Exploring Ha Giang’s Rocky Plateau and Cao Bang’s Terraced Valleys in the Year-End Season

As winter approaches in northern Vietnam, highland routes in Ha Giang, Cao Bang, and Lao Cai once again welcome an influx of travelers. This is widely considered the most beautiful time of the year, when crisp air, misty mountains, and golden sunlight blend into one atmospheric landscape. Visit Indochina is currently promoting a series of special year-end tours to these regions, offering attractive itineraries and competitive fares.

A picturesque mountain town in Northern Vietnam, wrapped in early winter fog and showcasing its signature European-inspired architecture.

Buckwheat Flower Valleys in Full Bloom

Every November, the Dong Van Karst Plateau in Ha Giang transforms as buckwheat flowers—an iconic symbol of northern highlands tourism—begin to bloom. Valleys in Pho Bang, Sung La, and Lung Cu are gently coated with pastel pink fields nestled between rugged mountains, creating scenery unlike anywhere else.

A young highland girl walks through a sea of wildflowers, capturing the gentle beauty of Northern Vietnam during year-end bloom season

At Ma Pi Leng Pass, the Nho Que River and the Tu San Canyon remain the centerpiece of every journey. Sightseeing boat services are now more professionally organized, allowing visitors to admire the emerald river framed by towering cliffs rising hundreds of meters high.

Highland markets such as Dong Van, Meo Vac, and Quan Ba are also essential stops. On weekends, these communities burst into vibrant sounds and colors as ethnic residents gather to trade goods, meet friends, and enjoy local food. Visitors can sample thang co, corn wine, or explore traditional flax-weaving workshops—one of the signature crafts of the Mong people.

Every traveler who sets foot in Meo Vac, Quan Ba, or Dong Van brings home cherished memories of a romantic yet culturally rich land. Despite the harsh conditions, the limestone mountains have shaped a unique way of life, where ethnic communities preserve their music, market traditions, and communal identity with pride.

Travelers enjoy panoramic views of Ha Giang’s lush valleys and terraced landscapes during the vibrant year-end travel season.

Breathtaking Ban Gioc Waterfall at Its Best

Located nearly 300km from Ha Giang, Cao Bang offers a serene and refreshing atmosphere during this season. Ban Gioc Waterfall—one of Cao Bang’s most recognizable icons—is now at its most stunning, with abundant water cascading over limestone terraces in vibrant jade-green hues. Newly upgraded viewpoints, bamboo-rafting areas, and photo spots allow travelers easier access to the landscape.

Other notable attractions include Nguom Ngao Cave—known for its magnificent stalactites—and Thang Hen Lake, a peaceful expanse of emerald water surrounded by forested mountains.

Visitors admire Ban Gioc Waterfall at its most beautiful time of year, when the emerald water flows powerfully across the limestone cliffs.

Cao Bang is also a historic landmark. Pac Bo Relic Site in Trung Khanh continues to draw thousands of visitors each year, especially students and international tourists interested in the revolutionary life of President Ho Chi Minh.

Immersive Local Cultural Experiences

From November until early spring, highland communities celebrate a vibrant festival season. Ha Giang hosts its annual Buckwheat Flower Festival, while Cao Bang is home to the traditional Quang Uyen Firecracker Festival of the Nung An people.

Many travelers choose to stay in local homestays such as Lo Lo Chai (Dong Van) or Ban Gioc (Trung Khanh) to experience authentic village life—sharing meals with locals, learning to distill corn wine, making buckwheat cakes, or practicing traditional flax weaving.

Children in vibrant traditional attire wander through Ha Giang’s famous buckwheat flower fields—an iconic symbol of the Northern highlands

A traditional highland village in Northern Vietnam, where ancient earthen houses and colorful cultural attire bring local heritage to life.

Choosing to travel through Northeast and Northwest Vietnam at year’s end means immersing yourself in breathtaking natural beauty while experiencing the cultural richness of the mountain communities in their most festive season.

Visit Indochina – Top 10 DMC in Vietnam

Trusted B2B Travel Partner across Thailand, Laos, Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, India & Indonesia.