4 Days on the Ha Giang Loop: The Ultimate Northern Vietnam Motorbike Trip

The Ha Giang Loop through Northern Vietnam is one of those trips that stays with you long after it finishes. After spending almost two months traveling in Vietnam, the Ha Giang Motorbike Loop was by far the highlight of my time there. If you’re looking for a little adventure, take a few days to see this special side of the country and head toward the spectacular province of Ha Giang, Vietnam.

What is the Ha Giang Loop?

The Ha Giang province is the northernmost part of Vietnam. This region shares a 270km border with China and is famous for its stunning beauty.

The Ha Giang Loop refers to a route through this region that is usually driven on a motorbike. With staggering mountains, steep rice paddies, and breathtaking views, nature fans will find themselves squealing in delight at every turn on their Ha Giang tour.

Oh, and adrenalin enthusiasts, get excited. Because some of the most dangerous roads in Vietnam are found along this loop.

Many visitors head to nearby Sapa or Ha Long when they want to get their natural beauty fix. Ha Giang, on the other hand, features more intense landscapes with fewer crowds.

Right now, the Ha Giang Vietnam loop still feels like a well-kept secret. You’ll see other travelers there, but not many. While there are restaurants and accommodations with western comforts along the motorbike loop, they’re not abundant by any means.

You’ll spend time in tiny villages, largely untouched by tourism. You’ll stay in locally-owned guesthouses, eat at family-style restaurants, and experience a part of the world that most people never see.

My advice? If you want to experience this region of Vietnam before it gets overly built up, do the trip sooner rather than later. I suspect it won’t be long before word gets out about how fantastic this part of the world is and everyone comes flocking.

When to do the Ha Giang Motorbike Loop

It’s best to do the Ha Giang loop during dry, warmer months. August through November and March through April have mild weather with occasional showers. June and July are hot and typically dry. 

Alex and I drove the Ha Giang Loop in May and the weather was perfect almost the whole time. It was hot and sunny during the day but on the bike, the constant breeze kept us cool. On the last day, we experienced fog and a light rain shower but we had rain jackets so it wasn’t a big deal. 

I’ve heard a few less-ideal stories about people attempting to do the loop in winter. Winter in Vietnam is from December to February and it can get cold up in the mountains.

My friends who went in winter were underdressed, freezing, and soaked because it rained almost every day. They still had an amazing time, but one of them described the experience as, “The coldest I’ve ever been in my entire life.”

So if you want to avoid driving a motorbike through the cold, pouring rain, stick to the warmer months for your Ha Giang motorbike tour.

Getting to Ha Giang from Hanoi

The best way to get to Ha Giang is to take a sleeper bus from Hanoi. Your accommodation in Hanoi should be able to arrange this for you or you can book directly through a service like 12GoAsia.

The Hanoi to Ha Giang regular sleeper bus takes about 6 hours and each person has a long seat that stretches most of the way out. You won’t be totally flat like bunk beds and if you’re tall (raises hand), you’ll probably be a bit tight, but I still found the experience much more comfortable than a regular bus.

There is one bus stop along the way for bathrooms and snacks. There is no bathroom on board the sleeper bus. 

The sleeper bus should cost about $9 per person each way. Our hotel also told us about a VIP limo van option that costs around $15 per person each way, but it was leaving at a time that didn’t work for us. If you’re interested in a more upgraded experience, ask your accommodation for information about the VIP limo van.

You’ll also be able to catch Ha Giang to Hanoi bus on your way back. Since the bus schedule can fluctuate, ask your Ha Giang Hostel for the updated return schedule when you arrive.

Starting the Ha Giang 4 Day Loop

Ha Giang, Vietnam is filled with motorbike hostels designed to help you plan your trip. These hostels give you a place to stay the night before you begin the loop and will often store your bags while you’re away. They also offer bike rentals, guided tours, and recommendations about how to do the loop.

I recommend staying at the same hostel where you book your bike and guide so you have a place to leave your luggage and shower when you return. Your hostel can also help you arrange a bus to your next destination.

