Vietnam: The Ha Giang Loop
Southeast Asia's greatest road
The journey
Every country has one road that changes you. In Vietnam it is the Ha Giang loop: 300 kilometres of limestone towers, corn terraces and switchbacks on the Chinese border, ridden slowly with stops for market days and rice wine. You ride pillion with our licensed easy-rider drivers (or your own bike, if licensed), sleep in Hmong and Dao family homes, swim below Du Gia's waterfall and stand on the Ma Pi Leng pass above the emerald Nho Que. Bookended with a night in Hanoi's old quarter and its peerless street food.
Fitness required
No riding experience needed as a pillion passenger. Self-riders need a valid motorcycle licence and International Driving Permit. You should be comfortable sitting on a bike for 4–6 hours a day.
Day by day
Day1Xin chao, Hanoi
Hanoi
Xin chao, Hanoi
Hanoi
Airport pickup and check-in to our old-quarter hotel. Evening street-food walk — bun cha, egg coffee, bia hoi — and trip briefing.
Day2Hanoi to Ha Giang city
Ha Giang city
Hanoi to Ha Giang city
Ha Giang city
Morning drive north as the delta gives way to limestone foothills. Meet the easy-rider crew, fit helmets, and take a short familiarisation ride.
Day3The loop begins: Quan Ba to Yen Minh
Yen Minh
The loop begins: Quan Ba to Yen Minh
Yen Minh
Ride out over Bac Sum pass to the twin 'Fairy Bosom' hills of Quan Ba, then through pine forest to Yen Minh. First homestay night — rice wine optional, laughter guaranteed.
Day4Yen Minh to Dong Van
Dong Van
Yen Minh to Dong Van
Dong Van
Across the Dong Van karst plateau — a UNESCO geopark of grey stone forests and corn terraces. Stop at the Hmong King's palace; explore Dong Van's old quarter at dusk.
Day5Ma Pi Leng — the pass of passes
Meo Vac
Ma Pi Leng — the pass of passes
Meo Vac
The day everyone comes for: Ma Pi Leng, clinging to cliffs above the emerald Nho Que river. Boat through the Tu San canyon, then ride on to Meo Vac.
Day6Meo Vac to Du Gia
Du Gia
Meo Vac to Du Gia
Du Gia
If it's Sunday, the Meo Vac market first — a riot of indigo, livestock and mountain produce. Then a quiet back-road to Du Gia village and its waterfall swim.
Day7Du Gia to Ha Giang, night bus to Hanoi
Ha Giang / sleeper bus
Du Gia to Ha Giang, night bus to Hanoi
Ha Giang / sleeper bus
The final riding day, back down through the terraces to Ha Giang city. Farewell to the crew; overnight sleeper bus to Hanoi.
Day8Hanoi — departure
Hanoi
Hanoi — departure
Hanoi
Early arrival in Hanoi; day-use room to freshen up, breakfast, and airport transfers. Fly out from late morning onwards.
Included
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 breakfasts and 5 dinners
- Easy-rider driver and bike, fuel, helmets
- All loop permits
- Nho Que boat ride
- Sleeper bus Ha Giang → Hanoi
- Trip leader (English-speaking)
- Airport transfers
Not included
- Flights to and from Hanoi
- Vietnam visa (e-visa, approx $25)
- Lunches and drinks
- Travel insurance with motorbike cover (mandatory)
- Personal expenses
- Anything not listed in inclusions
What to pack
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Riding jacket or windproof layer
- Gloves and buff
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Swimwear and quick-dry towel
- Small backpack (main luggage goes by support van)
- Universal adapter
Good to know
Mountain roads demand respect — we ride slow, in daylight, with full safety gear. Insurance covering motorbike travel as a pillion is mandatory; we verify before departure. Homestays are family homes with shared facilities in some villages.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure. 50% refund 15–29 days. 25% refund 7–14 days. No refund within 7 days. One free date transfer up to 15 days before departure.
Traveller reviews
"I've ridden a lot of roads; Ma Pi Leng is the best of them. Riding pillion let me actually look at the landscape instead of surviving it. The homestay nights in Du Gia — swimming in the waterfall, dinner with the family — were pure gold."