Ha Giang
A Ha Giang loop tour is one of the most memorable ways to explore northern Vietnam, passing through high mountain passes, limestone valleys, ethnic villages and remote countryside. Beka Travel runs 3 trip lengths, so travelers can choose between a compact adventure and a slower journey.
Our tours follow the main route through Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, Ma Pi Leng, Meo Vac and Du Gia. Depending on the itinerary, you can travel with an easy rider or take the self-driving option.
Ha Giang loop tours
Ha Giang loop 2 days 2 nights
The 2 days Ha Giang loop suits travelers who want the most famous landscapes without adding too many days to a Vietnam itinerary.
The route runs from Ha Giang City through Bac Sum Pass, Quan Ba Heaven Gate, Yen Minh, Tham Ma Pass, Sung La Valley, the H'Mong King's Palace and Lung Cu before reaching Dong Van. It then crosses Ma Pi Leng Pass and includes a boat trip on the Nho Que River before returning to Ha Giang.
Book the Ha Giang loop 2 days 2 nights departure.
Ha Giang loop 3 days 3 nights with easy rider
The 3 days Ha Giang loop adds time in the mountains while an experienced local rider handles the motorbike. This is the itinerary most first-time visitors choose.
The journey covers Quan Ba, Dong Van, Lung Cu, Lo Lo Chai, Ma Pi Leng, the Nho Que River and Du Gia, with overnight stays in local accommodation along the route.
Book the Ha Giang loop 3 days 3 nights with easy rider departure.
Ha Giang loop 4 days 4 nights
The 4 days Ha Giang loop is built for travelers who would rather spend time exploring than covering distance.
The longer itinerary runs through Dong Van, Meo Vac and Du Gia before returning toward Ha Giang City, with room for mountain viewpoints, villages, waterfalls, weaving communities and other unhurried stops.
Book the Ha Giang loop 4 days 4 nights departure.
What is the Ha Giang loop
The Ha Giang loop is a multi-day road journey through the mountains of northern Vietnam, usually starting and ending in Ha Giang City.
The route is known for limestone mountains, narrow passes, deep valleys, ethnic minority communities and the Nho Que River. It forms a large mountain circuit across what was Ha Giang Province before the 2025 administrative reorganization, an area now part of Tuyen Quang Province but still known as Ha Giang for travel.
The experience is not only about riding. It combines mountain scenery with local food, village life, traditional homes and time spent among communities living in the northern highlands. For seasons, food, accommodation and packing advice, see our Ha Giang travel guide.
Where the Ha Giang loop starts and ends
Most organized tours begin in Ha Giang City, the main gateway to the mountain route. Travelers arriving from Hanoi normally reach the city by sleeper or limousine bus before starting the loop.
A typical route can be written as:
Ha Giang City - Quan Ba - Yen Minh - Dong Van - Ma Pi Leng - Meo Vac - Du Gia - Ha Giang City
The circle makes Ha Giang City a convenient finishing point before continuing to Hanoi or another destination in northern Vietnam.
The route and its main stops
- Quan Ba: Heaven Gate and the Twin Mountains, the first view of highland scenery.
- Yen Minh: valleys, pine forests and quiet mountain communities.
- Tham Ma Pass: a winding road and one of the classic photography stops.
- Sung La Valley: traditional houses and the H'Mong cultural landscape.
- H'Mong King's Palace: a historic residence with H'Mong and Chinese architectural influences.
- Lung Cu and Lo Lo Chai: a border area with mountain views and traditional village life.
- Dong Van: a mountain town known for its Old Quarter and local market.
- Ma Pi Leng Pass: steep cliffs and wide views, the most dramatic section of the route.
- Nho Que River: boat trips through Tu San Canyon.
- Meo Vac: a remote area surrounded by limestone peaks.
- Du Gia: villages, rice fields and a natural waterfall.
Distances, visiting times and 11 further stops are set out in our Ha Giang attractions guide.
How long the Ha Giang loop takes
Most travelers need 3 or 4 days for the main route without making each day rushed. A 2 days trip is possible on a tight schedule and focuses on the best known sights.
The answer depends on how many hours you want to spend on the road each day and whether you want to add cultural or nature stops.
How to ride the Ha Giang loop
There is more than one way to travel the route. You can ride as a passenger with an easy rider, drive a motorbike yourself if you meet the legal requirements, or ask for a private jeep or car. The right choice depends on your riding experience, your driving documents and the kind of trip you want.
Riding with an easy rider
An easy rider Ha Giang loop means you travel as a passenger while a local rider operates the motorbike. Instead of concentrating on traffic, bends and navigation, you watch the scenery and stop for photographs.
A local rider also knows the mountain roads and the villages along them, which opens up places that are part of everyday life in the region rather than only the marked viewpoints.
Self drive by motorbike
Self-driving is possible for travelers who hold a valid motorcycle license and the driving documents required in Vietnam. Bring your International Driving Permit or equivalent motorcycle documentation, and follow the guide's safety instructions on the road.
The route includes steep climbs, sharp turns and sections where road and weather conditions change quickly, so riding experience matters more here than on flat roads. Beka Travel offers the self-driving option on selected itineraries.
Jeep and car options
A Ha Giang jeep tour can be arranged for travelers who prefer not to use a motorbike. Private car or jeep travel suits families, couples, older travelers and small private groups, and makes it easier to adjust the route or linger at a particular stop.
These trips are arranged on request rather than sold as a fixed package. Contact our team with your group size, travel dates and preferred route and we will propose a suitable vehicle and itinerary.
