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Vietnam Travel Guide
Ha Giang Loop tour: the full experience in 4 days
- Enjoy the most epic experience in Vietnam, by driving through the most stunning mountain landscape of Southeast Asia and discover the biggest ethnic minority groups in the country
- Drive the big loop in our Ha Giang Loop tour: the full experience in 4 days
- Choose to do the the Ha Giang Loop by motorbike (most recommended) or by car (most comfortable)
- Local experiences with homestays, minorities and off the beaten places
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 Town - Dong Van
Quan Ba pass – Tham Ma Pass - Chin Khoanh pass - Vuong Palace– Dong Van
- Homestay, Hotel
- Lunch, Dinner
Morning
The start of the loop starts in Ha Giang town, after arriving here via one of the above options.
The route of the next 4 days will take you over the entire Ha Giang Loop (The highlights + rice fields around Du Gia) and you can travel by car or on the back of the motorbike.
Today, the first day, we drive all the way to Dong Van, in the tip of Vietnam. We can stop for photos anywhere along the way, but you will always stop at some highlights along the route.
The first place is Quan Ba Haven’s Gate. From the top of this pass you can see the mountains that you will drive through in the coming days. During the descent of the pass there is another stop with a viewpoint. Here you can see the Twin Mountains, two round shaped mountains next to each other that look almost identical.
Afternoon
Down at the end of the pass you lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch we move on, with views that just get better and better after every turn. You drive over several mountain passes, such as the Tham Ma Pass and Chin Khoanh Pass and through the beautiful Sung La valley.
In the town of Xa Phin you visit the palace of the last Hmong king. Hmong are one of the ethnic minorities living in this area
After this visit it is a half hour drive or more with photo stops to Dong Van, where you will spend the night in a local homestay or hotel.
Enjoy dinner and you have the option to discover the nice looking Old Quarter of this town by yourself.
Accommodation
Ngải lủng homestay (Standard option)
- Nice local homestay surrounded by the beautiful mountains of Ha Giang
- Good atmosphere, often full of other travelers
- Both private rooms with ensuite and dorm rooms available
- Stay overnight with a local family
Hoa Cuong Dong Van Hotel (Comfort option)
- This hotel is located right in the center of Dong Van. You can easily walk to Dong Van Old Quarter and the big Sunday market. Lots of restaurants nearby.
- The hotel is for Ha Giang standards very good, with clean rooms, private bathroom, air conditioning and all the basics you need for a short overnight stay
Add optional day(s): Dong Van Trekking
Full day
Optionally you can add a day- or multiple day trekking in Dong Van.
We can organize hikes through the mountains and countryside and visit villages of local ethnic minorities where no other travelers come.
Day 2: Dong Van - Meo Vac
Chinese border – Lung Cu Flag Tower – Ma Pi Leng pass
- Homestay or hotel
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning
If your second day in this loop is on a Sunday, you are in luck, because it gives you the unique opportunity to visit the Dong Van Sunday market, where a lot of colorful ethnic minorities come to trade. If you don’t mind waking up early, it is best to visit it early in the morning before breakfast.
After breakfast you are heading towards the Chinese border, but not before enjoying some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on the way, part of UNESCO’s Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark.
Finally you arrive in the town of Lung Cu, where a large flagpole on top of a mountain indicates the northernmost point of Vietnam. You can go up the mountain to see both China and Vietnam in a 360 degree view.
Afternoon
Lunch at a local restaurant.
You will now head towards Meo Vac, over Ha Giang’s most famous mountain pass, the Ma Pi Leng Pass. The views you will have on this road are some of the best in Vietnam. Enjoy gigantic mountains, steep cliffs and a zigzagging road that winds along the mountains.
There are plenty of places to stop and take pictures along the way.
Arriving at 5pm you will stay in Meo vac.
