Starting from Milestone 0, Thong and his group followed the instructions in their “passport” to reach the next seal-harvesting spots, including Tham Ma slope, the Wang family mansion, Lung Cu flagpole, and Pa Vi cultural village. Thong shared that this trend served as a challenge and provided motivation to explore Ha Giang thoroughly, adding excitement to the journey with his friends.
Thong and his friends’ journey of hunting for stamps in Ha Giang. Video: NVCC
The “Ha Giang Passport” trend or the craze for hunting for stamps to check in at Ha Giang emerged on social media in late January and has since attracted thousands of tourists, mainly from northern Vietnam. The 12 stamping locations include famous tourist spots in the province, such as Milestone 0, Lung Cu flagpole, Lo Lo Chai village, Ma Pi Leng pass, and Nho Que river. Tourists get their “passports” stamped as proof of their visit.
“The passport serves as a wonderful souvenir, evoking memories of the journey through the northernmost region of Vietnam with friends,” Thong shared.
Pa Vi cultural village, one of the 12 stamp-hunting spots in Ha Giang. Photo: To Di Dau
To Thai Hung, the owner of the blog “To Di Dau” (“Let’s Go”), initiated this trend on the first day of the Lunar New Year with the aim of enhancing the spring travel experience for visitors to Ha Giang. Hung shared that in the first three days, he sold 400 passports at VND 30,000 each and has since had to print more to meet the demand.
Having traveled to many places around the world and noticing that each place had its unique souvenirs, Hung wanted Ha Giang to have its distinct and memorable keepsake. “The stamp marks resemble those in passports when entering and exiting different countries. When at home, just opening the passport brings back a flood of memories,” Hung shared, explaining his inspiration for designing the “Ha Giang Passport.”
The “Ha Giang Passport” is considered a unique travel souvenir. Photo: To Di Dau
Designed to resemble regular passports, the “Ha Giang Passport” can be purchased at the Kem Cot Moc stall, which is also the first stop on the stamp-hunting journey. In addition to the 10 pages with embossed images of the check-in spots, the passport serves as a travel guide, introducing 30 must-try experiences in Ha Giang. Each location has an area with stamps of various colors, allowing tourists to choose and stamp their passports themselves as proof of their visit.
Mr. Dang Quoc Su, Director of the Ha Giang Tourism Promotion Center, shared that the project has received strong support from the local community, tourists, and the local government, especially among young explorers. “The idea creates a unique selling point for Ha Giang tourism compared to other northern mountainous provinces,” Mr. Su said.
According to Mr. Su, Ha Giang focuses on developing tourism while preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the region, offering novel and unique experiences. The local administration also aims to establish clubs for Ha Giang travel enthusiasts nationwide to provide updated information and new tourism products to visitors.
Ha Giang, located in northern Vietnam, is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes on the majestic plateau, winding roads, and challenging terrain. These factors make Ha Giang a magnet for young adventurers and explorers seeking thrilling and off-the-beaten-path experiences.
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