Ha Giang loop price and booking
Prices depend on the itinerary, duration, transport option, accommodation and services included. The figures below are starting prices and can change with the departure date, room arrangement and holiday period.
| Tour | Duration | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ha Giang loop 2 days 2 nights | 2D2N | 1 night sleeper bus, 1 night homestay | $135 per person |
| Ha Giang loop 3 days 3 nights with easy rider | 3D3N | 1 night sleeper bus, 1 night hotel, 1 night homestay | $175 per person |
| Ha Giang loop 4 days 4 nights | 4D4N | 1 night sleeper bus, 3 nights hotel and homestay | $205 per person |
The night count includes the sleeper bus from Hanoi, which is why a 2 days itinerary is described as 2 nights.
What is included and what is not
Beka Travel packages may include:
- Round-trip transport between Hanoi and Ha Giang
- English-speaking tour guide
- Easy rider or self-driving option
- Motorbike and motorbike insurance
- Accommodation
- Meals listed in the itinerary
- Entrance tickets for included attractions
- Nho Que River boat trip where specified
- Helmet and motorbike equipment on selected packages
- Tea break or welcome refreshments on selected itineraries
Drinks, personal expenses, single-room supplements, holiday surcharges and services not listed are excluded. The exact list varies by product, so check the tour page before paying.
How to book your Ha Giang loop tour
Choose the trip length that matches your schedule, then pick your travel style and departure date. You can book directly on the product page.
For a private tour, a jeep or car, extra nights or a different transport arrangement, contact the Beka Travel team before booking.
Our tour policies generally allow free cancellation up to 3 days before departure, and later cancellations may be charged. Terms vary between products, so check the policy shown on the tour you select.
Getting to the start of the loop
Hanoi is the main gateway for international visitors. Sleeper and limousine buses connect the capital with Ha Giang City, and overnight departures let travelers sleep on the way and arrive in the early morning. Several Beka Travel packages include the round-trip transfer.
If Ha Giang is one stop in a longer northern Vietnam route, transport can also be arranged from Sapa, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay or Cat Ba. Travel times between these destinations are long, so allow for them when planning the schedule.
Seasons on the loop
Ha Giang can be visited all year, but scenery and road conditions change with the season. March to April and September to November are the two most comfortable periods, with clearer views and moderate temperatures.
Mountain weather changes quickly whatever the month, so prepare for a range of temperatures and occasional rain. Month by month temperatures, rainfall and what each season looks like on the road are set out in our Ha Giang weather guide.
How Beka Travel runs the loop safely
The route crosses mountainous terrain, so local support matters. Beka Travel runs small-group itineraries with guides and drivers who know the mountain roads, and selected packages include motorbike insurance, helmets and motorbike equipment. Our Ha Giang loop permit guide explains the border paperwork we arrange before each departure.
Before starting, riders should be comfortable on the motorcycle and clear about the road conditions ahead. Protective clothing, sturdy shoes and sun or rain protection are recommended.
Heavy rain affects mountain roads, and your guide may adjust the timing or the route when conditions require it.
Combining the Ha Giang loop with a Lan Ha Bay cruise
A northern Vietnam trip does not have to be all mountains. Pairing the loop with time on the water gives two very different landscapes in one itinerary.
After finishing the loop, travelers can head for Cat Ba Island and spend a day trip or an overnight on the bay. The combination works for anyone who wants mountain scenery, local culture and quiet water in the same trip. See our Lan Ha Bay cruise collection to plan the second half.
Frequently asked questions about the Ha Giang loop
What is the Ha Giang loop?
A multi-day road journey through the mountains of northern Vietnam. It starts and finishes in Ha Giang City and passes through Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, Meo Vac and Du Gia.
How long is the Ha Giang loop?
The classic circuit is about 350 km. Most travelers take 3 or 4 days, and 2 days is possible on a short schedule.
Where does the Ha Giang loop start?
Ha Giang City. Organized tours arrange a meeting point or a transfer from the city before the mountain section begins.
Which Ha Giang loop tour should I choose?
2 days for a short Vietnam itinerary, 3 days for the balance most visitors prefer, 4 days for extra village and nature stops at a slower pace.
What is an easy rider Ha Giang loop?
A local driver rides the motorbike and you sit as a passenger, so you experience the mountain roads without operating the motorcycle.
Can I drive the Ha Giang loop myself?
Yes, with a valid motorcycle license and the driving documents Vietnam requires. The climbs and bends are demanding, so previous mountain riding experience helps.
How much is the Ha Giang loop?
Beka Travel starting prices are $135 for 2 days, $175 for 3 days with an easy rider and $205 for 4 days. The final price varies with the travel date and package.
Do I need a permit for the Ha Giang loop?
Some areas close to the Chinese border have required paperwork at different times. On a Beka Travel tour the guide handles anything needed, and requirements should be confirmed at the time of booking.
What should I bring for the Ha Giang loop?
Comfortable clothes, sturdy walking shoes, sun protection and a light rain jacket. Temperatures differ between valleys and high passes, so lightweight layers are useful.
Where to book a Ha Giang loop tour?
Directly on the Beka Travel tour pages. For private trips, jeep or car arrangements, or a customized itinerary, contact the team before booking.
Book your Ha Giang loop tour with Beka Travel
Ready to explore the mountains of northern Vietnam? Pick the itinerary that matches your time:
- 2 days 2 nights for a compact trip covering the essential Ha Giang highlights.
- 3 days 3 nights with easy rider for more time among mountain scenery, villages and local life.
- 4 days 4 nights for a slower pace and more room to explore.
From transport out of Hanoi to accommodation, meals and local experiences, Beka Travel handles the arrangements so you can concentrate on the road.
