Ha Giang City
The loop starts here, with restaurants, bars and rentals. Arrive early to start the loop.
Find hotels here North Vietnam
Ha Giang
- Best time
- Sep – Nov
- Ideal stay
- 3 days 2 nights
- Avg. cost
- $45 – $85/day
- Airport
- 300km from Hanoi
Ha Giang Overview
Ha Giang is Vietnam’s northernmost province, famous for the Ha Giang Loop through the Dong Van karst plateau, deep gorges and ethnic-minority villages. It suits confident riders, photographers and travelers who prefer easy-rider tours.
Highlights of Ha Giang:
- The loop: Most trips take 2 – 3 days with an Easy Rider. A 2-day tour from Hanoi costs about $168 and a 3-day tour about $218.
- Ma Pi Leng Pass: One of the most dramatic mountain passes, above the Nho Que River gorge. Stop at the viewpoints.
- Dong Van and Lung Cu: See the old quarter, the Sunday market and the flag tower. Cold at night.
- Book early: Reserve the loop and your bus seat ahead in October and November.
Best Time to Visit: Sep – Nov brings golden rice terraces, buckwheat flowers from October and clear skies. Jun – Aug has landslides and heavy rain; Dec – Feb is cold and foggy. October and November weekends are busy.
Book the loop and your bus seat early for autumn.
Where to stay in Ha Giang
Where to base yourself, by travel style.
First-timers Loop stopover Dong Van Town
Old-quarter stop on the loop with simple guesthouses. Cold nights and limited dining.
Find hotels hereQuiet valley homestays Quan Ba Valley
Quiet valley homestays for slower loops. Basic rooms and limited English.
Find hotels here
Things to do in Ha Giang
Hand-picked things to do.
When to visit Ha Giang
Temperature, rain and crowds by month.
January
16.1°C ~ 61°F
19 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
February
17.5°C ~ 64°F
18 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
March
20.9°C ~ 70°F
20 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
April
24.2°C ~ 76°F
20 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
May
26.4°C ~ 80°F
25 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
June
27.5°C ~ 82°F
27 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
July
27.9°C ~ 82°F
25 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
August
27.6°C ~ 82°F
25 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
September
26.9°C ~ 80°F
21 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
October
24.4°C ~ 76°F
15 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
November
20.8°C ~ 69°F
15 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
December
16.6°C ~ 62°F
14 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
What to eat in Ha Giang
Local dishes worth trying.
Getting to Ha Giang
Times, costs and booking links.
Step 1: Fly to Hanoi (HAN) Land here, then head into central Hanoi
Noi Bai Airport is about 35km north of central Hanoi. Off-peak the drive takes about 40 min; at rush hour allow up to 1.5 hrs. There is no metro to the airport.
- Best option: GrabCar or Xanh SM: fixed in-app fares of about 200,000 – 350,000 VND ($8 – $14) to the Old Quarter. A metered Mai Linh taxi costs about 300,000 – 400,000 VND ($12 – $16).
- Bus: Express bus 86 costs about 45,000 VND ($1.80) and takes 45 – 60 min to the Hanoi Railway Station area. Bus 7 costs about 8,000 VND but takes 60 – 90 min.
- Scam tip: Use the app or a branded metered taxi. Avoid unbranded cars and touts, and keep your address saved in Vietnamese.
Step 2: Bus to Ha Giang Overnight sleepers or daytime limousine vans
The limousine van is the more comfortable choice; sleeper buses are cheaper and run overnight.
- Limousine van: About 5.5 – 7 hrs and $12 – $22. Hotel pickup in the Old Quarter is common.
- Sleeper bus: About 6 – 7 hrs and $9 – $20. Overnight buses leave 21:00 – 22:30 and arrive 04:30 – 06:00.
- Private car: About 5.5 – 6.5 hrs and $85 – $190 per vehicle.
- Seat tip: Sleeper berths suit people under 175cm. Choose lower-deck berths in the middle.
Step 3: Explore by Motorbike Steep passes, fog and hairpins
Most travelers ride the loop with an Easy Rider or on their own rental.
- Motorbike rental: About $12 – $30 per day plus fuel. You need an International Driving Permit.
- Easy Rider: A local driver takes you as a passenger. Good for less experienced riders.
- Road risk: Steep hairpin roads, fog and landslides in rain. Ride in daylight only.
- Insurance: Check that your travel insurance covers motorbikes.
FAQs
How long is the Ha Giang Loop and how many days do I need?
The loop is about 350 km. Most travelers take 3 days, and 4 days is more relaxed and safer on the steep roads.
When is the best time to ride the Ha Giang Loop?
Late October to mid-November brings buckwheat flowers and mostly dry roads. Avoid June to August, when heavy rain can cause landslides and close roads.
Do I need a permit for Ha Giang?
Yes, foreign visitors need a border-area permit. It costs about 200,000 to 250,000 VND, and you can get it at the immigration office in Ha Giang City or through your tour operator or homestay. Checks have become stricter, and rules can change, so ask your operator before you go.
Can I ride the loop on my own?
Only with a valid motorbike licence and an International Driving Permit (1968 Convention) that covers motorbikes, plus enough experience for steep mountain roads. If you do not have these, hire an easy rider, a local driver. Check the rules with your insurer too.
What is the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark?
It is a UNESCO Global Geopark of limestone mountains and deep gorges. It covers four districts: Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van and Meo Vac.
