The Ultimate Guide On Riding The Ha Giang Loop In Vietnam (4 Days)

Riding the Ha Giang Loop on a motorbike in Northern Vietnam was the absolute highlight of my 3-week trip to Vietnam. The region is known for its dramatic limestone mountains, emerald green rice terraces and bumpy, winding roads. It’s a bucket-list adventure to conquer this region on your own motorbike, enjoying the spectacular views and the freedom the open road offers. In this blog I share the best itinerary for 4 days and all the practical information that you need to ride the loop yourself.

Getting to Ha Giang from Hanoi by bus

There are regular buses going from Hanoi directly to Ha Giang. The easiest way to book a bus is via Bookaway. I booked the Manh Quan VIP Cabin Bus and it was the MOST AMAZING bus I’ve ever been on. Seriously. Private bed, curtains, tv, disco lights. The whole thing. It costs $15,- USD and takes approximately 6 hours to arrive in Ha Giang.

Renting a motorbike for the Ha Giang Loop

I arrived in the evening at QT Motorbikes & Tours, the renowned motorbike rental for the Ha Giang Loop. I think nowadays there are also plenty of other decent motorbike rental companies  and hotels in the area, so it’s not required to go to QT. To be frank, it was quite busy and the rental process was chaotic and long. QT also has rooms and dorms available, so I chose to spend the night there. A dorm-bed is free if you arrive with the night bus (between 2 – 8 am).

The next morning, I arranged a motorbike and practiced a bit with the semi-automatic transmission. Make sure that your motorbike is in good condition before you leave. If you are an experienced rider, opt for the best motorbike you can find (at QTs this is currently the Honda XR150 with manual transmission). I had a 125cc semi-automatic motorbike and roads often felt uncomfortable. I literally felt every bump in the road, and there were many. My boyfriend rode the Honda XR150 and for him it was a lot better. Automatic bikes are not recommended for the Ha Giang Loop.

Once I got the hang of the semi-automatic transmission and strapped my luggage to the bike, I was on my way. The rugged landscapes of Northern Vietnam were begging to be explored.

Ha Giang Loop counterclockwise

Most people ride the Ha Giang Loop clockwise. QT advised me to ride the loop counter-clockwise, to avoid some of the crowds and tours. It was a great 4-day itinerary, so I happily share it with you. But of course always ask your local rental company for the latest updates, as conditions change. Also make sure you have a travel guide, such as the Lonely Planet, and a map of the area.

Please note that there are a lot of winding mountain roads which aren’t great for beginners. You can always join a tour or hop on the back of the motorbike of an experienced driver, the so-called Easy Riders. This blog, however, is about riding the Ha Giang loop on your own with a motorbike.

Day 1: Ha Giang – Heaven’s Gate – Du Già

Distance: approx. 100 kilometers

On the first day you ride from Ha Giang to Du Già. It won’t take long before you see the first rice terraces. Although it’s tempting to already get off your bike and take as many pictures as you can, the views will only get better from here. One of the best viewpoints is Heaven’s Gate. You can’t miss it, because all of the tourists stop here. Out of nowhere, it seems, there are dozens of motorbikes parked next to the road to enjoy the view.

Most people continue their journey north to Yên Minh and spend the night there. You, however, will take a turn right towards Du Già. You pass remote villages, even more rice terraces and rugged limestone rock formations.

There are a couple of guesthouses and homestays in the village. It’s best to book ahead, as in high season a lot of accommodation is fully booked. I really enjoyed my stay at Du Già Village Homestay. The hostess speaks impeccable English and can tell you a lot about the region, while enjoying a few sips of rice wine. Or, as the locals call it, happy water. Cheers!

Day 2: Du Già – Meo Vac – Dong Van

Distance: approx. 100 kilometers

Your second day of the Ha Giang Loop will be, arguably, even more beautiful than the first. You’ll ride the epic Ma Pi Leng Pass with jaw-dropping views of the Nho Que River snaking through the valley far below. The road’s curves and gradients present a thrilling challenge for motorcyclists, but the reward is an unrivaled view of the region’s untamed beauty. First make your way to Meo Vac and then head north to Dong Van.

When the sun sets, head towards the Ma Pi Leng Skywalk. A small path leads towards a viewpoint that is simply out of this world. You can drive your motorbike all the way up to the viewpoint, but the path is quite narrow and there’s a cliff on one side. Many people choose to park their bike at the beginning of the cliff and walk a couple of hundred meters to the viewpoint.

Have some dinner, spend the night in one of the guesthouses in Dong Van Old Quarter, and rest up. Tomorrow is going to be epic, yet again.

Day 3: Dong Van – Lung Cu Flag Tower – Yên Minh

Distance: approx. 80 kilometers

Today you’ll ride to the northernmost point of Vietnam at the border with China, where the iconic Lung Cu Flag Tower is located. This flagpole represents the country’s sovereignty and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.

Head back south (no other option from here really) towards the Dong Van Karst Plateau, a UNESCO Global Geopark. A mountainous region with spectacular limestone formations, forming jagged peaks and deep valleys.

The final destination of the third day is Yên Minh, a tranquil town surrounded by hills and rivers. Here you can unwind and prepare for the last leg of the Ha Giang Loop.

Day 4: Yên Minh – Ha Giang

Distance: approx. 100 kilometers

You’ll most likely wish you had more time when you realize it’s going to be your last day of riding the Ha Giang Loop. I know I did. You probably don’t need to stop for a picture at every turn anymore, so you can cover some ground and speed up.

I made my way back to Ha Giang fairly quickly, as I got the afternoon bus back to Hanoi. Breathe in the last bit of fresh mountain air and appreciate the freedom of the open road.

Packing essentials and best time to visit

You can leave your big backpack at the guesthouse in Ha Giang and only take a small backpack on your bike. Definitely pack the usual, such as your personal items, medicine, camera, passport and (international) driving license. Pack as light as you can, you’ll be carrying everything on your motorcycle. Other essentials include:

• Travel guide, such as the Lonely Planet
• Map of the area
• Rain jacket
• First-aid kit
• Plenty of sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Insect repellent with at least 40% DEET
• Water
• Sufficient cash

Ideally you’ll visit Ha Giang during the dry season, which is roughly from October to April. However, December, January and February can get very cold. So if you visit during these months, ensure to pack warm clothes as well. Hence October – November and March – April are the best times to visit. That being said, I went there in September and the weather was perfect.

That’s it. Strap on your helmet, rev up the engine and prepare for an unforgettable experience. Happy riding!

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If you have any questions about riding the Ha Giang Loop on a motorbike, let me know in the comments. Read more posts about Asia here. Some links in this article are affiliate links.

This post was last updated July, 2024.