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Ha Giang by car or jeep tour: the Big Loop in 4 days
Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor
4,9/5 [232 Reviews]
Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice 2025 and 2026
From$522per person
Depends on group size and travel dates.
4 days
+ night bus from Hanoi
Private tour
Your own driver
By car or jeep
You choose the vehicle
Start and end in Hanoi
Bus to Ha Giang and back included
2 nights at our lodge
Plus 1 in a Du Gia homestay
Tour overview
Overview
Discover Ha Giang in 4 days by private car or jeep. This tour suits travelers who want comfort and flexibility without missing the full experience. It covers the same highlights as our Easy Rider tour, with more time for relaxed stops, photos, and quiet backroads. You stay two nights at our own mountain lodge in a Hmong village, and one night in a Tay homestay in Du Gia, with a private driver for the whole tour.
Tour highlights
Highlights
- Ha Giang by jeep or car: a comfortable, private way to explore the region on the full loop route, without driving yourself.
- Stay at our Ha Giang Aya Lodge: mountain views, modern comfort, and Hmong hospitality.
- Route away from the crowds: a mix of classic highlights and quiet mountain roads, viewpoints, and photo stops that most tours skip.
- Cultural encounters: visits to Hmong and Tay villages, traditional homes, and local markets, with time to connect.
- Mountain scenery: steep passes, deep valleys, and winding roads make Ha Giang one of the wildest landscapes in Vietnam.
Tour video
Watch a short video of this tour
Tour options
Vehicle options for Ha Giang by car or jeep
You do this tour by car or by jeep, always with your own driver. Choose the vehicle that fits your group and your travel style.
Car (sedan or SUV)
Spacious and stable, with large windows. For travelers who want the most relaxed way to see the mountains.
- Up to 5 travelers, most comfortable with 3
- Room for large suitcases
- Closed and dry in rain and wind
Modern jeep
An adventurous jeep with a driver. Some models have a sunroof, others a partly open top, depending on availability.
- Up to 3 travelers
- Sunroof or partly open top
- Rain protection always possible
Classic jeep model
A robust, old-school jeep with no open roof. It is fully closed, so you are well protected from rain and wind.
- Up to 3 travelers
- Fully closed, no open roof
- Limited luggage space
Both jeep options are limited, so we confirm your jeep when you ask. Not sure which car or jeep suits you? Ask us on WhatsApp.
Travel tip: is 4 days too long, or not long enough?
Our 3-day tour by car or jeep covers the main highlights, with the same two nights at Aya Lodge. Do you have more days? Our Ha Giang and Cao Bang tour adds Cao Bang and Ban Gioc Waterfall.
Our lodge
Ha Giang Aya Lodge by Local Vietnam
During our tours, you stay at our own mountain lodge, the best place to stay on the Ha Giang Loop. A Dutch-Vietnamese team designed it to combine Western comfort with local culture.
A local experience
In a Hmong mountain village, surrounded by nature and far from other hotels.
A Hmong team
Our staff come from the village and welcome you as their guests.
Modern comfort
Good mattresses, air conditioning for heating and cooling, a restaurant, and a bar.
Wood-fired hot baths
Hot baths heated by a wood fire, with mountain views.
Views from the lodge
Open views over valleys, rice fields, and mountain peaks.
Activities and workshops
Weaving demonstrations, short village walks, longer treks, and cultural encounters.
The route
The route, day by day
Getting there and back
How to get to Ha Giang
Your tour starts and ends in Hanoi. The trip from Hanoi to Ha Giang and back is included, and you choose how you travel there. The car or jeep part of the tour starts and ends in Ha Giang City.
Option 1
Recommended
Limousine van by day and a night in Thon Tha village
You leave Hanoi by limousine van in the morning, the day before Day 1. In the afternoon you arrive in Thon Tha, a Tay village just outside Ha Giang City, with stilt houses and rice fields. You have time to walk around the village, and you stay the night in a local homestay, with dinner and breakfast. You choose a private bungalow room or a dormitory. The next morning your driver picks you up at the homestay. For travelers who want to arrive rested and see village life.
