The H'Mong King Palace, also known as Dinh Vua Meo, is widely regarded as one of the most well-liked tourist destinations in the Ha Giang loop in Vietnam. At the tail end of the 19th century, construction began on the palace, which features an extraordinary architectural design that incorporates elements from several various cultures.

Dinh Vua Meo Overview

The Vuong family palace is sometimes referred to as the Dinh Vua Meo (Meo King Palace), which is another name for the Palace of H'Mong King.

In Vietnam's Ha Giang province, the palace may be found in the Sa Phin Valley, specifically in the Lung Phin commune of the Dong Van district. It is around 125 kilometers from the capital of Ha Giang, and it is approximately 15 kilometers from Dong Van.

The wealthy landowners Vuong Chinh Duc and his son Vuong Chinh Sinh, who are both revered as kings by the H'Mong people, call this mansion their home. Vuong Chinh Duc built the mansion himself. They were in charge of a large area that encompassed the mountainous districts of Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Meo Vac.

In the past, the H'Mong Kings governed the populace toward self-governance, and a significant portion of the economy was dependent on the cultivation of poppies to export and trafficking opium.

It is thought that they selected the location of Sa Phin Valley because the topography there resembles the shell of a turtle, which stands for a long and prosperous life.

The H'Mong King Palace displays architectural elements that are influenced by three different cultures: Chinese, H'Mong, and French. It has a total of 64 rooms across two stories and is composed of three distinct regions. 

The Front section of the building is where the guards and personnel live. Members of the Vuong family make their homes and places of employment in the locations designated as "Center" and "Back."

The magnificent driveway that leads up to the palace is paved with marble slabs that have been etched with a variety of designs. It also has a gorgeous garden with a variety of trees in it, such as oak, pear, peach, and other kinds as well.

The interior of the mansion has been conserved and contains several genuine artifacts. These include stone mortars, fireplaces, wooden tables and chairs, stone baths, and stone baths.

The palace is guarded and protected by an outer stone wall that acts as a barrier against potential attackers.

Prices for tickets

The cost of the admission ticket to the H'Mong King Palace is 10,000 VND (about $0.40). Before entering the stone walkway, on the left is where you will find the ticket office.

Opening hours

The palace is open from 7:30 in the morning until 5:00 in the evening, Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, it opens one hour earlier, at 6:30 in the morning.

• Monday – Saturday: 7:30 am – 5 pm
• Sunday: 6:30 am – 5 pm

It is recommended that you visit the palace during the week if you would like to reduce the amount of people there. On the weekends, many people traveling within their own country choose to visit the Ha Giang circle.

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Best time to visit the Palace of the Hmong Kings

It is wise to plan your trip at a relatively dry time of year when there is less likelihood of significant monsoon storms. For example, the fall or the spring are the greatest times to visit the Palace of the Hmong Kings, which is located in the province of Ha Giang near Dong Van. In the winter, the province might have extremely low temperatures and thick fog, and in the summer, regrettably, there is a possibility of landslides on the roads, which can make driving more difficult. If you plan on visiting during the winter, you should bring along thicker and more waterproof clothing because winter is also a dry season.

The temperatures are ideal in the fall, averaging anywhere between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius; but, in the evening, they can drop to a lower range. Temperatures as high as 35 degrees Celsius have been recorded in this province throughout the summer. In the highest elevations of Ha Giang, temperatures are significantly cooler. If you want to explore Ha Giang Province on a motorcycle, the best time to travel is when it is dry outside because there will be fewer landslides and it will be easier to go around on the roads.

How to get to Hmong Kings?

There are busses that will take you from Hanoi to Ha Giang, and the trip will take approximately 6 hours.

After driving for ten minutes from the city of Ha Giang, you will see a sign pointing you in the direction of Vuong's Palace. This sign is located after you have passed the viewpoint for the Dong Van Plateau. The overall journey time from the city is approximately three hours and forty minutes.

You may reach Vuong's Palace from the town of Dong Van by taking QL4C (Highway 4C) and turning left when you see the sign for it. It is around a half-hour drive from the heart of the town.

​​​​​​Where to stay in H’mong King Palace?

You might choose to stay in the town of Dong Van if you want to see Dong Van attractions other than the Royal Palace, such as the Lung Cu Flag Tower. This city features a diverse selection of available lodging options, the most of which are budget-friendly hotels and guesthouses, in addition to a few tourist and traditional homestays. The majority of Dong Van's accommodations come at more affordable rates because the city lacks high-end luxury resorts. There are a few places in Dong Van where you can stay that also hire motorcycles and scooters.

Plum Homestay

• Address: New Hamlet, Dong Van Town, Dong Van, Vietnam
• Hotline: 036 779 3450
• Website: https://plumhomestaydongvan.com/

Lam Tung Hotel

• Address: Dong Van, Ha Giang, Vietnam
• Hotline: 0219 3856 789

Dong Van B&B

• Address: Alley 2, 19/5, Street, Đồng Văn, Hà Giang
• Hotline:  0915 671 971