Ha Giang is Vietnam’s northern province known as the final frontier. This remote and mysterious province showcases incredible mountain landscapes, limestone walls, roaring rivers, smiling people, and hundreds of kids.

It can be challenging to plan a trip independently to Ha Giang. Yet anything is WAY better than exploring Ha Giang on a soulless and rushed organized tour together with dozens of other travelers.

If you want to travel on winding roads, enjoy the exhilarating feeling of riding along mountain slopes with the cool morning air, or feel humbled by the majestic nature surrounding you, then this journey is for you:

First, arriving and renting a bike in Ha Giang

The night bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang costs around 250,000 VND and takes approximately 5 hours. Buses usually depart in the evening and arrive in Ha Giang around 5 am. Once you arrive in Ha Giang, you can head to Local Hotel. Ask the bus driver to drop you off there. As a customer, you will have a free bed to rest in after the long journey.

Renting a Motorbike

In the morning, the hotel staff will take you to a nearby bike rental shop to choose your bike. Prices start at 200,000 VND per day for a semi-automatic Honda Blade and can go up to 900,000 VND for a dirt bike Honda XR. Semi-automatic bikes are recommended for the Ha Giang loop as they offer better control on challenging mountain roads. They provide you with a detailed map of the loop that has useful information and recommendations for stops along the way.

Permit Information

Officially, foreign travelers need a permit (300,000 VND, about $14) to visit Ha Giang. However, guides often indicate that the permit may not be necessary if you follow their routes. It is best to check with your hotel staff in Ha Giang about the current permit requirements before setting out on the loop.

Day 1: Ha Giang to Du Gia Village – 109km

Starting Your Journey

Begin your ride from Ha Giang town, heading north on the road QL4C. After about 30 km, you will reach the gate of the Geopark. This area is a UNESCO Global Geopark, designated in 2011 as the second such site in Southeast Asia.

Heaven’s Gate Pass

As you enter the Geopark, you will drive through the beautiful Heaven’s Gate Pass. This mountain pass offers breathtaking views and a memorable driving experience. Be prepared for varying weather conditions; rainy and misty weather can add to the mystical atmosphere.

Quan Ba District and Tam Son

After driving through Heaven’s Gate Pass, you will enter Quan Ba District and the town of Tam Son. This area is surrounded by spectacular mountains and dozens of limestone ‘molehills’.

Fairy Bosom Viewpoint

Near the top of the pass, you will find an information center with a coffee shop. Park your bikes here and climb the steps behind the café to a small viewpoint to see Fairy Bosom. This unique landscape features smooth hills. They are so charming and balanced that locals started calling them Fairy Bosom, a name that dates back to ancient times and is associated with many legends.

The simple life of view

During our route to Du Gia, you will pass through numerous small communities surrounded by picturesque rice terraces, offering a glimpse into a simpler way of life. Picture waking up with the sunrise, spending the day cultivating crops, and tending to livestock for food and supplies. Children typically walk several kilometers to school or assist parents with household chores. Older siblings often care for younger ones, who are sometimes dressed without trousers for convenience

Tips: Be prepared for varying weather conditions like typhoon season, expect rain and misty mountains.

You should stop for a quick lunch at Tam Son town, there are some small local restaurants like Pho Bo, fried chicken or local fruit,…

Accomodation: Du Già Lô Lô Homestay

Day 2: Du Gia to Meo Vac and Dong Van – amazing Ma Pi Leng Pass

In the morning, pack your belongings and head towards the famous Meo Vac and Dong Van area. The road to Meo Vac is unlike anything you’ve seen before. It rises steeply, twisting and turning up the hill. Once you arrive at the top, the view will be spectacular. You’ll be able to see the meandering hills all around you. And this is just the beginning of the exhibition nature has prepared for you.

Shortly after, you’ll come across yellow rice fields breaking through the clouds. Try to take a few photos with your camera before the clouds cover the area again. If you wait a few more minutes, the clouds might get thicker. So, be quick and capture at least a few shots while you can!

A few kilometers later, you’ll notice a vast mine. At first, you might not pay much attention, but look closely and you’ll see people working on its steep walls. They are H’mongs, dressed in colorful traditional clothes.

Finally, save the best for last: the epic mountains of Ma Pi Leng Pass, the final stretch from Meo Vac to Dong Van. Treeless walls of limestone mountains rise hundreds of meters above the craterous Nho Que River valley – it’s one of the best views you’ll ever see. The trip up here is so worth it for the views that you may only see once in a lifetime! Prepare to be blown away by the scenery and endless landscapes.

Accommodation: Khoi Panorama

Day 3: Dong Van to Lung Cu, Yen Minh and down to Quan Ba – 140km

The next morning, head to the most northern village of Vietnam, Lung Cu, known as the North Pole of Vietnam. The ‘pole’ itself has an entrance fee of 20,000 VND (approximately $1) and is a tower atop a small hill, offering excellent views across China from the top.

Lung cu – the North Pole of Vietnam

On the way back, take a different route. Just when you think you can’t be more amazed, you’ll discover another stunning place! If someone had described this view, you might have thought it was from a fantasy novel or movie. Hills abound everywhere! You’ll also see many kids – some heading home from school and some working. You might meet children carrying baskets with flowers; later, you’ll learn that they make special alcohol from these flowers.

Dinner in Vietnam often involves drinking rice wine (some alcohol with poppy heads), and without it, a meal isn’t complete. Be prepared for shot after shots, as the locals will try to see if you can keep up with them. The night will be fun.

Accommodation: Thu Hong homestay

On the last day of this journey, relax at the homestay before returning to Hanoi for new adventures.

This place is truly unique – the stunning scenery paired with the warm smiles of the local people makes it all the more rewarding. Additionally, compared to other destinations, this place still retains a sense of untamed beauty. My final tip for you is to experience this trip on a motorbike, as there’s no better way to explore all these amazing spots. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to ride; it doesn’t take long to learn, or you can hire your own driver.

For a longer or other itinerary in Ha Giang loop, please contact us for details on a customized tour.