Ha Giang Loop (7D)
Put a foot over the Chinese border.
From $840/rider
1 Reviews:
5.00000/5
Vietnam Motorcycle Tour Map - Ha Giang 7 Day - Rentabike Vietnam - White

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Hanoi
7 Days, 7 Nights
1260 km
Pillions Welcome

Overview

Seven days riding Vietnam's most famous motorcycle loop. Take the overnight bus from Hanoi, collect your motorcycle in Ha Giang city then hit the road! Experience Yen Minh Pine Forest, the massive Ma Pi Leng mountain pass and Du Gia waterfall, skirting the Chinese border way up in Vietnam's mountainous north.

Genuine Hondas

Professionally maintained. Maximum reliability.

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Third party insurance

Full coverage as standard.

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Zero commitment. No card details required.

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stalagtites and stalagmites in Lung Khuy Cave, Ha Giang
60 km
3 hours
Dong Van Plateau; Lung Khuy Cave
Our first riding day is not difficult at all and we can take plenty of detours to get on more rugged roads or stop off at viewpoints or sights. We also have time to stop off and chat with the locals and, if lucky, visit any local markets that are being held in the area. We start out on flat terrain but quickly ascend up onto the Ha Giang Plateau. It will be cooler up here. We stay that evening in a local homestay run by the Dao people.
statue of Uncle Ho in the centre of Ha Giang City
50 km
4 hours
Yen Minh Pine forest; Dong Van back roads
This day takes us along the valley floor before ascending into the Yen Minh pine forest. It’s a great feeling to be surrounded by the mountains on either side. We can drive through the forest or take a newly constructed shortcut across quite barren hills. I guess the choice depends on how we are feeling after feasting the evening before. We can stay in a regular hotel or the small group of local homestays that has been developed and we can eat in the homestay or the local market for a bit of colour.
the nine turn pass in Ha Giang
70 km
4 hours
Pho Bang; sneak over the chinese border; Dong Van back roads
Today we get off the main route and the tourist trail and head for the border with China. We do not cross as this is dangerous but we skirt along some hilltop paths until we can come down back to the main road. We can take the 9 turn pass and also get off the road a bit more if there is time before getting to our H’Mong run homestay.
the view from Lung Cu Flagtower in Ha Giang
70 km
5 hours
Hmong King's Palace; Lung Cu Flag Tower
We pass Sa Phin Market and the H’Mong King’s Palace on route to Lung Cu Flagpole, which is the northernmost point of Vietnam. The road is mountainous and winding but easy to drive. We climb to the top of the flagpole and then retrace our route around 10km as we head over to Dong Van, where we stay in a hotel for a change.
on a medium sized bridge in Dong Van, Ha Giang looking over the Nho Que river and to the mountains
50 km
4 hours
Ma Pi Leng Canyon; Nho Que River; small H'Mong tracks
This is either a short hop along the ‘Happiness Highway’ stopping off at some of the many interesting sights such as the Skywalk and the Ma Pi Leng Pass or a longer route through the lesser-used back roads. We stay in a small hamlet of tourist homestays run by the local H’Mong in a community-based tourism project.
trees on the rugged hillside in meo vac ha giang
100 km
6 hours
Du Gia Waterfall; Du Gia Valley
This is our longest day so we need to be rested and ready to drive. Again, we can choose the easy tarmac route or the extremely technical mountain path route. They really are chalk and cheese. We pass through Mau Due and then on to Du Gia where we stay at a luxurious homestay serving wonderful food. It is an easy day tomorrow so perhaps let your hair down a bit.
The vast expanse of mountains that stretch over ha giang province towards china
80 km
4 hours
Little Ma Pi Leng Canyon
We are under no pressure to make the distance today as Ha Giang is only a short way away. We can choose to lay in, explore the area or get back to Ha Giang and look around there. The first half of the route back is more scenic mountain driving but then we need to get on the main road again so it’s good to just get it done. We can eat in Ha Giang before dropping off our bikes and then getting our bus back to Hanoi.
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FAQ

Choosing a professionally guided tour allows you to make the most out of your adventure.

You’ll take roads and visit areas well off the beaten track that only someone with a lot of riding experience in the country could know about.

And, you get to focus entirely on your adventure, since everything from your meals, accommodation and motorcycle to things like route planning and motorcycle maintenance is taken care of.

