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Vietnam Travel Guide​
Ha Giang Loop tour: the highlights in 3 days
- Driving the Ha Giang loop is the best experience you can do in Vietnam
- Choose either on the back of a motorbike (adventurous option) or by jeep (comfortable option) – both private tours
- Explore the most remote villages and markets and learn more about the unique minorities living in the mountains.
- Behold the most impressive views of mountains and passes in Southeast Asia; lots of stunning photo oppurtunities
- Local experience staying in a homestay and eating in local restaurants
- Local English speaking guides that can stop whenever you want
Options to get to Ha Giang & back
Option 1
Homestay package + 1 day
[Most recommended]
Depart from Hanoi in the early morning the day before you want to start the Ha Giang loop (Day 0). Transfer from your hotel in Hanoi to Ha Giang by luxury limousine minibus.
Arrive in the afternoon in Ha Giang. Stay in a local authentic minority village just outside town. You have the afternoon to explore the beautiful village, including rice fields around. The village belongs to the Thai minority, who live in houses on stilts. You will spend the night in a homestay in this village where you will be picked up the next day to start the Ha Giang loop tour.
Cay Homestay
- Unique experience in staying in a beautiful local village of ethnic minorities
- Stunning area with rice fields
- Private bungalow style room for the comfort option
- Clean and specious dorm room for the standard option
Option 2
VIP Limousine Sleeper Bus
Bus travel can be tiring. For a few dollar more you have a luxury VIP bus, with seats that are almost twice as large as the normal sleeper bus.
Option 3
Private transfer
We can arrange a private car from Hanoi or other destinations in Vietnam to Ha Giang
From Sapa
If you are planning to visit Sapa too, it is recommend to get our tour Sapa + Ha Giang Loop – that includes direct transfers between Sapa and Ha Giang City.
Arrange your own transfer to Ha Giang
If you are traveling to Ha Giang from another city, you can arrange this yourself or contact us in advance.
Day 1: Ha Giang Loop tour
Day 1: Ha Giang → Quan Ba → Yen Minh → Aya Lodge
- Ha Giang Aya Lodge by Local Vietnam
- Lunch, Dinner
Morning
In the morning you are picked up by your driver or Easy Rider. Your luggage is secured, helmet or seatbelt on, and the journey begins. The first stretch already leads you past rivers, cliffs, and green valleys as you enter some of Vietnam’s most dramatic mountain scenery.
Bac Sum Pass is the first real climb of the trip. The curves and viewpoints are already impressive, but it’s only a warm-up for what the Ha Giang Loop will reveal over the next three days.
At the first viewpoint on Quan Ba Heaven Gate you can enjoy a warm drink while overlooking the surrounding mountains.
You continue to a higher viewpoint where the well-known Twin Mountains appear — two nearly perfect rounded hills set among limestone peaks.
The road continues over a quiet mountain pass toward Yen Minh, passing the iconic Lonely Tree. From the town you turn onto a lesser-known road toward Mau Due — an alternative route rarely chosen by standard Loop tours.
After a series of sweeping switchbacks you reach a viewpoint overlooking the M-shaped road you just climbed. A great photo stop before continuing.
Afternoon
You arrive at Ha Giang Aya Lodge by Local Vietnam, our own mountain lodge with panoramic valley views. A fresh lunch is served before starting the afternoon program.
In the afternoon you take a gentle hike through quiet mountain villages and open landscapes where almost no other travellers come. The trail is accessible, not too steep, and a relaxed way to experience local culture and nature up close.
You return to the lodge toward the end of the day. From the terrace you have a beautiful sunset over the mountains while enjoying a drink, followed by dinner.
Accommodation
Ha Giang Aya Lodge by Local Vietnam
- Mountain lodge with panoramic valley views and peaceful surroundings.
- Private hot tubs and a cozy restaurant serving fresh local meals.
- Local ethnic staff offering warm, community-based hospitality.
- The perfect base for trekking, photography, and off-the-beaten-path routes.
Optional Extra Day: Exclusive Trekking from Aya Lodge
Full day
Would you like to extend your 3-day Ha Giang Loop? Our exclusive 12 km trek is a fantastic addition. The route starts directly from Aya Lodge and leads you through untouched mountains, remote ethnic villages, and viewpoints far from the standard Loop.
Interested? Simply mention it in your request and we’ll arrange the additional trekking day for you.
Day 2: Ha Giang Loop tour
Aya Lodge → Meo Vac → Ma Pi Leng Pass → Dong Van → Aya Lodge
- Ha Giang Aya Lodge by Local Vietnam
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning
After breakfast the second day of your Ha Giang Loop continues toward Meo Vac, one of the most scenic routes in northern Vietnam.
