All About Ha Giang Loop Tour

Ha Giang is a province located in the northeast of Vietnam and it is popular for the Ha Giang Loop Tour destination. The Ha Giang loop tour is a motorcycle or scooter tour in northern Vietnam that covers a loop of around 170km. It involves a motorcycling tour in Ha Giang province with amazing views of mountains, roads, local people and their houses, and wild nature.

The Ha Giang loop is a circular tour that is drawn on the map with its starting point and ending point being in Ha Giang city, which is the administrative capital of the Ha Giang province. From there, riders make a 300 km circuit around the periphery of the province and then back to the city proper. There are many sites to visit along the route; Quan Ba Pass, Ma Pi Leng Pass, Dong Van town, Lung Cu flag tower and most of the area inhabited by H’Mong, Red Dao and Tay ethnic groups.

Here are some fun facts that you may need to know about the Ha Giang Loop Tour.

1. The roads are well maintained but very twisty and very skinny in some areas which makes it hard to ride. The view is absolutely stunning though!

2. Sapa receives the majority of the tourists in Northern Vietnam while Ha Giang is even more stunning and has a lot fewer visitors. You will be getting the feeling that you have the entire place all to yourself.

3. Thus, called Heaven’s Gate on the Ha Giang loop, as that opens the ‘heaven’ of the northern Vietnam mountains.

4. Ha Giang means ‘Rocky River’ in the language of the Tay ethnic people who live in the region.

5. The province has a political history of being under different rulers from China, France, and even Vietnam within the last few centuries. It has existed in Vietnam since the 1950s.

When to go for the Ha Giang Loop Tour?

It is suggested that one should take a tour of the Ha Giang loop in around September to early December and March to May because the weather is cool and dry and the roads are not crowded with other tourists.

This is why the peak season is from October to early November. This is the time when the buckwheat flowers come into bloom and the hilly regions are seen turning purple. However, the field looks stunning during this period given that it is also the rice harvesting period.

The cold season is from December to February and the climate up in the mountains is extremely cold with freezing temperatures. This is because the summer season is associated with wet and humid conditions.

Getting to Ha Giang Loop Tour

Many tourists embark on the Ha Giang loop tour by getting to Ha Giang city by an overnight bus that takes almost 7 hours from Hanoi. Tourists can also travel by self-driving a motorbike which will take them about 6 hours from Hanoi.

This loop tour formally departs and returns to Ha Giang City. Motorbike rental services are available in Ha Giang City, where every hotel and individual offers rental services. But if you want to buy a new bike it would be better to get bikes with manual transmission rather than 125cc.

Best Hill Stations and Areas

The spectacular landscapes of the highlands and mountains are among the best that the country of Vietnam has to offer. Some of the more popular sites include those in the northern regions include

1. Quan Ba Pass –

Located at 1500m above sea level, Quan Ba Pass is considered one of the highest passes on the loop and offers stunning views. Heaven’s Gate does not disappoint when it comes to the name of the restaurant either!

2. Ma Pi Leng Pass –

Last but not least, Ma Pi Leng Pass is one of the most thrilling parts of the whole loop because of its narrow and winding ridge. It is very steep and has great views of the mountains.

3. Dong Van Town –

It is one of the places that makes a good overnight stop in the loop as there are several minority villages and markets to visit.

4. Lung Cu Flag Tower –

Lung Cu is near the border with China and has a high flag tower which offers great views over mountains.

Best Places to Visit

In addition to the spots above, other top places to visit on the Ha Giang loop are:

1. Tam Son Township – one of the stops on the tour with amazing formations called ‘fairy bosoms’.

2. Yen Minh – A beautiful valley town with intensive agricultural land and limestone cliffs.

3. Meo Vac – The district capital of a small district near Dong Van has a good market.

4. Thon Tha Village – Simple accommodation in a homestay in a H’Mong village, in Ha Giang – Vietnam. People can study country-side lifestyles of the past.

Famous Foods to Eat

The Ha Giang loop is a stunning route and is considered one of the most beautiful places in northern Vietnam. In the process of admiring the views, do not forget to taste typical food, such as

1. Pho Chua – A dish of noodle soup made from pickled cabbage, a speciality cuisine of Ha Giang. They use it to prepare their meals, especially the morning breakfast.

2. Corn Wine – This sweet warm wine is produced by many of the minority tribes. It is normally served in bamboo stalks in village houses.

