The Hmong King Palace (also called Vuong Family palace) is a large construction built in the late 19th century with a unique architectural style combining many cultures as well as mysterious stories surrounding it. Don’t miss this place during your trip to Ha Giang.
The history of Hmong King Palace
Hmong King Palace Vietnam began in 1898 and was officially completed in 1907, costing a huge sum of 150,000 Indochinese silver coins, equivalent to 150 billion VND today. The palace was designed and built by Chinese Yunnan workers in combination with the Mong people, creating a project of more than 1,200 square meters on an area of about 3,000 square meters.
Thanks to its long history and indisputable cultural value, the Hmong King Palace was ranked as a national monument by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in 1993, after nearly a century of existence. In addition, this palace also took 5 years to start construction because it was all built by human power, without using any machinery.
The owner of the palace was Vương Chính Đức, known as the King of the H’mông. He was revered by the H’mông people in Đồng Văn as the leader of the Hươu Nai organization, which resisted the Black Flag Army from China. In 1890, he invited a Chinese geomancer named Trương Chiếu to find an auspicious location to build the palace.
Sà Phìn, the area chosen for the construction of the palace, boasts a striking landscape resembling a turtle’s shell. According to ancient beliefs, building a palace on the back of a turtle symbolizes lifelong wealth and prosperity. Surrounded on all sides by high mountains, this land is said to be the dwelling place of heroes and great figures.
The H’mông King also invited many others to take part in the design, construction, and completion of the palace. The total cost of building the residence reached 15,000 silver coins, equivalent to about 150 billion VND today.
The location of Hmong King Palace
The Hmong King Palace Vietnam is located in the Sa Phin Valley, Lung Phin Commune, Đong Van District, Ha Giang Province. It lies about 125 km from the city center and just 15 km from the famous Đong Van Karst Plateau.
From Hanoi, you can take a bus or sleeper bus to Ha Giang city, then continue to Dong Van. From here, tourists often rent motorbikes to experience the beautiful and easy-to-go mountain road, or take a taxi or small car if traveling in a group.
The road has many slopes and curves, so you should leave early, check your vehicle before going and bring warm clothes because the weather in the highlands is often chilly, especially in the early morning and evening.
This ancient residence is closely tied to the lives and legacies of two generations of the Vương family: Vương Chính Đức and his son, Vương Chí Sình (also known as Vuong Chi Thanh). Vương Chinh Duc (1886–1962) was the head of the feudal Hmong regime in the northern mountains, earning him the powerful title of the Hmong King. His son, however, pursued a revolutionary path and, thanks to his contributions to the nation, was elected as a National Assembly delegate during its first two terms.
Architectural highlights of the palace
Coming to the Vuong Family Mansion – Hmong King Palace—visitors will be amazed by the unique architecture, both mysterious and ancient, yet simple and close.
The special design of Hmong King Palace
The Hmong King Palace lies at the foot of a valley, shielded above by a highland plateau. With this terrain, the entire residence is naturally protected by surrounding mountain arcs, forming what is known as the ‘turtle shell’ position—an advantageous defensive site during times of fierce warfare. After more than a century, the palace remains remarkably intact, sparking the curiosity of anyone who visits and urging them to explore it at least once in their lifetime.
The interior architecture is truly unique, blending three different cultural influences: Hmong, French, and Chinese. The complex consists of four horizontal houses and six vertical houses, divided into three sections: the front palace (for guards and servants), the middle palace, and the rear palace (residential and working quarters). It contains 64 rooms spread across two floors.
To ensure durability, builders used green stone, giving the palace strength to withstand both enemies and time. Wooden roofs and pillars add solemnity and elegance to the rooms, while terracotta tiles were chosen for the roofing—easy to shape yet strong. To this day, the Hmong King’s palace remains one of the few structures meeting all the requirements of a residence, a workplace, and even a defensive fortress in times of conflict.
Although the palace incorporates three cultural styles, many consider its design to be remarkably harmonious, with a graceful balance that unifies the entire structure without feeling forced. Covering an area of 3,000 square meters, the palace is not as massive as many might imagine. Instead, it is divided into smaller sections, reflecting the simplicity and rustic charm of traditional folk architecture. The design principle of “low inside, high outside” further enhances its connection with the surrounding natural landscape.
The furniture and items in the palace
The palace has six vertical houses and four horizontal houses, divided into three main areas: front, middle, and back, including 64 rooms with a capacity of about 100 people. This residence is the place where the members of the Vuong family live and work.
Generally, the government has carefully preserved most of the furniture and belongings associated with King Meo throughout his lifetime. The government later replaced a few chairs and wooden pieces originally made of stone pine with ironwood to prevent deterioration over time. The wooden structures reflect strong local cultural identity through carved patterns of native flowers such as peach and poppy.
Hmong King Palace designed the pillars to mimic the opium plant’s fruit, which he once traded to finance the palace’s construction. Western influences can also be found in certain items, such as a stone bathtub for goat’s milk, glass-shuttered windows beside the fireplace, and a marble entrance framed with wrought iron flowers in French architectural style.
