The Ha Giang Loop is nothing short of a bucket-list adventure. The Loop brings you jaw-dropping views of the sweeping mountains, lush valleys, and vibrant rice terraces that seem to cascade down the hillsides. Along the way, you’ll encounter diverse ethnic communities, each with unique traditions, clothing, and ways of life. This ride pushes you out of your comfort zone, and rewards you with experiences that are off the beaten path – it’s a blend of challenge and cultural discovery that’s hard to find anywhere else.
What will the trip look like?
Day 1 – Arrive in Hanoi!
Get ready for an epic 5-day, 4-night diving adventure! Day 1, will be pretty flexible! If you arrive in the afternoon we will grab dinner together to get to know each other before the trip officially starts. After dinner, we will gather at Hanoi Buffalo Hostel at 715pm to catch the overnight bus to Ha Giang.
Day 2 – Ha Giang to Du Gia (120km drive)
First things first! You will be assigned to your driver for the trip! These drivers are familiar with the roads of Ha Giang and will take care of your safety throughout the experience.
You will start your journey on the Road of Happiness heading north! We will scale the Quan Ba Mountain and enter Dong Van where we reach Heaven’s Gate and Fairy Hill before arriving at Tam Son village for lunch. Thereafter we venture on to the picturesque village of Du Gia.
Day 3 – Du Gia to Dong Van ( 110 km drive)
We continue further north, passing some of the most magnificent mountains in Vietnam. We will then ride to Dong Van – the northernmost town in Vietnam. We will then visit the Dong Van French Fortress which is a unique historical heritage from the French colonial period in North Vietnam. The Fortress was built by the French Army in the late nineteenth century, on top of the highest limestone peak of Dong Van district to control the entire region. It is usually known by the local people as Don Cao – the High Fortress.
Day 4 – Dong Van to Nam Dam (150km drive)
You will spend the morning exploring the cultural-rich town of Dong Van before heading to Lung Cu – the ‘North pole’ of Vietnam. Here, we can climb up the Lung Cu Flagpole and take in the views stretching all the way to China!
Next, we’ll journey south to Sa Phin to visit a century-old palace belonging to Vuong Chinh Duc, known as the King of the Hmong people. From there, we’ll continue to the rocky highlands of Yen Minh for lunch.
Post-lunch, get ready to ascend a mountain pass amidst pine forests and expansive rice terraces. We’ll follow the road down to the Song La river valley and towards Nam Dan village.
Day 5 – Nam Dam to Ha Giang
Get ready to embrace nature as we set off to explore the cascading nearby waterfalls and venture into the stunning Lung Khuy cave. This cave, with its incredible stalactite and stalagmite formations, is a secret wonder nestled in the hills, offering a real-life glimpse into Vietnam’s geological artistry.
Post exploration, we’ll take a scenic drive along a picturesque route that winds back to the ‘Road of Happiness’. By 4:30pm, we’ll return to Ha Giang City, just in time for our bus trip back to Hanoi. We’ll arrive in Hanoi around 11:00pm where you will have an overnight stay at Buffalo Hostel.
Day 6 – Buffalo Hostel Hanoi
This marks the end of our adventure! From here you are free to further explore Hanoi or make your way to your next destination!
Can I ride the bike myself?
By default, you are assigned to a driver so all you have to do is to sit back and relax. The drivers grew up in Ha Giang and they know the route in the back of their heads. For those with a license, you can choose to brave the roads yourself and enjoy riding in a new world. However, do note that to avoid any trouble with the law, Vietnam requires an International Driving Permit (1968) which is not easily accessible in Singapore.
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