The Happiness Road – a Legendary Path to Explore Up-North Ha Giang Attractions

Ha Giang province & the Happiness Road

When mentioning of Ha Giang, it is normal for us to think of this land with the country's northernmost point named Lung Cu and many high passes on the road of happiness – the path that has changed the life of many people in the land of Ha Giang with their happiness & better life quality.

Ha Giang is a hilly & mountainous province in the up-northern part of  Vienam with many high mountains & deep valley – the land of Dong Van Geological Park.In the past, it was really hard to reach the province’s northern districts such as Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Meo Vac  & Dong Van because there was not any proper road connecting those mountainous districts from Ha Giang city.People had to walk or ride on the horse cart many days to reach the lowlands.This inconvenience made it hard for local enthics living there to develop their economy, as a result, most of them were really poor & backward

Pass on the road to Dong Van

The road of happiness & its history.

The Happiness Road was built along Dong Van Rocky Pleataux between 1959 and 1965 with total length of 185km connecting Ha Giang township with islolated mountainous districts of Quan Ba, Yen Minh,Dong Van & Meo Vac; helping local ethnic minorities get access to the plains and better their life.

This history of opening this road is really amazing and can not be told in a single paper page.It was constructed by the hands of more than 1,300 men and women volunteers from 6 mountainous provinces ( Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Ha Giang) and 2 delta provinces ( Nam Dinh, Hai Duong); and more than 1,000 people of 16 local ethnic groups joining in the building process within 7 years.

In the 1950s &1960s, in Vietnam,there were no modern equipments, volunteers plunged into opening this road with extremely simple working tools of hoes, shovels, hammers, crowbar, wheelbarrow; in really difficult working conditions of food shortages, salt deficiency, lacks of green vegetables & water; under the extreme climates of the highlands – hot summer like roasted, winter cold like cutting meat; and faced up lots of abstacles,dangers & deaths as well.

M letter Pass

To make that road, 14 volunteers & workers sacrified their life and permanently laid down on the road with rocks. Therefore, when completed, the road was named “ Happiness” – happy by the unity & effort of young volunteers & workers to build the road with their health & their blood; and happy that Ha Giang lands & thousands of people here are no more isolated. The road opens more opportunties for people in the regions with better education, heathcare & better life. It is the way to brighten the future of many children now & forever.

Journey on " Happiness Road" to explore Ha Giang attractions

The road of happiness starts from Ha Giang city with its first 20km of flat path, then journey up & down on many winding & high passes along mountain slopes – Quan Ba Pass  in Quan Ba district overviewing Quan Ba Heaven Gate, Quan Ba Fairy Tower, then to Yen Minh with impressive view of layers of pine forests, to Dong Van districts with nice stops to visit Lung Cu flag tower, Vuong palaces & weeky markets ; and overcome Ma Pi Leng Pass ( with breathtaking captivation of magnificient mountains,deep valleys & Nho Que river running like a colorful thread through the cliff) to reach Meo Vac town.Touching the milestone of 185km is also when the journey with the path of happiness is completed

Photo on Ma Pi Leng Pass

Nowadays, travelling to these northern districts of Ha Giang province is easier thanks to the old road’s extention to be bigger but still challenges you with sense of adventure when overcoming winding & twistling passes. It is great to know about the history of Happiness Road and conquer different passes (Quan Ba Pass, Tham Ma Pass, Ma Pi Leng Pass…..) on this legendary road for great exploration of beautiful Dong Van Rocky Pleateux & authentic cultures of local ethnics in the region.

Golden Holday Travel & its trips to discover Ha Giang landscapes

Planning your trip to Ha Giang & conquering passes on the road of happiness", in need of local support or travel service of Ha Giang package tour, tourguide or private car rental with driver from Hanoi to Hagiang, please, contact us at [email protected] or phone us at +84.988 4515030 ( viber, whatsapp), our travel team will be very pleased to support you with useful consultancy & suggestion for your special experience in Ha Giang.