10 Top Tips for the Ha Giang Loop

2 xr150s while we stop for a break in ha giang

Table of Contents

These top tips are from an experienced traveller on the Internet, who spent 14 days riding around the North of Vietnam. He spent the majority of his time in Ha Giang and on ‘the loop’. However, he also got off ‘the loop’ and out to other provinces, which is something we really recommend. 

10 top tips for driving the loop and beyond!

Do it! It will easily be the highlight of your Vietnam holiday.

Motorbike is by far the best way to experience the real Vietnam, away from the cities and typical tourist traps. Find a way to include the loop into your schedule! Also, bear in mind that it will take a full day to get to Ha Giang and back so consider adding a few days on and starting and returning to Hanoi. 

Ride your own bike.

If you are a couple, or traveling in a group, you may be tempted into riding two up. Don’t do it! Bike rental is very affordable in Vietnam, so trying to save money by riding two to a bike is not worth it! Riding two up is less comfortable, overloads the bike (making it slow, dangerous and unbalanced on the hills), and misses half of the fun! If you end up going for the easy rider option, you will have to pay a lot of extra money for the rider, when you could be enjoying the sense of freedom, and the challenge of completing the loop by yourself! If you (or someone in your group) isn’t experienced or doesn’t feel confident controlling a motorbike, refer to tip 3 below…

riding through the mountains near Dong Van, North Vietnam on the QL4c road
If you set off early, you can have clear roads

Get some practice BEFORE you go.

If you don’t have a lot of motorbike experience (or possibly even none at all), go out and get some! You can attend a motorcycle training course in your home country, rent a bike or scooter and practice in an empty car park, or perhaps you know a friend that has a motorbike that can help you learn the basics.

While I can’t recommend it, the reality is that some people will attempt the loop with no motorbike experience at all. At a very minimum, you need to have bicycle experience, and be comfortable riding in traffic. You need to consider not only your own safety, but also the safety of others. Confidence, and the ability to not panic are what will keep you safe while riding in Vietnam, and that only comes with experience. If you are already in Vietnam, consider adding an extra day to your schedule, where you just practice and learn in a safe environment. The better prepared you are, the more you will enjoy your ride!

Wear as much protection as you can.

Insist on a full face helmet, gloves, knee and elbow pads. Don’t ride in shorts and sandals; wear jeans and covered shoes. Even a low speed tumble (which is easy to do) can result in nasty cuts and grazes, which could end your holiday right there and then. It is not worth the risk!

failed brakes causes this truck to roll on the happiness rd ql4c in meo vac ha giang
Always be prepared for the unexpected

Be very wary of buses.

Buses are the biggest hazard on Vietnamese roads. They are big, they drive fast, and they have little patience for slow bike riders. They will often swing out into your lane to get around sharp corners, so if you hear one honking its horn, get as far off to the side of the road as you can, or even stop and wait for it to go past. Buses will pull out to pass cars and motorbikes, even if they can see you coming the other way! They will just honk their horn and expect you to avoid them, which you will have to be prepared to do very quickly.

Pack light.

You don’t need to take everything with you. A small/medium duffle bag or backpack, with some clothes (including your raincoat/poncho) and your camera are all that you need. Don’t weigh your bike down with heavy luggage (which also makes it easier to tip over). You can leave a suitcase at your accommodation in Ha Giang (Or wherever you happen to start your journey) and pick it up when you are finished.

the nine turn pass in Ha Giang
The roads are amazing

Leave your accommodation each day as early as you can.

By starting your ride early, you give yourself the most amount of time to get to your next destination before dark. This means you can go slow, stop more often, and not feel rushed. Also, your photos will look better in the morning light, there tends to be less traffic in the morning, and you can avoid the afternoon heat!

Pack some food in your bag.

Lunch is not really a thing in Vietnam. At lunch time, you will find that a lot of the restaurants are closed, or there is simply nobody around. If you do find a shop that is open, they will likely only sell snacks and drinks. It is not easy to find a sandwich, or even a bowl of noodle soup in the middle of the day, so try to have a good breakfast in the morning, and if you can, grab a banh mi to go for later.

A group of riders on a tour in ha giang renting bikes from Giang Son
Being part of a group can be fun

Go off the loop.

