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Ha Giang tour by motorbike: 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$315per person
Depends on group size and travel dates.
4 days
+ night bus from Hanoi
Private tour
Your own Easy Rider
By motorbike
On the back, with a local driver
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 the Ha Giang Loop by motorbike in 4 days, on the back of a motorbike with an experienced local driver. Your driver handles the roads, so you can enjoy the mountain passes, deep valleys, and wide views. The tour combines a motorbike journey without riding yourself, 2 nights at our own lodge in a Hmong village, a night in a Tay homestay in Du Gia, local encounters, and quiet stops away from the crowds. It suits travelers who want both adventure and culture.
Tour highlights
Highlights
- Ha Giang Loop by motorbike in 4 days: more time for stops, viewpoints, and a relaxed but adventurous journey through the mountains.
- Two nights at Ha Giang Aya Lodge: comfort, local culture, and wide views in one place.
- Deeper into the mountains: four days give time for quieter routes, viewpoints, and villages that the standard Ha Giang Loop does not visit.
- Culture and trekking combined: meet local minority communities, visit traditional homes, and walk through quiet villages on a short trek from our lodge.
- Unforgettable nature – from the Ma Pi Leng canyon to terraced valleys and silent mountain passes, this is Ha Giang at its most spectacular.
Tour video
Watch a short video of this tour
Tour options
Which Ha Giang tour suits you?
Not sure if this 4-day motorbike tour fits you? Compare it with a shorter and a longer tour, or let us plan a tailor-made tour with you.
This tour
4-day Easy Rider tour
Your own Easy Rider on the Big Loop, with 2 nights at our lodge and a night in a Tay village in Du Gia. For travelers who want more time and a relaxed pace.
- 4 days, with shorter riding days at the end
- 2 nights at Ha Giang Aya Lodge
- Private, at your own pace
Ha Giang and Cao Bang tour
In 5 days: the Ha Giang Loop with a night at our lodge, then Cao Bang, Ban Gioc Waterfall and Ba Be Lake. For travelers with more time.
- Ha Giang Loop by car, jeep or Easy Rider
- Ban Gioc Waterfall and Ba Be Lake
- Private, from Hanoi and back to Hanoi
3-day Easy Rider tour
The main highlights of the Loop in three days, with 2 nights at our lodge. For travelers with less time.
- 3 days, the main highlights
- 2 nights at Ha Giang Aya Lodge
- Private, your own Easy Rider
Tailor-made tour
More days, a longer trek, or a workshop at our lodge? Tell us what you would like, and we plan a private tour with you.
- More days in Ha Giang
- A longer trek from our lodge
- A workshop at our lodge
Not sure which suits you? Ask us on WhatsApp.
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 Easy Rider 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 Easy Rider 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
Do you prefer not to travel by bus? We can arrange a private car with driver from Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay, or almost any other city. For families, couples, and travelers who want to choose their own time.
- 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 Cat Ba, Halong Bay, Cao Bang, Hue, or another place? Let us know and we help you find the best connection. You can also travel to Ha Giang on your own.
Day 1
Ha Giang → Quan Ba → Yen Minh → Aya Lodge
- About 3.5 hours riding
- Passes and viewpoints
- Night at Aya Lodge
- Lunch and dinner
1
Ha Giang City: start of the road trip
- Morning
In the morning, your Easy Rider picks you up in Ha Giang City. Helmet on, protective gear fitted, and your bag tied to the back of the bike, you are ready for one of the most scenic road trips in Vietnam. From the first kilometers, you ride into the mountains, past small rivers and through valleys with fresh mountain air.
2
Bac Sum Pass
- Morning
The first climb of the day is Bac Sum Pass. The views are already impressive, and they get even better over the next days.
3
Quan Ba Heaven Gate: two viewpoints
- Late morning
At the top of the pass, you stop for a warm drink and look out over the clouds. At the second viewpoint, a short staircase leads to the view of the Twin Mountains, two almost identical hills among karst peaks.
4
Yen Minh Pass, Lonely Tree and lunch in Yen Minh
- Midday
With your Easy Rider, you continue over a mountain pass toward Yen Minh and past the Lonely Tree. You stop for lunch in Yen Minh. Then you turn onto a quieter road toward Mau Due, a road that most Ha Giang Loop tours do not take.
5
M-shape turn viewpoint
- Afternoon
After a series of hairpin bends, you reach a viewpoint over the M-shaped road you just rode. A good spot for photos and a short break.
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
After you arrive, the lodge staff guide you on a walk through quiet mountain villages. The trek is not difficult, with viewpoints, quiet paths, and meetings with local families who have lived here for generations. 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, you watch one of the most beautiful sunsets in Ha Giang.
Day 2
Aya Lodge → Meo Vac → Ma Pi Leng Pass → Dong Van → Aya Lodge
- About 3.5 hours riding
- 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 continue the Loop toward Meo Vac, on one of the most scenic mountain roads in Vietnam, with views over wide valleys and steep limestone cliffs. On Sunday, you visit the large ethnic market in Meo Vac. On Tuesday, you visit the local market near the lodge, which is smaller and quieter.
