The Buckwheat Flower Festival in Ha Giang is the biggest flower festival of the year in Ha Giang. It is an opportunity for you to admire the beauty of the buckwheat flowers and participate in exciting experiential activities in this region.
1/ Introduction to the Ha Giang Buckwheat Flower Festival
1.1 About the Ha Giang Buckwheat Flower Festival
The Ha Giang Buckwheat Flower Festival is held annually on the rocky plateau of Ha Giang, the northernmost region of Vietnam. The purpose of this festival is to honor the beauty of the unique buckwheat flowers of this region and to showcase the cultural richness of the Mong ethnic people to visitors from all over the country.
Buckwheat flowers are small, delicate flowers with shades of pink and purple, and they typically bloom in November, marking the most vibrant festival season. If you have the opportunity to visit Ha Giang during this time, you must not miss the largest flower festival of the year.
1.2 Timing and Locations of the Ha Giang Buckwheat Flower Festival
The festival takes place when the buckwheat flowers are in full bloom, usually from October to November each year.
Various locations in Ha Giang host the Buckwheat Flower Festival, giving visitors choices such as Vạn Chải, Lũng Thầu, Sủng Là, Phố Cáo, Phố Là, the intersection of Lũng Táo – Ma Lé – Lũng Cú, and Đồng Văn town.
2/ Main Activities at the Ha Giang Buckwheat Flower Festival
2.1 Competitions and Events throughout the Festival
According to the provincial People’s Committee’s plan, the 9th Ha Giang Buckwheat Flower Festival in 2023 is expected to take place in October 2023, with the theme “The Stone Plateau Blooms with Flowers” at the Youth Square in Đồng Văn district, linked with the acceptance of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network membership for the Dong Van Karst Plateau for the third time.
To prepare for the festival, the four districts of the rocky plateau are cultivating a total area of 415 hectares of buckwheat in three stages, ensuring that the flowers will bloom continuously from mid-September to the end of December 2023. The districts have also designated locations for planting flowers, making it convenient for tourists to visit and take photos, including stops at the Heaven’s Gate viewpoint, Thạch Sơn Thần tourist spot (Quản Bạ), both sides of the road in Phố Cáo, Sủng Là, Lũng Cú (Đồng Văn), the Cultural Tourism Village of the Mong ethnic community, Pả Vi Hạ village in Pả Vi commune (Mèo Vạc), and more.
2.2 Fun Activities Following the provincial
People’s Committee’s plan, activities within the framework of the Buckwheat Flower Festival will take place from late September to December 2023. These activities and events include the Shan Tuyet Tea Competition of Ha Giang and the opening of the OCOP product exhibition space, featuring typical products from the Northeast region. Other activities include the awarding of prizes for the Shan Tuyet Tea Product Competition (scheduled for October 27), the Hà Giang Provincial Hot Air Balloon Festival (scheduled for September 22–24), the 5th International Marathon “Running on the Happiness Route” in Hà Giang Province (October 8), and the 4th Car and Motorcycle Off-Road Adventure Race “Spirit of Stone” in Hà Giang Province (scheduled for October 20–22).
Apart from the festival’s activities, visitors can enjoy various exciting experiences, such as boating on Nho Quế 1 hydroelectric reservoir, traditional weaving, crafting Mong musical instruments, participating in ethnic sports, and savoring traditional cuisines of the Hà Giang ethnic groups.
2.3 Admiring Buckwheat
Flowers The Ha Giang Buckwheat Flower Festival is not just about competitions and traditional games; it’s also a fantastic time to admire the buckwheat fields in full bloom on the rocky plateaus. These fields transform from white to stunning pink, resembling a delicate ribbon gifted by nature to the land of Ha Giang. Based on MIA.vn’s travel experience, you should visit Mèo Vạc district, home to the famous Mã Pì Lèng Pass, to witness the widest and most beautiful buckwheat fields.
3/ What to Eat During the Ha Giang Buckwheat Flower Festival
Here is a list of delicious dishes you shouldn’t miss when visiting Ha Giang during the chilly season:
- Buckwheat cake: This is a simple dish, costing around 10,000 VND per cake. The signature cake is made from buckwheat flour and steamed to perfection. To fully appreciate its flavor, it is recommended to enjoy it with thắng cố, a special dipping sauce.
- Ấu tẩu porridge: This is one of the famous local delicacies in Ha Giang made from a unique root known for its health benefits. Consuming Ấu tẩu porridge can lead to better sleep and overall well-being. You can find this dish at local markets in Đồng Văn or at evening eateries.
- Grilled moss: This unusual yet healthy dish has its origins with the Tày people and is a part of their daily meals in this region.
The Ha Giang Buckwheat Flower Festival seems to be not only a domestic festival but also an opportunity to showcase Ha Giang’s tourism on an international level. If you have the chance to explore Ha Giang, visit during this festival to admire the beauty of the buckwheat fields and experience the unique culinary traditions of the local people. Additionally, you can also participate in other exciting festivals in Ha Giang such as the Buckwheat Flower Festival, Fire Dancing Festival, and more. Enjoy your journey!
