Having heard nothing but great things about the extreme Ha Giang Loop in North Vietnam, I had to journey up into the mountains to experience it for myself.
The Ha Giang motorbike loop is an unforgettable 3 days – 350km – round trip adventure that will lead you through majestic landscapes of pinnacle limestone cliffs, deep craterous valleys, and ancient traditional villages.
Needless to say, it’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in South East Asia.
I have put together this complete guide from my own experience including how to get to Ha Giang, where to book a tour, the best places to stay during the trip, what to expect on the route, and much more!
WHERE IS THE HA GIANG LOOP?
The Ha Giang Motorbike Loop is located 310km north of Hanoi in the Ha Giang region, Vietnam.
Click here to see the location on Google maps.
HOW TO GET TO THE HA GIANG LOOP
Hanoi to Ha Giang
The best way to get to Ha Giang from Hanoi is to take a minibus with a journey time of around seven hours for approximately 420,000 VND ($18).
You can choose to travel on the bus during the day or take an overnight bus.
I recommend taking the overnight bus which leaves Hanoi at 7:00 pm and arrives in Ha Giang at 3:30 am. This way you will save money on one night’s accommodation.
Book Now: Hanoi to Ha Giang Bus
Sapa to Ha Giang
If you are traveling from Sapa to Ha Giang, you will have to take a seven-hour minibus that departs from the central bus station in Sapa town.
Buses leave twice a day at 8 am and 10 am and the cost is 150,000 VND which is paid directly to the driver.
It’s best to organize this bus connection the day before travel via your accommodation in Sapa and they will contact the bus company to reserve you a spot for the day you wish to travel.
A hairpin road on the loop
ARRIVING IN HA GIANG
When you arrive in Ha Giang on the bus, whether it be a 4 am arrival from Hanoi or a 3 pm arrival from Sapa, I recommend spending at least one night in Ha Giang before embarking on the Ha Giang motorbike loop.
I recommend this because it’s likely that after a seven-hour bus journey to Ha Giang the last thing you will want to do is jump straight into the 3-day adventure.
Plus, Ha Giang is one of the best places to visit in Northern Vietnam, so you should definitely stay longer if possible.
Also, you will need to organize a motorbike rental and get a Ha Giang Loop map with valuable information before setting off on the most epic experience you will ever have.
BOOK A HA GIANG LOOP TOUR
The best and most convenient way to experience the Ha Giang Loop is to book a tour from Ha Giang city.
I recommend booking online in advance on the Viator website to be guaranteed the best rates. You’ll also be able to see customer reviews, the full itinerary, and everything that’s included on the tour.
In brief, the Ha Giang epic tour includes a 3-day loop on motorbikes with a safe and experienced guide, accommodation, food, water, off-the-beaten-track adventure, authentic experiences with the locals, and much more!
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 3-day semi-automatic motorbike rental
- All fees and taxes
- Stop at Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark
- Safety equipment (helmet, gloves, knee pads, elbow pads, reflective vest, poncho, first aid kit, backpack cover, aluminum bottle)
- English-speaking guide
- 3 nights accommodation
- Minor motorbike repairs if needed during the trip (flat tire, etc.)
- Gasoline/petrol
- Breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and drinking water
BOOK NOW: 3-DAY HA GIANG LOOP TOUR
HA GIANG LOOP BY CAR
For those who are not competent in riding a motorbike and would prefer to take a car around the loop, this is also an option.
You can rent a five-seater car and an experienced driver to take you around the loop.
To book the car option, visit the Viator website to see customer reviews, the full itinerary, rates, and availability.
BOOK NOW: HA GIANG LOOP BY CAR
HA GIANG LOOP – DO IT YOURSELF
If you’d prefer to do the loop on your own schedule and without a guide, this is also possible, you’ll just need to organize everything yourself when you arrive in Ha Giang such as a motorbike rental, accommodations during the trip, food, water, petrol, etc.
As I mentioned earlier, I recommend spending one night in Ha Giang before you depart on the 3-day adventure and most accommodations will likely have motorbike rental services or at least be able to point you in the right direction of where to get one.
They will also provide you with a map of the Ha Giang loop route with clear directions, recommendations on where to stay along the way, and must-see locations.
