Ha Giang is known as the most beautiful place in Northern Vietnam. This province containing forested limestone and granite mountains, caves and gorgeous rivers, and tiny settlements, borders China. This province is as picturesque as can be. There are so many things to see in this stunningly scenic province – not only is it mountainous literally everywhere but some noted places are Ma Pi Leng Pass, Dong Van Plateau, and Hoang Su Phi. Quan Ba Pass, known for its panoramic views over terraced rice fields below, is located only 50km from the capital city of Ha Giang, also named Ha Giang. Special about Ha Giang – the buckwheat flowers (Tam Giac Mach in Vietnamese). This will be your all-you-need-to-know about the buckwheat flower season in Ha Giang!

What Are The Buckwheat Flowers?

They say that buckwheat blossoms, or “chez” as known by the H’mong (a local hill tribe of the North), are the specialty of the northernmost land, because every year, just when the first monsoon starts blowing, these tiny white flowers simultaneously flourish, flooding the whole rocky plateau. Carrying a legend that not everyone knows, the buckwheat flowers adorn what we in Vietnam call “cat ear-shaped” stones with warm incarnadine, inviting the nomads to discover such captivating beauty.

Buckwheat Flower Season – Ha Giang

There are two types of buckwheat flowers. In areas of Cao Bang, you can find the white type. Meanwhile, in Ha Giang, people often plant the purple buckwheat flower. Simple but loveable, modest but charming, buckwheat is harmonious with the green color of the forest and the grey color of the mountains which altogether creates an endless source of inspiration for art enthusiasts. But the most profound and beautiful feature of the flower is its meaning – slender in shape but full of energy and beauty, always overcoming the fierce challenges of nature. As autumn reaches its end, the flowers become more splendid and attractive. With time, they will start to change color from white to purple pink, and finally dark red.

The white one is usually grown in several areas of Cao Bang. Meanwhile in Ha Giang, people often plant the purple buckwheat flower.

In order to promote the tourism potential of the region, Ha Giang authorities decided to increase the amount of buckwheat flower fields to attract more visitors. Every year, around October and November, there is a buckwheat flower festival in Ha Giang, which features art performances and displays of buckwheat flower products (such as buckwheat flower bouquets, buckwheat flower cakes and other dishes, buckwheat flower paintings and art, buckwheat flower tea, etc) in order to celebrate the blossoming of these iconic flowers in Dong Van District in Ha Giang Province. This annual festival has been bewitching flower lovers, couples as well as photography enthusiasts year after year.

The History of Buckwheat Flower Season in Ha Giang

Buckwheat Flower Season

It is said that this tiny flower forest with green leaves once saved a whole village from a severe famine that occurred when the old harvest season had been over way before the new one had arrived.

According to the legend, in the past, the people in the Northern mountainous region lived mainly on rice and corn. One year, the food ran out and the land had become barren, and the local people had to wander in search of food. Then, a strange yet pleasant fragrance filled the atmosphere and attracted the peasants to follow the ravine. Among the rocks, they discovered small white pink flowers whose nuts tasted as subtle as rice and corn. Since then, the Hmong have used the buckwheat flowers’ nuts as staples like maize and rice. The buckwheat flower then became an essential part of their daily lives.

Uses of Buckwheat Flower

Buckwheat is often considered as a tasty and healthier alternative to wheat. When harvested, the crops can be ground into flour and many parts of the world do this, such as India, Japan and Korea. Rice, porridge, noodles, breads, pancakes, cookies, cakes, can all be made from buckwheat flour. The young buckwheat flower stem can also be boiled and used as vegetables, or it can be cooked with wine and corn to brew a very unique type of wine. It also has medicinal benefits and is sometimes used as trunk for cattle feed.

The flowers of the buckwheat plant have a pleasant fragrance and tastes quite malty and earthy. The flowers are used for manufacturing a dark brown-colored honey that is quite strong in flavor.

Health Benefits of Buckwheat Flower

Buckwheat has many nutritional benefits and is a good source of high-quality protein that easy to digest. The buckwheat starch acts as fat in processed foods, which is why it is used in bakery. Other benefits include that it lowers blood pressure as it is a good source of rutin, is non-allergenic (stuffed into pillows to help cure dust, feather and pollen allergies), helps manage diabetes, is good for digestion, is gluten-free, reduces cholesterol, lowers blood sugar levels, protects against breast cancer, benefits the skin and hair, etc, among many other things. If you are curious to know about more health benefits of the buckwheat flower, click here.

When to Visit Ha Giang for the Buckwheat Flower Season

If you set foot in Ha Giang at the end of autumn (September to November) and even December, you will have a chance to experience the magic of the dreamy pink buckwheat fields stretching across the hills. From Ha Giang town, the Happiness road will lead you to the land of buckwheat flowers. The Dong Van Highland, blooms with buckwheat flowers during November and December, over the mountainside, across villages and fields, passing through the legendary Ma Pi Leng saddle, creating a plateau of pink color. The beauty of nature, climate, and ecology all together bring soothing emotions and relaxation in the heart of visitors. It is a romantic escape, even for those who deem themselves non-romantic.

The Best Places to see the Buckwheat Fields in Ha Giang

What a view!

Thach Son Than (Quyet Tien town, Quan Ba District): the buckwheat fields are on the road to Quan Ba, about 3 kilometers from Bac Sum hill. This place offers adorable swings as well as lovely miniature houses and other decorative items to photograph. Newly married couples often flock to this location to enjoy the heart-touching moments with the gorgeous color of buckwheat flowers. Ticket price: VND10,000 / ticket.

Thach Son Than

Lung Cam Cultural Village (Sung La-Dong Van Valley): This is where the most number of flowers are. It is also the best place to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of buckwheat flowers. In addition, Sung La also has the house of Pao and many fascinating rose gardens.

Ma Pi Leng Pass

Ma Pi Leng Pass: the buckwheat field lies between two mountain ranges, which creates a stunning natural landscape. Because the people here start to sow the seeds later than those in Dong Van Valley normally do, not until mid-October do the flowers begin to wear a pinkish color and then become most stunning when November comes by.

Lung Cu flagpole

The field under the Lung Cu Flagpole: At the foot of Lung Cu flagpole you can find many buckwheat flowers. The flowers are grown in extremely eye-catching terraced fields giving tourists the most unforgettable scene of their life.

Fun fact: The Lung Cu flagpole marks the extreme North of Vietnam. This northernmost point marks the morder between China and Vietnam.

Other locations to witness the endless fields of buckwheat flowers in Ha Giang are Pha Cao, Dong Van, Ma Le, Hoang Su Phi, Xin Man, and Pho Bang.

Thu Thuy

Focus Asia Travel