FREE EBOOK
Vietnam Travel Guide
Ha Giang by car or jeep tour - The Big Loop in 4 days
4,8/5 [183 Reviews]
Check out the short video of our tour!
Overview
Discover Ha Giang in 4 days by private car or jeep, ideal for travelers who want comfort and flexibility without missing the full experience. This extended route covers the same highlights as the Easy Rider journey, but with more time for relaxed stops, photography, and quiet back roads. You stay two nights at our own mountain lodge, surrounded by dramatic scenery and local culture. With a private driver, a well-balanced itinerary, and some of the most impressive landscapes in Southeast Asia, this tour combines comfort with depth.
Highlights
- Ha Giang by jeep or car – a comfortable, private way to explore the region, following the full loop route without having to drive yourself.
- Stay at our Ha Giang Aya Lodge – mountain panoramas, modern comfort, and Hmong hospitality at one of the most scenic locations in Ha Giang.
- Route beyond the crowds – a mix of classic highlights and quiet mountain roads, viewpoints, and photo stops skipped by most tours.
- In-depth cultural encounters – visits to Hmong and Tay villages, traditional homes, and local markets, with time to connect.
- Dramatic mountain scenery – steep passes, deep valleys, and winding roads make Ha Giang the wildest landscape in Vietnam.
Travel tip: not sure which route fits you best?
Does this 4-day Ha Giang itinerary not fit perfectly into your schedule?
Then choose our 3-day Ha Giang by car or jeep — the same iconic route, two nights at Aya Lodge, and our most popular option for travelers with limited time.
If you have extra days available, Ha Giang can be perfectly combined with Cao Bang and Ban Gioc Waterfall, a great extension for travelers who want to see even more of northern Vietnam.
Vehicle options for Ha Giang by Car or Jeep
This Ha Giang tour can be operated with different vehicle types, depending on your comfort level and travel style. Below are the three available options:
Car (Sedan or SUV)
Suitable for up to 5 people, but most comfortable with 3 travelers. Space, stability, and large windows make this the most relaxed way to enjoy the scenery.
Modern jeep
An adventurous jeep with space for 3 passengers. Some models have a sunroof, others a partially open top — depending on availability. Rain protection is always possible, without losing the rugged jeep feel.
Classic jeep model
A robust, old-school jeep like the one shown — no open roof, but a very authentic jeep experience. Suitable for 3 passengers. Because this model is fully closed, you are well protected from rain and wind. Luggage space is limited.
Please note: American military jeeps are no longer allowed in Ha Giang. We therefore work with modern jeeps and the classic closed model. Both jeep options are limited and confirmed upon request. Not sure which car or jeep suits your trip best? Ask us here.
Welcome to
Ha Giang Aya Lodge – by Local Vietnam
During our tours, you stay at our own mountain lodge, designed by a Dutch–Vietnamese team combining Western comfort standards with authentic local culture. This is the most unique place to stay along the Ha Giang Loop — offering views, atmosphere, and quality you won’t find elsewhere.
- A truly local experience – Located in a Hmong mountain village, fully surrounded by nature and far from other hotels
- 100% Hmong team – Hosted by our own local staff from the village: warm, welcoming, and genuinely authentic
- Modern comfort & quality – High-quality mattresses, air conditioning (hot/cold), a stylish restaurant, and a cozy bar
- Wood-fired hot baths – Exclusive wood-fired hot water baths with mountain views
- Epic panoramic scenery – Uninterrupted views over valleys, rice fields, and mountain peaks
- Activities & local workshops – Weaving demonstrations, short village walks, longer treks, and cultural encounters
What to expect (the route)
Travel options to reach Ha Giang and return
Option 1
Homestay experience + 1 extra day
[Most recommended]
Want to start your 4-day Ha Giang by car or jeep in a relaxed way? Travel one day earlier from Hanoi to Ha Giang by luxury limousine bus. You have plenty of space, no transfers, and arrive in the afternoon.