Exploring Hmong King Palace today
Currently, visitors can buy tickets to Hmong King Palace for 25,000 VND/person and buy tickets at the entrance of the palace. With this price, you can freely visit the architectural works and learn about the unique culture here. The operation is from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm every day, from Monday to Sunday. So if you want to have more time to take the photos, please come here early.
In addition, in the Vuong Family Mansion, there are also countless unique virtual living corners to help photography enthusiasts freely pose. A small note for visitors is to park your motorbike near the market area to limit the situation of “slashing” – the parking fee here is only 5,000 VND/1 vehicle. After purchasing your ticket, you have full time to experience and explore the areas here.
Walking to explore each area
When you arrive at the main gate, walk along the stone-paved road and climb the ancient stairs leading up to the palace. Starting from the front palace – where the guards and servants live, then the central palace – the central area, and finally the rear palace – where the Vuong family lives and works. Walking slowly through each room will help you clearly feel the majesty and sophistication in every architectural detail.
Admiring the architecture & taking photos
Don’t forget to observe the elaborate carvings on wood, green stone and terracotta roof tiles. The po mu wooden pillars or poppy flower motifs on the stone pillars all reflect the unique culture of the Mong people. These are also very “photogenic” photo angles for tourists.
Learn about history through artifacts
Currently, many ancient artifacts such as royal decrees, wooden furniture, beds, stone bathtubs, and images of the Vuong family are still displayed inside. You can spend time observing and listening to the explanation to understand more about the role of the Meo King in the history of the rocky plateau.
Explore the surrounding space
After visiting the mansion, take some time to walk around the garden, admire the scenery of Sa Phin valley and breathe the fresh air of the mountains and forests of Ha Giang. This is when you feel the tranquility, completely separate from the noisy pace of life in the city.
Small experience
The best time to visit is usually in the morning or late afternoon when the sunlight shines gently, highlighting the ancient tile color.
You should wear sneakers or flat shoes to easily move on the stairs and stone yard.
If you go in a group, you can hire a local tour guide to hear many interesting stories revolving around the Vuong family.
Nearby attractions around Hmong King Palace
Around the Hmong King Palace, there are many famous tourist attractions, visitors can combine these attractions together.
Sa Phin market
Sa Phin market is located opposite Hmong King Palace Vietnam, more bustling and crowded than Dong Van market. Like many other markets in Ha Giang, Sa Phin is a delayed market – this week’s market will be delayed by 1 day compared to the previous week. Visitors to Sa Phin market can purchase souvenirs and indulge in local specialties like au tau porridge, tam giac mach cake, and corn wine…
Yen Minh pine forest
Yen Minh pine forest is located right on the way to the mansion, possessing a peaceful and poetic scene just like a mountain girl. Following the winding road are immense pine forests, stretching for dozens of kilometers. From Yen Minh pine forest, visitors can also admire the simple villages of the H’mong people.
Read more: Yen Minh Pine Forest: The unique features of Ha Giang
Buckwheat flower field
Not far from the Vuong Family Mansion are the endless fields of buckwheat flowers. To fully admire the beauty of this flower, visitors should go around October every year. In particular, this is also the dream “virtual living” background of every check-in enthusiast when traveling to Ha Giang.
Dong Van Stone Plateau
Dong Van Stone Plateau is a special limestone area, containing many typical vestiges of the history and culture of the indigenous community. The entire stone plateau is covered by cat-ear stone mountains, often likened to a “gray paradise”.
Spring is the best time to explore the Dong Van Stone Plateau. At this time, the entire grey rock area is covered in a bright yellow coat of rapeseed flowers, embellished with the red of peach blossoms and the pure white of plum blossoms.
Read more: Exploring the Enigmatic Beauty of Pho Bang, Ha Giang
Travel tips for visitors
Hmong King Palace is an important historical and cultural relic of Ha Giang province. To ensure a complete and meaningful visit, tourists coming here should note the following:
- Before visiting, visitors should learn more about the history and architecture of the palace to better understand the value of the relic.
- Visitors are required to comply with the regulations set by the palace management board:
- Visitors must comply with the regulations of the palace management board, such as not being allowed to climb, touch artifacts, make noise, etc.
- Tourists should respect the culture of local people, such as not taking pictures of people without permission and not wearing revealing clothing.
- The main gate area is where visitors can purchase admission tickets and learn about the history of the palace.
- The main house area is where Vuong Chinh Duc’s family lives. Visitors can visit the rooms in the main house, such as the living room, bedroom, worship room…
- The annex is where the members of Vuong Chinh Duc’s family live. Visitors can visit the rooms in the annex, such as the kitchen, the livestock room…
- The flower garden area is where visitors can relax and take pictures.
Exploring Hmong King Palace is not only a journey to learn about the unique architecture and history of the Vuong family but also an opportunity to listen to stories associated with the legendary land of Ha Giang. Amidst the majestic mountain scenery and rich cultural space, the trip will definitely leave you with many unforgettable memories.
If you want a convenient schedule and a complete experience and not miss any of the outstanding destinations of Ha Giang, join Lily’s Travel. Lily’s Travel offers flexible Ha Giang tours that immerse you in indigenous cultural experiences, with dedicated tour guides always by your side. This will definitely be the ideal choice to make your journey to the rocky plateau more memorable than ever.
