Pho Bang ancient town is a land that seems to have been forgotten from the pace of modern life. This place still preserves unique and ancient cultural features that you should explore when traveling to Ha Giang. Let’s explore this ancient, beautiful town with Origin Vietnam.
1. Where is Pho Bang town?
Pho Bang town is located in the west of Dong Van district, Ha Giang province, in the Northeast region of Vietnam. This town is located close to the Vietnam-China border, about 120 km northeast of Ha Giang city and about 420 km southwest of Hanoi capital.
2. How is Pho Bang town unique?
Pho Bang town is located close to the border between Vietnam and China. The main residents living in Pho Bang town are H’Mong and Chinese ethnic people. The economic and administrative center of Dong Van district was formerly Pho Bang town. But since moving to Dong Van town, Pho Bang has worn a shirt with new colors.
No longer as vibrant and bustling as before, Pho Bang town today has a peaceful beauty. The climate in this town is also extremely fresh. The ancient houses located among the vast mountains and hills of the Northeast make anyone who once set foot in Pho Bang town remember them forever.
Unlike Meo Vac town, which is known to many tourists, Pho Bang has a more simple and simple beauty. In the town are houses covered with dirt and pieces of wooden doors. In front of the porch, the tarpaulins used to dry corn radiate a sparkling yellow color, and in the distance are children playing and playing. All blend together and create a gentle and peaceful picture of the town. Pho Bang is as a unspoiled destination in Ha Giang.
3. When is the best time to visit Pho Bang town?
Visitors can come to Pho Bang town at many times of the year. Each season at Pho Bang has its own beauty.
- The first months of the year are the time when Pho Bang town is filled with the colors of wild flowers, forests of peach blossom, plum blossom, pear blossom,… in full bloom, radiating fragrance.
- From May to June is the pouring water season, the water surface shimmers across the fields, like a giant mirror reflecting the poetic natural scenery.
- Travel to Pho Bang from August to October when the terraced fields turn bright yellow as the rice season arrives.
- From October to November is the season of buckwheat flower fields. Throughout the fields and mountainsides, a white pink color covers the space, stretching seemingly endlessly.
Besides, visitors can also choose a time to visit Pho Bang town during festivals. There are many unique festivals here. Such as: Gau Tao festival of the H’Mong people, Long Tong festival of the Tay people, Cap Sac festival of the Red Dao people,…
One thing to note is that the period from May to August is the rainy season in Ha Giang, you need to avoid or pay attention, consider and regularly update the weather situation before traveling to Pho Bang town. .
4. How to get to Pho Bang town?
4.1 From Hanoi to Ha Giang city
From Hanoi, tourists often choose to take a bus or rent a car to get to Ha Giang city. After arriving in Ha Giang city, you rent a motorbike to continue moving to Pho Bang. Or you can also book tours Ha Giang directly from Hanoi to Pho Bang town.
Tourists can easily catch a bus at bus stations: My Dinh, Giap Bat,… to go to Ha Giang city. There are many different departure times, which helps visitors be more proactive and flexible. However, most buses depart in the evening, you have time to rest on the bus, and the next morning you arrive in Ha Giang city to start your exploration journey.
4.2 From Ha Giang city to Pho Bang town
From Ha Giang city center, follow Highway 4C to Sung La intersection, turn left, from here you continue to move about 4 km more to reach Pho Bang town.
5. Activities and Experiences in Pho Bang town
5.1 Walking around Pho Bang town
Walking along the main roads in Pho Bang town, you will see ancient houses tinged with time with simple mud walls and yin-yang tiled roofs. Pho Bang people are also extremely friendly, you will easily see children playing in the yard. Old people sit and chew betel or women weave cloth in front of their houses. Don’t forget to ask to take a photo with them as a souvenir.
As far as the eye can see, visitors will see rolling hills and mountains hidden in the clouds of Pho Bang sky. Walking around this town, you will have a feeling of lightness and relaxation in your soul, far away from the bustle and noise of the city.
5.2 Attending the Lui market with local people
The Luu market will take place every 6 days, because there are 7 days in a week. So the next market will be one day later than the previous week. The Lui market will start at dawn, people will bring what they have to trade such as chickens, pigs, vegetables, fabrics, crafts, jewelry… and buy more necessary things.
Because the market is only held once a week, Lui market is also a place for people in Pho Bang town to meet and chat with each other, the bustling atmosphere is no different from a festival. Participating in the Lui market, you will find local specialties and see the extremely beautiful costumes of the people.