Here are some highly-rated Ha Giang Loop Hostels:

• Ha Giang Hostel: Dorms and private rooms, luggage storage, motorbike rentals, and 3-5 day guided motorbike tours available
• Ha Giang Loop Hostel: Dorms and private rooms, swimming pool, motorbike rentals, and guided tour packages with or without drivers
• Hong Hao Hostel and Motorbikes: Dorms and private rooms, modern design, central location, bike rentals, and loop guidance

Our hostel hosts were super knowledgeable about all aspects of the loop and they helped us feel comfortable for the adventure ahead. Since motorbike tourism is extremely common in this area, you can ask your host for help preparing your bike, planning your route, and other logistical questions before you go.

Ha Giang Loop Bike Rental Options – Drive yourself or use an Easy Rider

The Ha Giang Motorbike Loop has some of the most dangerous mountain roads in Vietnam. Because the roads are steep at points, you’ll need to travel on a semi-automatic or manual motorbike. Your hostel will have different types of bikes available at different sizes and power levels.

Alex and I opted for the Suzuki GD 125CC, the largest bike with the most power since both of us would be riding on it and we had luggage tied to the back. We’re tall so it was snug, but overall we were comfortable for the four days and the bike performed great.

Luckily for me, Alex knows how to ride motorbikes and has been driving them since he was a kid. While you don’t have to be a professional to do the loop, this definitely isn’t the place to test out your motorbiking skills for the first time. Not only would this be stressful and scary for you, but it would also put everyone on the road in danger.

Thankfully, there’s a pretty cool solution. If you don’t know how to ride a motorbike or just don’t want to risk the intense roads, you can opt for an Easy Rider. With an Easy Rider, you hire a driver as well as a motorbike. You’ll ride on the back and your experienced driver will take care of everything so you can enjoy the scenery without worrying about driving yourself off the side of the mountain.

We saw several people leaving with Easy Riders the morning we left. They went to all the same spots and had the same experiences as people drove themselves. If I hadn’t been traveling with an experienced driver, I would have opted for the Easy Rider myself!

When we were there in 2019, Ha Giang Loop Easy Rider cost about $160 USD for the 4-day loop and about $120 USD for the 3-day loop. Some hostels also offer packages that include accommodation and meals in addition to a driver.

The Easy Rider is also a good option if you don’t have the proper paperwork to rent a bike in Vietnam. To rent a motorbike and drive the Ha Giang Loop legally, you’ll have to have a driver’s license that allows you to operate motorbikes. For most countries, this means you have a “class A” designation on your license.

You’re also required to have an International Driving Permit or IDP. An IDP is a translation of your license that makes it valid all over the world. You can get this in your home country before you leave for your trip. If you’re from the USA, you can get an IDP at AAA.

If you don’t have a valid bike license and an IDP on the bike trip, you could face a fine if you get stopped by the Vietnamese police. When we were there, we were told that the fine for riding without the correct license would be 1 million Dong, or about $40 USD. 

What to Pack for the Ha Giang Loop

If you stay at a special bike loop hostel in Ha Giang, you’ll be able to leave your big luggage in storage while you do the bike trip. You’ll only need a small day backpack to carry what you need for a Ha Giang Loop 4-day itinerary so plan to leave any valuables and the majority of your stuff back at your hostel.

Ha Giang Loop 4 Days Packing List

(This list is written assuming you’re heeding the aforementioned advice and traveling in a warm season):

• Tennis shoes (you’ll wear these on the bike)
• Flip flops for hostels
• 2 athletic tee shirts (I wear these stink-proof merino wool shirts religiously!)
• 1 pair of athletic shorts or leggings (My favorite Bermuda-length active shorts from Amazon even have real pockets!)
• 1 casual outfit for evenings in town
• 4 day supply of underwear and socks
• Rain jacket – Even in the dryer seasons you might get some rain. A rain jacket is a real lifesaver and can also be used for warmth as you climb in elevation. 
• Pajamas
• Sunscreen
• Travel toiletries
• Face wipes
• Sunglasses
• Camera/GoPro
• Smart Phone with Maps.Me App downloaded (for offline maps when you don’t have service)
• Chargers
• Adapter so your chargers work in Vietnamese outlets. (I like this one from Ceptics)

You’ll also need to bring your IDP (International Driving Permit), Drivers license, and cash for the trip. Almost every place you’ll eat and stay will accept only cash.

Take about 1.5 million Dong (about $64 USD) per person for the four-day trip and spend wisely since you won’t have access to ATMs at every stop. In just a minute, I’ll cover the Ha Giang Loop cost in more detail.

How much does the 4-Day Ha Giang Loop Cost?