You stay overnight in a quiet Tay village just outside Ha Giang City, surrounded by rice fields and traditional stilt houses. By spending a night in this local village, you start your 4-day journey the next morning in the right atmosphere — close to nature and away from the city.
Cay Homestay
- Authentic Tay homestay in Thôn Thả Village in Ha Giang, surrounded by water, nature, and traditional stilt houses.
- Simple wooden room in a traditional Tay homestay in Ha Giang, overlooking lush greenery.
- Unique stay in a beautiful local village with ethnic minorities.
- Scenic surroundings with rice fields.
- Private bungalow-style room for the comfort option.
- Clean and spacious dormitory for the standard option.
Option 2
VIP limousine sleeper bus
Want to start your 4-day jeep or car journey early in the morning? The VIP sleeper bus is ideal. You travel overnight in a private-style cabin and arrive early in Ha Giang, right on time to begin the tour.
We can easily arrange this bus for you.
Option 3
Private transfer
For travelers who want full flexibility, we can arrange a private transfer from Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long, Cat Ba, or other destinations.
This option is especially convenient for families or travelers who prefer not to take a bus.
From Sapa
Combining Sapa and Ha Giang in one trip? Our Sapa + Ha Giang Loop is a logical choice — a popular route where you travel directly from Sapa to Ha Giang and then start your 4-day jeep tour.
Already planned Sapa separately? No problem.
We can also arrange only the transfer from Sapa to Ha Giang, so you can easily join the start of the tour.
Other departure points
Traveling from places like Ninh Binh, Cat Ba, Halong Bay, or elsewhere in Vietnam? Let us know. We will help arrange a suitable transfer, or you can travel independently to Ha Giang to start your 4-day Ha Giang by car or jeep.
Day 1: Ha Giang → Quan Ba → Yen Minh → Aya Lodge
Stop 1
Ha Giang City – Start of the road trip
In the morning, your driver picks you up and you step into your comfortable car or rugged jeep. Luggage in the back, seatbelt on, windows open — and your first kilometers through the mountains begin right away. The road winds along rivers, green hills, and limestone cliffs, a relaxed introduction to the scenery that will define the next four days in Ha Giang.
Stop2
Bac Sum Pass
The climb up Bac Sum Pass is your first real viewpoint of the day. The panoramas are already impressive, but this is only a warm-up for what the rest of Ha Giang has to offer over the coming days by car or jeep.
Stop 3
Quan Ba Heaven Gate – two viewpoints
You first stop at the pass for a warm coffee or hot chocolate with views over the valley and clouds below. After that, you continue to a higher viewpoint and walk up a short staircase to see the iconic Twin Mountains — two almost perfectly symmetrical hills and one of the best-known landmarks of Quan Ba.
Stop 4
Yen Minh Pass and the Lonely Tree
Via a scenic mountain pass, you reach the famous Lonely Tree, a popular photo stop. Around midday, you arrive in Yen Minh town for lunch at a local restaurant. After the break, you continue on a less-traveled road toward Aya Lodge.
Stop 5
M-Shape Turn viewpoint
After a series of sharp hairpin bends, you arrive at the M-shaped viewpoint. From here, you look down on the road you just drove — a perfect moment to stop the jeep or car and take photos.
Stop 6
Afternoon trekking (unique local route – 4 km / approx. 3 hours)
From the lodge area, you start a trek through remote mountain villages where almost no other travelers go. The route is accessible and not technically difficult, but offers several impressive viewpoints and a close look at daily life in the highlands of Ha Giang.
Stop 7
Sunset at Aya Lodge
By late afternoon, you return to the lodge. From the restaurant terrace, you enjoy views that many travelers consider among the most beautiful in Ha Giang — an ideal way to end your first day of the 4-day tour by car or jeep.
Day 2: Aya Lodge → Meo Vac → Ma Pi Leng Pass → Dong Van → Aya Lodge
(If Day 2 falls on a Tuesday, you can visit the local village market in the morning.)
