When mentioning Ha Giang, Du Gia Market in Yen Minh commune remains an unknown destination. In this region in northern Vietnam, nestled among majestic limestone mountains and colorful flower fields, you will discover Du Gia Ethnic Market. There, you can meet various ethnic groups and explore their unique cultures. Find out in the article below why you should visit Du Gia Market in Ha Giang.
Du Gia Market (Vietnamese name: Du Già) is located in Du Gia commune, Yen Minh district, about 70 km from Ha Giang city. Du Gia is a place with majestic karst mountains, at the foot of which are the villages of the Tay and Hmong ethnic groups, nestled along Nho Que River, whose water is emerald blue all year round.
Du Gia in Yen Minh, is still quite a new destination for tourists visiting Ha Giang, compared to Quan Ba, Dong Van, and Meo Vac. The road to Du Gia is also more difficult and perilous due to the winding passes. However, once you admire the wild and majestic natural landscapes, as well as discover the villages and Du Gia Market, you will find that your journey is entirely worth it.
A small tip: it is better to have a local guide, a means of transport with a private driver if this is your first visit to Ha Giang, to have a complete experience.
Like other Ha Giang ethnic markets, Du Gia Market is held only once a week, on Fridays. On market day, ethnic groups such as the Hmong, Tay, and Dao prepare eagerly, dressed in their finest clothes to go to Du Gia Market.
There, locals bring products they have cultivated and produced at home to exchange and sell. You will mainly see stalls selling agricultural and food products like rice, potatoes, corn, pork, and chicken, etc.
In addition to the atmosphere of Du Gia Market, you will be impressed by the lively ambiance of the local inhabitants. Everyone wears colorful traditional costumes. Given that Du Gia Market only takes place once a week, it feels like a weekly event that the community participates in with enthusiasm.
The first thing that will impress you is the beautiful nature of Du Gia in Ha Giang. You will have the chance to enjoy a clear blue sky with a sea of white clouds, beneath which lie charming small villages next to vast rice terraces.
In particular, by visiting Du Gia, you can discover the Tham Luong Waterfall and immerse yourself in its crystal-clear waters. The scenery here is always vibrant, from the villages to the mountains and forests, creating an enchanting attraction that makes anyone want to stop.
Du Gia Market is one of the notable attractions that draw many visitors to Yen Minh, Ha Giang. At this ethnic market, you'll encounter various ethnic groups. Young men and women, dressed in their traditional colorful costumes and adorned with handmade jewelry, resemble those at a festival.
You'll have the opportunity to see what an ethnic market in Ha Giang is like. The products here are very diverse, ranging from food items like rice, corn, meat, and fruits to handicrafts such as silver jewelry, embroidered items with traditional patterns like wallets, handbags, and typical clothing of the ethnic minorities in northern Vietnam.
Additionally, Du Gia Market offers a very interesting activity: a love market that takes place from the evening of the sixth day until the seventh day of the second week of the third lunar month. Locals refer to it as the "Phong Luu Love Market" – a place where young men and women from remote villages have the chance to meet, chat, and form couples.
The commune of Du Gia in Ha Giang is home to 14 ethnic villages with over 8,000 people belonging to the Tay, Hmong, Dao, and other ethnic groups. The inhabitants of these villages are mainly farmers. As a result, foreigners who visit the ethnic villages in Du Gia always find the local people very kind, simple, and warm in welcoming tourists to their villages.
The villages of Du Gia have a unique and peaceful beauty with stilt houses, ponds, fields, and gardens nestled in the valleys. The best times to stroll around Du Gia are early in the morning and at dusk, as the weather is neither too hot nor too cold and the scenery is very poetic.
The backpacker hostels in Du Gia, Ha Giang, are all created directly by the ethnic residents living in the village to attract tourists. Here, you can taste specialties from the Tay and Hmong ethnic groups, participate in local tourist activities, such as walks to visit the village and Du Gia Ethnic Market, to fully experience the local daily life. Although they are not as modern as in the city, almost all homestays and hostels in Du Gia have essential amenities like the internet, beds, and sanitary facilities.
- Adresse : Coc Pang Village, Du Gia Commune, Yen Minh District, Ha Giang Province
- Room Rates: 200,000 - 900,000 VND/room/night
- Address: Khac Village, Du Gia Commune, Yen Minh District, Ha Giang Province
- Room Rates: 160,000 - 1,000,000 VND/room/night
This accommodation is located on a small hill in Du Gia Commune, about 200 meters from the village center. This guesthouse features distinctive architecture with a thatched roof, wooden posts and beams combined with stone walls, creating a very clean, warm, and solid space. The rooms are relatively well-equipped, with clean and well-maintained beds.
- Address: Cac Village, Du Gia Commune, Yen Minh District, Ha Giang Province
- Room Rates: 340,000 - 1,250,000 VND/room/night
Du Gia Panorama is located on a hill offering a direct view of a beautiful and peaceful valley. Here, you can enjoy the sunrise from your room. This homestay is close to attractions such as Du Gia Waterfall and the M-shaped Pass, which is convenient for visitors. It is also a model of a traditional stilt house homestay, infused with Ha Giang’s ethnic culture.
Ethnic villages and Du Gia Market are must-visit destinations on Ha Giang Loop. These still relatively unexplored places have retained many authentic characteristics, making them ideal for those seeking an authentic trip in Vietnam. If you need help planning your next trip to Southeast Asia, please contact Autour Asia, your Vietnam local tour operators, and our advisors will respond as soon as possible.
Besides Du Gia Market, there are many Ha Giang ethnic markets to explore. You can explore Meo Vac Market, Dong Van Market, Pho Cao Market and Quan Ba Market in Ha Giang. Each offers a unique glimpse into local ethnic cultures and traditional goods.
Du Gia Market is accessible by road from Ha Giang City. You can hire a local driver, rent a motorbike, or join a guided tour. The journey takes about 2-3 hours, depending on road conditions.
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