HA GIANG LOOP TOUR BY MOTORBIKE 3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS

If you want to experience pristine nature mostly untouched by human life, the Ha Giang Loop tour in Northern Vietnam might be in order. Located on the border with China, this stunning circular route will let you sample some of the best the region has to offer: astonishing views, towering fog-wreathed karst mountains, golden rice terraces, blooming fields, majestic rivers, and more.  In addition, you can also check out our Vietnam travel guide to know more interesting information about Vietnam

What to pack for the Ha Giang Loop

3 days & 2 nights Ha Giang Loop tour itinerary

The Ha Giang Loop tour (3 days, 2 nights) will take you to the most stunning area of Vietnam, to the land of ethnic tribes like the Hmong, Dao, and Lo Lo, to the Dong Van & Meo Vac loop where dreams come true for adventure travelers yearning for the open road. The road winds through jaw-dropping canyons and breathtaking mountain passes—the Ma Pi Leng Pass.

Read more: 3 Week Vietnam Itinerary – A Complete Travel Guide

Day 1: Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Yen Minh

Morning

At around 6:30 am, you are picked up from your hotel or meet us at a suggested place in the Old Town – Hanoi, and head to Ha Giang via Tuyen Quang. We will stop on the way for a break and breakfast if you wish.

By noon, we will reach Ha Giang city where we have our lunch and another break before heading further north on the 4C highway. Soon, you will dive into a limestone mountain range covered with lush green jungle, followed by the Dong Van karst Plateau – a UNESCO Global Geopark

Day 1: Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Yen Minh of Ha Giang loop tour

Afternoon

And of course, this afternoon we cannot miss the Heaven’s Gate Pass where you will get your first taste of exhilarating views along with challenging and tight curves. Cruising down from Heaven’s Gate Pass, we will arrive at jutting, forested hills Tam Son and then Quan Ba Twin Mountain (also known as Fairy Mountains) – the special art with mountains blending perfectly with rice terraces forming likening as two breasts of fairy narrated by locals. 

Yen Minh is our next destination where the road leads to the beautiful Mien River and a climb through a tall canyon, karst plateaus and mountain passes. We will stay in Yen Minh for the night.

Day 1: Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Yen Minh

Tips for you to get a best Ha Giang loop tour: You should prepare winter clothes for the trip to visit Dong Van karst Plateau

Day 2: Pho Cao – Sung La – Lung Cu – Vuong Palace – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Dong Van

Morning

On the second day of the Ha Giang loop tour, enjoy our complimentary breakfast at the homestay and get ready for another adventurous day. Follow the steep road that quickly rises above the treeline, revealing otherworldly landscapes of eroded limestone karsts with an incredible view at every turn. 

Next, stop at Tham Ma Pass for the set of curved rounds descending into the valley below then at the forgotten town of Pho Bang which is an old town located right beside the Vietnam and China border. Driving through Pho Bang, we will arrive at Lung Cam where Sung La valley is located. Sung La attracts visitors with its natural and peaceful little houses, green corn, and massive buckwheat flower fields and the land is shared between Lo Lo, Hmong, and Han ethnic groups.

Continue driving to Vuong Place to visit the Residence of the Vuong Family which has a special architecture of Chinese, H’Mong, and French cultures and it is one of the most honored families in the region due to their drug trading history in the past. Lung Cu Flag Tower is our next stop before having our lunch at a Lo Lo family in Lung Cu.

Read more: The Best Vietnam 10 Day Itinerary – Great Vietnam Tour Idea For You

Day 2: Pho Cao – Sung La – Lung Cu – Vuong Palace – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Dong Van Ha giang loop tour

Afternoon

After lunch, we will encounter the most mind-blowing stretch of road in all of Vietnam. Every single km is marked with massive peaks, canyons, and beautiful green valleys. When we reach the Nho Que River, we will hop on a boat, and cruise down the river to Tu San Canyon which is the deepest canyon in Vietnam and Southeast Asia with 800m in depth, 1.7km long, and 70–90-degree cliff slope. 

By late afternoon, we will get to Dong Van where we will stay the night. After dinner, feel free to explore the town in your own time and have some rest after a long day of driving but much worth it.

Day 2: Pho Cao – Sung La – Lung Cu – Vuong Palace – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Dong Van

Tips for you to get a best Ha Giang loop tour: You should wear sports shoes or climbing shoes when going to Lung Cu flagpole, while traveling in cities and towns, just wear sandals or normal shoes.

Day 3: Dong Van – Meo Vac – Ha Giang – Back to Hanoi

Morning

After having breakfast, we will set off to Dong Van market to experience the traditional trading of ethnic people. Here, you can find home-growing vegetables and also much stuff that is freshly picked from the forest. 

ha giang loop tour - Dong van market

Afternoon

Return to our van and set off for a long journey back to Hanoi, driving past Meo Vac. If we cross this town on Sunday, we will stop by Meo Vac Sunday market for another look at the colorful market trade of ethnic people. The ride back to Hanoi is long but the scenery along the way will be well worth it.

Meo Vac Sunday market

Tips for you to get a best Ha Giang loop tour: Make sure to ask your host in Dong Van about the days and hours of the local markets. You won’t want to miss this opportunity for cultural immersion.

How to do the Ha Giang loop

If you want to start Ha Giang loop tour from Hanoi, it takes 7 hours to travel to Ha Giang.. You can get there on a sleeper or limousine bus, but there are many tour operators that take visitors from Hanoi to Ha Giang and back. 

