The Ha Giang Loop is regarded by many as one of the most beautiful motorbike rides in all of Southeast Asia. If you’re an adventure seeker, adrenaline junkie or you simply just want to escape from city life whilst travelling in Vietnam… Then taking a ride on the winding mountain passes through the jaw-dropping rock formations, stunning rice fields and deep blue rivers of northern Vietnam might be the adventure you’re looking for. This adventure was a highlight of our 2 week Vietnam trip.
If you’re travelling to Vietnam and are thinking about booking the Ha Giang loop, here is everything you need to know before booking this unique and thrilling experience.
What is the Ha Giang Loop?
The Ha Giang Loop is a 330km road trip through Vietnam’s northernmost province. The Ha Giang Loop starts and finishes in the small town of Ha Giang. Due to lack of infrastructure, the route has historically been done on a motorbike but with recent road upgrades, it’s now also possible to do the main route by car. Even now the trip isn’t for the faint-hearted, many of the winding mountain roads can get very busy and are prone to rockfall from the cliffs above.
On the Ha Giang Loop, you’ll experience some of the most breathtaking views. You’ll drive through epic volcanic valleys which have been shaped over millions of years, pass through small traditional villages where the locals are farming in the rice and corn fields and have the chance to stop at beautiful waterfalls.
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How to get to the Ha Giang Loop
The easiest and most common way to get to Ha Giang is to take a sleeper bus from Hanoi. The sleeper bus takes between 5 and 6 hours and is usually included with most tours. You’ll hop on the sleeper bus in the old town, and it will take you directly to Ha Giang where you’ll be dropped at a hostel in the early hours of the morning where you’ll have the chance to get a few extra hours of sleep before the first day of your adventure. The bus will stop off every hour or so at a service station where you’ll be able to use the restrooms (I made sure to pack plenty of water and snacks for the trip too).
Top Tip: You may also have the option to upgrade to the VIP sleeper bus. In my opinion, the additional space and comfort are well worth the extra cost.
Easy Rider or Hiring a Motorbike – which is right for you?
The Ha Giang loop is a 330km road trip that travellers can explore by motorbike. If you’re debating booking an easy rider to ride you across the loop vs doing it yourself, it’s important to know that some of the roads are narrow and on cliff edges, lorries and cars are also using the roads which you will need to navigate past, rock fall from the mountains is common and although most of the roads have been maintained some of them are rocky so prepare for a bumpy ride.
With little to no experience riding on a motorbike and reading up on the road conditions we opted for an easy rider and we’re glad we did. Opting for an easy rider takes the stress out of riding the loop yourself and it means you can relax, have a beer, take in the stunning views, and take photos when you want. If you don’t have any motorbike experience, then this is the way to go.
The drivers were locals from the Ha Giang area, so they know the roads well and are driving them every day. We felt very safe throughout our experience knowing that the ‘easy riders’ were prepared for all eventualities. We were in a group of 13, and our drivers were friendly and made the experience so much more enjoyable for us.
Accommodation in Ha Giang
There are many accommodation options on the Ha Giang Loop but you’ll mainly come across hostels and ‘homestays’. Some are better than others but don’t expect 5-star luxury like you’ll find when staying in places such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Homestays will offer a perfect resting place and will usually include a basic breakfast. One of the homestays we used even had a large swimming pool. Most homestays will have the option of a private room or mixed dorms both with adequate toilet and shower facilities.
If you’d like a taste of what’s to come regarding accommodation, then here’s a list of the places we stayed during our Ha Giang Loop experience:
Food and Drink in Ha Giang
Just like the accommodation, the food on the Ha Giang Loop is nothing like the big cities. You’ll be tucking into traditional Vietnamese food which is quite basic but extremely tasty and filling.
The tour we took included all our meals; 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 evening meals (on the final day we arrived back in Ha Giang).
Water is also included on the trip; the easy riders provide this for you and ensure that you stay hydrated. There are also plenty of stop-off points throughout the route with small bars where you can grab beer, soft drinks, and snacks (make sure you have some cash). One of the highlights of our trip was enjoying a traditional coconut coffee at Heaven’s Gate viewpoint.
How to book a Ha Giang Loop tour
There are plenty of tour companies in and around Hanoi that offer trips and tours and you’ll most likely walk past them every day. Since we only had 2 weeks in Vietnam we booked our trip ahead of time via GetYourGuide to make sure we wouldn’t miss out and so we could secure the VIP sleeper bus.
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Our Ha Giang Loop tour cost £194 per person and we opted for the easy rider option. The exact trip we took can be found via the above widget. The VIP sleeper bus upgrade was an extra £9 per person and I’d highly recommend it if you’re a light sleeper.