- Daytime travel
- A night in a Tay village
- Dinner and breakfast included
Option 2
VIP cabin sleeper bus by night
You travel overnight from Hanoi in a VIP cabin sleeper bus, with one bed per small cabin and much more space than a standard sleeper bus. You arrive in Ha Giang early in the morning, in time to start Day 1. We arrange the tickets for you. For travelers with less time.
On a budget? A standard sleeper bus is possible on request.
- Overnight travel
- One bed per small cabin
- Tickets arranged for you
Option 3
Private transfer
We can arrange a private car with driver from Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, Cat Ba, or another place. For families and travelers who prefer not to take a bus.
- Private car with driver
- Your own departure time
- From Hanoi or other cities
Also visiting Sapa?
From Sapa to Ha Giang
Our Sapa and Ha Giang Loop tour includes the transfer from Sapa to Ha Giang. If you visit Sapa on your own, we can also arrange a direct transfer from Sapa to Ha Giang.
Coming from another city? Traveling from Ninh Binh, Cat Ba, Halong Bay, or another place in Vietnam? Let us know and we help you plan the trip to Ha Giang. You can also travel to Ha Giang on your own.
Day 1
Ha Giang → Quan Ba → Yen Minh → Aya Lodge
- About 3.5 hours driving
- Passes and viewpoints
- Night at Aya Lodge
- Lunch and dinner
1
Ha Giang City: start of the road trip
- Morning
In the morning, your driver picks you up in Ha Giang City and you get into your car or jeep. Luggage in the back, seatbelt on, windows open, and your first kilometers through the mountains begin. The road winds along rivers, green hills, and limestone cliffs.
2
Bac Sum Pass
- Morning
The climb up Bac Sum Pass gives you the first real viewpoint of the day. The views are already impressive, and they get even better over the coming days.
3
Quan Ba Heaven Gate: two viewpoints
- Late morning
You first stop at the pass for a coffee or hot chocolate, with views over the valley and the clouds below. After that, you continue to a higher viewpoint and walk up a short staircase to the Twin Mountains. These two almost symmetrical hills are one of the best-known landmarks of Quan Ba.
4
Yen Minh Pass, Lonely Tree and lunch in Yen Minh
- Midday
Over a mountain pass, you reach the Lonely Tree, a popular photo stop. Around midday, you arrive in Yen Minh for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, you continue on a quieter road toward Aya Lodge.
5
M-shape turn viewpoint
- Afternoon
After a series of sharp hairpin bends, you reach the M-shaped viewpoint. From here, you look down on the road you just drove. It is a good moment to stop and take photos.
Arrival at Ha Giang Aya Lodge
- Afternoon
In the afternoon, you arrive at Ha Giang Aya Lodge by Local Vietnam, our own mountain lodge in a Hmong village.
6
Afternoon trek from the lodge (about 3 hours)
- Afternoon
From the lodge, the lodge staff guide you on a trek through quiet mountain villages. The route is easy, with several viewpoints and a close look at daily life in the highlands of Ha Giang. Other lodge guests may join the same walk.
7
Sunset at Aya Lodge
- Late afternoon
In the late afternoon, you return to the lodge. From the restaurant terrace, you see views that many travelers call the most beautiful in Ha Giang. It is a good way to end the first day.
Day 2
Aya Lodge → Meo Vac → Ma Pi Leng Pass → Dong Van → Aya Lodge
- About 3.5 hours driving
- Ma Pi Leng Pass and Dong Van
- Night at Aya Lodge
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
1
Aya Lodge → Meo Vac (market days)
- Morning
After breakfast, you drive on toward Meo Vac. This drive is one of the most scenic parts of the region. On Sundays, you visit the large ethnic market in Meo Vac. On Tuesdays, you can visit the small local market near the lodge instead. It is quiet and has very few tourists.
2
Ma Pi Leng Pass and Skywalk
- Late morning
You then drive along Ma Pi Leng Pass. Your driver knows the best places along the cliffs to stop for photos. A short walk on the Ma Pi Leng Skywalk leads to a viewpoint high above the canyon.