Doing the Ha Giang Loop doesn’t have to break the bank. I was traveling with a partner so we were able to split expenses like accommodation and the bike. If you go alone, you could opt for less expensive shared hostel dorms to keep costs low. Here’s a rundown of what it cost us to do the northern Vietnam bike loop in 2019.

• 125 CC Manual Bike for 4 Days: Around $56 USD (This was the most expensive bike available.)
• Optional Bike Repair Insurance: $4 USD/ day, $16 USD in total for a four-day trip
• 1 night in a hostel dorm room: $4 – $8 USD
• 1 night in a private hotel room: $15 – $20 USD
• 1 meal on the road: $2 – $4 USD
• 1 bottle of beer at the end of the day: $1.28 USD
• Gas: $0.40 USD per Liter. We filled it up the first day and then spent about $2 USD per day on fuel
• Sleeper bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang: Approx $8 – $9 USD each way

We chose to stay in private hotel rooms two nights out of the three so our total cost for the four-day trip was $210 USD or $105 USD/person.

What route to follow on the Northern Loop

We followed our hostel’s Ha Giang Loop route suggestions and their itinerary was excellent. 

We left at the same time as a dozen other people from the hostel and it was nice seeing familiar faces along the way. You’re not required to stick with the group or follow the exact route provided, but this one worked great and was the right balance of rest and adventure.

Ha Giang Loop Map

Day One: Ha Giang to Yen Minh

Morning Briefing: After having breakfast and packing up our small backpack at the hostel, we did a full-group morning briefing. In this meeting, the hostel staff passed out maps and showed us the best route to follow each day of the trip. They highlighted cool things to do and told us places to avoid.

During the briefing, the staff gave all the bikes a final tune-up. We also learned how to tie our bags onto the back of the bike so they wouldn’t go flying down the mountain, a skill Alex and I never really mastered. 

Getting Started: We started the Ha Giang Loop tour as a big group and stopped at the gas station and ATM before leaving Ha Giang city. The leader took us through town and helped us get started on the right roads, giving us the best chance of not getting hopelessly lost on day one.

It didn’t take long to learn why this is one of the most spectacular bike trips in the world and a top thing to do in Vietnam.

Coffee with View of Heavens Gate: On the way to Quan Ba, we passed a little coffee shop built into the side of the cliff. There was an amazing lookout point to take in the valley called Heavens Gate. This was the perfect time to have a second (or third, if we’re being honest) coffee of the day. 

Lunch in Quan Ba: Just a few minutes down the road, we hit our first town on the trip. Quan Ba has several restaurants and guesthouses but overall was quiet except for travelers doing the bike trip. We had lunch at Caffe Yen Ngoc and liked it so much we ate there again on our way out of the loop on Day 4. They had WiFi, restrooms, and a pet rooster that lives in the tree outside the restaurant. 

Drive to Yen Minh taking the longer route: From Quan Ba, we left for Yen Minh. There were kilometer marker signs along the road saying which town we were near so we never felt too lost as we wove our way through the mountains.

There is one point where you’ll see a fork in the road. One side says “Yen Minh 40km” and the other side says “Yen Minh 20km.” Our hostel host warned us about this point. She said to take the longer route no matter what because 90% of people get a flat tire when they go the shorter route. 40km route it is!

As we got closer to Yen Minh, we experienced some traffic on the roads. There were local buses, loaded trucks, and hundreds of motorbikes flying down the narrow roads. No one seemed too bothered with which lane was which.

This was the only big traffic area we encountered on the trip, thank goodness, but be aware going in that you’ll need to use that horn and use it with gusto.

Where to stay in Yen Minh: 

If you’re traveling solo or on a tight budget, check out the Bong Bang Homestay in Yen Minh. At Bong Bang, you’ll get a bed in a shared room with a fan and WiFi for around $6 USD.

If you’re traveling as a couple or with a friend, or if you just want to be a diva like us and lay face down in the air conditioning for a while, there are also hotels in town where rooms run around $20 USD per night.

We stayed at a place called Phuong Dong Hotel in town, but I can’t find any information about it online. It was just off the main road and walk-ins were perfectly fine when we visited.

For dinner, check out August Cafe and Restaurant. They have delicious local and western options and so many fantastic ice cream drinks I got overwhelmed and ended up ordering none, a decision I regretted long into the night. It’s locally owned by a wonderful family and feels like home after a long day on the bike.

