Ha Giang Loop: Ultimate Guide for 2024

The Ha Giang Loop is a magnificent 400km motorbike loop in the mountainous far north of Vietnam. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is our highlight of all of South East Asia.

In this comprehensive Ha Giang loop guide you will discover the best way to plan your trip, the best photo spots, and best options for accommodation along the route. This guide will answer give you the answer to the most common question – should you ride solo or as part of tour?

Ha Giang province arguably boasts the most incredible landscapes in Vietnam – you’ll be mesmerized by the scenic winding roads, steep mountain passes, lush rice paddies, and majestic waterfalls. Besides the awe-inspiring scenery, the Ha Giang Loop is a cultural encounter with the ethnic minorities of northern Vietnam.

You’ll ride through many traditional villages nestled in the mountains and spot farmers herding goats and buffalos whilst kids run at you for high fives.

Best Ha Giang Loop Itinerary (4 days / 3 nights)

Day 1: Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Yen Minh (100km)

Set off in the morning or early afternoon for the most epic road trip of your lives. We set off at around 1pm from Styles Motorbikes – which is our pick for where you should rent a bike for the loop.

As soon as you leave Ha Giang, you’ll be fascinated by the peacefulness/tranquility of the countryside. The roads are getting narrower clustered between traditional villages, karst mountains, and farmers’ fields. On our first day, we stopped way too many times to take photos and to look at the insane views of the Ha Giang Valley.

Heaven’s Gate Pass

Your first main stop will likely be the incredible Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate Pass. You can stop here to learn about the geology of the region, and take a coffee break at the side of the road, from here you will be able to enjoy the views of the winding roads below.

Twin Mountains

Keep driving 2 km to the Fairy Bosom Mountain viewpoint with its platform at the top of the hill. You’ll see the village of Tam Son down the valley with its lush green and yellow rice fields reflecting the sun between the famous Twin Mountains.

After crossing Cầu Cán Tỷ Bridge, we took the shorter mountain pass by mistake to reach Yen Minh. Yes, the mountain range’s scenery over the valley was amazing, but we do not recommend it. The road was very narrow, and bumpy, with plenty of holes. We had to zig-zagged between the trucks and bikes which felt quite unsafe.
Stick to the long peaceful road along the river which goes through Yen Minh Pine Forest. This road is more suitable for bikes.

After the mountain pass, we rejoined the main road again. From there, it took us around 30 minutes to get down to Yen Minh. The road was in much better condition with amazing landscapes, mountains and lovely Vietnamese country villages.

Yen Minh Accommodation [Night one]

We arrived in Yen Minh at 5:30 pm just in time for the sunset and stayed at Han Anh Homestay. A few groups were staying for the night, but we managed to get a private double room with hot water, dinner, and breakfast for 600,000 VND – $24 for two people. You can also book a bed in a large dorm if you want to save money.
There are plenty of other options in Yen Minh such as Bong Bang Homestay, Little Nho Homestay or Tom Homestay.

Day 2: Yen Minh – Lung Cu – Dong Van (87km)

Sach Da Van Chai Rocks

The next day, we left Yen Minh at 9am and stopped at Sach Da Van Chai Rocks. The large rocky mountain range layered in the background was a great spot for a photo.

Tham Ma Pass

As you keep driving, you reach Tham Ma Pass. This spectacular serpentine road, often compared to a snake, is the most famous viewpoint of the loop. Expect many groups and tourists here.

We had lunch in the Hmong village of Sung La where the whole village got excited about a sugar cane delivery. The restaurant owner and her daughter were very sweet and insisted on us trying the raw sugar cane.

Lung Cu Flag – Chinese Border

The drive to Lung Cu Flag, also known as the northernmost part of Vietnam, is incredible. It goes via the impressive Dong Van Plateau where you’ll see flower fields and farmers herding goats. On your way, you’ll also notice the border checkpoints with China.

We arrived at the flag tower late afternoon which was perfect because the large groups were already gone. This is an iconic landmark in Vietnam. The views from the tower are nice even if there is not much in the surroundings.

Visit Lung Cu Flag

Entrance fee: 40K – $1.64
You can drive up to the main entrance with your scooter. From there, there are around 250 steps to reach the tower. We climbed up more stairs to get to the very top just under the flag.

Dong Van is only 50 minutes away from there. Don’t skip Khe Lia Panorama on your way down which is worth it.

Dong Van Accommodation [Night two]

Dong Van is a very nice and picturesque town with a mountain backdrop. Enjoy your night in one of the restaurants in the Old Quarter serving a delicious hot pot!

