Ma Pi Leng Pass
Ma Pi Leng Pass
5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
225 reviews
Excellent
206
Very good
15
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Darren S
Bright, Australia2,762 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
This was my favourite part over our 3 day journey doing the Ha giang loop.
The whole trip is unforgettable, one of the best things on my travels around the world.
The scenery rivals any place I have visited.
Plane on doing the 6 day trip next year. That's how much myself and my wife enjoyed it
The whole trip is unforgettable, one of the best things on my travels around the world.
The scenery rivals any place I have visited.
Plane on doing the 6 day trip next year. That's how much myself and my wife enjoyed it
Written December 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dawn T
16 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
This is about the town of meo vac, i have listed it here due to no where else to list it, i hope it helps someone.
This is a tourist trap town! I have lived in vietnam for 2 years. My wife and I (my wife is Vietnamese) visted Meo vac only to find out that everything is double price. The reasons (my wife was told in vietnamese) is that "YOU ARE TOURISTS" explained one shop owner!
We asked for the price of cơm in 7 different little shops (not big Restaurants) and they all same the same price, 50,000VND per person. The price of this dish should be in the region of 25k \ 30k. They all explained that this is a tourist town and that they have to import things in due to their location! Cơm is RICE! This is grown right here in the town!!!
Little things like a coconut (not the drink, i mean a whole coconut that you take home) from a street seller was 20k, kt should be about 13k. A kilo of mango was priced at 50k, i picked a kilo up for 25k in cao bàng two days earlier.
To add insult to injury, when my wife was asking about prices the people didnt even look at her!
This is not a poor mountain town, people here (in the center) have nice big houses, drive expensive cars and motorbikes. This place is only good to stop for gas (fuel for your vehicle).
Its a real shame that the people here have got so used to milking the tourists of everything they have got, yet they cant even give you a smile. Ive travelled alot and the same thing will happen here as it does in many places where tourism is the primary source of income, the people forget to be decent to the very people who improve their lives by bringing their valuable money.
This is a tourist trap town! I have lived in vietnam for 2 years. My wife and I (my wife is Vietnamese) visted Meo vac only to find out that everything is double price. The reasons (my wife was told in vietnamese) is that "YOU ARE TOURISTS" explained one shop owner!
We asked for the price of cơm in 7 different little shops (not big Restaurants) and they all same the same price, 50,000VND per person. The price of this dish should be in the region of 25k \ 30k. They all explained that this is a tourist town and that they have to import things in due to their location! Cơm is RICE! This is grown right here in the town!!!
Little things like a coconut (not the drink, i mean a whole coconut that you take home) from a street seller was 20k, kt should be about 13k. A kilo of mango was priced at 50k, i picked a kilo up for 25k in cao bàng two days earlier.
To add insult to injury, when my wife was asking about prices the people didnt even look at her!
This is not a poor mountain town, people here (in the center) have nice big houses, drive expensive cars and motorbikes. This place is only good to stop for gas (fuel for your vehicle).
Its a real shame that the people here have got so used to milking the tourists of everything they have got, yet they cant even give you a smile. Ive travelled alot and the same thing will happen here as it does in many places where tourism is the primary source of income, the people forget to be decent to the very people who improve their lives by bringing their valuable money.
Written May 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karlusia
Warsaw, Poland1,109 contributions
Sep 2022
The Mã Pí Lèng Pass is a mountain pass on Highway 4C in the territory of Pai Lung and Pa Vi municipalities in Hà Giang Province in northern Vietnam. It is approximately 20 kilometers long on the section of the 4C highway connecting the cities of Đồng Văn and Mèo Vạc. It is located at an altitude of 1500 m.
Amazing place that you can see from many places around, I reccomend as well take a boat and go there by boat
Amazing place that you can see from many places around, I reccomend as well take a boat and go there by boat
Written September 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nanz
Singapore, Singapore133 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
This is definitely a must visit! Our family had rented a van travelling in Hanoi to Ha Giang. The road in the Ha Giang province is not easily accessible, long traveling time, bumpy, narrow road with 2 way traffic and when it gets dark, stay awake! Many times my heart almost stopped!
Ma Pi Leng pass, the scenery is truly beautiful, for us city people, this is a place we find peace, nature beauty and mountain air. We stopped at a few stations to take some pictures, not some but lots of pictures, can't help it, too beautiful.... breathtaking....
When we stopped at one of the cafe or kind of a hostel, there's a lady asked if we are keen to take a boat ride at Nho Que river. Our tour guide told us that river just recently opened up for tourist so we thought, why not, a boat ride will be nice along the river.