Like most experiences in Vietnam, the tour operators will contact you via WhatsApp a few days before the trip to confirm timings and pickup locations. They are also very happy to answer any questions you may have.
MAP OF the HA GIANG LOOP
Here is a basic map of the Ha Giang Loop showing the route that we took with our easy riders, the map includes all of the stop-offs on our trip. Of course, if you are riding the Ha Giang loop on your own you can adapt this to suit what you’d like to see!
3 Day Ha Giang Loop Itinerary
If you need an itinerary for your Ha Giang Loop then the below may be useful. This is the itinerary we took with our easy riders.
Night 1 – Travel from Hanoi to Ha Giang on the sleeper bus. You will arrive in Ha Giang in the early hours of the morning and check into your hostel/homestay.
Day 1 – Travel from Ha Giang to Dong Van via Yen Minh Town.
- Start the day early (meeting your guide/easy rider and picking up your rental).
- Ride through Bac Sum Pass to Heaven’s Gate, you’ll get to see the ‘twin mountains’ and Tam Son Town.
- Head to Yen Minh Town and have lunch.
- Jump back on the bikes and continue your journey toward Dong Van. You’ll pass through Chin Khoanh Pass, stop-offs at various points to take in the stunning scenery including the Dong Van Karst Plateau.
- Visit Hmong King’s Palace in Sa Phin (chance to grab a coffee or an ice cream).
- Finish off the final ride of the day to Dong Van where you’ll stay for the night, enjoy some local Vietnamese cuisine and a few beers in the town.
Day 2 – Dong Van to Du Gia Village via Ma Pi leng Pass.
- Another early start (around 8am) for breakfast in the village.
- Set off on day 2 of riding, you’ll head through the Ma Pi Leng Pass, make sure to stop off and take in the breathtaking views.
- Head down to the banks of Nho Que River and take a boat ride through the valley.
- Continue to Meo Vac, Mau Due or Lung Ho village where you’ll stop for lunch.
- Arrive in Dua Gia Village and check in at your local homestay.
Day 3 – Du Gia Village back to Ha Giang
- Breakfast at the homestay in Du Gia.
- A short ride to Du Gia waterfall where you can relax and swim the cool waters (there’s also a bar if you want to grab a coffee).
- Start the ride back towards Ha Giang, stop off to observe Nui Doi Mountain on the way, and keep your eyes peeled for waterfalls!
- Arrive back in Ha Giang where you’ll be able to grab a beer and have some food. Spend the rest of the day relaxing before you hop back on the sleeper bus to Hanoi.
Arrive back in Hanoi and continue your adventures in Vietnam!
Safety and top tips
By now you’ll know that the Ha Giang Loop is one of the best trips you can take when in Vietnam. The mind-blowing scenery and intense days are sure to leave an impression on you forever, that said here are a few tips to ensure you make the most of your adventure and stay safe on the road:
- Always wear a helmet when on your motorbike (if you’re with an easy rider they’ll make sure you do anyway).
- Stay hydrated – the days are long and hot! Make sure you’re drinking enough water.
- If you’re inexperienced on a motorbike, consider hiring an easy rider to help you on your Ha Giang Loop tour.
- Pack a phone lanyard or strap so you can take photos on the back of the motorbike (you won’t want to miss the opportunity).
frequently Asked Questions
Tips are not expected in Vietnam but they are welcomed. Most easy riders don’t earn a great deal of money so a tip of around 160,000 VND ($5) per day is the norm.
What are the toilets like on the Ha Giang Loop?
Most of the toilets that you can stop at are clean and free to use. Some of the bars may charge a small fee for using them.
What do you eat on the Ha Giang Loop?
You’ll be eating traditional Vietnamese cuisine. This isn’t like the cities in Vietnam, the restaurants will be small and family-owned. Don’t forget you’re in rural Vietnam.
What’s the accomodation on the Ha Giang Loop?
Most of the accommodation is basic, you’ll mainly find homestays and hostels on the route.
What should I pack for the Ha Giang Loop?
Make sure to pack for all weather conditions. It will most likely be warm but it’s recommended to pack a waterproof jacket and some extra layers in case it rains (plus it will get cooler as you ride high into the mountains). Pack accordingly for the length of your trip. You should also pack a small bag/rucksack as you’ll leave your luggage in the hostel in Ha Giang.
The Ha Giang Loop has some of the most dangerous roads in Vietnam. Some of the roads are prone to landslides and flooding. Make sure to take care when driving in these remote locations. If you’re unsure about riding a motorbike on the Ha Giang Loop, consider hiring an easy rider.
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