Also, if you are traveling with a lot of luggage you are invited to leave your big bags at your accommodation and just take a small daypack on your 3-day journey.
Below is a list of scooters and motorbikes that are generally available for rent and approximately how much they cost:
- Semi-automatic scooters: $7 per day
- Automatic scooters: $9 per day
- 150cc motorcycles: $17 per day
I know that Lila Inn offers reliable scooters and motorbike rentals if you wish to spend a night here before the trip and rent one through them.
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LOCAL TOUR OPERATOR
If you’re looking for a local tour operator in Ha Giang I highly recommend booking your trip with Ha Giang Epic Tour which is organized by Vietnam Cheers Hostel.
This tour is designed for adventure seekers who want to face the biggest challenge Vietnam has to offer in a safe environment with experienced guides.
It includes round-trip transportation from Hanoi or Sapa, motorbike rental and entrance fees, a 3-day/3-night tour with a guide, all accommodation, meals and drinking water, exclusive kayaking on the Nho Que River, and more!
Visit the Ha Giang Epic Tour website to see the full itinerary, great customer reviews, and to book online in advance.
Alternatively, if you are in Hanoi, you can visit their booking office and speak with a travel consultant which is located here: 5 Au Trieu, Hoan Kiem, Old Quarter Hanoi.
HA GIANG ACCOMMODATION: BEFORE & AFTER
Ha Giang has hundreds of accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend.
LUXURY: PHOENIX HOTEL
The Phoenix Hotel features a restaurant and bar, a garden terrace, and mountain views making it the perfect place to stay before and after the Ha Giang loop tour!
There are double rooms available with spacious living, a private bathroom, free wifi, and room service. Breakfast is also included for all guests.
MID RANGE: KIKI’S HOUSE
Rated one of the best accommodations in Ha Giang, Kiki’s House features a restaurant and bar, terrace, and free wifi, and is close to nearby shops and attractions.
They have family-sized rooms, double rooms, and dorm rooms available. Kiki’s House also offers motorbike rental upon request.
Perfect place to stay for families, friends, and couples.
BUDGET: LILA INN
Lila Inn is the best budget accommodation in Ha Giang, located right in the middle of the city and features a big yard, hammocks, air-conditioned dorm rooms with large comfortable beds, 24/7 reception, free drinking water, free wifi, and shared bathrooms.
They also offer free transfers from the Ha Giang bus station and can help organize your bus tickets.
FOR MORE OPTIONS IN HA GIANG, SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
The main thing I would like to point out here is the condition of the road on the loop.
No matter what your skill level is as a rider, the roads on the loop are in excellent condition in some areas and also sketchy and dangerous in other areas.
I can’t stress enough to pay full attention to the road and other road users and take it slow and steady.
I also highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for this motorbike trip – safety first!
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There is no need to speed on the loop and be sure to make yourself known on blind corners by sounding your horn.
The weather can be very sporadic in the Ha Giang region, so be prepared to experience all the elements on your three-day adventure.
Take a rain jacket in case it downpours and warm clothing for the cool temperatures at night.
I recommend wearing a long sleeve shirt or sunscreen when riding during the peak sun hours of the day, otherwise, your skin will get burnt to a crisp.
There are ATM machines in the bigger towns such as Ha Giang and Dong Van if you do need to take out some cash.
There are minimal petrol stations along the way but I recommend filling up your tank whenever you hit the halfway mark just to be safe.
I filled my tank twice on the trip, once in Ha Giang and once in Dong Van. I spent a total of 200,000 VND for two tanks of fuel.
MY EXPERIENCE ON THE HA GIANG LOOP
DAY 1: HA GIANG LOOP
Before you take off on your extreme motorbike adventure, be sure to have a full tank of gas, plenty of drinking water, sunscreen, and closed-in shoes.
Then once you are all set up and good to ride, it’s time to get the show on the road.
The best and most recommended route to take is to head clockwise around the loop and make tracks to Dong Van to spend the first night.
I set off from Ha Giang at 8 am and headed north into the mountains for what was the beginning of the most epic three days I have ever had.
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DAY 1: CONTINUED
The distance between Ha Giang and Dong Van is 150km and it took me around six to seven hours including stops to get there.