Here's the thing, we were not told we have to walk down and up the same way about 2 or 3km one way to the boat ride. Our tour guide was not aware too. If you want to do this, be prepared for the hike as I saw many tourists were hoping it's a one way down and shorter way up. As mentioned earlier, the province is not easily accessible so villagers have to climb up and down for their daily living. It's hard and we start to appreciate what we have.
The boat ride, do it!
The province is still untouched and not as touristy as Sapa yet so go with no expectations, feel the wind, fresh air, the culture and the people living there....
Our guide told us the villagers are working hard to improve the road conditions now so to invite more tourist and generate more income.
Our family truly truly in love with the scenery.....
Ma Pi Leng pass, the scenery is truly beautiful, for us city people, this is a place we find peace, nature beauty and mountain air. We stopped at a few stations to take some pictures, not some but lots of pictures, can't help it, too beautiful.... breathtaking....
When we stopped at one of the cafe or kind of a hostel, there's a lady asked if we are keen to take a boat ride at Nho Que river. Our tour guide told us that river just recently opened up for tourist so we thought, why not, a boat ride will be nice along the river.
Here's the thing, we were not told we have to walk down and up the same way about 2 or 3km one way to the boat ride. Our tour guide was not aware too. If you want to do this, be prepared for the hike as I saw many tourists were hoping it's a one way down and shorter way up. As mentioned earlier, the province is not easily accessible so villagers have to climb up and down for their daily living. It's hard and we start to appreciate what we have.
The boat ride, do it!
The province is still untouched and not as touristy as Sapa yet so go with no expectations, feel the wind, fresh air, the culture and the people living there....
Our guide told us the villagers are working hard to improve the road conditions now so to invite more tourist and generate more income.
Our family truly truly in love with the scenery.....
Written December 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teresa E
Singapore, Singapore3 contributions
Nov 2018
I am glad I made the decision to walk from Dong Van to Meo Vac this morning. Even though it’s only 22 km, I break the 22 km walk into two days with an overnight stay. There’s now a newly open Ma Pi Leng Homestay at around mid point at 11 km. It’s a fantastic location visible from main road right across from the Sky Path.
I got here after about 3.5 hours of walk from Dong Van. Resting my foot then walk another 500 m to catch the stunning sights of the Pass. After lunch, I went on to the Sky Path to catch the vista of this spectacular geopark. It’s another 2-3 hours of nature therapy for my hungry soul!
Looking forward to complete the walk to Meo Vac.
I got here after about 3.5 hours of walk from Dong Van. Resting my foot then walk another 500 m to catch the stunning sights of the Pass. After lunch, I went on to the Sky Path to catch the vista of this spectacular geopark. It’s another 2-3 hours of nature therapy for my hungry soul!
Looking forward to complete the walk to Meo Vac.
Written November 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bronislava V
7 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
The Ma Pi Leng is a part of a road between Dong Van and Meo Vac towns. The road goes through the steep mountains. In one minute you are down in the valley admiring the high mountains and in few minutes later the road takes you on the top of the mountains. I had to stop so many times to take photos. The views are breathtaking!!! I highly recomend you to drive there on a motorbike. If you are not skilled enough to drive steep mountains, take an easy rider (motorbike with a private driver and guide in one person). The area is not spoilted by tourism yet. You can meet a lot of locals still wearing traditional clothes working on their small fields.
Written October 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KianHian L
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia1,295 contributions
Oct 2019
It is one of the four major mountain passes of Northern Vietnam. It was first built by ethnic minorities Hmong, Yao, Tay and Lolo ethnic minorities in the early 60s and name it the Happiness Road. The 20km stretch pass on Vietnam National Highway 4C (QL4c) at an altitude of 1500m above sea level snaking with the misty sky high cliff. The pass connect the two district of Dong Van and Meo Vac from Pai Lung to Pa Vi commune. It is said to be the most dangerous pass of Vietnam. Nho Que River flowing below the cliff valley compliment the scenery of Ma Pi Leng. The river which is 192 km start from Yunnan province, China and has its 42km flowing in Vietnam, Dong Van Plateau, Ha Giang province. There were two accommodation in Ma Pi Leng viewpoint. At time of writing the strategic location Panaroma Hotel & Cafe was temporary closed at time of visit (Oct 2019). But it still allow public access for the awesome view photos. Nevertheless, there is another basic homestay Ma pi Leng Homestay by the road side about 400 meter away with home cook food and shared bathrooms for those who intend to overnight in Ma Pi Leng to experience the morning scene of Ma Pi Leng.
