Pho Cao Ha Giang – Admire the Pristine Beauty of Dong Van

Discover the pristine beauty and cultural richness of Pho Cao, nestled in the highlands of Dong Van, Ha Giang, Vietnam. Hãy nghe Nguyễn Thế Dương (Quảng Ninh) một travel blogger nổi tiếng bật mí .

Pho Cao Ha Giang is known as a simple, pristine land, where "only the sky, earth, and flowers" bloom each spring. When you come to Pho Cao, you'll fall in love with the beauty of the buckwheat flower fields and be captivated by the winding, twisting mountain roads of the Northwest. Let's capture the essence of Pho Cao Ha Giang together!

                                                                                            Image source: Collected

Pho Cao is a valley located in the highlands of Northwest Vietnam, situated in Dong Van district, Ha Giang province. Pho Cao Ha Giang is renowned for its timeless, unspoiled beauty. The unique architecture of the yellow or red earthen houses, aged over time, is a sight to behold. Pho Cao enchants visitors with its ever-changing seasonal landscape: the pink hues of peach and plum blossoms, the brilliant yellow of terraced rice fields during harvest season, and the blooming buckwheat flowers of Ha Giang. You will feel as if you’ve stepped into a picturesque, fairy-tale-like landscape.

Pho Cao is also home to a community of four main ethnic groups: Hmong, Dao, Pu Peo, and Han. The people here lead a simple, peaceful life, and they are friendly and hospitable, warmly welcoming visitors from afar. One highlight you shouldn’t miss is the bustling Pho Cao morning market. This vibrant market adds both color and charm to Pho Cao, attracting many tourists.

As part of the Northwest region, Pho Cao showcases the beauty of all four seasons. If you visit Pho Cao Ha Giang in September or October, you will witness the mesmerizing beauty of vast, golden rice fields spread across the Northwest mountains.

From October to the end of November, Pho Cao dons a new attire woven from the enchanting pink, white, and purple hues of buckwheat flower fields.

Particularly from November to December, when the buckwheat flowers start to fade, mustard flowers begin to bloom, displaying their bright yellow colors. The mustard flower season here lasts until January of the following year. The breathtaking beauty of blue skies, white clouds, and vibrant flowers promises an unforgettable experience during your trip to Ha Giang.

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The first impression that captures visitors' lenses is the image of unique earthen houses found only in Pho Cao. Nestled between lush green cornfields and fragrant buckwheat flower fields, these yellow-walled houses with yin-yang tiled roofs stand in serene, ancient rows. The houses are built in a rectangular structure, with a single wide main door and no windows, replaced instead by small round windows high up. Despite their simplicity, these houses offer cool, airy spaces in summer and warmth in winter, mirroring the harmonious, warm-hearted nature of the people here.

The Pho Cao Ha Giang market, also known as the Dong Van market, vividly depicts the cultural life of the highland people. The Pho Cao market opens early in the morning when mist still lingers on the leaves and branches, so you should wake up early to join in. The market is held every six days and is a place where locals gather to trade goods.

                                                                                            Image source: Collected

While visiting Pho Cao Ha Giang, don’t miss the chance to explore the buckwheat flower fields nestled among the mountains, exuding a fragrant aroma. The buckwheat flowers swaying in the breeze carry the scent of the northern air, blending with the green mountains to create a picturesque, dreamlike scene. If you visit during the Lunar New Year when the mist covers the mountains, you can also admire the yellow mustard flowers and white plum blossoms adorning the hillsides and houses in this small valley.

Experiencing Pho Cao Ha Giang not only brings you closer to the majestic nature and colorful landscapes but also immerses you in a land rich in ethnic diversity and cultural heritage. If you’re seeking a peaceful, poetic getaway in Ha Giang away from the city’s hustle and bustle, Pho Cao is the ideal destination. Plan your trip to this northern frontier land soon!

Nguyễn Thế Dương (Quảng Ninh)