Dong Van Old Quarter
Phố cổ Đồng Văn
A century-old town on the stone plateau, where earthen-walled, tile-roofed houses blending Chinese and Hmong styles surround a market, and the Sunday market is a grand gathering of many ethnic groups.
Dong Van Old Quarter sits in the center of Dong Van county, in a small basin ringed by limestone mountains. It took shape in the early 20th century, settled by Chinese, Tày and Hmong merchants. More than forty two-story old houses feature rammed-earth walls, yin-yang tiles, carved wooden doors and windows, and red lanterns, in a style similar to the border towns of Yunnan and Guangxi in China. In the middle of the old street stands a stone market built by the French in the 1920s (the Dong Van Old Market). Every Sunday morning, Hmong, Lolo, Tày, Yao and other ethnic groups come from surrounding mountain villages in festive dress to trade cattle, pigs, corn liquor, cloth and farm tools. It is also a gathering for friends and a place where young people meet potential partners, making it one of the most worthwhile markets in Ha Giang. At night the old street is hung with lanterns, with cafés and street food stalls. Try grilled corn, smoked meat, corn cakes and five-color sticky rice. Behind the old street is a stone fortress ruin built by the French (Đồn Pháp). The climb takes about 20 minutes and offers a panoramic view of the town. Most travelers on the Ha Giang Loop spend a night in Dong Van, using it as a base for Lung Cu and Ma Pi Leng.
Opening hours
All day; Sunday market about 06:00–12:00
Nearby sights
- Ma Pi Leng Pass
- Nho Que River & Tu San Canyon
- Lung Cu Flag Tower
- Lo Lo Chai Village
- Vuong Family Palace
- Meo Vac Market
- Lung Cam Cultural Village
- Pho Bang Town