3
Boat trip in the canyon (optional)
- Late morning
Below Ma Pi Leng Pass, you can take a boat trip through the deep gorge, between steep rock walls on narrow water. The boat trip is optional and not included in the price.
4
Dong Van: lunch and Old Quarter
- Midday
You arrive in Dong Van for lunch. After lunch, you have time to walk through the historic Old Quarter and have a coffee in one of the old houses.
5
Hmong King Palace (Vuong family palace)
- Afternoon
You visit the former palace of the Vuong family. The building mixes Chinese, French, and Hmong styles and shows the history of the region.
6
Sung La Valley and Pao’s House
- Afternoon
You continue to Sung La Valley, one of the most beautiful valleys in Ha Giang. On the way, your driver stops at small villages and at Pao’s House, a traditional Hmong home more than 100 years old.
7
Tham Ma Pass
- Late afternoon
The S-shaped curve of Tham Ma Pass is one of the best photo spots in Ha Giang. Your driver knows where to stop.
Back at Aya Lodge: hot baths and dinner
- Evening
In the late afternoon, you return to the lodge. You can relax with a drink and a view, or in our wood-fired hot baths. In the evening, our team serves dinner.
Day 3
Aya Lodge → Nham La → Lung Ho → Du Gia
- About 2 hours driving
- Rice terraces and a waterfall
- Night in a Tay homestay
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
1
Nham La Pass and terraced rice fields
- Morning
After breakfast, you get back into your car or jeep and drive toward Nham La, one of the few places in Ha Giang with real terraced rice fields. Your driver stops whenever you wish: for photos, viewpoints, or a short look at the mountain villages along the road.
2
Ruins of a French watch post
- Morning
You then visit the remains of an old French watch post from the colonial period. High above the valley, you look out over mountain ridges in every direction.
3
Lung Ho Pass: cone-shaped mountains
- Midday
Next, you drive up Lung Ho Pass, a mountain road with sharp zigzags and viewpoints over cone-shaped karst mountains. From the top, the peaks seem to fade into the distance.
Du Gia: lunch and a night in a Tay homestay
- Early afternoon
In the early afternoon, you reach Du Gia, a quiet Tay village among rice fields and mountains. You have lunch and check in at a local homestay. After the high passes, the calm of the village is a nice change.
4
Du Gia Waterfall
- Afternoon
After check-in, you drive to Du Gia Waterfall. A short walk leads to natural pools, where you can swim or enjoy the quiet surroundings.
Day 4
Du Gia → quiet backroads → Lung Tam → A Boong → Ha Giang
- About 4 hours driving
- Backroads and a weaving village
- Then back to Hanoi
- Breakfast and lunch
1
Waking up among the rice fields
- Morning
You wake up to the quiet village life of Du Gia: water buffalo by the water, roosters, and children walking to school. After breakfast, the last day of the tour begins. For about 30 minutes, you first follow part of the road of Day 3. Then you turn onto a quiet mountain road with wide views and very few other travelers.
2
Lung Tam Village (Hmong weaving)
- Late morning
You visit Lung Tam, a Hmong village where women have made linen with natural dyes for generations. The people here are friendly, and you can buy handmade products.
3
A Boong Waterfall (optional swim)
- Afternoon
A Boong Waterfall is a quiet spot where you can swim, if the water level allows. The waterfall is not on the standard Ha Giang jeep routes.
4
Ha Giang City: end of the road trip
- Late afternoon
In the afternoon, you arrive back in Ha Giang City, where the drive with your car or jeep ends. From here, you travel back to Hanoi, where your tour ends. Do you want to travel on to another place instead? Tell us when you book.
Route overview
Prices
Estimated price per person
The price per person depends on the size of your group: the more travelers, the lower the price per person.
TravelersPrice per person1 traveler$785
2 travelers$445
3 travelers$440
4 travelers$430
5 travelers$425
6 travelers$420
7 travelers$410
8 travelers$400
Please note: our prices are estimates per person in US dollars. The final price depends on your travel dates, your group size, and any changes you ask for. We confirm the exact price with you before you book.