Tip: Dong Van has a very nice local market on Sundays – local culture (pigs, buffalos, fruits). Great way to see the local life.

We stayed in Aladdin’s homestay where we negotiated a lovely bungalow with hot water for 250K – $10. Other options in Dong Van are Dong Van Eco Stone House, Plum Homestay or Dong Van Cliffside House for a more luxury option.

Day 3: Dong Van – Meo Vac – Du Gia (93km)

The third day was the most scenic, fascinating but also challenging part of the loop. We started the day with a lovely coffee from Old Town Coffee Dong Van.

Ma Pi Leng Mountain Pass

Then, we drove to the Ma Pi Leng Mountain Pass, one of the most spectacular mountain passes in Vietnam. This 20km epic junction that connects Dong Van to Meo Vac offers the most majestic views of the whole loop. We can’t describe how beautiful these roads carved in the mountains are, but you’ll be mesmerized for sure.

Happiness Road : This road has a tragic history that has shaped the whole region. The 185km from Ha Giang to Meo Vac was built between 1959 to 1965 by local people and 1,000 youth volunteers from many different ethnic groups.
14 youth volunteers tragically lost their lives while working on The Ma Pi Leng Pass …
Despite its terrible history, the road is called “Happiness” because it enabled thousands of isolated villages and people to gain access to electricity, health care, and education. Thousands of lives have been massively improved with this road.

The Famous Ma Pi Leng Skywalk

Many people’s favorite part of the Ha Giang loop is the Ma Pi Leng Skywalk which gives a phenomenal perspective of the valley. You can ride your bike to the main viewpoint but it’s super narrow, so we preferred to hike to the top! You’ll walk past a very small village where we saw kids playing and little girls carrying back their flower buckets from the fields.

Tu San Canyon

There are many viewpoints of the Tu San Canyon after the Skywalk. We stopped at Tu San Coffee for a quick break and fresh juice. You can also do a one-hour boat tour on the turquoise waters of the Nho Que flow to explore Southeast Asia’s deepest canyon (700-900 meters). It costs 100K per person ($4).

Meo Vac Town

We stopped for lunch in Meo Vac town which is not as charming as Dong Van. If you are here on Sundays, don’t miss the local Meo Vac market which is very authentic.
We planned on arriving in Du Gia around 4:30pm but the first 40km after Meo Vac were under construction. There were so many trucks blocking the road, holes, gravel, uneven stones, and sand covering the road – the conditions were terrible. This part was not as enjoyable, but it was still worth it like with the M shape turn Viewpoint.

Mau Due Valley

Once the hard part was done, we loved the scenic roads from Mau Due to Du Gia Valley. The landscapes, rice terraces, and villages here are completely different from the rest of the loop. You’ll drive past the ruins of an old French colonial military fort with great views of farms and houses around.

Lung Ho’s Viewpoint

Finally, the most beautiful panoramic views are from Lung Ho’s viewpoint. We arrived just before the sunset, and the colors in the sky fading behind the mountain ranges in the background were fantastic! This part of the road also has a very special atmosphere of tranquility.

Du Gia Accommodation [Night three]

We arrived in the quiet Du Gia at 6:30pm and stayed at Du Gia Field View Homestay in the middle of rice terraces. We rented a room with a shared bathroom with dinner and breakfast for 450K – $18. Other options on the same road are Du Gia Rice Field Homestay, Muong Tra Garden Homestay, Du Gia Village Homestay Lan.

Day 4: Du Gia – Quan Ba – Return to Ha Giang (97km)

Du Gia is a nice little town with great surroundings worth exploring. We left early in the morning to see Du Gia waterfall before driving back to Ha Giang. This short detour was not worth it for us – the road to the waterfall is bumpy and many groups were heading the same way… Try to go late afternoon when you arrive in Du Gia if you want to enjoy it by yourself.

Important: There are two different itineraries to get back to Ha Giang.

There is one shorter in time and distance on Google Maps that goes south on Road 176 before taking the main Road 34. This way is not recommended at all as Road 34 is in very bad condition especially if it has rained. Many people advised us that this route was a stressful experience.
We recommend returning the same way you came on Road 176 heading north and taking a left on Road 181 just before the French military post. This road will go north to Quan Ba before taking a road that looks like it’s following the river down in Google Maps. This road is much higher in the mountain, and you don’t see the river but it’s in great condition and easy to drive until Ha Giang.

Don’t forget to check the police checkpoints when entering the town – we avoided the main road again and drove smoothly to Styles Motorbikes without any issues. We took a hot shower and waited for our night bus to Cat Ba Island.

