Ha Giang Tourism on Tet Holiday: Reasons to go to Ha Giang in Spring

Traveling to Ha Giang during Tet brings visitors unique experiences, immersing themselves in the brilliant spring colors and unique indigenous culture. From the blooming buckwheat flower fields to the vibrant Tet markets of ethnic minorities, Ha Giang is an ideal destination to explore the majestic natural beauty and unique traditional customs. Let’s explore this borderland and enjoy the full Tet atmosphere in the mountains and forests of the Northeast with the Vietnam Motorbike Tours Club through the article below.

Should you explore Ha Giang before or after Tet?

When planning a trip to Ha Giang during the Lunar New Year, many people feel confused about whether to go before or after Tet. This often depends on personal preferences as well as each person’s specific plans, but you can refer to some of the factors below to find the best time for your trip:

Travel to Ha Giang before Tet

• During the period before Tet, Ha Giang usually does not welcome too many tourists, so the prices of services such as room rental or food are often much more favorable than during peak times.
• This is also a great opportunity for you to explore unique customs and practices and immerse yourself in the Tet preparation atmosphere of the ethnic communities here.
• However, it should be noted that peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, or plum blossoms in Ha Giang at this time are often not in full bloom, so the natural scenery will not be as bright and colorful as the period after Tet.

This often depends on personal preferences as well as each person’s specific plans

Travel to Ha Giang after Tet

• On the contrary, if you choose to go to Ha Giang after Tet, it will attract a large number of tourists, leading to increased service prices and more crowded famous tourist attractions.
• However, this is the time when ethnic minorities organize many unique festivals, giving visitors the opportunity to experience local culture through rich traditional activities.
• In addition, after Tet is also the time when flowers bloom most brilliantly, especially in the second half of the first lunar month, creating a charming scene, ideal for those who want to enjoy the spring atmosphere during their spring trip.

What is interesting about traveling to Ha Giang during Tet?

Traveling to Ha Giang during Tet brings many interesting and unique experiences, imbued with highland culture. This is the ideal time to admire the brilliant beauty of peach and plum blossoms blooming throughout the mountains and forests, blending with the colorful Tet atmosphere.

Traditional festivals

At the beginning of the new year, ethnic minorities in Ha Giang province often organize extremely unique and rich festivals. For example, the Gau Tao festival of the Mong people, or the forest worshiping ceremony of the Tay people. This is truly a precious opportunity for everyone to participate in unique customs, enjoy interesting folk games as well as admire diverse cultural performances from the ethnic groups here.

This is truly a precious opportunity for everyone to participate in unique customs

During the Gau Tao festival, Mong people not only participate in fun activities but also have many solemn rituals to pray for a prosperous new year. The Tay people’s forest worship ceremony also has profound meaning, expressing gratitude to nature and what the mountains and forests have given to their lives. These activities not only help preserve traditional cultural values ​​but also bring joy and solidarity to the people here. Participating in these festivals, visitors can feel the richness and diversity of ethnic minority cultures, from costumes, music to typical cuisine.

Unique Cuisine

When visiting Ha Giang during the Lunar New Year, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the typical dishes of this place such as humpbacked Chung cake, Thang Co, Men Men and smoked buffalo meat. These dishes are not only food but also contain the delicious flavor of the mountains and forests and the warm feelings of the local people.

These dishes are not only food but also contain the delicious flavor of the mountains

Humpback banh chung is a traditional cake, made from sticky rice, green beans and pork, but has a taller shape and is usually wrapped in dong leaves. Thang co is an attractive dish made from the meat and organs of livestock, often cooked with many different spices, bringing a very unique flavor. Men men is a dish made from ground corn, processed in a special way and is a popular dish in ethnic minority families here. Finally, smoked meat is meat that has been marinated and dried, then hung on the kitchen shelf to create the aroma of kitchen smoke, often used in festivals or eaten with rice.

All of these dishes not only show the richness of Ha Giang’s culinary culture but also the pride of the people here, reflecting the intersection between people and nature, creating an unforgettable culinary experience for every visitor when visiting.

Tet atmosphere

The Tet atmosphere in Ha Giang has its own unique beauty and characteristics, unlike anywhere else. During this time, the villages become more lively than ever, with the joyful sounds of people busy preparing for the new year. People together shop for furniture, decorate their houses and prepare trays of food to welcome Tet.

During this time, the villages become more lively than ever

One of the highlights of Tet is the colorful Tet markets. Here, you can find countless local specialties such as banh chung, gio lua or fresh fruits. These markets are not only a place to exchange goods but also an opportunity for people to meet, chat and share the joy of welcoming spring. The festive atmosphere is everywhere, making everyone who comes here feel the warmth and happiness of spring.

Charming scenery

After Tet, peach blossoms, apricot blossoms and plum blossoms begin to bloom, turning Ha Giang into a vivid and poetic picture. The mountain ranges, together with the winding roads around the valleys full of flowers, will surely make anyone who visits in the early spring feel nostalgic and captivated by the natural beauty that this place brings.

The mountain ranges, together with the winding roads around the valleys full of flowers

Spring not only brings freshness to the trees but also highlights the beauty of Ha Giang, where each flower seems to tell a separate story. The peaceful, clear scenery, along with the sound of the forest wind and the chirping of birds, will blend together, creating a symphony of nature that makes people feel more excited. Anyone who comes here during the blooming season will be captivated by the romance and magic that this land brings.

