Xin Man is a small district located in the mountainous region of the Northwest of Ha Giang province, approximately 150 km from the city center. It borders China to the north, Hoang Su Phi district to the east, Lao Cai to the west, and Quang Binh district to the south. Xin Man covers a total area of 587.02 km² with a resident population of around 68,000 people. Xin Man is home to various ethnic minorities, including the Tay, Nung, Hoa, Cao Lan, and Mong, among others.

Located on the route from Hoang Su Phi to Bac Ha, Xin Man somehow remains under the radar. Surrounded by terraced rice fields, the road to Xin Man is also the path to discovering the local ethnicities. They are distinguished by their traditional costumes, from which their names are derived. For example, the H'mong Hoa (Flower Hmong) or the H'mong Ðen (Black Hmong). The etymology, dating back to the early 20th century, is based on the main colors of their clothing, yet the Hmong themselves often cannot confirm its origin.

However, we’re not here to talk about the colorful costumes. What’s so special about Xin Man, Ha Giang? What is there to see and do over there? Is it worth a visit? Stick around and find out.

What to See in Xin Man, Ha Giang?

Tien Waterfall-Gio Pass

Tien Waterfall and Gio Pass are among the must-visits when in Xin Man, Ha Giang. To reach Thac Tien, you need to move to Coc Pai town and continue another 17 km. Located amid the pristine Deo Gio forest, Thac Tien appears dreamy and enchanting. You cannot help but be delighted by the fresh air and the sound of cascading water.

"If you haven't been to Deo Gio, you haven't been to Xin Man" is a phrase that backpackers usually say about one of the most rugged and picturesque routes in Ha Giang. Deo Gio is in Nam Dan commune, one of the focal points for tourism in the western part of Ha Giang. Crossing Deo Gio is to immerse yourself in majestic nature and feel a sense of serenity all while having a rush of adrenaline, following the winding mountain pass.

Suoi Thau Grassland

Suoi Thau grassland is about 5 km away from Coc Pai town, and the road is relatively challenging. Because of that, this place is less touristy, maintaining its pristineness. 

With overlapping hills and vast rice fields, comparing Suoi Thau grassland to an impressionist painting would still be an understatement. 

Suoi Thau is also an ideal viewpoint to fully appreciate the beauty of the communes in Xin Man district, such as Thu Ta, Coc Re, Pa Vay Su, and Ta Nhiu. From here, you will see closely packed houses of ethnic minorities and the locals in traditional colorful costumes.

Nam Dan Ancient Rock Field

Nam Dan Ancient Rock Field is situated near the Nam Khoong stream, within the territory of Nam Dan commune, Xin Man district. Locals also refer to this place by another name, "Nà Lai Shứ" or "cánh đồng nhiều chữ" (a field with many words). This location has been recognized as a national relic due to its significant historical and cultural values.

This ancient rock field consists of 7 large rock slabs and 2 small ones, carved with over 80 drawings and about 80 basins, following specific patterns, including circles, rectangles, squares, etc. These rock slabs have been said to date back over 1000 years, and the engravings were created using hammers and iron. The Nam Dan rock field in Xin Man, Ha Giang, shares many similarities with the ancient rock field in Sapa. Each drawing carved on the rock beach carries its own meaning. There are symbols representing vitality and traces of ancient worshipping rituals of the Stone Deity.

Thien Thuy Cave

Thien Thuy Cave is situated deep within the mountain range in the area of Na Ly village, Nan Ma commune, Xin Man, Ha Giang. This location is 13 km southwest of Coc Pai town, renowned for its association with many famous historical sites and breathtaking, majestic natural landscapes. Thien Thuy Cave in Ha Giang is located at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level, part of the Hoa Da mountain range, also known as Khoan Pang.

The cave has three entrances, all of which are relatively small and narrow. The entrances, about 5 meters deep, allow only one person to pass through at a time. About 10 meters in, you will encounter cool water pools that are over 20 cm deep. These water pools contribute to the cave's name, Thien Thuy, which translates to "Heavenly Water."

Coc Pai Night Market

The Coc Pai night market in Xin Man is a well-known tradition. However, this area remains one of the poorest in Ha Giang, and getting there wasn’t always as easy. In the past, locals had to carry goods on their shoulders or use horses to transport items to the night market. The market area consists of approximately 40-50 stalls, offering souvenirs, Ha Giang specialties, and freshly harvested local produce that are exceptionally delicious.

It’s not only a lively market but also a venue where people can participate in traditional games, including balloon popping, tug-of-war, sack races, and many others. Don’t miss out on the amazing food; you’ll find many specialties of the region, like a bowl of sour pho with various toppings, or buffalo meat cooked with spicy and flavorful mac khen, etc.

The market is organized regularly on Saturday evenings in the center of Coc Pai town, Xin Man, Ha Giang.

When to Visit Xin Man, Ha Giang

Like any other place in Ha Giang, stopping by Xin Man in September and October, you will have the opportunity to admire the incredibly captivating golden terraced rice fields, stacking on top of one another.

After October comes the season of buckwheat flowers, which is one of the symbols of Ha Giang. Buckwheat flowers, with their shades of pink and light purple, cover the hillsides in November.

How to Get to Xin Man, Ha Giang?

There are multiple bus companies that offer rides to Ha Giang, such as Bang Phan, Quang Nghi, Dang Quang, and Cau Me, with many choices, from limousines to fully equipped sleeper buses. The ticket prices vary from 270,000 VND to 550,000 VND, with bus rides from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm daily. From Ha Giang, you can rent motorbikes to reach Xin Man, which costs from 150,000 VND to 180,000 VND per day. You can follow one of these two routes to reach Xin Man:

Route 1: Travel along National Highway 2 to reach Bac Quang district. After that, continue through Hoang Su Phi district to reach Xin Man.

Route 2: Travel along National Highway QL2, then follow Provincial Road 279 and continue on Provincial Road TL178 to reach the destination; however, this route is quite dangerous due to frequent landslides.

Conclusion

Those were some of the must-visit destinations in Xin Man, Ha Giang. There are many other interesting places, such as Ban Diu commune—the cultural cradle of the La Chi people with the Khu Cu Te Festival in the seventh lunar month each year; Coc Re commune with its pristine beauty, gentle people, and rich spiritual life; or the captivating Pa Vay Su commune.

If you still don't know where to go in Ha Giang, how many days to stay, or whether to plan a private tour or not, feel free to contact us directly for the most detailed advice!

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