Included and not included
Included
- A car or jeep with your own driver
- Fuel and vehicle maintenance
- 2 nights at Ha Giang Aya Lodge
- 1 night in a Tay homestay in Du Gia
- All meals from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 4
- Dinner and breakfast at the homestay in Thon Tha, if you choose the limousine van and the night there
- The trip from Hanoi to Ha Giang and back
- A short trek from the lodge, guided by the lodge staff
- Entrance fee for the Hmong King Palace
- Local contact and support during the tour
Not included
- Meals and services not mentioned in the itinerary
- Drinks during meals
- Dinner on Day 4
- The boat trip on the Nho Que River (optional)
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
From$522per person
Depends on group size and travel dates.
Tour information
Best time to visit Ha Giang
You can do this tour by car or jeep all year. The months with the clearest views are September to November and March to May. In rain or mist, a car or jeep keeps you dry and comfortable. In bad weather, we adjust the route. See “Weather and conditions” below.
Luggage
On this tour, you can bring all your luggage:
- Backpacks and large suitcases fit in a car.
- A jeep has less space: usually one large suitcase and one backpack per traveler. With more large suitcases, please tell us in advance and we choose the right vehicle.
- Extra luggage stays free at our office in Ha Giang.
- If you return to the same hotel in Hanoi, you can also leave luggage there.
Distances and driving time
This route spreads the driving time over the days, with more time for sightseeing.
- Day 1: about 3.5 hours driving
- Day 2: about 3.5 hours driving
- Day 3: about 2 hours driving
- Day 4: about 4 hours driving
These are driving times only. You are on the road most of the day, with stops for viewpoints, photos, short walks, villages, and markets.
Trekking
This tour includes a short trek from the lodge, of around 4 km (2.5 to 3 hours), guided by the lodge staff.
- Difficulty: easy
- Trails: solid and easy to walk, also after rain
- Level: for anyone with normal fitness
The trek passes villages that few travelers visit, with a look at daily life in the mountains. Other lodge guests may join the same walk.
Dietary requirements
We can cater for vegetarian, vegan, and allergy-related diets. Please tell us in advance, so the lodge and our partners can prepare.
Safety
A tour by car or jeep over 4 days is a safe and comfortable way to see the mountains:
- A stable vehicle with an experienced local driver
- A relaxed driving style with many stops
- We always avoid roads in poor condition
In bad weather, we adjust the route. See “Weather and conditions” below.
Weather and conditions
A car or jeep suits the changing mountain weather:
- It protects you from rain and wind.
- Many jeeps have a roof that you can open in good weather.
- The tour runs in almost all weather.
If we cancel the tour because it is not safe, for example because of storms or landslide risk, you choose a new date or get your money back.
What to wear
- A light windproof or rain jacket
- Layers of clothes
- Closed shoes for stops and short walks
What to bring
- A camera or phone with a power bank
- Light walking shoes
- Cash for personal expenses
- Clothes and toiletries for 4 days
- A small daypack for the day
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the 3-day and 4-day Ha Giang tour by car or jeep?
The 4-day tour follows a longer route, so you see more of the region, and you stay one night in Du Gia, one of the quietest villages in Ha Giang. Compared to the 3-day tour, the 4-day tour is more relaxed. The driving days are a little shorter toward the end, and there is more time for villages, the lodge, and the Du Gia homestay. If you want to see as much of Ha Giang as possible at a comfortable pace, choose the 4-day tour.
How safe is the 4-day Ha Giang tour by car or jeep?
Local drivers who drive these mountains every day run this tour. They know the roads and the seasons well. The pace is relaxed: the focus is on Ha Giang, not on speed. Part of our team lives in Ha Giang, so we know when it is safe to travel. In heavy rain or storms, we adjust the route. If we cancel the tour because it is not safe, for example because of storms or landslide risk, you choose a new date or get your money back.
Other Ha Giang tours change accommodation every night. Do I miss anything by staying two nights at your lodge?
No. Many car and jeep tours change homestays or hotels every night, which means more packing, more moving, and less rest. Our 4-day tour has two nights at our own Ha Giang Aya Lodge, so:
- you see all the main highlights of Ha Giang, such as Ma Pi Leng Pass, Dong Van, Sung La, Tham Ma Pass, and Lung Tam
- you do not check out every morning
You do not miss any important viewpoint or mountain pass. The lodge adds modern comfort, wide mountain views, and a Hmong village setting. In short: you see everything that matters, and you sleep much better.
