Orivia Travel · Private tours of Vietnam

Ha Giang Loop: Vietnam's Wildest Mountain Road in 6 Days

A slow journey around the Ha Giang loop with an experienced driver: Ma Pi Leng pass, the Nho Que river, Lung Cu flag tower and markets of the northern ethnic groups.

  • Duration: 6 days · 5 nights
  • Start: Hanoi · End: Hanoi
  • Route: Hanoi – Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Dong Van – Meo Vac – Ha Giang – Hanoi
  • Departure: Daily, private tour
  • Meals: 5 breakfasts · 4 lunches · 3 dinners
  • Accommodation: 1 night Hanoi, 4 nights in the best available guesthouses and small hotels along the loop
  • Travel style: Adventure & trekking, Nature & landscapes, Culture & heritage
  • Price: from US$690 per person, based on two travellers sharing on a private tour
  • Tour code: EN-NOR-003

Tour overview

Ha Giang, on the border with China, is the most dramatic landscape in Vietnam. The road loops through limestone plateaus, past terraced corn fields and down to the turquoise Nho Que river, with Hmong, Lo Lo and Dao villages along the way. You can ride as a passenger behind an experienced easy rider or take the loop by private car; both options are priced the same. We plan the days around the local market calendar where we can, and keep the driving to four or five hours a day.

Highlights

  • The Ma Pi Leng pass and a boat ride on the Nho Que river canyon
  • Lung Cu flag tower at the northernmost point of Vietnam
  • Dong Van old town and a local Sunday market (when dates allow)
  • Buckwheat flower season in October and November
  • Choice of easy rider motorbike or private car

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi

Getting around: private car

Airport pick-up and a free evening in the Old Quarter. Your guide briefs you on the loop, packing and the motorbike or car option you chose.

Day 2: Hanoi – Ha Giang city

Meals: B, L, D

Getting around: coach

Leave Hanoi early and drive about six hours north through tea hills and the Lo river valley to Ha Giang city. Meet your riders or driver, check the bikes and helmets, and have dinner together.

Day 3: Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Yen Minh

Meals: B, L, D

Getting around: private car, walking

Climb to the Heaven's Gate of Quan Ba for the first wide view of the Twin Mountains, then continue through pine forests and Hmong villages. Walk through a quiet hamlet in the afternoon before overnight in Yen Minh.

Day 4: Yen Minh – Dong Van – Lung Cu

Meals: B, L, D

Getting around: private car, walking

Visit the Vuong family palace, an early 20th century mansion of a Hmong leader, then ride up to the Lung Cu flag tower at the very top of the country. Evening in Dong Van old town, where houses with clay tile roofs line the market street.

Day 5: Ma Pi Leng pass – Nho Que river – Ha Giang

Meals: B, L

Getting around: private car, boat

The most spectacular stretch of the loop: the Ma Pi Leng pass with the Nho Que river far below. Take a small boat through the Tu San canyon, then ride back via Meo Vac to Ha Giang city for the night.

Day 6: Ha Giang – Hanoi – departure

Meals: B

Getting around: coach, flight

Drive back to Hanoi, arriving in the mid-afternoon. We can drop you at your hotel or straight at Noi Bai airport for an evening flight.

What's included

  • Private English-speaking guide on every sightseeing day
  • Private air-conditioned car or van with driver for all transfers
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off on arrival and departure days
  • Hotels as listed, twin or double room with daily breakfast
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary (B: breakfast, L: lunch, D: dinner)
  • Entrance fees and boat tickets for every visit in the itinerary
  • Bottled water and cold towels in the car every day
  • 24/7 hotline with the Orivia operations team in Hanoi
  • Experienced easy rider and Honda motorbike or private car on the loop, with helmet and rain gear

Not included

  • International flights and Vietnam visa fees
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Drinks with meals, personal expenses and laundry
  • Tips for guides and drivers (optional)
  • Single room supplement
  • Motorbike license (not needed when you ride as a passenger)

Enquire about this tour or plan a tailor-made trip

More Northern Vietnam tours

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit Vietnam?

Most travellers can apply online for an e-visa, valid for up to 90 days with single or multiple entry. Citizens of several countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Nordic countries, can visit visa-free for a set number of days. Rules change from time to time, so check the official portal before you book flights. We are happy to look at your nationality and dates for you.

When is the best time to travel in Vietnam?

Vietnam is long, so the weather depends on the region. The North is cool and dry from October to April and hot from May to September. The centre around Hue and Hoi An is best from February to August, with heavy rain from October to December. The South is warm all year, with a dry season from December to April. A North to South trip works well in spring, from February to April.

Are the tours private or in a group?

Every tour on this site is private: you travel only with your own party, with your own guide and driver. That means you choose the start date, the pace and where to stop. Overnight cruises in Ha Long Bay are shared boats, but you have your own cabin.

What does the price per person include?

Prices are per person, based on two travellers sharing a twin or double room. They cover the guide, private transport, hotels with breakfast, the meals listed, entrance fees and boat tickets. Groups of three or more pay less per person; solo travellers pay a single supplement. Your quote will show the exact price for your party and travel dates.

Can you change an itinerary for us?

Yes, almost all of our travellers change something: an extra night on the beach, a cooking class, a slower day for children, or a different hotel. Tell us what you would like and we will send a revised plan and price, free of charge.

How do I book and pay?

Send an enquiry from any tour page or the tailor-made form. A travel designer replies within one working day with a plan and quote. Nothing is booked and nothing is paid until you confirm. To secure hotels and cruises we then ask for a deposit by bank transfer or card, with the balance due before arrival. The exact terms are written in your quote.