Day Two: Yen Minh to Dong Van

Breakfast in Yen Minh: Our hotel provided breakfast but we wanted to lay down a bit more of a coffee layer before heading out. We stopped by August Coffee and Restaurant once again on our way out of town then drove north to explore the northernmost regions of Vietnam.

Tham Ma Pass: Okay, you know that crazy winding road that seems to be the cover photo for all Ha Giang Tours? This is that road. Drive carefully and make sure to stop at the lookout point at the top to take some pictures that will shock your friends and make you the coolest person at any party by default.

Exploring Local Villages: There were also more opportunities on day two to go off and explore little villages since the main path from Yen Minh to Dong Van is not too far.

We almost got trapped in the deep rice paddies of the Lao Xa village when we drove down a steep hill and couldn’t coax the bike back up again, but thankfully the solution was easy. I just had to get off and walk my butt up the hill with my own two legs in the 500-degree heat.

I think this is called taking one for the team.

Lunch at Thach Ma Restaurant: As you drive up toward the northernmost part of Vietnam, you’ll pass through Loung Hoa and stop for lunch. The Thach Ma Restaurant was a great spot for a meal and like most spots along this trip, it has a view.

The Chinese Border: Most of our driving on day two kept us on a road that hugged the Chinese border. You’ll see signs indicating the Vietnamese and China border all along the path and at points, you’ll even be able to see the fence separating the two countries.

Lung Cu Flag Tower: This flag tower marks the most northern point in Vietnam. Even though the stairs to get to the top will leave you winded, it’s worth it to see the panorama views of Vietnam and China.

Pro Tip: You can actually drive yourself up about halfway to the top on a back road around the hill that the flag tower sits atop. You’ll still have to walk the last set of stairs up to the tower itself, but save yourself some hiking and drive to the halfway point. The cost to go up to the flag pole is 25,000 Dong or about $1 USD.

From the Flag Tower, you’ll follow the signs back down to the main road toward Dong Van where you’ll stay the night.

Where to stay in Dong Van, Ha Giang:

If you’re traveling solo or on a budget, check out the CND Hostel Dong Van for an inexpensive dorm room with a fan. This hostel does nightly parties where they serve local rice wine called “Happy Water” so prepare to have a more exciting night if you stay here. They have private rooms as well but they are fan-only, not air-conditioned.

If you aren’t feeling a party vibe, check out Green Karst Hotel. This hotel had a blazing cold air conditioner, a private bathroom, and a TV where we watched Nature shows instead of socializing like the true party animals we are. The room there was only a few bucks more than a private room at CND Hostel and it had air conditioning, so for sweaty folk like us, it was a no-brainer.

When you get hungry, enjoy a splurge night at Roma Italian Restaurant. This spot is run by Italian transplants and the pizza was some of the best I’ve had in Vietnam.

Day Three: Dong Van to Du Gia 

Without a doubt, day three was the day with the best views. Every turn was better than the next and the roads were much less crowded as the mountains get more intense. 

Leaving Dong Van: In the morning, we started the day right with a huge breakfast at the Green Karst Restaurant. This spot was a few blocks away from the Green Karst Hotel and it was packed with travelers because they offer an enticing breakfast menu for less than $4 USD.

Drive the Ma Pi Leng Pass: This is said to be one of the most beautiful roads in Vietnam… and one of the most dangerous. On it, you’ll get to enjoy the heart-racing spectacle adequately named The Ha Giang Skywalk.

Sky Walk Ha Giang: From the main road, you’ll see signs for Sky Walk and you’ll follow a real road until you get to the narrow dirt road that almost looks impossible to drive on. This is Sky Walk. The Sky Walk road is only two feet apart at points. It is narrow and STEEP.

You can drive this road on your bike or you can walk the path if it’s too narrow for your nerves. About twenty meters down the “road,” there’s a rocky lookout point where you can see down into the valley on one side and the rice paddy on the other side.

If you rode your bike to the lookout point, you can either ride the bike back the way you came or you can choose to go the other way down the more challenging side of Sky Walk. The other side looks less intense at first. It circles down into a safe-looking rice paddy.

But don’t be fooled, you’ll follow that teensy tiny road through the rice paddies for a while. And then, just when you think the adventure is behind you, you’ll find yourself at the top of a cliff staring down the world’s tiniest little pathway with zero room for slips or errors.