The loop is most commonly traversed on rental semi-automatic motorbikes, but options to travel by car or hop on bikes with experienced local drivers are also available. Semi-automatics are recommended because drivers don’t have to brake as much, preventing over-braking and slipping. When the bike stops, it also stays in gear by itself, keeping you safe even when you have to stop on a hill. Rather than going solo, most visitors choose to travel in tour groups for peace of mind, a sense of organization, community, and bonding activities.  

Ha Giang loop tour by motorbike gives you more interesting experiences

Things to know before you motorbike the Ha Giang Loop

Most people complete the loop in 3 to 5 days, depending on unforeseen factors such as weather, mishaps, or road conditions; this article will include a suggested 3-day itinerary.

The weather will be absolutely unpredictable and forecasts unreliable, as many travelers have reported sudden changes in the middle of their journey. You can only prepare accordingly (see below for what to pack) and hope for the best. There is no “perfect month” to travel to Ha Giang. However, if you want to see the golden rice fields waiting for harvest, do the loop in September. By October and November, the rice will be gone, but buckwheat flowers will come into full bloom.

The narrow roads are quite challenging even in great weather, with sharp curves and hills. Most of it is well-maintained, but some stretches may be damaged. Because safety is paramount, make sure that you are renting bikes from reputable companies, and that your bike (even if you bring your own) is in top condition before setting off. Skilled bikers can rent dirt bikes, but semi-automatic bikes are the best choices for everyone. Good rental places and companies will make sure you know how to work with your bike before allowing you on the road.

Accommodation can be booked on the spot, but it’s better to plan out your trip and book rooms in advance, as it may be hard to find places to stay during the peaks of the tourist season. Try to reach accommodations before sunset and avoid driving in the dark.

Tips for you to get a best Ha Giang loop tour:  Because the weather in Ha Giang is erratic, please check the forecast information before your loop

Things to know before you motorbike the Ha Giang Loop

Where to stay in Ha Giang

Bong Hostel, Bikes & Tours – 59A Nguyen Thai Hoc Street 

According to TripAdvisor, the cheap-and-cheerful Bong Hostel is the top place to stay in Ha Giang. The accommodation is affordable, comfortable, and clean. The enthusiastic and experienced staff offer services and free advice that visitors might require, and their Cafe serves delicious food. They keep their vehicles well-maintained and are happy to teach people unfamiliar with driving semi-automatics. 

Bong also offers an Easy Rider tour for people who can’t ride motorcycles; the hostel’s professional drivers will make sure your trip is pleasant and memorable.

Ha Giang Historic Hotel – 209 Minh Khai Street

This hotel is a good starting point for the loop – private, secluded, and nestled in nature. Some rooms may have a great view of the surrounding mountains. Their restaurant serves both Asian and Western cuisine, but there is also the option to join the family for a large meal, and the opportunity to enjoy a drink at the tea house. There is also a garden, a terrace to hide from the weather, and a BBQ grill. 

The comfortable and quiet facilities of this hotel will help you relax during your stay and prepare for the trip ahead. The staff is competent and willing to help arrange services and rentals; they even found massage therapists and chiropractors at guests’ requests.

Where to stay in Ha Giang

Tips for you to get a best Ha Giang loop tour: When visiting smaller towns, it is essential to make hotel or homestay reservations in advance because the most desirable places to stay fill up quickly, especially during high season.

What to pack for the Ha Giang Loop

Traveling as lightly as possible will help make your journey easier. Firstly, you must keep a bag with the essentials on yourself at all times: 

  • ID
  • Phone, chargers and batteries
  • Camera
  • Water, jacket and raincoat
  • Some cash. (There are ATMs along the way, as well as spots to charge your devices, but it’s better to be prepared.) 

The rest of your luggage should be secured to the back of your bike. The weather is very changeable, so dress in layers that you can easily take off or put on rather than just one thick coat. For a three-day trip, you’ll need two changes of clothing; make sure they are comfortable and won’t restrict movement. Hoodies, long pants, short pants, and swimsuits should be ideal. A bandana or scarf will protect you from the wind and flying insects on the road, and bug spray is also recommended alongside sunscreen. 

You can pack flip-flops for wading in streams, but you should always drive in proper, closed-toed, safe shoes and have another pair of shoes to change into if needed. For health and sanitary reasons, bring a flashlight or headlamp, as well as medicine and a first aid kit. Shampoo/body wash/towel/toothbrush may be provided by your hotel, but you can also bring your own.

Tips for you to get a best Ha Giang loop tour: A first aid kit is always the most important item to bring for any trip

FAQs about Ha Giang loop tour

What are the best places for tours in Ha Giang?

Ma Pi Leng Pass, Lung Cu Flagpole, Dong Van Old Town are the best places for tour in Ha Giang

What Ha Giang loop tour cost?

The cost of a tour in Ha Giang is dependent on a variety of things. However, the cost of the 3-day, 2-night Ha Giang Loop tour ranges from $150 to $200. For the most detailed information, you should contact with FTrip right now!

Hopefully, travel tips about the Ha Giang loop tour have helped you get more useful information. Travel to and around Ha Giang is becoming increasingly accessible because of the province’s growth in general and tourism development in particular. However, a journey through the area remains an outstanding, unique experience. Ha Giang’s beauty lies not only in its stunning scenery but also in the friendliness and warmth of its people.

Source: Ttravel

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