3. This is minced pork that is steamed and wrapped in banana leaves, which can be bought in the markets of Ha Giang as a snack.

4. Hill Chicken - They also offer free-range mountain chicken which is tastier than normal chicken. It is used in preparing curries and food items prepared in bamboo vessels.

Things to do in Ha Giang loop

The main activity is cycling around the loop on a motorbike but of course! Beyond that, the top things to do include:

1. Exploring some mountainous areas and minority villages around Dong Van town.

2. Tasting shrimp with Betel leaves, visiting H’Mong and Tay markets, and seeing the variety of customs, handicrafts, and cuisines.

3. Photographing the magnificent views of the mountains, especially Heaven’s Gate.

4. Visiting the Ha Giang Museum to learn about the rich history of northern Vietnam.

5. Visiting Ha Giang city and resting by the Nho Que River after the strenuous multi-day trip.

Adventurous Things to Do in Ha Giang Loop

Just getting to the Ha Giang loop is adventurous in itself. This road. Some parts of the route are steep and meandering. However, thrill seekers can take it up a notch by:

1. Crossing Ma Pi Leng Pass in the early morning or at dusk when the road is covered with fog.

2. Riding the loop in the opposite direction, which is anti-clockwise to make it even more interesting.

3. The unpleasant experience of riding alone without any assistance from anyone in order to have more control over the journey.

4. Visiting off-tourist-path roads and districts where other cars are rare to be seen.

5. Tenting instead of spending the night in guesthouses in the towns.

Shopping & Souvenirs in Ha Giang Loop

Ha Giang Loop is a very offbeat destination that has little tourism development. Although it is still not as developed as before, some stores are slowly emerging for buying souvenirs. Unique items to look for include:

1. Cloth and other products such as bags and dresses made from ethnic minority patterns such as those of the Dao and the H’Mong.

2. It was fabrics dyed in Indigo colour and ethnic jewellery available for sale at and around Dong Van town.

3. They dried buffalo and pork sausages using bamboo in the local markets.

4. Mountain honey is used in treating illnesses and plant products from rural families.

5. Artworks of the local people were created by the first generation of painters with no formal education originating from villages in the province.

Visa requirements for Indians to visit Ha Giang Loop

Vietnam requires a visa for any Indian citizen planning to visit and this must be secured in advance. The most convenient process is getting an e-visa online upon arrival, which permits a stay up to 1-30 days. Passport requirements include having one that will be valid for at least six months beyond the planned stay in the country.

Ha Giang Currency

The currency used in Ha Giang province is the Vietnamese dong. While some of the tours and hotels may indicate their prices in US dollars, it is still possible to pay in dong in most situations. The dong cannot be purchased or traded internationally, therefore visitors will have to use ATMs in Vietnam. Credit cards are accepted in Ha Giang city but this is very limited compared to other tourist cities in Vietnam.

Traveling Tips for the Perfect Ha Giang Loop Trip

Here are a few tips to encourage you to take an amazing ride around the Ha Giang loop!

1. Don't rush! It is not about the number of kilometres to be driven, but the opportunity to marvel at magnificent sceneries. Make sure you have enough time to make many stops along the way.

2. Ensure that you wear proper biking attire and protective clothing because the weather changes sharply.

3. It is recommended to travel in an anti-clockwise direction for the best view and lesser crowd. Do not travel on Sundays as local traffic is busiest at this time.

4. Take some cash including small denominations and coins since there are few ATMs.

5. Choose a professional tour company or guide. It would be dangerous to get stuck in some remote location.

6. Asking for permission before photographing the Minority tribes and dressing appropriately.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the Ha Giang loop safe, or is it a route that travellers should avoid?

Indeed, the loop is regarded as very safe for tourists as well as the locals. But the roads can be slippery when wet or when there is ice on them.

2. How long is the Ha Giang Loop?

200 to 300 km beginning and finishing in Ha Giang city with the route usually divided into 3-4 travel days.

3. When does the buckwheat flower bloom?

It is also important to note that the flowers bloom a unique purple colour in October, attaining their full potential in early November.

4. Can I drive a car or a 4×4 vehicle around the loop, maybe?

Yes, but a motorbike is advisable. Cars have to follow other less spectacular roads with some of the most important viewpoints and places of interest being left unseen.

5. Which are better to stay in while on the Ha Giang loop: homestays or hotels?

To get closer to the locals and enjoy nature, it is advised to stay in homestays and bungalows in ethnic minority areas instead of hotels. Basic amenities only.