Typical festivals in Ha Giang during Tet

Ha Giang during Tet is the time when many traditional festivals take place with the strong identity of ethnic minorities, creating a rich and unique cultural picture. Some prominent traditional festivals include:

Gau Tao Festival

This is one of the most important and biggest cultural events of the Mong people. This festival is usually held from the 1st to the 15th of the first lunar month, with the meaning of wishing for a new year with many good things. The main purpose of the festival is to pray for everyone to have luck, favorable weather, favorable wind and rain, as well as happiness in life.

The main purpose of the festival is to pray for everyone to have luck

In the festival atmosphere, visitors not only witness but also have the opportunity to participate in many folk entertainment activities such as pao throwing game, traditional panpipe dance or dramatic horse races. These activities create a very vibrant and attractive festival atmosphere, helping everyone have interesting and memorable experiences when attending.

Forest Worship Festival

The forest worship ceremony takes place at the beginning of the new year, usually the time when people express their gratitude to nature and wish for a bountiful harvest. In the solemn atmosphere of this festival, not only do worship rituals take place but also organize many interesting cultural activities such as singing and swinging, which gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about the cultural identity as well as the typical beliefs of the people.

In the solemn atmosphere of this festival

Therefore, the forest worship ceremony not only has spiritual significance but is also an opportunity to connect the community, creating memorable memories for both local people and tourists to participate. The fun and entertainment activities taking place during the festival will contribute to enriching the cultural experience, making the festival a special event that attracts the attention of many people.

Long Tong Festival

This festival takes place in January, and is one of the typical cultural activities of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups. This festival is meant to pray for a bountiful harvest and a prosperous and happy life for everyone. In the vibrant atmosphere of the festival, participants can enjoy many traditional games such as tug of war, fighting with swallows and singing love songs, all of which contribute to the joy and excitement of this festival.

This festival is meant to pray for a bountiful harvest and a prosperous

In addition, Long Tong festival also shows the connection between people and nature and the land, expressing the wishes of the local people for good things in the new year. Recreational activities are not only entertaining but also help people get closer together, creating a rich cultural exchange space.

Khau Vai Love Market Festival

Khau Vai Love Market Festival is one of the outstanding cultural events of Ha Giang province, usually held in the first lunar month. This is not only a gathering place for couples to date but also an opportunity for local people to meet and exchange cultures with each other. When participating in the festival, you will have the opportunity to enjoy regional specialties and buy traditional handicrafts.

This is not only a gathering place for couples to date but also an opportunity for local people

The atmosphere at the Love Market is extremely vibrant and bustling, attracting many tourists as well as locals from all over to participate. This is an opportunity for people to express their feelings, connect and build new relationships. In addition, visitors can explore the unique cultural beauty of ethnic minorities through traditional costumes, dances and musical instruments. These activities not only bring joy but also help preserve and promote the cultural values ​​of the people of Ha Giang.

Things to note when traveling to Ha Giang during Tet holiday

When you plan to travel to Ha Giang during the Tet holiday, there are some important things you need to pay attention to to ensure that your trip will go smoothly and safely:

Book rooms and tickets in advance: This is often the time when many tourists come to visit Ha Giang, leading to overcrowding and a shortage of accommodation. Therefore, if you do not want to find a place to rest while all the places are full, plan and make reservations as soon as possible. Moreover, bus fares can also increase due to high demand, so booking tickets in advance will help you save more money and be able to choose the most suitable means of transport for your trip.

Check the weather and prepare suitable clothes: The weather here is often very cold, especially in the evenings. Therefore, you should bring warm items such as thick coats, scarves, gloves to keep your body warm. If you plan to participate in mountain climbing activities or explore difficult roads, preparing non-slip shoes is extremely necessary to ensure safety and comfort throughout the journey. Appropriate clothing will help you enjoy the Tet holiday more fully.

Learn about local festivals: Ha Giang is home to many unique festivals at the beginning of the year, however, the time and location of these festivals can change from year to year. Knowing the information in advance will help you plan your trip better and ensure that you do not miss out on the interesting and unique experiences that these festivals bring.

Note about means of transport: The roads leading up here have many steep and winding passes, especially when you drive a motorbike yourself. Therefore, it is very necessary to carefully check the condition of the vehicle before setting off. Make sure your vehicle is working well and there are no problems. In addition, you should prepare enough gas so that you do not run out during the trip.

Respect local culture: Local people highly value their customs, especially during festivals such as Tet. When participating in these activities, you should pay attention to choosing appropriate and polite clothes, and at the same time demonstrate civilized and respectful behavior. Your behavior needs to be carefully considered so as not to affect the daily life and cultural space of the people. These small but meaningful actions will help you connect better with local people and create beautiful memories during your trip.

Bring enough cash: In some places in Ha Giang, ATM services and electronic payment methods are still limited, so bringing cash will help you feel more comfortable in daily transactions. This is especially important for activities such as eating at local restaurants, traveling by taxi or motorbike taxi, as well as shopping for souvenirs or food. When you have enough cash, you will not have to worry about finding an ATM or not being able to pay when needed.

Traveling to Ha Giang during Tet holiday brings a very special experience that you should not miss. Prepare for your trip by taking note of important things to fully enjoy the beauty of Ha Giang during Tet holiday. Surely this will be a journey full of spring colors and memorable memories!