Stop 1
Aya Lodge → Meo Vac (with market option)
After breakfast, you continue your 4-day Ha Giang journey by car or jeep toward Meo Vac. This drive is one of the most spectacular sections of the entire region.
- On Sundays, you visit the large ethnic market in Meo Vac.
- On Tuesdays, you can instead visit the small local market near the lodge — intimate, authentic, and with very few tourists.
Stop 2
Ma Pi Leng Pass + Skywalk
You then drive across the iconic Ma Pi Leng Pass. Your driver knows the best spots along the cliffs where you can stop for photos.
A short walk along the Ma Pi Leng Skywalk leads you to a dramatic viewpoint overlooking the canyon below.
Stop 3
Boat trip through the canyon
Down in the valley, you board a boat for a ride through the deep gorge beneath Ma Pi Leng. Steep rock walls, narrow water, and near silence make this one of the true highlights of Ha Giang.
Stop 4
Dong Van – lunch & Old Quarter
You arrive in Dong Van for lunch. Afterward, you have time to walk through the historic Old Quarter and enjoy a coffee in one of the old houses.
Stop 5
Hmong Palace (Vuong Family Palace)
You visit the former palace of the Vuong family. The building blends Chinese, French, and Hmong influences and offers insight into the region’s history.
Stop 6
Sung La Valley & Pao’s House
You continue to Sung La Valley, one of the most scenic valleys in Ha Giang. Along the way, your driver stops at small villages and at Pao’s House, a traditional Hmong home over a century old.
Stop 7
Tham Ma Pass
The iconic S-curve of Tham Ma Pass remains one of the best photo spots in Ha Giang, especially when explored by jeep or car.
Stop 8
Back at Aya Lodge – hot tubs & dinner
By late afternoon, you return to Aya Lodge. Time to relax, enjoy a drink with a view, or unwind in the wood-fired hot tubs. In the evening, dinner is served by our team.
Day 3: Aya Lodge → Nham La → Lung Ho → Du Gia
Stop1
Nham La Pass & terraced rice fields
After breakfast, you get back into your car or jeep and drive toward Nham La. This area is one of the few places in Ha Giang where you find true terraced rice fields. Your driver stops whenever you wish — for photos, viewpoints, or a short look into the mountain villages along the road.
Stop 2
Ruins of a French watch post
You then visit the remains of an old French watch post from the colonial period. The location is striking: high above the valley, you look out over mountain ridges that seem to stretch endlessly. An unexpected historical stop in the middle of nature.
Stop 3
Lung Ho Pass – cone-shaped mountains
Next, you drive up Lung Ho Pass, a mountain road with sharp zigzags and viewpoints over distinctive cone-shaped karst mountains. From the top, the peaks appear to fade into the distance, creating an almost surreal landscape.
Stop 4
Du Gia – lunch & check-in at a Tay homestay
In the early afternoon, you reach Du Gia, a quiet Tay village surrounded by rice fields and mountains. Here, you have lunch and check in at a local homestay. The atmosphere is calm, and the contrast with the dramatic mountain passes is refreshing.
Stop 5
Du Gia waterfall
After check-in, you drive to the Du Gia waterfall. A short walk leads to natural pools where you can swim or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings. This is one of the most relaxed moments of the 4-day Ha Giang tour by car or jeep.
Day 4 – Du Gia → off-route backroads → Lung Tam → A Boong → Ha Giang
Stop 1
Waking up among the rice fields
You wake up to the quiet village life of Du Gia: buffaloes by the water, roosters, children heading to school. After breakfast, your final day of the 4-day Ha Giang journey by car or jeep begins.
To take a more scenic and quieter route back, you first follow a short section of yesterday’s road (about 30 minutes) before turning onto an alternative mountain route. This backroad is almost empty, with wide views and very few other travelers.
Stop 2
Lung Tam Village (Hmong weaving)
You visit Lung Tam, a traditional Hmong weaving village where women have produced linen and natural dyes for generations. The villages here are friendly and calm, making this a meaningful cultural stop along the way.
