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Trekking routes across the karst plateau of Dong Van town,
situated in northeast Ha Giang province, have become increasingly popular since
being recognised as part of the Global Network of National Geoparks (GGN) in
2010.
Dong Van-based Karst Plateau Travel offers amazing trekking routes between the
rocky town, ethnic Mong villages in Ma Le and Thien Huong as well as up to the
Ma Pi Leng mountain pass.
The 18km route from Ma Le to Thien Huong has become known as the valley of rocks
due to its spectacular natural appearance.
As per schedule, tourists are taken to Ma Le village, 5km from central Dong Van,
via van before embarking on a full-day tour.
"The trip is amazing. The landscape and natural conditions across the 1,600m
above sea level area has lured many travellers," said Karst Plateau travel agent
Hoang Anh Tuan.
"The wild routes offer the perfect conditions for memorable experiences such as
barbecues," he said.
Tuan added that tour groups are always accompanied by local Mong guides to avoid
people getting lost.
Tourists are additionally provided with sticks and jungle-knives to help them
make their way through dense undergrowth.
Ta Lang village, home to the hospitable Giay and Tay ethnic groups, is the first
stop.
"Because tourists often can't speak their language, the hosts may refuse to
welcome them into their homes. That's where we as guides come in handy," said
local guide Li Thanh Hong.
"We always prepare lunch near the Nho Que river-bank while often buying either
goat or chicken meat for barbeque parties in the jungle," Hong added.
Tourists are also allowed to catch fish and cook for themselves.
"It's like a wild life lunch. Local guides often teach tourists how to catch
fish by hand," said tour guide Luc Thi Thuy.
She added that fish is mostly grilled alongside moss while chicken is coated
with clay before being placed on the fire.
Ban Mo village is another favourite stop over for lunch with visitors seated on
stone slabs in the middle of the Nho Que River in the two hours.
The last and final trek of the day, running 7km uphill from the river-bank to
the top of the Ma Pi Leng mountain pass, takes a challenging two hours.
"The route is very tough, but also very interesting. The mountain pathways are
almost vertical," said Anh Tuan, who designed the route two years ago.
"When you reach the top, the river looks like a silk thread cutting through the
deep valley."
The tour reaches its end on top of the Ma Pi Leng mountain pass from where
tourists are taken back to Dong Van town to while away the afternoon in
exploration.
Tour operators offer packages from 100 USD for groups of four, which includes
transportation from Hanoi to Dong Van town.
Karst Plateau also provides trekking tours via Tam Son town in Quan Ba district
as well as in the districts of Yen Minh and Meo Vac.
Tourists always benefit from exploring the UNESCO recognised town as a member of
the Global Network of National Geoparks.
The town's main market day falls on Sundays while it lights up with lanterns on
Saturday nights.
Dong Van town is a definite must on the tourist radar due to its spectacular
natural surroundings and its well preserved cultural and ethnic heritage./.
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