The bulk of our tours start in Hanoi because the best riding in the country is easily accessible from here. However, we have offices in Hanoi, Danang and HCMC so we are able to start and end tours from any of these three locations.

Yes, this is what we do. We can assist with reservations in any hotel in Hanoi and also provide a FREE airport pick-up that will take you to your hotel of choice. Good hotels can be had for 30-40usd per night and they will also store any excess gear you may have until you return from tour. You can choose from staying in the heart of the city’s old quarter or closer to West Lake and our office.

Up in the North, it is hard to say as each of the four seasons has distinct advantages and drawbacks. The Summer is usually around April to October and ranges from warm and wet to boiling hot with the occasional torrential downpour. This also leads to the risk of flooding and landslides. The Autumn, October to December will generally be dry and cool with the potential for cold fronts to descend creating cloudy drizzly days. Winter, January / February, will be relatively cold (10C) and colder at altitude (Ha Giang, Cao Bang), but often quite dry and clear. Spring, around February to April will often have mixed spells of warm and cold air with dry or drizzly days. 

Driving North/South or South/North means that you pass through a whole range of climatic regions (northern, central and southern) and it is very difficult to answer which is the best time. This is because the weather may be great to ride in one regions but not optimal in another. We suggest not passing through the central or southern regions in Summer as there can be a lot of storms and flooding.

You will see that we do not list tours less than 5 days on our site. This is because it takes a day to get out of Hanoi / Sai Gon and to get to the ‘countryside’. While this may be interesting and a culture shock for many, we don’t think it is what you came here for. You then have 3 days of pleasurable riding, which, in all honesty, will leave you wanting more. Therefore, we would say an optimum length of tour to be around 7 – 9 days with one or two rest days thrown in so that you can take some time off at key points and transform from being a motorbike tourist to just a tourist. 

North / South – South / North Route

You will need more time to complete this tour due to the distance covered. It simply isn’t wise to cover 1,600km in 8 days. We recommend around 10 days as a minimum and 14 – 16 days being perfect.  

The longer you have, the more chance we have of getting you to the most remote places that offer the highest rewards.

Absolutely, yes. Generally, speaking foreigners are left alone and not hassled other than by pesky tourist touts (just like any other country). Vietnam is a predominantly Buddhist and partly Christian country and women play a vital role in daily life. They are not wall flowers and nor are they hidden away. They are strong and capable and, although, there are some extra precautions that a female traveller might feel necessary, these are no more or less than most countries in the world. Also, bear in mind that this is a guided tour and there is plenty of support from our staff in all aspects of the tour. Contact us for details of female guides and female only groups.

Yes, we can let you know what tours we have arranged and whether they are willing to accept a new member. Often times this is possible but it takes a little understanding on both sides due to different skill levels, needs and desires. We have found that most people can get along quite well and this isn’t an option.

No, definitely not. Whilst the country does not shut down as it did in the past a large number of businesses, including ours, will close for at least one week and perhaps longer. It will be difficult to find services available and there will likely be a holiday ‘premium’ applied. 

Further to this, travelling on the roads at this time can be quite dangerous du to the levels of traffic, distraction and, unfortunately, drink driving.

You need a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity to obtain a visa for Vietnam.

We have an excellent visa agent we work with, and will be happy obtain visa invitation letters for all riders in your group for free!

All you have to do is provide us with copies of your passports, and we’ll send you your invitation letters before you arrive in Vietnam. With your invitation letters sorted, you each bring two 3x4cm passport photos and around $20USD for the visa stamping fee to the immigration counter, they’ll give you your visas and you’re ready to start your adventure!

All riders in your group must have a valid motorcycle license.

If you can get an International Driving Permit, then you should do so. However, you must check to make sure that Vietnam is named on this. There are two different conventions and Vietnam signed up to the 1968 Convention so this is the one that you need.

You must have your own personal medical insurance that covers you for riding a motorcycle in Vietnam, and you must adhere to the requirements of that insurance.

We strongly recommend taking out our motorcycle damage waiver. For $5/day (Honda Future 125 or Honda XR 150) or $10/day (Honda CRF 250 or Honda CB 500), we cover you against loss, theft or any damage to the motorbike caused by an accident or fall and you will be covered should the bike be damaged beyond repair. This is not a license to go crazy as you will not be covered for misuse of the bike. The policy excludes any personal medical insurance, 3rd party liability or damage / injury caused by other vehicles or drivers. The peace of mind this offers is worth its weight in gold.