Meo Vac, the market town on the Ha Giang Loop
Meo Vac (Mèo Vạc) lies at the south-eastern end of the pass road from Dong Van. After the Ma Pi Leng Pass the road drops into a basin of karst peaks, and the town sits in the middle of it. It is the place for the Sunday market and the start of the southern route to Du Gia.
Meo Vac and Du Gia come after the Ma Pi Leng Pass, so they fall late in a 3 or 4 day loop. If you would rather not plan each stage yourself, the Ha Giang Loop tours include these stops.
Our pick: a tour that reaches Meo Vac
The 3-day version of this easy rider tour continues to Meo Vac and Du Gia.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Ha Giang Loop tours with Meo Vac and Du Gia
Easy Rider, car and small-group tours that include Meo Vac and the southern route, with live prices and availability.
The Meo Vac Sunday market
The weekly reason to stay the night.
The Meo Vac market is held on Sunday morning. Local foods you can try include men men (maize flour), thang co, sticky rice and maize spirit. Ask the price before you buy.
Dong Van also holds a Sunday market, so you can hardly see both on the same morning. If your dates allow only one, the town you sleep in on Saturday night decides. The Ha Giang markets page compares them. Ask before you photograph people, and accept a no.
Khau Vai
Khau Vai (Khâu Vai) is a separate yearly festival and market event, not another name for the weekly Meo Vac market. In 2026 it was set for 12 and 13 May, the 26th and 27th day of the third lunar month. Because it follows the lunar calendar, the date moves each year, so ask about the date before you plan a trip around it.
Du Gia and the southern loop
The quieter way back to Ha Giang.
From Meo Vac the southern variant runs to Du Gia (Du Già) and from there back to Ha Giang. Du Gia is a small commune with homestays, a waterfall (Thác Du Già) and a visitor centre. It is a quiet end to the loop after the busier stages around Dong Van.
The road between Meo Vac and Du Gia is narrower than the main loop road. Some sections are damaged, with gravel and potholes, so allow the full 3 hours and ride or drive slowly. Ask at your accommodation about the current state of the road before you leave. After heavy rain, landslides can affect the roads in the south.
Treat the waterfall as a place to look at, not to swim. Do not count on a swimming spot or a lifeguard, and stay out of the water if you are not sure.
| Leg | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Dong Van to Meo Vac | About 22 km | About 1 hour |
| Meo Vac to Du Gia | About 75 km | About 3 hours |
| Du Gia to Ha Giang | About 80 km | 2.5 to 3 hours |
Meo Vac to Ha Giang by the southern route adds up to about 155 km and 5.5 to 6 hours of riding before any stops. For most travellers, a night in Du Gia makes that stretch easier and leaves time at the waterfall.
Another way back: Bac Me
A different road back.
A different return runs over the QL4C road to Bao Lam and back on the QL34, through the Bac Me (Bắc Mê) area. It is a separate option from the Du Gia route, and the two are not the same road. In Bac Me you find Cang Bac Me (Căng Bắc Mê), a site with a base entry fee of VND 30,000 per person in 2026. Ask your driver or rental shop which return they use.
Meo Vac: frequently asked questions
When is the Meo Vac market?
On Sunday morning. Dong Van also has a Sunday market, so choose one for the same morning.
How far is Meo Vac from Dong Van?
About 22 km over the Ma Pi Leng Pass, roughly 1 hour without stops.
How do I get from Meo Vac to Ha Giang?
The southern route goes via Du Gia: about 75 km to Du Gia in roughly 3 hours, then about 80 km to Ha Giang in 2.5 to 3 hours. Another return runs via Bao Lam and Bac Me.
Can I swim at the Du Gia waterfall?
Do not count on it. Treat the waterfall as a place to look at, and do not rely on a swimming spot or a lifeguard.
Is Khau Vai the same as the Meo Vac market?
No. Khau Vai is a yearly festival and market event on a lunar date, while the Meo Vac market is weekly.