Authentic Experience of Sapa
Key Takeaways
- Ha Giang and Sapa are provinces in northern Vietnam, covering 7,884 square kilometers.
- Ha Giang shares borders with Cao Bang, Yen Bai, Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang, and China.
- Established in 1891, Ha Giang’s history dates back to the Hung Kings period.
- The province has diverse topography, including karst plateaus, highlands, and flat lowland areas.
- Ha Giang has a tropical monsoon climate with high rainfall, fog, and mild temperatures.
Hà Giang and Sapa is a province in the Northeast region of Vietnam. To the east, it borders Cao Bằng Province, while to the west, it shares a border with Yên Bái and Lào Cai Provinces. To the south, Hà Giang, Sapa is next to Tuyên Quang Province, and to the north, it borders the People’s Republic of China. The province covers an area of 7,884.37 square kilometers. The widest distance from west to east is 115 kilometers, and from north to south, it is 137 kilometers. The northernmost point of Hà Giang, also the northernmost point of Vietnam, is about 3 kilometers east of Lũng Cú. The westernmost point is about 10 kilometers southwest of Xín Mần, and the easternmost point is about 16 kilometers east-southeast of Mèo Vạc.
Join Authentic Experience in Sapa
Sapa 1 Day
1 day experience,Rice fields, valley, villages. Moderate to challenging, Private,Vegan-friendlyCultural immersion & active adventure
Motorbike Tour
1 day experience,Rice fields,waterfall.Challenging,Private tours friendly Cultural immersion, active adventure
Sapa 2 Days
2 days 1 night experience. Moderate to challenging, adventure. Mountains, valleys, rice fields and villages. Vegan-friendly
Sapa 3 Days
3 days 2 night experienc, Moderate to challenging. Mountains, valley, rice fields & villages. Private tours. Vegan-friendly
History of formation
Ha Giang province was officially established on August 20, 1891, and re-established on October 1, 1991.
During the time of the Hung Kings, Ha Giang was part of one of the 15 regions of the ancient Lac Viet state. When King An Duong Vuong of the Thuc Dynasty ruled Au Lac, Ha Giang was within the Tay Vu tribe.
Under a thousand years of northern rule, Ha Giang was still part of Tay Vu district in Giao Chi County.
By 1075, during the Ly Dynasty, Ha Giang belonged to Binh Nguyen Province.
At the beginning of the Tran Dynasty, Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang areas were part of Tuyen Quang Province under Quoc Oai territory. In 1397, it was changed to Tuyen Quang Province.
The name Ha Giang first appeared in an inscription on the bell at Sung Khanh Pagoda (Dao Duc commune, Vi Xuyen district) when it was restored in 1707, during the reign of King Le Du Tong.
In 1835, during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang, Bao Lac province was divided into two districts: Vinh Dien (now parts of Bac Me, Yen Minh, and Quang Ba) and De Dinh (now parts of Bao Lac in Cao Bang, as well as Dong Van and Meo Vac). The Lo River was used as the boundary, dividing Vi Xuyen into two new administrative units: Vinh Tuy on the right bank and Vi Xuyen on the left.
In 1842, during the reign of Emperor Thieu Tri, the Nguyen Dynasty split Tuyen Quang into three regions: Ha Giang, Bac Quang, and Tuyen Quang. Ha Giang province had one district called Tuong Yen and four counties: Vi Xuyen, Vinh Tuy, Vinh Dien, and De Dinh.
In 1844, the Emperor allowed border counties, including Ha Giang, to keep their local rulers, but by Emperor Tu Duc’s time, this system was abolished nationwide.
In 1887, after France had taken control of most of southern and northern Vietnam, French colonialists took over Ha Giang and replaced the ruling system by establishing military regions.
On August 20, 1891, Ha Giang province was founded, including Tuong Yen and Vinh Tuy districts (previously part of Tuyen Quang).
In 1893, during a military reorganization, Ha Giang became the center of a military zone, joining with Tuyen Quang to form the 3rd Military Region.
On September 17, 1895, the Governor-General of Indochina signed Decision No. 1432, dividing the 3rd Military Region into three provinces: Tuyen Quang, Bac Quang, and Ha Giang. Ha Giang included Vi Xuyen District (except Phu Loan and Bang Hanh communes), as well as Phuong Do and Tuong Yen communes.
