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Dong Van Ancient Town is a famous attraction in Ha Giang province, Vietnam. It has a nostalgic but vibrant atmosphere that you can find in any ancient towns, however, because of the local culture and location, you will find some distinct features when being in this old town. Find out more about Dong Van Ancient town with Izitour before embarking on your Ha Giang excursion.
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Where is Dong Van ancient town?
Located at an altitude of around 1,000 and 1,600 metres above sea level, Dong Van ancient town belongs to Dong Van district, amidst the mountains and undulating forests.It is no exaggeration to say that its beauty is really an impressive point of this arid rocky plateau. On your Ha Giang tour, it would be a pity if you missed the opportunity to discover the beautiful antiques of Dong Van ancient quarter.
The old quarter of Dong Van
Dong Van ancient town history
Previously, the Dong Van ancient town was just a wild valley, sparsely populated. By the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, when the French occupied Ha Giang, they intended to turn this area into a busy trading centre. Therefore the Dong Van market was built, followed by many old houses that were then also constructed in two rows surrounding the market and extending to the foot of the mountain. At that time, there were only some Tay, Hoa and Hmong families migrating to the area and settling. Later, the district became more lively as the Nung, Dao and Kinh people gradually settled there.
Old people living in the neighbourhood recited that during the Lunar New Year in 1923, a big fire broke out in Dong Van Old Quarter area. That fire burned down almost all the houses and shops that were roofed with thatched leaves. The French colonialists at that time re-planned and had a number of Tay and Mong people to hire Chinese workers to design and build today's market. The ancient market consists of 15 market stalls, divided into 3 symmetrical rows to form a U-shaped architecture. The stone pillars are carved intricately as large as 3 - 4 people hugging.
How to get to Dong Van ancient town?
To get there from Hanoi, visitors must first transfer to Ha Giang city. You could take a bus or take a Ha Giang tour from Hanoi. The route is quite long but easy to travel, so don't worry much.
The route from Ma Pi Leng Pass to Ha Giang
It is about 100 km from Ha Giang city to Dong Van town. The route has many curves, inclines and dangerous passages. Therefore, if you are not good at driving, it is best to have a local driver to ensure safety.
When to go to Dong Van?
Dong Van ancient town is charming in all four seasons, attracting both domestic and foreign tourists. However, the quiet old town suddenly becomes more lively during the festival season, particularly during the Ha Giang buckwheat flower season, which takes place from October to early December.
During these months, in addition to discovering the nostalgic beauty of the Dong Van old town, visitors also have the opportunity to immerse in the fragrance of the buckwheat flower. And don't miss the chance to taste buckwheat pie and wine.
The red buckwheat flowers
The ancient beauty of Dong Van ancient town
As the residence of only 40 families, it forms a neighbourhood hidden under the rocky cliffs. The appearance of the old town of Ha Giang has the yellow colour of the sun, the green of the mountains and the nostalgic colour of the time-faded houses.
Arriving there, visitors will admire an extremely impressive type of architecture with rows of old two-storey houses. The roof is covered by the yin and yang tiles, a typical architectural style of ethnic minority groups' houses in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam. Red lanterns hanging in front of the doors of some houses make the space more lovely.
The neighbourhood seems to change colour according to the time of the day. If you take a 3-day 2-night trip to Ha Giang, you can see that early in the morning the old quarter is covered in the bright yellow of the sun, and its atmosphere is quiet and peaceful. Step outside and breathe in the fresh, pure air offered by nature. In the late afternoon, the whole district wears a gentle, romantic beauty. In the evening light, the lanterns are lit, making the entire neighbourhood glitter and fanciful.
Things to do in Dong Van ancient town
Being chill at Pho Co Cafe
If you plan to come to Dong Van's Old Quarter, don't miss the chance to 'make a date' at the cafeteria called Pho Co Cafe. It is redesigned from a hundred year old house. It seems that the passage of time has not faded the beauty of this tiny café, but added the impressive nostalgic colour.
Pho Co Cafe
The space of the cafe is quite large with an open courtyard. Tourists are mostly attracted by the very nostalgic beauty that evokes old memories. If someone stops by this address once, they will surely be enchanted and remembered forever.
Just a few minutes' walk from the old houses, on the first floor are tables and chairs made of very natural bamboo. On the second floor there is a place where visitors can spend a quiet moment enjoying the beauty of the old area. The only source of light comes from the red lanterns that make the space even more glittering and magical.
Visiting the Dong Van Old Market
Not only admiring the old moss-covered and mythical houses, tourists visiting Dong Van Old Town can also discover traditional highland culture through the weekend markets of Ha Giang. In addition to being a commercial centre where the local people trade their goods, the Dong Van market also plays the role as a place where boys and girls come to make friends and find lovers. Ethnic girls in colourful brocade costumes smile as beautiful as the sunshines. Strolling through the market, travellers will find many unique souvenirs to give to relatives and friends.
The ancient Dong Van market is an intersection of delicate Vietnamese and Chinese architecture. Built around 1925-1928, today, the site has become a unique combination of the nature, mountains and the slow pace of life of the highlands' inhabitants.
Taste the culinary speciality of Ha Giang
If you have the opportunity to visit the Dong Van central area, don't forget to stop at restaurants along the way and taste the special local cuisine. Some famous dishes not to be missed include smoked buffalo jerky, rice cooked in bamboo trunk, five-coloured sticky rice, Au tau porridge, Thang co, egg steamed rice rolls,...
Steamed rice roll with egg and Vietnamese sausages
The Dong Van ancient town is truly a destination that offers travel lovers unforgettable emotions in life. The nostalgic, rustic scenery and sincere people here fascinates many visitors who do not want to leave this land.
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