This Meo Vac travel guide will help you discover the best time to visit, the must-do activities in Meo Vac, and how to get there.
Table of Contents
Best time to visit Meo Vac
The best time to visit Meo Vac is during the winter and spring, from late August to early April. This period offers the best weather and scenic beauty. However, it’s worth noting that Meo Vac has its own unique beauty in different seasons, as well as local culture and annual activities. Let’s discover more about what you can experience in Meo Vac.
During spring, from late January to the beginning of May, the road to Meo Vac is covered with peach and plum flowers. The temperature is cool, making it perfect to enjoy a hot cup of Vietnamese tea in front of an ancient house. Driving on the Ma Pi Leng pass, you can feel the chill and see smoke coming out of small houses on top of the mountains. This time of the year is perfect for those who love nature and romantic atmosphere.
During the summer months of June to early August, Meo Vac is covered with evergreen corn fields. From the Ma Pi Leng pass, you can see local people working on their farms. The temperature is around 30 to 35 degrees Celsius, which is not too hot in Vietnam. You can also visit the Nho Que River to take in a fantastic view of the Tu San canyon.
During fall, specifically from August to October, the Ma Pi Leng mountain range turns grey and the weather in the Meo Vac area gets colder. Local farmers can be observed working in the fields, stacking dry cornstalks in preparation for the winter season. It is important to note that this season is characterized by “froggy” weather, so extra caution should be taken while on the road.
During winter, which lasts from late October to early January, some years the season can extend until March. Meo Vac experiences extremely cold temperatures due to its Karst Plateau terrain. Although there is no snow, the piercing cold can be felt throughout the area, making it the perfect setting for cozying up next to a fireplace with a glass of wine. However, for those accustomed to living in cold places like Canada, this level of cold may not seem as severe.
Atracttion in Meo Vac
1. Meo Vac Market
If you are looking for a place to experience local Vietnamese culture, then Meo Vac Market is the destination for you. Held every Sunday, at the heart of Meo Vac district, this bustling market is a hub of activity where locals from surrounding villages gather to buy, sell, and socialize.
2. Ma Pi Leng Pass
6.8 mile from Meo Vac.
The 22km winding road that cuts into the mountains and connects Dong Van and Meo Vac offers majestic scenic views. Mountains, rivers, and local people farming on the cliffs provide a breathtaking backdrop. You can explore Ma Pi Leng Pass by motorbike or walk on the short skywalk route.
The name Ma Pi Leng originates from the Hmong language and means “the horse nasal bridge.” Local people explain that before the Hanh Phuc road was built, most merchandise was transported by horse. The horse nasal bridge is a good figure for the cliff gradient surface.
3. Nho Que River
7.6 mile from Meo Vac
The river is known for its stunning scenery, with towering limestone cliffs rising on either side. You can take a boat ride down the river to enjoy the views and experience the peaceful atmosphere. The river is also significant to the local culture, as it is a source of water and food for the people who live in the area. Nho Que River is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Meo Vac.
4. Khau Vai Love Market
9.6 mile from Meo Vac
Khau Vai Love Market is an annual festival that takes place in Khau Vai, a small village near Meo Vac. The market is held on the 27th day of the third lunar month, and is a place where people from different ethnic groups come to socialize and find romantic partners. The origin of this festival come from a sad love story between an ethnic couple.
5. Trekking in Meo Vac
The route you can discover by your self, a walk on the Ma Pi Leng Sky Path, a short but beautiful route that takes 1-2 hours to complete.
At The Auberge de Meo Vac, we can help you arrange for a local guide to take you on a route from our guesthouse to the mountains around Meo Vac. Check out the scenic view of our tour:
Traveling to Meo Vac
There are several options for traveling to Meo Vac, including international travel agencies, self driving motor rentals, local tour operators in Ha Giang, and bus companies. Let’s explore how you can travel to Meo Vac with each of these options listed below.
The most popular option is to rent a motorbike in Ha Giang City and drive to Meo Vac, which takes about 4-5 hours depending on your speed and number of stops. The route from Ha Giang to Meo Vac is very scenic, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. We recommend you have a companion.
1. Experience VietNam tours
This is the most expensive option for Ha Giang enthusiasts. It includes a well-designed tour to explore the heritage, as well as the best hotel and lodge.
Travel agency suggestions:
Our recommendation for an experienced travel agency:
2. Motorcycle tour to Ha Giang
The most popular option to explore Ha Giang is with a local driver. There are over 20 tour operators in this small province, including companies and personal guides. Not only this option guide you to Meo Vac but also other attractions like
Trusted local tour by Auberge de Meo Vac:
3. Motor Rental
Cost around 250,000VND to 500,000VND per day depending on the motorbike type. While giving you the best travel flexibility it may take you more time to travel. But don’t worry because traveling isn’t a race.
Our recommendation for motobike rental: Giang Son Motorbike Rental – Facebook Link
4. Bus
Yes, you can take a bus straight from Hanoi to Meo Vac. At the moment, there is only one bus company that provides this service. The Vu Han bus departs from My Dinh bus station and goes directly to the heart of Meo Vac town.
If 400km of sleeping on a bus is too much for you, here is an alternative option for discovering Meo Vac by bus:
You can take a sleeper bus (a bus with beds) from Hanoi to Ha Giang. Then, take another 3-4 hour bus ride to Meo Vac. The best option is to use a “Limousine” or a 16-seat bus, in which the driver doesn’t stop to deliver merchandise to every town along the road.
The bus ticket from Hanoi to Ha Giang costs 300,000 VND.
The bus ticket from Ha Giang to Meo Vac costs around 150,000 VND to 200,000 VND per person.
The price may vary depending on the bus’s availability during busy times. Please note that during Vietnamese national holidays, such as Independence Day on 02/09, the bus may be crowded with tourists and locals returning home.
Accommodations in Meo Vac
There are lodges, homestays, and guesthouses in Meo Vac. The cheapest option you can get is around 300,000VND and the most expensive is 1,500,000VND for a single room.
Other accommodations:
Giac Xua, located in the middle of Meo Vac town, Giac Xua provides a cozy stilt house with only 4 single rooms. Room rate is 350,00VND.
>> More guesthouses and homestay in Meo Vac
Restaurants in Meo Vac
You can ask the accommodation if they serve food, but if not then Meo Vac town is full of restaurants with Vietnamese cuisine, here is a list of restaurants:
- 1. Thanh Phuong Restaurant – Located aside Meo Vac central market
- 2. Mây – Cồ Restaurant – Located in group 3 district, Meo Vac
Must-Try Dishes in Meo Vac
Meo Vac is home to a variety of traditional dishes that are worth trying. Here are a few that you should consider.
Be sure to try these dishes and others during your visit to Meo Vac to get a taste of the local culture and cuisine. Additionally there are many restaurant in the town and
Overall
The Ha Giang loop gives you choices to draw your own experience. And Meo Vac is one of the worthy destinations for your Ha Giang trip. The town has many choices of hotels, and restaurants. But its priceless experience is at the scenic route and the kindly local people. Last but not least Auberge de Meo Vac hopes this post helps you answer questions about travel to Meo Vac, any question that hasn’t been covered by this post feel free to contact us via email or our Facebook page.
Contact us through the official hotel website: chungpua.com