The road started to wind higher and deeper into the pinnacle limestone mountains and after about an hour or two into the ride I was completely mind blown… mind blown at the sight of the mysterious landscapes that were unfolding in front of my eyes around every hairpin corner.
I stopped at least thirty times that morning to pull out my camera and the drone to capture the beauty of it all.
The first viewpoint I came to was Heaven’s Gate. There is a small car park and a cafe in the clouds, perfect for a short pit stop to stretch your legs.
There are countless incredible viewpoints that can be found along the 4C main road between Ha Giang and Dong Van, it’s just a matter of cruising at a slow pace to soak it all in.
DAY 1: CONTINUED
I arrived in Dong Van at around 3 pm with no accommodation booked as of yet.
I had a quick look at the booking.com app on my phone and I was able to find a cheap hostel, Dong Van B & B, to spend the night.
The cost for one-night accommodation was 130,000 VND for a bed in a dorm room and breakfast was included.
To book Dong Van B & B in advance you can click here to check availability and rates.
There were a few hours till sunset so I took this time to relax at the hostel and recharge my camera batteries before heading out again to shoot the sunset.
I went into the city center of Dong Van for an early dinner and then rode my motorbike to the top of a nearby mountain peak, making it just in time to watch the sun setting over the beautiful cityscape of Dong Van.
Back at the hostel, the staff invited me to join a family dinner of local cuisine for only 60,000 VND. I was still quite full from the meal I had only two hours prior to this but I couldn’t decline their kind invitation.
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DAY 2: HA GIANG MOTORBIKE LOOP
After a good night’s rest, I felt recharged and ready to continue the journey on day 2 of the adventure.
Before leaving Dong Van, I went to check out the ruins of Don Cao French Fortress.
Don Cao is a 5-minute ride from the city center and there is a steep driveway that you can ride all the way to the top.
Don Cao sits on top of the highest limestone peak in the Dong Van district offering 360-degree views from the top.
After exploring the Don Cao French Fortress I set off in the direction of Meo Vac, a small industrial village about 40km from Dong Van.
See More → 4 Week Vietnam Itinerary
DAY 2: CONTINUED
One of the best viewpoints I found on this day was at Mai Pi Leng, just 10km outside of Dong Van.
You will see a small tea house on the corner of a sharp bend around one of the mountain peaks.
Park your motorbike at the front and walk through the tea house to a spiral staircase out the back door.
This will lead you down to a viewing platform that overlooks the impressive Song Nho Que River cutting its way through the valley and outrageous cliffs in the backdrop.
As I was driving through Meo Vac, a storm cloud started to form above me, so I stopped in at a small convenience store to take shelter from the rain.
I was told that Meo Vac was an optional place to stay for the second night but it felt very industrial and not that appealing to me so I decided to keep on going to the next town which is Du Gia.
DAY 2: CONTINUED
At the end of the main road in Meo Vac, you will have to make a right-hand turn off the 4C road and onto the 176 road.
The 176 will take you southeast and back in the direction of Ha Giang.
The best place to stay for the second night of the Ha Giang Lopp is in Du Gia, a small village at the bottom of a valley between two mountains.
The road towards Du Gia snakes up and over several ranges and the scenery just keeps getting more and more fascinating.
Again, I arrived in Du Gia without any accommodation booked and so I stopped in at the first hostel I saw, Du Gia Backpackers Hostel, and they offered me a private room for 100,000 VND including breakfast.
If you wish to book this hostel in advance you can Click Here to check availability and rates.
I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening at the hostel after the six-hour ride from Dong Van to Du Gia.
The hostel put on a dinner for us travelers that were staying there and the cost was 80,000 VND for a big feast of local cuisine.
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DAY 3: HA GIANG LOOP TOUR
Day three started off slow for me as I knew that the last leg of the journey back to Ha Giang was only a 2.5-hour ride from Du Gia.
I had a big breakfast and a coffee at the hostel in the morning before setting off.
Before you leave Du Gia, I highly recommend visiting the Du Gia Waterfall, a short ten-minute ride from the village.
If you are using google maps on your phone, the Du Gia waterfall is very easy to find. You’ll find a dirt car park at the end of the trail, park your bike here and hike along the edge of the running stream for five to ten minutes until you reach the falls.