Stop 3
A Boong Waterfall (optional swim)
A Boong Waterfall — a hidden spot where swimming is possible. This waterfall lies completely outside the standard Ha Giang jeep routes, which makes the stop extra special.
Stop 4
Return to Ha Giang City – end of the tour
In the afternoon, you arrive back in Ha Giang City. This marks the end of your 4-day Ha Giang tour by car or jeep, a natural moment to rest before returning to Hanoi or continuing to your next destination.
Vanaf
$400
Included / Excluded
- Car or jeep with driver
- Fuel & vehicle maintenance
- 2 nights at Ha Giang Aya Lodge
- 1 night in Du Gia
- All meals during the tour
- All transfers as described in the itinerary
- Short trekking exclusive to our tour
- Local contact & support
- Meals and services not mentioned in the itinerary
- Drinks during meals
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Tour information
Best time to visit Ha Giang
This 4-day Ha Giang tour by car or jeep is suitable year-round. For the clearest views, September–November and March–May are ideal. Thanks to the comfort of a car or jeep, travel remains comfortable even during rain or mist. In case of extreme weather, we adjust the route or reschedule the tour.
Luggage
For this 4-day tour, you can bring sufficient luggage:
- Backpacks and large suitcases fit in the vehicle
- Free luggage storage is available in Ha Giang
- In Hanoi, you can leave items behind if you return to the same hotel later
Distances & driving time
This longer Ha Giang itinerary spreads driving time evenly, allowing more time for sightseeing.
- Day 1: approx. 3.5 hours driving
- Day 2: approx. 3.5 hours driving
- Day 3: approx. 2 hours driving
- Day 4: approx. 4 hours driving
These are pure driving times. In reality, you are on the road all day due to frequent stops for viewpoints, photos, short walks, villages, markets, and cultural encounters.
This 4-day route focuses on relaxed travel and seeing more than shorter Ha Giang tours.
Trekking
This tour includes a short trek of around 4 km, one of the most authentic parts of the experience.
- Duration: 2.5–3 hours
- Difficulty: easy
- Trails: solid and easy to walk, even after rain
- Location: remote villages rarely visited by tourists
This walk offers a genuine look into daily mountain life in Ha Giang.
Dietary requirements
We can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, and allergy-related requests. Please inform us in advance so our lodge and partners can prepare accordingly.
Safety
Traveling through Ha Giang by car or jeep over 4 days is a safe and comfortable way to explore the mountains, especially with the flexible pace of this itinerary.
- Stable vehicle with an experienced local driver
- Relaxed driving style with frequent stops
- Poor road conditions are always avoided
- In case of extreme weather, the tour is rescheduled or fully refunded
Weather & conditions
- Light jacket for wind or rain
- Comfortable layered clothing
- Closed shoes for stops and short walks
What to wear
- Licht jack voor wind of regen
- Comfortabele kleding in meerdere lagen
- Dichte schoenen voor stops en korte wandelingen
What to bring
- Camera or phone with power bank
- Light walking shoes
- Cash for personal expenses
- Clothing and toiletries for 4 days
- Small daypack for daily use
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the 3-day and 4-day Ha Giang tour by car or jeep?
The 4-day Ha Giang tour follows a larger route, allowing you to see more of the region. It includes an overnight stay in Du Gia, one of the most peaceful villages in Ha Giang.
Compared to the 3-day option, the 4-day tour is more relaxed, with slightly shorter driving days toward the end, more time to visit villages, and more space to enjoy the lodge and the Du Gia homestay.
If you want to see as much of Ha Giang as possible at a comfortable pace, the 4-day tour is the better choice.
How safe is the 4-day Ha Giang tour by car or jeep?
This 4-day Ha Giang tour is safe and operated by local drivers who travel these mountains daily. They know the roads, seasons, and risks better than anyone. The pace is relaxed, as the focus is on enjoying Ha Giang rather than rushing.
