To many, the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang is a bucket list item - not only for its cuisine and beautiful landscapes but also for the poetic and adventurous roads which wind through its majestic landscapes. To get to Ha Giang, most visitors take a night bus from Hanoi and make it to the city by dawn, when thin lights begin to peak over nearby mountain tops and drive the cold away. Mountainous landscape in Ha Giang. Photo: Phuong Tran / Tuoi Tre News From there, a short bus ride is needed to reach Dong Van Town, where many tourists choose to begin their trip. As Dong Van is a mountainous locality with limited access, it would not be a surprise for travelers to find themselves sitting on unbelievably crowded bus, especially during high tourism seasons. After arriving, many choose to explore the locality on a motorbike rented from one of several services available in Dong Van. Dong Van’s old town is home to the area’s best accommodation. The neighborhood is filled with historic wooden houses that have been remodeled to welcome guests who wish to experience the local lifestyle. A woman carries a child on her back while walking on a path in Pho Cao Commune in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang's Dong Van District. Photo: Phuong Tran / Tuoi Tre News In the evenings, tourists can check out the night market for a taste of local specialties, such as “thang den” (a sweet dessert of rice flour balls cooked in a sugar water with sesame seeds and peanuts), “banh tam giac mach” (a cake made from buckwheat), grilled meat served with “com lam” (grilled rice stuffed in bamboo sticks), and “chao au tau” (porridge cooked with “au tau” - a local herb). Visitors should also be sure to check out Lung Cu Commune, about 40km from Dong Van, where there are dozens of opportunities to experience the lifestyle of the ethnic Lo Lo people. Women in traditional clothes of Lo Lo people are seen …
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