2
Ma Pi Leng Pass and Skywalk
- Late morning
Next, you ride onto Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of the best-known mountain passes in Southeast Asia. Your Easy Rider stops wherever you like for photos. Then you walk part of the Skywalk, a narrow path along the cliff with wide views.
3
Boat trip in the canyon (optional)
- Late morning
Below Ma Pi Leng Pass, you can take a boat trip through the deep canyon, between steep rock walls and green water. The boat trip is optional and not included in the price.
4
Dong Van: lunch and Old Quarter
- Midday
You ride on to Dong Van for lunch. After lunch, there is time for a short walk through the Old Quarter, with its old houses and quiet streets.
5
Hmong King Palace (Vuong family palace)
- Afternoon
You visit the palace of the Vuong family, also known as the Hmong King Palace: a historic building with wooden doors, courtyards, and stories from the time of the opium trade.
6
Sung La Valley and Pao’s House
- Afternoon
Your Easy Rider stops in small villages of local minorities whenever you like. In Sung La, you can also visit 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 stops of the Loop. Your Easy Rider knows the best places for photos.
Back at Aya Lodge: hot baths and dinner
- Evening
In the late afternoon, you return to the lodge. You can relax with the views, or in our wood-fired hot baths. In the evening, a freshly cooked dinner is served.
Day 3
Aya Lodge → Nham La → Lung Ho → Du Gia
- About 2 hours riding
- 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 ride toward Nham La. This is one of the few places on the Ha Giang Loop with real terraced rice fields. The road winds through small villages, and your Easy Rider stops whenever you like.
2
Ruins of a French watch post
- Morning
You then visit the ruins of a French military post from the colonial period. The old walls stand high above the valley, with wide views over the mountains.
3
Lung Ho Pass: cone-shaped mountains
- Midday
Next, you ride up the zigzag road of Lung Ho Pass. From the viewpoint at the top, you see rows of cone-shaped mountains fading into the distance.
Du Gia: lunch and a night in a Tay homestay
- Early afternoon
In the early afternoon, you arrive in Du Gia, a quiet Tay village among rice fields. You have lunch and check in at a local homestay, a calm place to see village life.
4
Du Gia Waterfall
- Afternoon
Afterward, a short walk through the rice fields takes you to Du Gia Waterfall. You can swim and enjoy the quiet after a day on mountain roads.
Day 4
Du Gia → quiet backroads → Lung Tam → A Boong → Ha Giang
- About 4 hours riding
- Backroads and a weaving village
- Then back to Hanoi
- Breakfast and lunch
1
Waking up among the rice fields
- Morning
You wake up to village life: roosters, water buffalo in the fields, and children walking to school. After breakfast, you start the last day of the tour. For the first 30 minutes, you ride back along part of the road of Day 3. Then you turn onto a quiet mountain road that few other travelers use, with beautiful views.
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. You can see how it is made and buy handmade products.
3
A Boong Waterfall (optional swim)
- Afternoon
The road continues through quiet valleys with very little traffic. If the water level allows, you stop at A Boong Waterfall, a quiet spot where you can swim. The waterfall is not on the standard Ha Giang Loop route.
4
Ha Giang City: end of the road trip
- Late afternoon
In the afternoon, you arrive back in Ha Giang City, where the ride with your Easy Rider 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$425
2 travelers$395
3 travelers$390
4 travelers$385
5 travelers$380
6 travelers$375
7 travelers$370
8 travelers$365
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
- Your own Easy Rider (driver and motorbike)
- Fuel and motorbike maintenance
- Motorbike, helmet, and protective gear
- 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$315per person
Depends on group size and travel dates.
Tour information
Best time to do the Ha Giang Loop by motorbike
You can do this tour all year. Each season has its own appeal:
- Autumn (September to November): clear skies, dry weather, and wide views
- Spring (March to May): mild temperatures and green mountains
- Summer: green landscapes and big clouds, with short, heavy showers
- Winter: cooler and quieter
You ride with an experienced local driver, who adjusts the route to the weather when needed.
Luggage
On the motorbike, you can bring a backpack or a small suitcase. Large hard-shell suitcases do not fit. 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 riding time
The riding hours are short, so you have time to explore.
- Day 1: about 3.5 hours riding
- Day 2: about 3.5 hours riding
- Day 3: about 2 hours riding
- Day 4: about 4 hours riding
The days are full: viewpoints, walks, villages, photos, coffee stops, and markets. This tour is about a relaxed pace and the views.
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: well kept, also after rain
- Level: for anyone with normal fitness
The trek passes villages far from the known routes. Other lodge guests may join the same walk.
Dietary requirements
We can cater for vegetarian, vegan, and allergy-related diets. Please tell us when you book, so the lodge and the local kitchens can prepare.