- On Sundays you can visit the large ethnic market in Meo Vac.
- On Tuesdays you can visit the local market near the lodge.
You continue over the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass. Your driver or Easy Rider knows the best viewpoints along the cliffs for safe photo stops.
A short walk along the Ma Pi Leng Skywalk leads you to a spectacular viewpoint over the deep canyon.
Down in the valley you board a small boat for a ride through the narrow gorge below Ma Pi Leng. Towering rock walls and complete silence make this one of the highlights of the entire Loop.
Afternoon
You arrive in Dong Van for lunch. Afterwards you can stroll through the historic Old Quarter and enjoy a coffee inside one of the old Hmong-style houses.
Onwards to Sung La Valley, considered one of the most scenic valleys in Ha Giang. Along the way you stop at small villages and Pao’s House, a traditional Hmong home more than a century old.
The iconic S-bend of Tham Ma Pass remains one of the best photo spots on the Loop — especially when explored by motorbike, jeep, or car.
By late afternoon you arrive back at Aya Lodge. Relax with a drink, enjoy the mountain views, or warm up in the wood-fired hot tubs. Dinner is served in the evening.
Accommodation
Ha Giang Aya Lodge by Local Vietnam
- Mountain lodge with panoramic valley views and peaceful surroundings.
- Private hot tubs and a cozy restaurant serving fresh local meals.
- Local ethnic staff offering warm, community-based hospitality.
- The perfect base for trekking, photography, and off-the-beaten-path routes.
Day 3: Ha Giang Loop tour
Aya Lodge → Off-the-Beaten-Path Routes → Lung Tam → Ha Giang City
- Breakfast, Lunch
Morning
Your final day focuses on quiet backroads beyond the classic Loop route. You start with Nham La Pass, a scenic mountain road with one of the few terraced rice fields in the Ha Giang Loop area.
A short stop at the remains of a French military outpost. The hilltop setting offers surprisingly beautiful views — great for photos.
You continue via peaceful mountain roads and small ethnic villages where few travellers pass. This is what makes the Ha Giang Loop special: complete freedom to stop wherever you want and soak in the surroundings.
You visit the handicraft village of Lung Tam, known for its traditional Hmong linen weaving and natural dyeing techniques.
Afternoon
On a small side road lies A Boong Waterfall. If water levels are right, you can take a refreshing swim — a true hidden gem far from the crowds.
You arrive back in Ha Giang City in the afternoon. Your 3-day Ha Giang Loop ends here. From Ha Giang you can continue to Hanoi or travel onward to your next destination.
Booking information
Tour options
1) Transfers Hanoi – Ha Giang (and back)
- Limousine day bus + Thon Tha village
- VIP sleeper bus
- Normal sleeper bus
- Private transfer
2) Transportation options
- Ha Giang Loop tour by motorbike – Most recommended option
- Ha Giang Loop tour by car/jeep – Most comfortable option
- Ha Giang Loop motorbike tour self driving – Only available with motorbike license and IDP
3) Accommodation option
- Standard: More local experience with staying in homestays and more chance to meet other travelers. Rooms are often more basic.
- Comfort: Stay overnight in more comfortable accommodation, like hotel, lodge and bungalow.
4) Optional activities
- Trekking in Ha Giang: 1 day or multiple day tours available
Planning
- Start tour: Ha Giang City or Hanoi
- End tour: Ha Giang City or Hanoi
- Duration: 3 – 4 days
- Starts: Daily
This is a private tour. We do have a join-in tour available, with a slightly different itinerary. When you are interested, ask us for more information.
Including
- English speaking guide
- All accommodation mentioned in the itinerary
- All meals mentioned in the itinerary
- All transfers mentioned in the itinerary
- All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
Excluding
- Meals and services not mentioned in the itinerary
- Drinks
- Personal expanses
Additional information
- Confirmation: You will receive a confirmation immediately after booking. You will receive a voucher by e-mail within 3 working hours. If you have not received your voucher, please check the Spam or notify us via email or chat.
- Voucher:Save a digital voucher on your phone. As a sustainable company, we would like to ask you not to print the voucher..
- Itinerary: The itinerary is subject to change depending on the weather and other conditions.
- Pick-up:Please arrive at the hotel lobby 10 minutes prior to departure. Please be patient on shared / group tours in case of unforeseen delays along the pick-up route.
- Cancellation:View the cancellation conditions here.
FAQ
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Book local
Book directly with a local travel agency without a middleman
Pay in your own currency
Possible to pay in: EUR, USD, AUD, SGD, CAD, GBP
Local support
Local team in Vietnam for questions and help on the spot
Deposit possible
Pay 30% now and the rest to your guide at the start of the tour.