In case of heavy rain or storms, we adjust the route or cancel the tour entirely, with a 100% refund or a new travel date.
Other Ha Giang tours change accommodation every night. Do I miss anything by staying two nights at your lodge?
No — quite the opposite.
Many car and jeep tours change homestays or hotels every night, which often means more packing, more moving, and less rest. Our 4-day Ha Giang tour includes two nights at our own Ha Giang Aya Lodge, allowing you to:
see all key highlights of Ha Giang (Ma Pi Leng Pass, Dong Van, Sung La, Tham Ma Pass, Lung Tam, and more)
enjoy a far more comfortable and relaxed experience without daily check-outs
You don’t miss any important viewpoints or mountain passes. The route covers the same core areas as other tours, but with a better balance of comfort, culture, and scenery.
The lodge itself is a major upgrade: modern comfort, wide mountain views, and a genuine Hmong village setting.
In short: you see everything that matters — and sleep much better.
Does this tour include Lung Cu (the northernmost point)?
Not by default. Lung Cu is mainly known as “the northernmost point,” but the area has become quite touristy and is less scenic than many other parts of Ha Giang. This 4-day route focuses on the most impressive mountain passes, quiet villages, and meaningful stops.
If you would still like to visit Lung Cu, it can be added because this is a private tour, but it involves a long detour and is often not missed.
Which vehicles can I choose for this 4-day Ha Giang tour?
For this tour, you can choose between:
- modern jeeps
- classic Russian-style jeeps (retro and rugged)
- modern private cars for maximum comfort
Former American military jeeps are no longer permitted on Ha Giang’s mountain roads.
Are the jeeps open or closed?
Some jeeps have a partially open roof, others a large panoramic sunroof.
This allows open-air driving in good weather, while remaining fully protected when it rains. Thanks to this flexibility, the tour can be done year-round.
Is the route the same as the Easy Rider option?
Yes. This 4-day Ha Giang tour by car or jeep follows the same core route as our Easy Rider tour, including Ma Pi Leng Pass, Dong Van, Sung La Valley, and Tham Ma Pass.
The difference is how you travel, not what you see.
Can I start the tour directly from Hanoi?
Yes, but for most travelers the Hanoi–Ha Giang limousine bus is more comfortable and cost-effective. You are picked up in Ha Giang in the morning and start the tour there.
If you prefer to travel fully privately without buses, a private transfer from Hanoi can be arranged.
What makes this 4-day Ha Giang car or jeep tour different from other tours?
This tour combines:
- Ha Giang’s iconic highlights
- quiet alternative routes that most operators skip
- a short, accessible cultural trek
- two nights at our own lodge plus one night in Du Gia
- a fully private setup with maximum flexibility
Most tours focus on covering ground quickly. This one focuses on depth, comfort, and variation.
How demanding is the trekking on this tour?
The trek is about 4 km and easy to moderate. It follows solid paths through local villages and quiet mountain areas without tourism.
It is suitable for beginners and travelers with a normal level of fitness.
Is motion sickness a concern on mountain roads?
Our drivers keep a calm sightseeing pace and make frequent stops. While mountain roads are winding, most travelers experience little to no discomfort.
Being locally based, we avoid poor road conditions whenever needed.
Can I do this 4-day Ha Giang tour in any season?
Yes. The tour runs year-round.
Jeeps can be open or closed depending on weather, and cars are fully protected from rain. Only in extreme weather conditions is the tour canceled, with a full refund or date change.
Is this tour private or shared?
All car and jeep tours are private.
You travel with your own driver, set your own pace, and can adjust the plan along the way. Shared tours are only offered for Easy Rider groups — never for car or jeep tours.
Meer vragen?
Use this form for:
- Enquiries about the tour
- Customization Request
- Questions about booking
Or contact us through:
+84 32 801 9395
@localvietnamtravel
Facebook Messenger
@local.vietnam
Instagram Messenger
Combine the Ha Giang Loop with these routes
Northern Highlights
Epic Adventure
Northern Highlights