Safety
Your safety comes first on this tour:
- Most roads are paved and have safety barriers.
- Our Easy Riders are local drivers with years of riding experience.
- They ride at a calm, relaxed pace.
- If something feels uncomfortable, tell us and the driver adjusts at once.
In bad weather, we adjust the route. See “Weather and conditions” below.
Weather and conditions
The tour almost always runs as planned. When it rains, we give you rain gear, and the slow pace keeps the ride safe. 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 (the mountain weather changes quickly)
- Long trousers
- Closed shoes (no flip-flops or sandals on the motorbike)
What to bring
- A camera or phone with a power bank
- Comfortable walking shoes (light shoes are enough)
- Cash for personal expenses
- Clothes and toiletries for 4 days
- A backpack or soft bag that can be tied to the motorbike
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the 3-day and 4-day Ha Giang Loop by motorbike?
The first two days of the 3-day tour and the 4-day tour are largely the same, with the best-known views. From Day 3, the 4-day tour is more relaxed: the riding days are shorter, and you go to quieter areas with fewer visitors. You have time for short walks, villages, a night in a Tay homestay in Du Gia, and a swim at the waterfalls. If you want less rush and more depth, choose the 4-day tour.
Is a 4-day Ha Giang Loop by motorbike safe?
Yes. Experienced local drivers, who have ridden these mountain roads for many years, lead this tour. They know the road conditions in each season and adapt the speed and the route when needed. The 4-day tour is less rushed than the 3-day tour, so the pace is calmer, with more time for stops. Part of our team lives in Ha Giang, so we know when it is safe to ride. 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.
I stay two nights at your lodge. Do I see less than on the standard Loop, where you sleep somewhere else each night?
No. On this 4-day route, you see everything other tours show. Staying two nights at our lodge even gives you time for more, such as a relaxed trek through quiet villages. The extra day lets us take quieter roads instead of moving hotels every day. The result is a more varied route, with less rush and more depth, and you do not pack your bags every morning.
You do not visit Lung Cu on this 4-day tour. Is that a drawback?
No. Lung Cu is mainly known as the northernmost point of Vietnam. The village has become touristy, and a large modern building has changed much of the landscape. We focus on quieter roads, better viewpoints, and villages with daily life. If you still wish to visit Lung Cu, we can add it: this Easy Rider tour is private and flexible.
What happens to my luggage during the 4-day Loop by motorbike?
On the motorbike, you can bring a backpack or a small suitcase. Large hard-shell suitcases do not fit. Extra luggage stays free at our office in Ha Giang. If you return to the same hotel in Hanoi after the tour, you can also leave luggage there.
What makes this 4-day Ha Giang Loop different from other 4-day motorbike tours?
We planned this route with local knowledge. It combines:
- the main highlights, such as Ma Pi Leng Pass
- quieter roads that most tours skip
- a trek to villages far from the tourist paths
- two nights at our own lodge, and a night in Du Gia
- time to travel at a relaxed pace
Many routes are copies of each other. This one is our own.
Is this 4-day Ha Giang Loop private?
Yes. You travel privately with your own Easy Rider. You set the pace, stop whenever you like, and can change the route along the way. Our group tour takes 3 days, follows a different route, and does not stay at our lodge.
Can the itinerary be changed during the tour?
Yes. The main route is fixed, but changes are easy along the way. The 4-day tour has more time, so this is even easier than on the 3-day tour. Do you want to stay longer somewhere or add a photo stop? That is no problem.
Is the trek during the 4-day tour difficult?
No. The trek suits anyone with normal fitness. The trails are solid and easy to walk, also after rain.
- Distance: about 4 km
- Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours
The trek runs outside the standard tourist routes. The lodge staff guide the walk, and other lodge guests may join.
Is this tour physically hard?
You ride on the back with an Easy Rider, so you need no riding experience. Sitting on the back of a motorbike for several hours a day can be tiring, so you should be comfortable with that. The days have many stops, and the treks are short.
Can I ride the motorbike myself during this 4-day tour?
Yes, on request. You need a valid motorbike license, an International Driving Permit, and recent riding experience on similar motorbikes. Most of our guests ride on the back with an Easy Rider: you enjoy the views, and a local driver who knows the roads does the riding.
Is there a minimum or maximum age for this 4-day tour?
There is no fixed age. On the motorbike, a child must be able to sit safely on the back. Our tour by car or jeep suits children of all ages. Do you need a child seat? Ask us. We often host families with teenagers, and travelers over 65.
Is the Ha Giang Loop by motorbike possible all year?
Yes. Rain and mist are normal in the mountains, and our drivers adapt at once. 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.
How does riding with a driver work on this 4-day Loop?
You sit behind an experienced local driver, who takes care of the route, your safety, and the pace. You relax and enjoy the ride. With four days, there is time for stops, small detours, village visits, and roads that cars cannot use.
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.
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