You’ll spend about fifteen minutes scootching yourself down a serpentine road, back and forth, down, down, down. You’ll sweat your way through this hair-raising slope for what feels like ages until you hit the main road again, then collapse in a euphoric relief that you did, in fact, survive.

If you were nervous on the way to the lookout point, it’s best to go back the way you came. If you’re a confident driver, you can give the other direction a try but just know it will be much longer and more challenging.

Panorama view coffee stop: You’ll probably be pretty exhilarated from the Sky Walk, so this is the perfect time to stop for a relaxing coffee break and photo opp. Continue down the main road until you see Panorama. Here you can try different Vietnamese coffees and smoothies while enjoying a view of the river valley. If you’re hungry, they also serve food. 

Lunch in Meo Vac: Grab lunch in the little town of Meo Vac. We tried vegetarian Pho at Thanh Phuong Restaurant and it was really good! The women running the restaurant were kind and offered us free bananas and tea with our meal. 

UNESCO heritage site viewpoint: After lunch, we made a quick detour to the UNESCO lookout point in the town of Meo Vac. This point is marked on Maps.Me so you can follow the guidance provided to the little gazebo atop a hill. Take the stairs up and get a panorama view of Meo Vac and the surrounding mountains. 

Driving Over the Mountains: The rest of the day is all about the drive. As you make your way to Du Gia, you’ll go over several mountains with views for miles. Take your time and take lots of pictures on some of Vietnam’s most impressive roads.

Where to stay in Du Gia: In Du Gia, we stayed at the Du Gia Homestay. The setting was spectacular and we ended up reconnecting with many of the people we started the journey with back in Ha Giang town.

For dinner, you’ll have the option to eat dinner at the homestay or adventure into town. We loved the western-style bar/restaurant combo called 1 High Bar right in downtown. 1 High Bar doesn’t show up on google maps, but it’s very close to the Du Gia Hostel and Homestay.

Day Four: Du Gia back to Hai Giang

In the morning, we had breakfast at our homestay and filled up the bike with gas. We didn’t have to go far to find the first attraction of the day since the Du Gia waterfall was only about ten minutes from the Homestay. 

Du Gia Waterfall: While cool to see, the Du Gia waterfall was a bit underwhelming. I only say that because the scenery around the waterfall was much more spectacular than the waterfall itself. It felt like walking through Narnia.

Still, this Ha Giang waterfall is worth seeing since you’re so close and lots of travelers took the opportunity to cool off in the mountain water. There is also a place where you can jump off the top of the waterfall into the pool below, but please, please use your best judgment about jumping in.

Du Gia is remote. There isn’t even an ATM in town and the nearest big town is several hours away by bike. I imagine getting out of there with a broken leg would be miserable, so be extra careful with extreme waterfall jumping. 

Mountain Driving: On the trip from Du Gia back toward Quan Ba, you’re surrounded by scenery on all sides but the road themselves were not the best. Huge parts of the road were under construction or broken, so take your time and go slowly since challenging parts can sneak up on you.

Stop for Lunch: Just like day one, grab some food at Caffe Yen Ngoc in Quan Ba. On our trip, it was raining a bit outside so we opted to eat the hot noodle soup inside. Just like the first time, we were pleased with our decision to eat here.

Head back to Ha Giang: You’ll follow the same route back to Ha Giang that you took on the way in. When you get back to town, head to your hostel to get your bags and shower before your journey back to Hanoi.

Catching the bus from Ha Giang to Hanoi

The same Hanoi sleeper bus you arrived on runs several times a day between Ha Giang and Hanoi. When you return to your hostel, they’ll help you book your spot on the soonest bus.

If you arrive late at night or you’re too exhausted from the drive, you can always stay another night in the hostel and leave in the morning.

Final thoughts and tips for the Ha Giang Bike Loop

As you can probably tell from this Ha Giang Loop blog, this northern Vietnam motorbike tour is one of the coolest things I’ve done in my travels. I loved getting to experience this beautiful part of the world and the motorbike loop is the perfect combination of adventure, culture, and natural wonder.

Whether you’re based in Vietnam for a few months or are only traveling in Vietnam for a few weeks, the Ha Giang Loop tour is worth it.

What’s the most adventurous road trip you’ve ever taken? Let me know in the comments below!