Accommodation
Little Yên (Standard option)
- Little Yen homestay is located right after the Ma Pi Leng Pass in a cute village built in traditional minority style
- The rooms are modern but completely in traditional styles
Hoa Cuong Meo Vac Hotel (Comfort option)
- Located right in the center of Meo Vac town
- This hotel is the perfect place to visit the largest minority market in Ha Giang (only on Sunday): Meo Vac Sunday Market
- The rooms are clean, with private bathroom, AC and all the basics you need for a short overnight stay
Day 3: Meo Vac - Du Gia
Long phin – Rice Fields - Mau Due – Dua Gia waterfall
- Breakfast, Lunch
Morning
If you missed your chance being in Dong Van on a Sunday, you get another chance to be in Meo Vac on Sunday, because here you can find the largest minority market in the province. If you love a cultural experience and seeing hundreds of very colorful minorities, this is a great opportunity to walk around this Sunday market.
You leave after breakfast towards Du Gia. If you think that after two days of driving through the mountains you can no longer be amazed by impressive views, then you are wrong. Also this day you drive on winding roads with bizarre views and many villages along the way of minorities.
After traveling a long way you will suddenly see more rice fields, often carved out of the mountain.
Afternoon
At 13:00 we arrive in Du Gia, with a local family from the minority population. Then we hike for 2-3 hours to see villages and amazing views! And in good weather we will swim in the waterfalls of Du Gia Village, one of the most waterfalls in Hà Giang,
Overnight in Du Gia.
Accommodation
CN homestay (Standard option)
- Cosy homestay, perfect when riding the Ha Giang solo, in couples or in a bigger group.
- Family style dinner with lots of vegetarian options
Du Già Stream Lodge (Comfort option)
- Brand new lodge
- Enjoy a lot of comfort with large, clean and modern rooms
- Family run hotel with friendly staff
Day 4: Du Gia – Bac Me – Ha Giang
Hiking, rice fields & minorities
- Breakfast, Lunch
Morning
The last day of the loop you make your way back to Ha Giang town.
On the way, you will see more rice terraces. There is also time to make a short trekking! Visit the local white Mong families and enjoy many different views!
You will be back in Ha Giang at 4:00 PM. You can take a shower before taking the bus back to Hanoi.
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 (or Hanoi)
- End tour: Ha Giang (or Hanoi)
- Duration: 4 to 5 days
- Starts: Daily
- Type of tour: Private
Including
- English speaking guide
- All accommodation described in the itinerary
- All meals described in the itinerary
- All transfers described in the itinerary
Excluding
- Meals and services not describer in the itinerary
- 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
What is the difference between Ha Giang Loop in 4 days and in 3 days?
In the 4 day Ha Giang Loop you will make the larger loop and explore more rice fields. You will also stay overnight in Du Gia, which is a very nice ethnic minority village, located in a valley with rice fields and a river.
What is the best option: Ha Giang Loop by motorbike or by car?
This very much depends on the type of traveler you are. In general, we recommend the trip by motorbike. The experience on the back of the bike is great and you can also easily look around and make a quick stop.
The car has the advantage that you are more comfortable and better protected against rain, wind, sun and the cold.
Is the Ha Giang Loop by motorbike safe?
The barrel on the back of the bike can take you out of the comfort zone, but we guarantee it’s safe. Our driving guides are super experienced and do not drive dangerously. They have all done the loop many times and know every bit of the road by heart.
Driving the motorcycle yourself is possible, but can be dangerous without experience.
Can I bring my suitcase?
When you do Ha Giang by car you can always take a suitcase with you. If you choose the motorcycle option, we recommend using a bag or backpack and leaving your suitcase in our storage room in Ha Giang town or in your hotel in Hanoi.
What is the best time to do the Ha Giang Loop?
You can visit Ha Giang all year round. During the months of December to February it can be chilly. In the summer months, especially in August and September, there can be a lot of rain.
Is trekking in Ha Giang any good?
A trekking in Ha Giang is definitely recommended if you are no longer planning to go to Sapa. It is a wonderful change from driving around on the back of the motorcycle or being in the car. We have been arranging trekking tours in Ha Giang for years and know great hiking trails through the mountains and local villages where no other traveler comes.
Booking & Information request
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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.
