The Ha Giang Loop in Vietnam is roughly a 375-kilometre circuit that winds through valleys and mountain peaks alongside the border of neighbouring China. Crazy roads, friendly locals and epic mountain views all combine to create one of the best adventures in Vietnam.
Night 1: Hanoi to Ha Giang (sleeper bus 320km)
8:00 PM: Pick up from your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter to get on Sleeper bus to Ha Giang. Checking in our Ha Giang Hostel in early morning around 3 AM and offering yourself a nap and breakfast before the tour starts.
Day 1: Ha Giang Town - Dong Van (B, L, D)
Highlights: Quan Ba pass – Tham Ma Pass - Chin Khoanh pass - Vuong Palace– Dong Van old town
Today, the first day, we drive all the way to Dong Van, in the tip of Vietnam. We can stop for photos anywhere along the way, but you will always stop at some highlights along the route.
The first place is Quan Ba Haven’s Gate. From the top of this pass you can see the mountains that you will drive through in the coming days. During the descent of the pass there is another stop with a viewpoint. Here you can see the Twin Mountains, two round shaped mountains next to each other that look almost identical.
Down at the end of the pass you lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch we move on, with views that just get better and better after every turn. You drive over several mountain passes, such as the Tham Ma Pass and Chin Khoanh Pass and through the beautiful Sung La valley.
In the town of Xa Phin you visit the palace of the last Hmong king. Hmong are one of the ethnic minorities living in this area
After this visit it is a half hour drive or more with photo stops to Dong Van, where you will spend the night in a local homestay or hotel.
Enjoy dinner and you have the option to discover the nice looking Old Quarter of this town by yourself.
Day 2: Dong Van - Meo Vac (B, L, D)
Highlights: Chinese border – Lung Cu Flag Tower – Ma Pi Leng pass
If your second day in this loop is on a Sunday, you are in luck, because it gives you the unique opportunity to visit the Dong Van Sunday market, where a lot of colorful ethnic minorities come to trade. If you don’t mind waking up early, it is best to visit it early in the morning before breakfast.
After breakfast you are heading towards the Chinese border, but not before enjoying some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on the way, part of UNESCO’s Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark.
Finally you arrive in the town of Lung Cu, where a large flagpole on top of a mountain indicates the northernmost point of Vietnam. You can go up the mountain to see both China and Vietnam in a 360 degree view.
You will now head towards Meo Vac, over Ha Giang’s most famous mountain pass, the Ma Pi Leng Pass. The views you will have on this road are some of the best in Vietnam. Enjoy gigantic mountains, steep cliffs and a zigzagging road that winds along the mountains.
There are plenty of places to stop and take pictures along the way.
Arriving at 5pm you will stay in Meo vac.
Day 3: Meo Vac - Du Gia (B, L, D)
Highlights: Long phin – Rice Fields - Mau Due – Du Gia waterfall
If you missed your chance being in Dong Van on a Sunday, you get another chance to be in Meo Vac on Sunday, because here you can find the largest minority market in the province. If you love a cultural experience and seeing hundreds of very colorful minorities, this is a great opportunity to walk around this Sunday market.
You leave after breakfast towards Du Gia. If you think that after two days of driving through the mountains you can no longer be amazed by impressive views, then you are wrong. Also this day you drive on winding roads with bizarre views and many villages along the way of minorities.
After traveling a long way you will suddenly see more rice fields, often carved out of the mountain.
At 13:00 we arrive in Du Gia, with a local family from the minority population. Then we hike for 2-3 hours to see villages and amazing views! And in good weather we will swim in the waterfalls of Du Gia Village, one of the most waterfalls in Hà Giang,
Overnight in Du Gia.
Day 4: Du Gia – Bac Me – Ha Giang - Hanoi (B, L)
Highlights: Hiking, rice fields & minorities
The last day of the loop you make your way back to Ha Giang town.
On the way, you will see more rice terraces. There is also time to make a short trekking! Visit the local white Mong families and enjoy many different views!
You will be back in Ha Giang at 4:00 PM. You can take a shower before taking the bus back to Hanoi.
Optional: With this tour we can start from Sapa and tours ends in Sapa or after the tour instead going back to Hanoi, we can arrange the sleeping bus go direct to ha Long city
