Northern Viet: Ha Giang or Dien Bien Phu?

Hi, I will be in Vietnam for 5 weeks and plan on doing a fair amount, but I am not rushing around. I would like to choose between the Ha Giang area and Dien Bien Phu. I am going in July. Leaning towards Ha Giang, but maybe weather will be a problem. This may be a stupid question, but how could I get good specific weather info and travel warnings about Ha Giang in Hanoi before I go? What would be a specific detailed source that bus travelers could use? Also, not sure I have time for Ninh Binh. Is that a mistake? Thank you.

DBP is interesting only for people who like History ; not much left to see about the battle except Eliane 1 Hill, the HQ of General de Casties, the HQ of Giap 25 km away, and a nice museum. The region north of Ha Giang (Quang Ba/Dong Van/Meo Vac) is FABULOUS. Go there ! For weather, just type "meteo Dong Van" on Googles and click on "Accuweather"

Is it easy to explore Ha Giang (and Cao Bang) if I don't drive motorcycle at all?

What I remember most about DBP was the journey to and from which was spectacular and makes one marvel at how the N Vietnamese ever got all the equipment and men into position. I also enjoyed walking out in the hills around the town. I agree the town itself was not noteworthy

You ask about Ninh Binh but hard for anyone to tell you if it would be a mistake to miss it especially without an understanding of what would have to be missed

Is it easy to explore Ha Giang (and Cao Bang) if I don't drive motorcycle at all?

Yes. Either get a bus to Ha Giang then hire a bike + driver from the likes of QT (google QT Ha Giang) Or just use local buses to get around then pick up a xe om anywhere you want to explore.

Been to Ha Giang region 4 times so far and would happily go back 4 more. Been to Dien Bien Phu and all the way out to A Pa ChảiSín

There's a lot more bang for your $ in Ha Giang. Nobody who has been there has ever left disappointed.

You g to Ha Giang or Cao Bang by night bus and then minibus HG-Dong Van or Cao Bang-Bang Gioc. If Dong Van, you rent a taxi or a scooter driver for one day to go to Lung Cu and Saphin and up the fabulous Ma Pi Leng Pass up to Meo vac (no minibuses)

There's a lot more bang for your $ in Ha Giang. Nobody who has been there has ever left disappointed.

Really?

Anybody who leaves Ha Giang with disappointment probably carries around their very own bag of disappointment.

Ha Giang is a beautiful little town which I know very well, but a full day there is enough before going to Dong Van . Going just to Ha Giang does not make much sense !

No, my fault. I mean going all over the place there, not just the town.

Thank you very much for your helpful comments. I love history and that was one reason for my indecision, but you have convinced me to go to Ha Giang region!

and lastly, any thoughts on Ninh Binh?

I went to Dien Bien Phu, 3 years ago, it was 12 hours each way by bus, a long way and the town is not that interesting, even the sites I did not enjoy, many of the tanks have been removed or are under glass and metal roofs. I regret not going to Ha Giang area.

I came to Dien bien Phu from Laos, and it was just not what I expected, and having no real interest in war history,
I got on the next bus to Sapa, which was also not quite as I expected, too crowded and cold at night. Ninh binh (Tam coc), was glorious. If you have a spare night, it is well worth it.

HaGiang Province is superb - scenery is spectacular & there are many ethnic minorities to see. Ninh Binh is also well worth a visit. We did Hanoi, Mai Chau, HaGiang Province and Halong Bay on our first trip to Vietnam. We included Ninh Binh (and surrounding sights) on our second trip to Vietnam when we went from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and several places in between including Ninh Binh and also the Mekong Delta towns.
We (four of us) had a driver/guide with a SUV for 8 days to go from Hanoi to HaGiang Province, Babe Lake and back to Hanoi on our first trip.

I would like to suggest u explore Ha Giang, I was been in Ha Giang 4months ago but I still love to visit Ha Giang again even it's lack of sevice but I think that the things we want when we explore a beautiful nature place.

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.