Conclusion: This was the end of our amazing four-day itinerary in the Ha Giang Loop which was the best experience of our Southeast Asia trip. We absolutely loved riding solo and even if you’re not an experienced driver it’s an amazing experience to do as long as you are cautious. This feeling of freedom and adventure is unforgettable. Ha Giang loop will definitely become more popular in the coming years so now is the time to do it!

Unmissable viewpoints in the Ha Giang loop

Heaven’s Gate
Tham Ma Pass
Lung Cu Flag
Skywalk in Mai Pi Leng Pass
Tu San Coffee
M Shape Turn Viewpoint
Lung Ho Viewpoint

Ha Giang loop budget

The Ha Giang Loop is a very affordable experience for any travelers if you do it independently.
You can see the breakdown of our daily budget for 2 people:

Bike Rental: $18 for two 110cc semi-automatic bike ($9 per bike)
Private room in Homestay: $10 (with breakfast)
Dinner: $6
Lunch: $3
Snacks & Petrol: $3

$40 for 2 people per day

If you decide to book a tour, the price is much higher with the easy rider option. But it’s worth it if you are not confident enough to drive or if you do not have an international license.

Example: Jasmine Tour for 4 days /3 nights

SELF-RIDING – 4.248.000₫ / $179
EASYRIDER – 6.048.000₫ / $255

How to get to Ha Giang?

Ha Giang Province is located 300km north of Hanoi in the most northern part of Vietnam. The city of Ha Giang is the starting point of the loop. Whether you come from Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay, or Cat Ba Island, you can catch a bus to Ha Giang. Taking a sleeper night bus is a great option to get to Ha Giang – it saves you one night of accommodation, and you don’t spend your day in a minibus.

From Hanoi or Sapa – 6h – ~$10
From Halong Bay – 9h – ~$20
From Cat Ba Island – 13h – ~$25-30

We took a bus from Sapa at 7:30pm and arrived in Ha Giang at 2am. We stayed in a small hotel near the bus stop to sleep for a few hours and recover from the night bus.
Some people recommend resting one day and exploring Ha Giang before starting the loop. But the truth is that there is not much to see in Ha Giang and the first day of the loop is easy, so we suggest hitting the road in the morning.

How long should I take to do the Ha Giang Loop?

Most people do the loop in 3 to 5 days. We completed the loop in 4 days, and it was perfect. It gave us enough time to enjoy every part without being rushed. We were lucky to have great weather all the way but it’s important to allow some flexibility in case it rains, or if the road conditions get bad. Also, this gives you the opportunity to spend extra time in a place you’ve liked. We are not experienced drivers so the 3-day itinerary would have been too intense for us.

Riding independent vs organized tours

There are two options to complete the Ha Giang Loop.

You can either do it independently like we did. You must arrange everything from renting your bike and finding your homestays to most importantly driving and navigating on your own. This is a true adventure, but it gives you a lot of freedom to stop whenever you want, go as slow as you’d like, eat where you want and choose what sights to see.
Otherwise, you can join an organized tour with other travelers (10/15 per group). Your guides will arrange everything for you. There is an Easyrider option where you will be with a Vietnamese driver who knows the roads perfectly. You just sit on the back of the bike and enjoy the beautiful views. Or you can ride a bike as part of the group – you’ll need an international driving license.
Overall, it’s very convenient because everything is sorted for you and that will be a stress-free experience.

Riding independent

If you decide to drive solo like us, here’s a full guide to help you prepare your trip.

Renting your bike in Ha Giang

Although there are many motorbike rental shops in Ha Giang, we recommend Style Motorbikes. Our experience with them was above expectations.

The owner and his team are super nice, very professional, and speak good English.
Prices are displayed on the wall so there is no stress about negotiations or getting ripped off.
Their bikes are in perfect condition, and they give you a lesson on how to ride before you start the loop.
They store your large luggage for free – you’ll take only a small backpack with you.
They provide a lot of information on where to stay, what to see, and what itinerary to follow along the way. Road conditions are constantly changing so it’s best to have as much information as possible.
You can even stay in their dorms and shower for free before and after the loop if you need.

They have five rental shops across Vietnam which is super convenient if you want to cross the country riding your bike and drop it in another city.

What bike should I rent?

Choosing the appropriate bike for your trip is very important. There are three types of bikes: automatic, semi-automatic, and manual.

Automatic: NOT RECOMMENDED for the loop.

Although it’s the easiest and simplest bike to ride as there are no gears, it is not recommended to complete the loop with a fully automatic bike. The roads can be very hilly, bendy, and bumpy so you won’t have enough control and power with an automatic. It’s also very tiring and unsafe to use the hand brakes all day, especially when it rains as you can easily slip.

