Lung Cu flagpole marks the northern most point of Vietnam that shares a border with China. Yes, you can see all the way to China (3km), on a clear day. Located in Dong Van district, about 450 km from Hanoi, the flag tower sits atop the 300m high Dragon Mountain. Arriving just before 5pm, I was dissuaded from taking the stairs up from the bottom. Instead, the bus dropped us higher up, near the shops with a fair bit of stair climbing to reach the tower. Nothing too strenuous, though. It was cool and windy as we circled the base of the tower, admiring the stunning 360° views of rice terraces, valleys, mountains and China to the north. A not-so-high tower with spectacular scenery. Amazing! At the tower, we spiralled up another 200 steps onto a small circular platform that was packed with local tourists. After a quick picture with the massive Vietnamese flag waving strongly above us, we made our way down. The Lung Cu flagpole is an interesting detour along the Ha Giang / Dong Van loop. You need only set aside 30 minutes to an hour at most.

The North of Vietnam is indeed beautiful, outstanding with mountainous area, pass, terrace field and waterfall. The North has 4 top of Pass: Ma Pi Leng (Ha Giang), Khau Pha (Yen Bai), O Quy Ho (Lao Cai) and Pha Din (Dien Bien), which everyone should come to enjoy one in a life time. Ma Pi Leng Pass is rated as the best with incredible view.

Meo Vac is a small but charming district capital hemmed in by steep karst mountains and, like many towns in the northwest, it is steadily being settled by Vietnamese from elsewhere. The journey here along the spectacular Mai Pi Leng Pass, which winds for 22km from Dong Van, is the main attraction. The road has been cut into the side of a cliff with a view of rippling hills tumbling down to the distant waters of the Nho Que River far below. Right at the top of the pass is a lookout point where you can stop to take in the scenery.