Ma Pi Leng Pass – The King of Passes in Vietnam

Ma Pi Leng Pass is known as the most magnificent pass in Vietnam and is a must-visit destination in “Ha Giang Loop”. It is famous not only for its breathtaking scenery but also for being constructed entirely by human power over several years.

Ma Pi Leng Pass is located on 4C highway in Pai Lung and Pa Vi communes, Meo Vac district, Hà Giang province. It is a 20-km long winding road that passes through Ma Pi Leng Peak, hence the name Ma Pi Leng Pass. This is the final section of the road called Hanh Phuc (Happiness) Road, connecting the city of Ha Giang, Dong Van, and Meo Vac town. It was the most difficult and time-consuming part to complete.

Hanh Phuc Road, which runs through Ma Pi Leng Pass, was built by tens of thousands of young people from 16 ethnic groups of 8 northern provinces of Vietnam for 6 years (1959 – 1965), with over 2 million days of labor, of which the section crossing Ma Pi Leng Pass was built by a team of young volunteers who hung themselves on the mountain cliff for 11 months. The 20 members of the volunteer team who opened the way through Ma Pi Leng were all given a “living funeral” ceremony every morning.

Before the volunteer team began to dig through the rocks, the site commander had prepared 20 empty coffins in case of accidents. Every day, the young volunteers had to hang themselves on the cliff for 8 hours to dig every hole, lever every stone, and open every centimeter of the road.

Due to the length and magnificence of the pass, there are many beautiful view points and experiences to explore there:

– Sky Path – a walking trail along the white rock cliffs, where you can admire the beautiful panoramic view of the pass and see the Nho Que River meandering below. On lucky days, you will feel like you are lost in a fairyland with the clouds. Besides, you will pass through the villages of the Hmong people living on the mountain cliffs.

– Experience boating on Tu San Gorge – Nho Que River: The Nho Que River flows into Vietnam from the village of Seo Lung, Lung Cu commune, Dong Van district, passes through the Tu San Gorge, and then runs along the Ma Pi Leng Pass before flowing east into Cao Bang province and joining the Gam River. Tu San Gorge is considered the deepest gorge in Southeast Asia and is located in a valley with unique geological formations

– Because the pass is at an altitude of over 1000m, it can be foggy during the winter and spring seasons. The pass’s terrain has one side as a mountain cliff and the other as a ravine. Therefore, you should keep close to the right side of the road and turn on fog lights when driving.

– There are many adventurous viewpoint locations on the Ma Pi Leng Pass, such as the “Death Cliff.” It’s best to have a local guide with you and be cautious when deciding to take action.

– You should plan for a minimum of 1/2 day to experience and appreciate the beauty of the pass.

– To fully appreciate the pass’s beauty, you can choose to stay in either Dong Van or Meo Vac, the two large towns at either end of the pass. Both towns have many accommodation options for you to choose from. You can check booking.com to find suitable accommodations.

– There are some coffee shops on the pass where you can enjoy a cup of coffee with a million-dollar view.

If you have difficulty to visit Ma Pi Leng Pass, or if you are having trouble planning your Ha Giang trip, such as renting motorcycles, cars, Easyriders, or tour guides, please contact LOKA Ha Giang. We will assist you in the most appropriate way.