Written November 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
culturetours V
Hanoi, Vietnam14 contributions
Jul 2018
It's most beautiful point for Ha Giang tours. Time by time, you will able to get higher and higher. And this will be highest point.
Written September 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nina
Western Australia, Australia55 contributions
Jan 2018 • Friends
It was a brief 4 days scooter ride through the Ha Giang mountain ride loop but worth every minute. A bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang, then scooter from Ha Giang through Dong Van, Meo Vac and back to Ha Giang through villages was an awesome experience.
It was winter cold and misty, but the experience of riding through fog was totally amazing.
The scenery along the mountain pass, local children greeting visitors as they passed by and ethnic Homestay families were too beautiful - words cannot fully describe.
I highly recommend Hà Giang province in north west Vietnam to any world travelers who love south east Asia travels.
It was winter cold and misty, but the experience of riding through fog was totally amazing.
The scenery along the mountain pass, local children greeting visitors as they passed by and ethnic Homestay families were too beautiful - words cannot fully describe.
I highly recommend Hà Giang province in north west Vietnam to any world travelers who love south east Asia travels.
Written January 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kätzchen
32 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
If you'd like to ride motorbike to travel, you have to go here at least one time in your life. I swear you'll never regret. Its the best road to ride, the best views to enjoy. It seems you can touch the blue sky.From the top of Ma Pi Leng you can see amazing scenery with Nho Que river between moutains. Come here and get your excellent experience.
Written December 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hey I want to bike there too! Can you let me know how you get to Ma Pi Leng Pass by bicycle? Is it safe to ride there?
Were you part of a group tour or did you go alone? And where can you rent a bike?
Thanks!
Written August 28, 2019
Dear Vanja
It possible to do bike here. It safe and very nice .people like to help
You can text me by WhatsApp +84941164158
Written February 4, 2020
Cảm giác lên đến đỉnh đèo Mã Pí Lèng là sự hung vĩ của non sông Việt Nam, nó đúng là sếp hạng số một tại Việt Nam, các bạn cố mà thám hiểm khu vực này
Written May 16, 2019
I am eager to hear more details about this 2 day walk; what was the terrain like,how well the trail was marked, whether you had a guide, how challenging it was, how you arranged the homestay, etc. Many thanks for your help! We might go there in late March.
Written January 15, 2019
I didn’t walk the pass, I did it on motorbike, which I think most people do. However, I don’t think walking would be a problem since the actual Ma Pi Leng Pass is less than 20 km, I think. I would think you could easily walk it in one day. My friends and I actually drove it 3 times in one day. You definitely don’t need a guide, unless you want one. As long as you have a map and/or map app on your phone.
If you stay close to or on the roads then there won’t be any problem with following a trail. There will signs along the road, but you can’t really get lost if you stay near the road because the surrounding terrain isn’t walkable in most areas. I would recommend using the app Maps.me when you go. You can use it for directions even when you don’t have WiFi / cellular connection.
The terrain will be variable with a lot of inclines/declines. The roads kind of weave in and out of the hills then go up and down rapidly in different places. As I said, I did it on motorbike, but I wouldn’t think it’d be a very challenging walk.
You’ll either start the route from Dong Van or Meo Vac. There are plenty of hostels/hotels/homestats in both cities, but not much (or nothing) in-between while on the actual pass. We booked our accommodation maybe 24 hours in advance throughout our whole trip through Ha Giang and never had a problem getting space for 8. We always used booking or hostelworld.
Overall, this is one of the most beautiful places that I’ve ever seen. It’s still untouched by tourism for the most part and it is absolutely breathtaking. If you go, you’ll understand why my friends and I went back and did it over again. If you got started early enough in the morning, I don’t think you’d have a problem walking the pass in one day with plenty of time to stop/rest, take photos, and enjoy the scenery.
Be careful of the trucks! They do not slow down and many of the turns on the pass are blind. They do always beep their horns like crazy when they’re approaching a turn so you’ll know they’re coming but make sure you’re off to the side when you hear the beeping. There were plenty of times when me or one of my friends nearly got painted onto the front of one of their windshields.
This is one of the highlights of Vietnam altogether and shouldn’t be missed! I hope that answered your questions, feel free to ask away if you have any more. Cheers.
Written January 15, 2019
Probably a stupid question, but can this road be done in a car?
Written November 8, 2018
We did it by car, so not a problem. Some roads are really rough, but they would be for a bike as well. I doubt you will experience problems with height. There are not many places where you are close to a big drop. And if you do the loop in a clockwise fasion you'll have to most distance from the big drops.
Written January 17, 2019
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