Ha Giang is the last place in Vietnam where foreigners are required to obtain a permit - presumably on account of the perceived sensitivity of the border with China. Travel permits are not required in other border areas with China - so it may simply be a local revenue raising scheme. Either way, it definitely doesn't send a welcome message to visitors. View it as a province admission fee and you'll feel better! It costs $15USD per person.

While in Ha Giang town, pass by the Ha Giang Museum - most of which is dedicated to the area's ethnic minorities. It isn't as informative as the Ethnology Museum in Hanoi, but it's worth 30 minutes or so.

We spent a night in Ha Giang at Homestay just out of town. It was a pleasant base for a night and we also took a walk from the resort to some nearby villages through some very scenic countryside.