring sturdy hiking shoes or sneakers to easily move on bumpy terrain. In particular, make sure your shoes have a good grip to avoid slipping on rocky roads.
- Personal items: Sunscreen, antibiotics, or a small medical kit are also important items to bring to protect your own health.
- Electronic devices: Don’t forget to bring spare batteries and chargers. It’s important to stay in touch throughout your trip, especially if you run into problems or need more directions.
- Waterproof gear: Ha Giang Loop during Tet can rain, so bringing a raincoat, and waterproof covers for backpacks and electronic devices is necessary.
- Cash and identification: While there may be some ATMs in major cities, in remote areas you will need to carry cash. Don’t forget identification documents such as an ID card, passport (if needed), and driver’s license (if you drive).
- Backpack or small travel bag: A light, easy-to-carry backpack will help you hold all the necessary items without being too bulky.
A trip to explore the beauty of Ha Giang Loop during Tet will be more complete if you carefully prepare the necessary items. Enjoy special moments of spring, culture, and nature in this beautiful land.
4. Some important notes
To have a smooth trip to Ha Giang Loop during Tet, in addition to packing all the necessary items, you should also keep in mind a few important things to make the trip go as smoothly as possible. The following information will help you have a more general overview and avoid unnecessary inadequacies.
- Find out the schedule: You should plan in advance the attractions and cultural activities you want to experience. Ha Giang has many attractive places, but time is limited, so make reasonable arrangements to not miss anything.
- Pay attention to traffic safety: Especially when traveling on mountain passes, be careful and ensure that you are driving safely. If you are not confident with your driving, look for a car rental service with a driver.
- Respect local culture: On the trip to explore Ha Giang Loop during Tet, don’t forget to learn and respect the customs and traditions of the local people. Small actions such as bowing or greeting in the local language will contribute to building a good image for you in the eyes of the people here.
- Carefully check your vehicle: An important step to avoid unwanted problems on the road. If traveling by public transportation, book tickets in advance to avoid sold-out tickets, especially on peak occasions, and regularly check information about departure times to not miss any transportation. If using a motorbike, check the vehicle’s safety.
With the above notes, you will have a truly meaningful and unforgettable Ha Giang Loop trip. The experiences and memories with new friends here will definitely bring you joy and happiness in the first days of the new year.
Exploring the beauty of Ha Giang Loop during Tet will be an unforgettable experience. From the majestic natural scenery, and unique cultural activities, to the friendly people here, all will create a vivid picture, helping you have an unforgettable experience in this land. For more information and travel tips in Ha Giang, please visit the Karst Plateau website.