On April 28, 1904, the Governor-General of Indochina merged Bac Quang and Ha Giang into Ha Giang Military Region. By this time, Ha Giang’s borders were clear and fairly stable.
Before the August Revolution in 1945, Ha Giang had 4 districts and 1 town: Bac Quang, Vi Xuyen, Dong Van, Hoang Su Phi, and Ha Giang Town.
On March 23, 1959, President Ho Chi Minh signed a decree dissolving the Lao-Ha-Yen Zone and merging Ha Giang province into the Viet Bac Autonomous Zone.
In April 1976, Ha Tuyen province was formed by combining Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang.
On August 12, 1991, during the 9th session of the 8th National Assembly, Ha Tuyen was divided into two provinces: Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang. Ha Giang province was re-established with 10 administrative units: Ha Giang Town and 9 districts, with the capital in Ha Giang Town.
On December 1, 2003, the government issued Decree No. 146/NĐ-CP establishing Quang Binh District, Ha Giang province.
On September 27, 2010, the Prime Minister issued Resolution No. 35/NQ-CP establishing Ha Giang City under Ha Giang province.
Geography
Ha Giang is a mountainous province in northern Vietnam, located at the country’s northernmost point. It has a special strategic importance with a 274 km-long border with China to the north and west. To the east, it borders Cao Bang province, to the south, Tuyen Quang, and to the west and southwest, Lao Cai and Yen Bai provinces.
The total area of Ha Giang is 7,929.5 square kilometers.
At the northernmost tip of Ha Giang, which is also Vietnam’s northernmost point, lies Lung Cu, located about 3 km to the east. Its northern latitude is 23°13’00”. The westernmost point, about 10 km southwest of Xin Man, has a longitude of 104°24’05”. The easternmost point is about 16 km southeast of Meo Vac, with a longitude of 105°30’04”.
As of now, Ha Giang has 1 city, 10 districts, 5 wards, 13 towns, and 177 communes.
In 2021, the province had an estimated population of 887,086 people, with 49.46% being female. Urban residents made up 15.82% of the population.
Topography
Ha Giang and Sapa is located in northern Vietnam’s high mountainous region, with elevations ranging from 800 to 1,200 meters above sea level. The area is full of high mountains, with 49 peaks ranging from 500 to 2,500 meters. Ha Giang can be divided into three main topographical regions:
- Northern Highlands (Dong Van Karst Plateau): Comprising districts like Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Meo Vac, 90% of the area is limestone mountains, typical of karst terrain with sharp peaks and deep valleys. Dong Van Karst Plateau became a member of the Global Geoparks Network in 2010.
- Western Highlands: Covering Hoang Su Phi and Xin Man districts, this area is part of the Bac Ha plateau, with elevations from 1,000 to over 2,000 meters, featuring dome-shaped hills and rugged landscapes.
- Lowlands: Including districts like Bac Me, Ha Giang City, Vi Xuyen, and Bac Quang, this area has old forests and relatively flat valleys along rivers and streams.
Climate
Ha Giang has a tropical monsoon climate, with cool and cold weather, different from the warmer eastern provinces but warmer than the western regions. Rainfall is plentiful, with an annual average of about 2,300-2,400 mm. Some areas, like Bac Quang, receive over 4,000 mm of rain annually. Humidity averages 85% year-round, and the province experiences frequent thunderstorms, fog, and drizzle. It also has high humidity and mild temperatures, creating favorable conditions for both local life and production.
Join Authentic Experience in Sapa
Sapa 1 Day
1 day experience,Rice fields, valley, villages. Moderate to challenging, Private,Vegan-friendlyCultural immersion & active adventure
Motorbike Tour
1 day experience,Rice fields,waterfall.Challenging,Private tours friendly Cultural immersion, active adventure
Sapa 2 Days
2 days 1 night experience. Moderate to challenging, adventure. Mountains, valleys, rice fields and villages. Vegan-friendly
Sapa 3 Days
3 days 2 night experienc, Moderate to challenging. Mountains, valley, rice fields & villages. Private tours. Vegan-friendly