Because you are getting away early, you will have time to explore! Go down some of the little side roads along the way and see what you can find! Open google maps and look for the camera icons for places of interest. Stop in the small villages and check out some of the local shops or market stalls. Don’t just rush to the main points on the loop, get the full experience!

Go way off the loop!!

Northern Vietnam has so much more to offer than just the loop. If you have the time and budget available, take some extra days and explore as much as you can! My journey took me right out past Cao Bang to the magnificent Ban Gioc waterfalls, all the way down to the beautiful Ba Be Lake, and into the untamed wild roads of Hoang Su Phi. The Vietnamese people are so friendly and helpful (even if they speak little to no English), that traveling beyond the loop is both safe and rewarding!

Quick Connect

BMW 1250 GS

Engine Type

air-liquid cooled, twin cylinder, DOHC, boxer engine

Displacement

1255 cc

Bore X Stroke

102.5 mm x 76 mm

Ignition

FI

Fuel System

fuel injection

Compression Ratio

12.5:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

6-speed

Front Suspension

BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 37 mm

Rear Suspension

single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever

Front Brakes

dual disc brake, floating brake discs, diameter 305 mm, 4-piston radial calipers

Rear Brakes

single disc brake, diameter 276 mm, double-piston floating caliper

Front Tyres

120/70 R19

Rear Tyres

170/60 R17

Wheelbase

1514 mm

Seat Height

850 mm

Ground Clearance

790 mm

Kerb Weight

249 kg

Fuel Capacity

20 litres

Dimensions

2207 mm (L) x 952.5mm (W) x 1430 mm (H)

Honda XR 150 motorcycle rental

Engine Type

air cooled, OHC, single cylinder

Displacement

149 cc

Bore X Stroke

57.3 mm x 57.8 mm

Ignition

CDI

Fuel System

20 mm piston valve carburettor

Compression Ratio

9.5:1

Starter

electric with kick starter backup

Gearbox

5-speed

Front Suspension

telescopic fork, 180 mm axle travel

Rear Suspension

single shock swing arm, 150 mm axle travel

Front Brakes

dual piston caliper, 240 mm disc

Rear Brakes

mechanical drum

Front Tyres

90/90 19

Rear Tyres

110/90 17

Wheelbase

1362 mm

Seat Height

825 mm

Ground Clearance

243 mm

Kerb Weight

129 kg

Fuel Capacity

12 litres

Dimensions

2091 mm (L) x 811 mm (W) x 1125 mm (H)

Honda CB 500X motorcycle rental

Engine Type

liquid cooled parallel-twin four stroke

Displacement

470 cc

Bore X Stroke

67 mm x 66.8 mm

Ignition

PGMI – FI

Fuel System

fuel injection

Compression Ratio

10.7:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

6-speed

Front Suspension

41 mm SFF-BP USD Forks

Rear Suspension

Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster

Front Brakes

dual 296 mm discs with 4 piston calipers; ABS

Rear Brakes

240 mm disc; ABS

Front Tyres

110/80R19M/C (59H)

Rear Tyres

160/60R17M/C

Wheelbase

1445 mm

Seat Height

830 mm

Ground Clearance

180 mm

Kerb Weight

199 kg

Fuel Capacity

17.7 litres

Dimensions

2,155 mm (L) x 830 mm (W) x 1,410 mm (H)

Honda CRF 300 motorcycle rental

Engine Type

single cylinder, DOHC, liquid cooled

Displacement

286 cc

Bore X Stroke

76 mm x 63 mm

Ignition

Full Transistor Digital

Fuel System

PGM-FI electronic fuel injection

Compression Ratio

10.7:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

5-speed

Front Suspension

43 mm telescopic upside down

Rear Suspension

Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster

Front Brakes

256 mm disc, 2 piston caliper

Rear Brakes

220 mm disc, single piston caliper

Front Tyres

80/100 21

Rear Tyres

120/80 18

Wheelbase

1455 mm

Seat Height

880 mm

Ground Clearance

285 mm

Kerb Weight

142 kg

Fuel Capacity

7.8 litres

Dimensions

2230 mm (L) x 820 mm (W) x 1200 mm (H)

Tourist

One-Way

Expat

Pricing

N/A

N/A

Damage Waiver

$0/day

N/A

N/A

Security Deposit

N/A

N/A

Required Docs

passport

N/A

N/A

Mileage Limit

unlimited

N/A

N/A

Touring

N/A

N/A