Click here to see the pin location of Du Gia Waterfall on Google Maps.
When I arrived there was a young child playing in the dirt and he then insisted that I should follow him upstream to the Du Gia waterfall. He played the role of my tour guide even though it was impossible to get lost.
Before reaching the falls there is a number of rock pools and natural slides where there were a dozen local kids making the most of mother nature’s playground.
Must Read → 4 Week Vietnam Itinerary
DAY 3: CONTINUED
The kids were showing off their skills by cliff jumping from the top of the falls into the deep rock pool below.
I spent the best part of an hour here, swimming in the freshwater pools and cliff jumping with the locals!
As I made my way back to the car park, the same young kid insisted to walk me back along the trail to my bike.
I had a scrunched-up plastic bag in my backpack and so I decided to pick up some rubbish along the way, doing my little bit for the environment.
As I started to pick up some rubbish off the ground, I was so amazed to see the young kid follow my lead and he started to pick up handfuls of trash and help me fill the bag.
A great way to influence the kids and I invite everyone to join the movement and give back to the environment.
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DAY 3: CONTINUED
I departed from Du Gia waterfall to make the 2.5-hour journey back to Ha Giang and complete the extreme northern loop.
I started descending down a number of snaking roads through the mountain ranges and was low-key wishing the journey would never end.
The last 20km of the loop road before reaching Ha Giang was not the most enjoyable as they are in the process of resurfacing the road. (September 2018).
It was a bumpy, slippery, gravel road that forced me to ride at a max speed of 30km per hour. This 20km stretch of terrible road was the only bad experience I had over the three-day duration.
I arrived back in Ha Giang at around 2 pm and I decided to stay one more night in town. The following day I took a seven-hour bus ride back to Hanoi.
Of all the extreme adventures I have had on my travels over the past few years, this makes it to the top of my list and I highly recommend it to all!
WHAT TO PACK FOR THE HA GIANG LOOP
When visiting Ha Giang, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you.
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FINAL THOUGHTS – HA GIANG LOOP ROUTE
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions, please drop me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
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THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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Is it possible to do the loop with two on one bike? I’m experienced driver, buy my wife is not comfortable driving. We are both light weights so not a huge load for a 125 cc, but more concerned with storing clothes and personal items.
Hey Rick, it is definitely possible, however, it may not be very comfortable over the long distances, plus it means you’ll have limited room on the bike for storage. I suggest taking a car with a guide as mentioned in this article. Hope this helps and enjoy ha giang loop!
Great shots and amazing recommendations, just wanted to say thank you stranger from the Internet ✌️
Will do this in a few days as well and follow your steps.
Is there anything you can recommend but you heared of it after your journey?
Hey Sebastian, thanks for reading this guide, and glad you found it useful for your trip! Nothing more that I can recommend that I found out about after, just be prepared for the most epic journey in North Vietnam! Take lots of photos too, haha! take care mate 🙂
I will do the Loop in about a month from now. Is it safe if you’re not the most experienced rider? I owned a 50cc scooter that I’d ride along the coast in South Korea, but it was only an automatic. What are your thoughts? Also, some places offer a 4 and/or 5-day Loop tour, do you recommend a longer one, or is 3 days enough? Cheers!
Hey Marco, yes it is safe if you have had some experience on a scooter. It’s great to go on a tour as mentioned in this post so you have a guide. Yes 4 – 5 days would be amazing, and less rushed. Next time I make the loop I will do longer than 3 days, it’s a beautiful region and so much to see! I hope this helps and have a great time!
Hi Jonny,
you mentioned to go clockwise. Can you say why?
Cheers, Jan
Hey Jan, this is the most common route that the majority of travelers take, and guided tours head in this direction also. There is no wrong or right way so it’s entirely up to you. Hope this helps and enjoy the Ha Giang Loop!
Jonny, very helpful summary, can you recommend doing the 3 day loop alone? What was the total cost in USD compared to tour operators in Ha Giang town, such as Jasmine? Cheers, Johann
Hey Johann, yes it’s possible to do it alone, this is the way I did it as well and had no issues! I would say roughly $200. Cheers and enjoy Ha Giang Loop!
