Insider Guide To H’Mong King Palace Ha Giang Vietnam
H’Mong King Palace, often dubbed Dinh Vua Meo, is one of the most popular attractions in the Ha Giang loop, Vietnam. The palace was built at the end of the 19th century with unique architecture combining different cultures.
About Dinh Vua Meo
The Palace of H’Mong King is also known as the Vuong family mansion or Dinh Vua Meo (Meo King Palace).
The palace is located in Sa Phin valley, Lung Phin commune, Dong Van district, Ha Giang province, Vietnam. It’s about 125km from Ha Giang city center and 15 km from Dong Van.
The mansion is the residence of Vuong Chinh Duc and his son, Vuong Chinh Sinh, who are both wealthy landowners worshiped as kings by the H’Mong people. They governed a sizable region that included the highland districts of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Meo Vac.
Previously, the H’Mong Kings ruled the population toward self-governance, and the economy relied heavily on growing poppies, exporting, and trading opium.
It’s believed that they chose Sa Phin Valley location thanks to its terrain’s resemblance to a turtle shell, symbolizing long life and wealth.
The architecture
The architecture of H’Mong King Palace is influenced by three cultures: Chinese, H’Mong, and French. It’s divided into three areas, with a total of 64 rooms and 2 floors.
The Front part is the residence of guards and employees. The Center and Back areas are the living and working places of members of the Vuong family.
Leading to the palace is a beautiful road paved with marble slabs engraved with numerous patterns. Its garden is also lovely, with different types of trees, including wood, pear, peach, and other varieties.
The mansion’s interior is still preserved with many authentic antiquities, such as stone mortars, fireplaces, wooden tables and chairs, and stone baths.
Its outside stone wall protects the palace and serves as a barrier against intruders.
How to get to H’Mong King Palace
You can take buses to get from Hanoi to Ha Giang, and the journey takes about 6 hours.
From Ha Giang city, you can follow the direction to Dong Van, passing the Dong Van Plateau viewpoint, and turn right at the sign for Vuong’s Palace after 10 minutes. It’s about 3 hours and 40 minutes drive in total from the city.
From Dong Van town, drive along QL4C (Highway 4C) and turn left at the sign for Vuong’s Palace. It’s about half an hour from the town center.
I highly recommend joining a Ha Giang loop tour if it’s your first time doing the loop. You can join a 4-day-tour or 3-day-tour. The 4-day-itinerary will take you to more places, and the travel pace is more pleasant.
Best places to stay in Dong Van
Dong Van Cliffside House is a lovely place to stay with views over Dong Van. It has a perfect location, just a 5-minute walk from the old quarter and Sunday market. The rooms are comfortable and clean, and the staff is friendly.
If you want to stay in Dong Van old quarter, Ancient Town 29 is a great choice. Its location couldn’t be more ideal—in the heart of the city, close to cafes, local eateries, and the market! Each room is clean and equipped with all the necessary items.
If you plan to visit the Lung Cu flag tower, you can opt to stay in Lo Lo Chai village.
Ticket prices
The entrance ticket for H’Mong King Palace is 10,000 VND (~$0.4). The ticket office is on the left before the stone walking path.
Opening hours
The palace is open from 7:30 am to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday and opens 1 hour earlier on Sunday at 6:30 am.
- Monday – Saturday: 7:30 am – 5 pm
- Sunday: 6:30 am – 5 pm
If you prefer to avoid the crow, visiting the palace on weekdays is best. Ha Giang loop is a popular destination for domestic travelers on the weekends.