Semi-Automatic: RECOMMENDED – 110 cc enough for one person.

This is the best option to complete the loop. You can change gears easily to face hills and bumpy roads and you cannot stall – the bike stays in gear when you stop. It is also safer to ride under rainy conditions as you won’t use the brake as much compared to a fully automatic bike.

Manual: Only for experienced drivers. The bikes have gears and a clutch. You need a driving license to rent manual bikes.

If it’s your first time driving a semi-automatic, don’t worry it’s easy and safe. As mentioned, we had only driven automatic bikes before the loop. After a quick lesson to try our 100cc semi-automatic bike and learn how to change gears, we were confident to start our road trip.

What do I need to rent a bike?

To rent a 100cc semi-automatic bike you only need to leave your passport or $400 deposit and sign a rental contract. You do not need to show your driving license. Make sure your travel insurance is covering your bike and trip otherwise you can book additional insurance through the bike rental shops.

Important: it is better to also have an international driving license in case you face a police checkpoint – see below

Police checkpoint

The Ha Giang loop is getting more popular with travelers leading to more road accidents involving tourists. The Vietnamese authorities have considerably increased the police checkpoints in Ha Giang. If you drive solo and get stopped by the police, you must show your international driving license and your rental contract.

The police will fine you ($40 minimum) and potentially seize your bike if you fail to show your international driving license.

Tips to avoid the checkpoints:

Try to join a large driving group to pass the checkpoint – it’s more difficult to be stopped if there are 15/20 drivers around you.
Avoid the main roads to exit Ha Giang – we took a detour when we saw the police checkpoint on the main road in Ha Giang.

Overall, if you are uncomfortable with this situation and don’t have your international driving license, we recommend booking an Easyrider tour.

Should I book accommodation in advance?

We didn’t book our homestays in advance. You can just show up in the evening and negotiate a price for the night. Style Motorbikes recommended some great homestays along the way.

The only negative point is that a nice homestay can be fully booked when you arrive. When this happened to us, we just went to the homestay next door which was as good! We didn’t find the experience stressful at all. Also, this gives you a lot of freedom and flexibility.

If you’d rather have your accommodations sorted, you can always use booking.com.

General tips

Wait for good weather forecast and visibility to start the loop, if you can of course. The overall experience and views will be much better. Driving in the rain is much harder and tiring.
The roads are generally safe but always be careful with big trucks, sand, cliffs, and mostly other drivers. Easy Riders groups are very fast and overtake you in a dangerous way.
Download offline Google Maps for directions in case you don’t have any signal.
Try to leave early in the morning to avoid driving in the dark – some roads don’t have any lights.
Withdraw enough cash for 4 days before you leave Ha Giang (all the shops, markets, homestays, and restaurants take cash only). There are also a few ATMs in the main towns along the way.
Don’t trust your fuel gauge (tank reservoir?) – it can look empty after driving up a long hill or full if parked on a slope.
Try to refuel gasoline once a day or every two days at max. Petrol stations found on Google Maps are sometimes closed but there is always a shop in the small village selling bottles of gasoline to refill your tank.

Easy Riders

Recommended tours

The EasyRider tours are very popular in Ha Giang. We did not do an organized tour, but most people recommend Jasmine or Bong for the loop. These two companies are experienced and reliable.

What to expect?

You will be part of a group of 10 to 20 people. The guide and drivers sort everything from your lunch and accommodations to fixing any mechanical problems. They know the province very well and are experienced drivers. You just need to relax, follow the pace, and enjoy the adventure. It’s a great option for people who don’t have the confidence to drive solo.
If you don’t fancy a large group, you can also do a private tour with your drivers only.

What to pack?

Whether you are riding solo or with an easy rider, you really don’t need to pack much for the Ha Giang Loop. Your bag is attached to the back of your bike and usually wrapped in a plastic bag in case it rains.
The essentials are a waterproof raincoat as the weather is unpredictable, a warm hoodie, long pants, a comfortable pair of shoes to wear at night like flip flops, a swimsuit, and a battery pack for your phone.

Best time to visit

You can visit the Ha Giang loop all year long, but there are two seasons (dry and rain).

January to April: dry season, temperature can be cool, spring season with flower blossom! We did it early March and the conditions were perfect.
May to August: rainy season, hot weather, fewer tourists
September to October: great weather with some occasional rain, golden rice terraces
November to December: dry season, buckwheat flowers, but the temperatures can be very cold.