Jonny,
Did you need a licence to rent the bike? Were there police checkpoints? I have ridden scooters over many years in Asia but do not have a specific bike licence only a car licence. Still half way through obtaining a motorcycle licence. I would like to do this trip in a few days and feel confident to ride a bike around the loop (I am a very cautious rider) but don’t want to end up in trouble with the law.
Hi Tim, I always have an international driver’s license on me and I do have a motorbike license as well. But this is not necessary in my opinion, as long as you are a competent rider you will have no dramas. I didn’t get pulled over by police nor did I see any police checkpoints on the loop. I am sure you will be just fine! Enjoy 🙂
I enjoyed reading your travel story very much. I set of to Ha Giang at dec. 13 2019 and follow your directions. Very helpful info. 🙂
Awesome mate! Enjoy Ha Giang!
Hi Jonny,
Awesome blog and I’m sure it’ll come in very handy when i come to do the loop next month. I was just wondering how busy the roads are with regards to traffic etc? Thanks
Glad you enjoyed this guide mate! The roads were not very busy at all when I did the loop which was good! Enjoy!
Hi Johnny! Thanks for sharing
My boyfriend isn’t confident riding the motorbike, do you think we can arrange this by car by ourselves or it is ncessary a guide/ driver? The cost you tell us 130dollars is for car and driver for the tree days? excluded the driver overnights or incl?
What do you suggest me to do since I really want to enjoy the landscape (maybe in the car if you are not the driver you will miss a lot of stops…) I think I need to let my boyfriend practice…
Anyway did you went there with a guide as well? You had to pay his meals and nights?
After the 3rd day on the way back it is possibile to come back by night train to Hanoi insted to stay in Ha Giang by night?
Sorry for all this questions but I can’t wait to get there (on august too) and I want to be prepared!
Thank you again!
Nora
Hey, Yes it is possible to do it by car and yes you will need a driver. I am not sure about what is included if you do the loop by car sorry. I did the trip solo with no guide and had to pay for my own food, fuel and accommodation along the way. Yes it is possible to head back to Hanoi on the 3rd day by bus or train. I hope this helps! Enjoy 🙂
Amazing shots! May I know which month you did the Hagiang loop?
Hey thanks alot! I went in August 2018
Hi, what do you recon of me and my wife on the same bike.?we going to the look on october.
What do you do if you ride by yourself and the bike break down in the middle of nowhere?
Yeah two people on a bike is fine. Just make sure whatever bike you get looks in good condition, has good tyres etc. I recommend booking through the hotel I mentioned in the article or the other bike rental guy in town. If you break down there are always people driving on those roads and will be sure to stop and help if need be. Enjoy your trip!
Hi Jonny,
I have a question about motorbike for two people. There is enought place for two big backpacks (50l)?
Great photos!
Hi Mike, No I wouldn’t recommend taking your 50L backpacks. Best to leave them at your accommodation before you set off and then pick them up after you complete the loop. Just take a day pack with a few changes of clothes for the 3 days. Hope this helps and enjoy.
Awesome shots! Didn’t you get any trouble getting your drone into the country? Or up in the air?
Hi Remon, Glad you love my shots! No, not at all, I didn’t have any issues getting it in and I was able to fly it pretty much everywhere! Good luck and enjoy!
Hey Jonny!
Thanks for posting this, its really helpful in helping me plan my trip!
Just a quick question, after leaving Du Gia, did you have to pass by Tam Son Town or Quang Ba Town to get back to Ha Giang?
Awesome, glad you love it Aston. I am not too sure about that one, there were so many towns and villagers that I can’t remember the names of. Best to ask when you pick up a map and a motorbike! Enjoy
Hi !
Possible to get the way you road on a map ? The place you see looks like amazing !
Thanks a lot !
Hi, I am afraid I don’t have the map anymore but there is only one way you can do the loop so it’s very easy to navigate. When you arrive to Ha Giang and get your bike or car, you’ll be given a map for sure! Enjoy 🙂
Planning to do this loop in October 2019, which month did you do it in?
Hi Sean, awesome you’re going to love it! October would be an awesome time to do it. I did this trip in August 2018. Enjoy 🙂
Super useful! Heading to Ha Giang tomorrow morning.
Thank you and happy travels 🙂
Great! You are going to love it.