Ha Giang emerges as favorite destination for rich tourists, but faces infrastructure challenges

All Asia Vacation (AAV), a company specializing in organizing tours for billionaires and millionaires visiting Vietnam, has taken several high-profile guests to Ha Giang including a Canadian billionaire in big data and cryptocurrency in 2022 and American and Thai millionaires in 2023.

Early next year it will have an American finance and property millionaire, whose identity remains a secret, visiting Ha Giang.

Nguyen Duc Hanh, CEO of AAV, said that Ha Giang does not yet feature on the luxury travel map but has emerged as a favorite destination for foreign tourists due to its pristine beauty.

But its lack of an airport and other infrastructure challenges pose hurdles.

Since these tourists could not be taken by road from Hanoi to Ha Giang over six hours, AAV had to arrange helicopter transportation from Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi to Ha Giang's Provincial Military Command training ground, an hour's flight.

A helicopter carries super-rich guests from Vietnam's northern mountainous region in 2024. Photo courtesy of All Asia Vacation

They stayed at a resort in Bac Me District, one of the few in Ha Giang to meet luxury standards.

Luxury tours to Ha Giang typically last three to four days, combining daytime exploration with evenings spent in the hotel.

Bac Me is a good option for affluent travelers seeking privacy, with its serene landscapes, fresh air and unspoiled scenery consisting of hills and terraced fields.

On the first day the tourists cycled through villages and rice fields using electric bicycles brought in from Hanoi, took bamboo raft rides on a river and explored a secluded cave filled with stalactites that is rarely visited by tourists.

The second day included visits to popular sites like the Nho Que River and Tu San Alley.

Helicopters were used again to fly then from Bac Me to Dong Van ancient town, where they switched to jeeps or sidecars for a scenic drive along the Dong Van Plateau.

Given the popularity of Dong Van among foreign backpackers, maintaining privacy is a priority for the wealthy.

They were taken to a private boat dock and not those used by regular tourists.

For the Nho Que River tour, jet skis were transported from Hanoi, offering a quieter and more luxurious experience compared to traditional motorboats.

Other vehicles, including jeeps and sidecars, were also shipped from Hanoi to ensure high-quality service.

AAV is collaborating with the Ha Giang Province government to develop exclusive products for wealthy tourists.

Plans include new programs in Du Gia, home to an ancient tea forest.

But the absence of an airport significantly limits access, with helicopter services heavily dependent on weather conditions.

The province also has a dearth of luxury hotels and skilled personnel to meet the demands of affluent travelers.

"Ha Giang should focus on quality over quantity, but this requires a coordinated effort from various agencies," Hanh said.