Ma Pi Leng Pass has become one of the symbols and pride of the Vietnamese people. This legendary pass is the reason why many tourists and backpackers from all over the world do not mind the distance to come to Ha Giang – the northernmost land of the country and seek to conquer it.

Ma Pi Leng – King of the passes

Ma Pi Leng, also known as Ma Pi Leng in the ethnic language, means “horse’s nose”. The pass is located on National Highway 4C, Pa Vi and Pai Lung communes, Meo Vac district, Ha Giang province. With its rare steepness, danger and majesty, Ma Pi Leng is known as one of the four great mountain passes of our country.

Ma Pi Leng Pass is about 20km long and located at an altitude of about 1200m above sea level. This is the main route connecting Ha Giang city, Dong Van and Meo Vac town. Coming to Ma Pi Leng is a journey to explore the majestic nature, learn about the history of the nation and immerse yourself in the unique cultural beauty of the ethnic minorities in the northern mountainous region.

Panoramic view of the winding mountain pass.@disantrangan.vn

Compared to the remaining four great mountain passes, Ma Pi Leng is more special because its history is closely linked to the road named Happiness. This road was built by the sweat and blood of 1,300 young volunteers and more than 1,000 laborers from 16 different ethnic groups in the 60s of the last century. The road was completed after nearly 8 years of carving. For the Ma Pi Leng pass alone, 17 young men had to hang themselves on the cliff for 11 months to complete it.

Today, visitors can visit the Happy Road Museum.@motogo.vn

The best time to conquer Ma Pi Leng Pass

At each time of the year, Ha Giang wears a different beauty. Therefore, tourists and backpackers can come to Ma Pi Leng in any season.

From January to March, Ha Giang is covered with faded pink passes and pure white plum blossoms.

April is the time of the Khau Vai love market, which only happens once a year.

May is the season when water pours down on the wide terraced fields, as beautiful as a wonder created by human hands.

September is the season of golden ripe rice on terraced fields, creating a majestic natural scene and attracting many photographers to “hunt” for their own artistic masterpieces.

October – November is buckwheat flower season and the time of the buckwheat flower festival.

December is the season of canola flowers and also the cold winter in Ha Giang, it is easy to have snowfall.

Ma Pi Leng is beautiful in every season.@motogo.vn

Means of transport to Ma Pi Leng Pass

Tourists from the Central and Southern provinces who want to conquer this great pass need to go to Hanoi by bus, train or book a plane ticket to Hanoi. From Noi Bai airport, tourists can book an airport shuttle to get to the city center very conveniently. From Hanoi, tourists can go to Ha Giang by sleeper bus or limousine. When arriving in Ha Giang, tourists can rent a motorbike to conquer Ma Pi Leng pass .

Experienced drivers who want to travel by motorbike from Hanoi can choose the following route:

Route 1: From the starting point, go towards Thang Long bridge -> turn to Viet Tri, Phu Tho -> go through Tuyen Quang to reach Ha Giang.
Route 2: From the starting point, go towards Son Tay -> to Trung Ha bridge -> go through Co Tiet -> to Phong Chau bridge -> go up to Doan Hung -> turn towards Tuyen Quang -> go straight on National Highway 2 to reach Ha Giang.

Memorable experience when conquering Ma Pi Leng Pass

Conquer the “king of passes” and enjoy the majestic nature

Ma Pi Leng Peak is located at an altitude of 1,200m. Ma Pi Leng consists of 9 dangerous bends. On one side of the pass are extremely fierce vertical cliffs, on the other side is a deep abyss. On the way, you will see the Nho Que River, Tu San Gorge and Dong Van Stone Plateau – a plateau formed by limestone sediments more than 400 years ago. All that you can enjoy along the way is not simply beautiful nature but truly masterpieces of creation, enough to make visitors stand still or forget to blink.

The winding and dangerous Ma Pi Leng Pass @Wikipedia

Cruise on Nho Que River

On your journey to conquer Ma Pi Leng, don’t miss the opportunity to experience a boat ride on the Nho Que River. The boat will take you through Tu San Canyon – considered the deepest canyon in Southeast Asia, located at the foot of Ma Pi Leng Pass .

Nho Que River originates from Nghiem Son mountain (China) at an altitude of 1,800m and then flows into our country in Lung Cu commune (Dong Van, Ha Giang). Then, the river continues down Tu San gorge, along Ma Pi Leng before splitting into two branches in Meo Vac. Most of the year, the river water has a very special emerald green color. This river has been recognized as a Vietnam Scenic Monument and is one of the unique Tectonic Valleys in our country.

Nho Que River with its legendary green color.@baohagiang.vn

Visit famous landmarks

On the journey to conquer Ma Pi Leng, visitors also have the opportunity to visit famous landmarks such as:

The King’s Palace or the Meo King’s Palace is a unique architectural work built in the late 19th century with many mysterious stories surrounding it.
Lung Cu Flagpole is located on the top of Dragon Mountain at an altitude of about 1,470m above sea level. The flagpole is built in an octagonal shape quite similar to the Hanoi flagpole. At the foot of the pole is a memorial house displaying artifacts about the life and people of Ha Giang. Lung Cu Flagpole has a staircase to the top. At the top of the flagpole, the Vietnamese national flag flutters.
Dong Van Ancient Town is located at an altitude of 1,000m to 1,600m above sea level. The hundred-year-old roofs are located between the quiet and ancient mountains and hills. This is also the place where highland markets or exciting festivals take place.

Any tourist coming to Ha Giang wants to check in here.@baodantoc.vn

Take pictures of the flower seasons

Tourists can conquer Ma Pi Leng Pass in any season of the year. Because in Ha Giang, each season is a different flower season: peach blossom, plum blossom, buckwheat flower, mustard flower… And in every season, Ha Giang also treats tourists with poetic natural scenery. This is also the reason why every season attracts a large number of photographers to Ma Pi Leng or Ha Giang.

Buckwheat flower season in Ha Giang.@vnexpress

Enjoy Ha Giang specialties

Coming to Ma Pi Leng, visitors should not miss the opportunity to enjoy famous Northwest specialties such as thang co, dried buffalo meat, Chinese sausage, grilled moss, corn wine, buckwheat cake, sour pho, grilled pork… In Ha Giang, there are also many places selling specialties for you to buy as gifts.