3 Exhilarating Days: The Hà Giang Motorbike Loop
If you asked me what my favourite experience was while reflecting on my six months of adventures throughout Southeast Asia, I would say without hesitation: the Ha Giang Loop.
If you’ve never heard of the Ha Giang loop, not to worry—I hadn’t heard of it either prior to visiting Vietnam. It was only halfway through my travels, while having a few beers and chatting with two other travellers, that I learned about this crazy experience where you can hire a motorbike and drive around the mountainous regions in the north. I took note of it then, but thought maybe it would be something I’d do next time. To this day, I’m glad I changed my plans to include it, as it was an experience like no other!
The Ha Giang Loop is a two-night, three-day, 300 km adventure motorbike loop (some complete it in three nights and four days) in the northern reaches of Vietnam. Enthusiasts will ride through stunning landscapes where roads twist through awe-inspiring canyons and breathtaking mountain passes. Key attractions include the majestic Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate, the dramatic Ma Pi Leng Pass, the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark with its ancient rock formations, Hmong villages, and the Lung Cu Flag Tower—the northernmost point of Vietnam.
“The highlight for me was experiencing the untouched, rich culture firsthand, encountering the various ethnic groups in the area, meeting some of the amazing locals, and having copious amounts of happy water every evening!”
You can book tour packages online or at the hostels in Ha Giang. I would recommend booking online during busy periods to avoid and disappointments. Options of motorbikes include: automatic or semi-automatic scooters, or manual motorbikes. Booked tours come with homestay accommodation and include meals. If you already know how to ride a motorbike (like I do), I’d recommend hiring a manual 150cc bike (they have better suspension, a bit more power and are more fun to ride) if not, you might want to opt for an automatic scooter.
If you really want to experience the mountainous areas but don’t trust yourself on a motorbike, you can always choose the “easy rider” option, whereby you will ride as a pillion with a local driver. This usually costs a little more to cover the driver’s expenses.
The Ha Giang loop is a paradise for adventurous travelers seeking the thrill of the open road.
Here is a typical itinery for a 2 night 3 day trip on the Ha Giang Loop
Day 1: Hà Giang – Quản Bạ – Du Già
- Distance: 100km (4-5 hours)
- Things to see and do: Bac Sum Slope, Quản Bạ heaven gate, Lùng Tám linen weaving village, Du Già waterfall.
- Stay the night at a family run homestay (Tay people).
- Have a traditional dinner along with happy water, sing karaoke and dance.
Day 2: Du Già – Mèo Vạc – Đồng Văn
- Distance: 100km (4-5 hours)
- Things to see and do: Nho Quế river, Tu Sản Canyon, Mã Pí Lèng Pass,
- Stay overnight at a family run homestay (H’mong People)
- Have a traditional dinner along with happy water, karaoke and dance.
Day 3: Đồng Văn – Yên Minh – Quản Bạ – Hà Giang
- Distance: 160km (6-7 hours)
- Things to see and do: H’mong king palace, Sủng Là valley, Bắc Sum slope, Cán Tỷ slope
- Arrive back in Ha Giang around 3.30 PM.
- Rest up, have a shower and either stay the night there in Ha Giang or arrange a bus back to Hanoi.
Travel Tips for Ha Giang
How to get to Ha Giang
Regular daytime and overnight buses leave from My Dinh bus station in Hanoi to Ha Giang. You can also find private transfers and tours available online or through local tour companies in the capital.
Where to stay and who to book with
There are a few places to stay in Ha Giang along with companies you can book a tour with, from personal experience I would highly reccommend staying a night at the Ha Giang Hostel and booking through them. They were very accommodating and professional. Plus, they were one of the only places in town that had the 150cc Manual Hondas.
Things to expect
As you journey through the northernmost region of Vietnam, you’ll find limited resources once you leave Ha Giang. Make sure to bring enough cash, as ATMs are few and far between.
Group booking or private tour?
Most tour companies offer private tours at a slightly higher cost than larger group tours. I highly recommend going private if you’re traveling with a friend or a small group. During my visit, I noticed large groups moving slowly together, and I prefer having more space on the open road to enjoy my own experience. Plus, at the end of the day, everyone tends to stay at the same homestays, so you still get the chance to meet and socialize with other travelers over delicious food and copious amounts of “happy water“.
I hope you enjoyed this post and found it helpful! If you would like to read more about travel adventures throughout Southeast Asia, please check out my blog. Thanks! – Frazer Alexander