6. Specialties when traveling to Pho Bang town
After enjoying exploring Pho Bang, enjoy Ha Giang specialties here to make your trip more complete. Some delicious specialties that cannot be missed include;
- Smoked buffalo meat: This is a dish that you must try and can buy as a gift when traveling in Pho Bang town. The pieces of buffalo meat are marinated with many typical spices and then hung on the kitchen rack, creating an extremely excellent flavor. This dish often appears in the dinner tray on important occasions for local people.
- Corn wine: When you arrive in Pho Bang town, don’t forget to try some corn wine. The strong aromatic flavor has created a unique characteristic of Pho Bang corn wine that cannot be found anywhere else.
- Indigenous pork: Indigenous pig is a hybrid pig breed famous in Ha Giang for its deliciousness. When visiting Pho Bang town, don’t forget to try the dishes made from local pork.
7. Accommodation when traveling to Pho Bang town
When traveling to Pho Bang town, visitors can refer to some of the accommodation facilities below. Because there are not many accommodation establishments in Pho Bang town, moreover the distance from here to Dong Van town is not too far. Therefore, most tourists coming here stay in Dong Van town.
7.1 Hotels:
- Thien Huong Hotel. Address: House number 23, 3/2 Street, Dong Van Town, Dong Van, Ha Giang.
- Hoang Van Hotel. Address: Group 2, Dong Van Town, Dong Van, Ha Giang.
- Bao Minh Hotel. Address: Old Quarter Junction, Dong Van Town, Dong Van, Ha Giang.
- Truong Anh Hotel. Address: Group 3, Dong Van Town, Dong Van, Ha Giang.
- Dai Lam Hotel. Address: 115 Tran Phu Street, Dong Van Town, Dong Van, Ha Giang.
7.2 Guesthouses:
- Quoc Toan Guesthouse. Address: House number 53, 3/2 Street, Dong Van Town, Dong Van, Ha Giang.
- Military Guest House. Address: Group 5, Dong Van Town, Dong Van, Ha Giang.
- Green Karst Hostel. Address: 68 Tran Phu Street, Dong Van Town, Dong Van, Ha Giang.
- Van Hoa Guesthouse. Address: Pho Bang town, Dong Van district, Ha Giang.
- Pho Bang Guesthouse. Address: Pho Bang town, Dong Van district, Ha Giang
7.3 Homestays:
- Hao Quang Homestay. Address: Group 5, Dong Van Town, Dong Van, Ha Giang.
- Homestay Ma Le. Address: Ma Le, Dong Van, Ha Giang.
- Lam Giang Homestay Dong Van. Address: Tran Phu, Dong Van Town, Dong Van, Ha Giang.
- Homestay Phuc Anh. Address: No. 69 Tran Hung Dao, Yen Minh town, Ha Giang.
- Plum Homestay. Address: Xom Moi Village, Dong Van Town, Dong Van, Ha Giang.
8. Some important notes when traveling to Pho Bang town
The journey to discover Pho Bang will be more convenient and comfortable if you know how to prepare yourself carefully. Below are a few experiences exploring Pho Bang Ha Giang that you can refer to:
- Remember to constantly update the weather for your trip in Ha Giang. Because Pho Bang is a place with a highland climate, so cold, rainy weather will affect your exploration journey.
- If traveling by motorbike, check the vehicle and fuel carefully before moving. Be fully equipped with helmets, necessary vehicle documents such as ID card/CCCD, driver’s license, make sure the steering wheel is steady and alert enough throughout the long journey.
- Prepare enough warm clothes to avoid catching a cold, affecting your trip experience.
- Please preserve the scenery and surrounding environment by disposing of trash in the right place.
- If possible, remember to bring candy, books, school supplies and clothes to share with children in highland areas.
- And don’t forget to prepare camera accessories, costumes, and full makeup, to be ready to take beautiful photos.
Nestled between majestic and poetic mountains, Pho Bang town is an ideal destination for those who are looking for a peaceful place. To help make your travel to Pho Bang town more convenient, safe and economical, please immediately contact Origin Vietnam – the best travel agency in Hanoi for tours to Ha Giang. With a team of consultants, tour operators and experienced and dedicated local guides. We will accompany you on your journey to explore the travel beauty of Ha Giang and commit to bringing you the most interesting experiences and unforgettable moments.
It’s Great For
- Photographer, natural lover, small group tour, private tour and solo traveler
Images Source: Internet