Does this tour include Lung Cu (the northernmost point)?
Not by default. Lung Cu is mainly known as the northernmost point of Vietnam, but the area has become touristy and is less scenic than many other parts of Ha Giang. This route focuses on the best mountain passes, quiet villages, and stops that give you more. If you would still like to visit Lung Cu, we can add it, because this is a private tour. It means a long detour, and most travelers do not miss it.
Which vehicles can I choose for this 4-day Ha Giang tour?
You can choose between:
- a car (sedan or SUV), for the most comfort
- a modern jeep
- a classic jeep, old-school and fully closed
American military jeeps are not allowed on the mountain roads in Ha Giang. See the vehicle options for the details.
Are the jeeps open or closed?
Some jeeps have a partly open roof, others a large sunroof. So you can drive open in good weather and stay dry when it rains. The classic jeep is always closed. This is why the tour runs all year.
Is a jeep always available?
Jeeps are limited, especially in the busy months. Ask for a jeep in your request, and we check if one is free on your dates before you book.
Is the route the same as the Easy Rider tour?
Yes. This 4-day tour by car or jeep follows the same route as our 4-day Easy Rider tour. It includes 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. Your tour starts and ends in Hanoi. The trip from Hanoi to Ha Giang and back is included, and you choose how you travel there: see How to get to Ha Giang.
What makes this 4-day Ha Giang tour by car or jeep different from other tours?
This tour combines:
- the main highlights of Ha Giang
- quiet roads that most other tours skip
- a short, easy trek through villages
- two nights at our own lodge, and one night in Du Gia
- a private tour, so you decide the pace
Most tours try to cover a lot of ground quickly. This one focuses on depth, comfort, and variety.
How demanding is the trek on this tour?
The trek is about 4 km and easy, with some ups and downs but no steep parts. It follows solid paths through local villages and quiet mountain areas. It suits beginners and travelers with normal fitness. The lodge staff guide the walk, and other lodge guests may join.
Is motion sickness a problem on mountain roads?
Our drivers keep a calm sightseeing pace and stop often. The mountain roads are winding, but most travelers feel little or no discomfort. A seat in the front also helps. As we are based locally, we avoid roads in poor condition when needed.
Can I do this 4-day Ha Giang tour in any season?
Yes. The tour runs all year. Jeeps can be open or closed depending on the weather, and cars keep you fully dry. If we cancel the tour because it is not safe, for example because of storms or landslide risk, you choose a new date or get your money back.
Is this tour private or shared?
All our car and jeep tours are private. You travel with your own driver, set your own pace, and can change the plan along the way. Shared tours exist only for our group tour by Easy Rider, never for car or jeep tours. The short trek from the lodge can be shared with other lodge guests.
Guest reviews
What travelers say about our Ha Giang tours
Short summaries of reviews on Tripadvisor, in our own words.
E
Erik & Esther
Rated 5 out of 5
A great 14-day round trip through North Vietnam
A wonderful time in North Vietnam. Their driver for the six days from Ha Giang to Hanoi told them a lot about life in Vietnam and let them taste real Vietnamese food. The places to stay were very nice; one hotel in Cao Bang felt a little disappointing after the night before at Aya Lodge, which they found a very nice experience. They also enjoyed the boat trip on Cat Ba.
D
Daphne
Rated 5 out of 5
Vietnam specialist
When they first got in touch, Local Vietnam took all the time they needed, without obligation, and shared its own experience of traveling with a child of the same age a year earlier. That gave them a clear view of the options. They did their Ha Giang tour through Local Vietnam and stayed at Aya Lodge.
T
Traveler on a Ha Giang tour
Rated 5 out of 5
Tip-top
Everything was right on their tour from Ha Giang past the Flag Tower, Dong Van, Meo Vac, Ban Gioc waterfall and Ba Be Lake to Hanoi, with a safe driver and a good car.
Questions or changes
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Part of our team lives in Ha Giang, for help on the spot.
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