Ha Giang Loop Vietnam
The Ha Giang province is part of the most impressive area in Vietnam. To see this huge province well you can follow a motorbike route which is also called the Ha Giang loop.
With its bizarre karst mountain formations, rice terraces and river valleys, this mountain region between Ha Giang and the Chinese border is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam.
The poor tourist infrastructure is more than made up for by all impressions. The trip can be done in three days, but preferably in four or five.
It does require the necessary motorbike driving experience, because the roads are narrow,unfinished and quite winding.
There are different ways of completing the loop.
Self drive
The sense of adventure feels greater.
It is cheaper than go by tour.
Please note: In Vietnam you are only allowed to drive a motorbike with a Vietnamese drivers licence.
By tour
Safer and more comfortable
You don’t have to navigate.
Pay less attention to the road and more time to see the area.
You know for sure that you see all the sights and places that you would probably never see if you drive yourself.
You can choose either for on the back of a motorbike or car/minivan with driver.
****I chose to go by motorbike tour. I have completed many motorbike adventures and there is none thing like the fresh air and the smell of the country to open your sense to the adventure.
I chose to do this loop.
4 day Ha Giang loop
Day 1 (112 km): Ha Giang City – Quan Ba Pass – Lung Khuy Cave – Yen Minh town
Day 2 (86 km): Yen Minh town – Tham Ma Pass – Sa Phin – H’Mong King Palace – Lung Cu Flag Post – Dong Van town
Day 3 (101 km): Dong Van town – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Meo Vac – Mau Due – Du Gia
Day 4 (73 km): Du Gia – Ha Giang City
When you leave the city, the first real highlight of the Ha Giang loop is Quan Ba Pass. Driving all the way to the top of the pass brings you to a small café that over looks the valley.
After that you ride down the mountain pass to Quan Ba town and stop half way at a parking area. It is easy to pass it, because there is not immediately something to see. But from here you can climb the stairs up to a viewpoint with a scenic view over the Twin Mountains, also referred as the Fairy Breast mountains.
The route from Yen Minh to Sa Phin brings you over the Tham Ma Pass. This mountain pass is one of the impressive mountain passes in UNESCO Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark. A winding road up brings you to a small parking area were you can take photos of this pass
Continuing the road from Tham Ma Pass brings you in Sung La Valley. This valley is known for having the most beautiful highland commune in the whole Dong Van Plateau. Especial during the flower season the valley is very stunning and colourful. For this reason it is also called “Flower of the Plateau”.
Lung Cam Village in this valley is very famous, because of Pao’s House. This traditional house of the Hmong minority, is used in the movie The Story of Pao, that every Vietnamese knows. You can visit this house to see how an old traditional minority house looks like from the inside.
The Ma Pi Leng Pass is probably the most impressive part of road of the Ha Giang loop. It lies between the towns of Dong Van and Meo Vac. This epic road is directly carved into the side of the mountain, with hundreds of meter high steep cliffs. You can park your motorbike on the top to take a walking path along the ridge to make some amazing photos.
The road from Meo Van all the way to Du Gia, via Mau Due is stunning. In fact, this road isn’t anything less than the famous Ma Pi Leng pass. Via zigzagging roads through the mountains you pass through countless of minority villages. You will see lots of colorful ethnic people on the roads and children high fiving you on the way, while having impressive mountains all around you.
From Meo vac to Du Gia brings you through Mau Due, a road to one of the most impressive landscapes of the Ha Giang loop. Authentic and non touristic road between the amazing mountains and rice-field make Mau Due so special and unique. There are also some hidden waterfalls and rivers in this area, but it takes more then an hour to get to from the main road.
Du Gia is one the most beautiful picturesque villages in Ha Giang. The best of this place is the peaceful and unspoiled beauty with its majestic natural landscape of mountains and rice fields around it. In addition, the local people here are exceptionally hospitable and friendly.
Best travel time to do the Ha Giang loop
All year round you can do the Ha Giang loop. Even during rainy season you can have better clear days than during dry season. In the dry season there is less change on rain, but clouds can still cover the view. The weather in the mountains can be very unpredictable. An overview of the best seasons:
Dry season: From December – April
Wet season: From May – November
Recommended accommodation in Ha Giang
Hotels & homestays in Ha Giang City
Ha Giang Historic Hotel: Best hotel in town. Great location, nice garden, clean rooms and tasty family diner.
Ha Giang 1 Hostel: Rated as best hostel in Ha Gaing City. Nice staff and great atmosphere.
Ha Giang Riverside Hostel: Rooms are okay, but location is great along the river and close to the bus stop.
Ha Giang City is not the most atmospheric town to stay. As an alternative, you could also stay just outside the city in a local minority village. The two best villages outside the city for a local experience are Nam Dam and Thon Tha.
Hotels & homestays in Yen Minh
Homestay BongBang: Best place to stay in Yen Minh. Great soft beds, good atmosphere with family dinner and campfire at night. Staff speaks English.
Hà Anh Homestay: A nice family dinner and the hostel has a good social vibe. The staff is very friendly and helpful.
Hotels & homestays in Lung Cu
Sister’s House: The rooms of this homestay are very basic, but there is a great common area with pool table. Also the hosts are very friendly. It is the best place to stay in Lung Cu.
Hotels & homestays in Dong Van
Green Karst Hostel & Bar: Clean and comfortable, close to restaurants and bars. All you need after a long day’s ride.
Hoang Ngoc Hotel: One of the better hotels in Dong Van. Room are clean and tidy. Located in the centre of the town close to restaurants.
Triệu Nghị homestay: A favorite for many backpackers doing the Ha Giang loop. Friendly hosts and great faimly dinner.
Lam Tung Hotel: Very descent hotel right in the center of town, with nice rooms.
Binh Minh Hostel: Located in town. Nice big room with clean bathroom. Perfect for an overnight stop on the loop. Plenty of food options nearby.
Hotels & homestays in Meo Vac
Little Yen’s Homestay: One of the highest rated homestays on the loop. Staff speaks good English and great atmoshpere.
Ong Vang Meo Vac Hotel: Nice location, queit and relaxing. Rooms are small but clean.
Va’s Homestay Meo Vac: A nice homestay with a very friendly family who loves to cook for you.
Hotels & homestays in Du Gia
Du Gia homestay: The best accommodation in the village. Great athmoshere, perfect location with great views. Dorm rooms are very basic, bathrooms look nice. Family dinner is highly recommended.
Backpacker Garden Homestay: A nice homestay runned by a very friendly family. Nice bungalows in the garden of the homestay.
Eating & restaurants
The restaurants in Ha Giang are very local. Don’t expect anything fancy and there is no western food served any where. Usually you eat both breakfast and dinner at your homestay. Breakfast is often either noodles or bread (banh mi). Dinner at homestays is eaten together with the family and other guest. These family dinners are a great local experience, were you will be most likely asked to join them to drink local rice wine (happy water) with them.
Lunch you have to get at local restaurants along the road. Try to plan this wisely, as some parts are just mountains and countryside, without any restaurant close by.
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