Attending local festivals is one way to experience Vietnam’s vibrant culture. One of the festivals that you might want to check out in Vietnam is the Ha Giang Buckwheat Flower Festival. Happening every autumn season between the months of October and November, the flower festival will treat you to a beautiful scenic view of the province that consists of several acres of a buckwheat flower plantation. Marvel at the massive flower plantation consisting of purple and white petals that create a dreamy effect on the incredible landscape. To help you in planning for your trip, here’s everything you need to know about the Ha Giang Buckwheat Flower Festival.
All About Ha Giang Province
The Buckwheat Flower Festival is taking place in Vietnam’s Ha Giang Province. Located in the northern part of the country, the province is known for its beautiful nature views that consist of granite and limestone hills, gorgeous rivers, and caves. Aside from marveling at the beautiful buckwheat flower plantation, there are several other things that you can do in Ha Giang. You can explore the Dong Van Plateau, Ma Pi Leng Pass, and Hoang Su Phi. The Quan Ba Pass is another popular tourist destination in Ha Giang known for its picturesque views that consist of terraced rice fields.
Ha Giang is about 300 km. away from Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city. From Hanoi, you can travel by bus to Ha Giang and the journey should take about 6 to 8 hours. Another option is to travel by train towards the town of Lao Cai for 8 hours and then take the bus going to Ha Giang for 4 hours. If you’re visiting during the festival, it’s a good idea to purchase your bus or train tickets in advance to guarantee seats.
The Buckwheat Flowers in Ha Giang
In Ha Giang, there are two types of buckwheat flowers. In the city of Cao Bang, the flowers here consist of white buds. On the other hand, most of the flowers in Ha Giang have purple buds. Just before the monsoon arrives, these tiny flowers start flourishing abundantly, flooding the entire rocky plateau and creating a truly captivating view.
The buckwheat flowers are truly charming and blend well with the green color of the lush forest in the surroundings. Its slender shape is full of energy and beauty, which is capable of overcoming the fierce challenges of nature. Right before autumn ends, the flowers will start looking even more splendid. Eventually, they will change colors, from white to purplish pink and finally, dark red. This is what makes the flowers truly fascinating.
The Buckwheat Flower Festival
In an effort to promote the region’s tourism potential, the government of Ha Giang decided to hold the Buckwheat Flower Festival. The festival features numerous displays of several buckwheat flower products, such as flower cakes, bouquets, flower paintings, art pieces, teas, and many more. There are also local performances and art displays that commemorate the blossoming of these gorgeous flowers. This yearly event has been attracting several travelers from around the world, especially couples who are enamored by the ethereal views of the flower plantation.
This year, the tourism authorities of Ha Giang have not yet released the actual date of the festival, but it’s expected to take place between the months of October and November. Travelers who are visiting the region can join in the festival in the Mai Pi Leng Pass and Dong Van Highlands. When visiting during autumn, you’ll have the opportunity to witness the majestic beauty of the flower fields consisting of white and purple buckwheat flowers that stretch across the hills. The Dong Van Highland is blanketed with buckwheat flowers during the months of November and December and the flower fields stretch across the mountainside towards the villages and fields. It passes along the famous Ma Pi Leng saddle, resulting in a beautiful plateau of pink color.
Important Tips to Keep In Mind
Thousands of visitors are expected to take part in the Ha Giang Buckwheat Flower Festival so it’s important that you plan your trip as early as possible. Consider booking your accommodations in advance. In Ha Giang, there are plenty of options when it comes to accommodation. For a more authentic experience, consider staying at local homestays and live with ethnic minorities. There are also hotels and backpacker hostels that cater to budget travelers.
It’s also worth noting that the province of Ha Giang enjoys cold weather during the autumn season so you should pack clothes that will make you feel comfortable. This is especially true if you plan on going out early in the morning or at nighttime. When traveling in a sleeper bus, a warm blanket will surely come in handy, as it often gets too chilly inside the bus. Of course, don’t forget to bring comfortable walking shoes that you can wear when exploring the flower fields.
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