I’m a photography enthusiast, and the landscapes in Northwest Vietnam seem incredible for capturing scenic views. Are there any specific spots that are particularly photogenic...
Ma Pi Leng pass is regarded as one of the "Four Great Passes of Vietnam", along with O Quy Ho pass, Khau Pha pass and Pha Din pass. Not only famous for its grand scenery, Ma Pi Leng is also renowned as a pass built entirely by human power.
Located on National Highway 4C in the territory of Pai Lung and Pa Vi communes, Meo Vac district, Ha Giang province, Ma Pi Leng is a steep pass about 20 km long that crosses the top of Ma Pi Leng. The pass is a part of the famous Happiness Road that connects Ha Giang city, Dong Van and Meo Vac.
The Ma Pi Leng pass is the most difficult and dangerous part of the Happiness Road
H'mong people named the pass after the Ma Pi Leng village, Pai Lung commune when the road was opened in the 1960s. In the dialect of the H'mong ethnic people, Ma Pi Leng means "horse nasal bridge". The name shows about the dangerous level and steep level, where even the wild horse cannot have enough energy to conquer. Only 20km length of the Happiness Road crossing the pass required 11 months and thousand working days to build.
Ma Pi Leng Peak lies at an altitude of 1,200m in the Dong Van Karst Plateau. From the top of Ma Pi Leng, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Dong Van Karst Plateau. The majestic mountain scenery, with steep cliff on one side and the deep abyss of jade green Nho Que river on the other side, can allure any visitor. The best time to go to Ma Pi Leng is from January to March because this is the blooming flower season for plum, peach, and mustard flowers. April is also a good time to go as there is Khau Vai love market. Whereas ripe rice will turn golden in September and buckwheat flowers bloom in November and December. These months are dry seasons in Ha Giang so the roads are also safer to move on.
In 2009, the Ma Pi Leng area was officially recognized as a national scenic relic. Anyone who has travelled through Ma Pi Leng pass once would be enchanted by the majestic and mysterious beauty of the pass that connects the two districts of Dong Van and Meo Vac. Wind, sun, clouds and the scenery makes Ma Pi Leng Pass as poetic as the magic land.
To see more about Ha Giang:
>> Tay Con Linh Mountain - the Roof of the Northeastern Vietnam
>> The Charm of Hoang Su Phi's People and Terraced Field
