Ha Giang Tours explore 5 Best Routes in Northern Vietnam

Route 1: The Legendary Ha Giang Loop

If you’re willing to travel beyond the tourist trail, there’s no finer introduction to Vietnam’s remote northern borderlands than this legendary Ha Giang loop tour: a mythical frontier-mountain landscape of misty peaks and brocade valleys, culminating in some of the most spectacular scenery in Vietnam. The below 3-day 4-night travel itinerary is made for adventurers and culture explorers, who are adventurous and culture teens or tourists (also backpackers), whether you are riding on your own or riding with an easy rider.

Night 1: Hanoi → Ha Giang City (Sleeper Bus)

• Evening (19:30 – 20:00)
  • Departure from your hotel in Ha Noi Old Quarter.
  • Get on a bus with sleeping comfort to Ha Giang city.
  • Lie down in bed and sleep all night on a reclining bed.

Day 1: Ha Giang City – Quan Ba – Yen Minh – Dong Van (140 km)

• Mornin
  
  • Arrive at Ha Giang City, check in the hostel (for example: Odyssey Ha Giang Hostel).
  • Breakfast and motorbike check-out or meet your easyrider.
  • Take a ride to Quan Ba Heaven Gate and enjoy the expansive karst scenery and picturesque Twin Mountains.
  • Continue past the beautiful Yen Minh Pine Forest – Vietnam’s alpine road.
    
• Afternoon
  
  • Lunch in Yen Minh.
  • Ride through H’mong villages, rice terraces, and limestone valleys to Dong Van.
  • Pause for photos and soak up local life along the way.
• Evening
  
  • Visit Dong Van Old Town – An architectural Heritage.
  • Check in Homestay or Hostel Tour accommodation.
  • Group dinner of ethnic food and local corn wine.
  • Own cultural music evening (optional).

Dong Van Old Town (Sours: localhagiang)

Day 2: Dong Van – Lung Cu – Ma Pi Leng – Du Gia (130 km)

• Morning
  
  • Early breakfast.
  • Drive up to the Lung Cu Flagpole, the extreme north of Vietnam.
  • Take a tour around Lo Lo Chai Village and discover local culture and traditional life.
    
• Afternoon
  
  • Return to Dong Van for lunch.
  • Start your descent with the breathtaking Ma Pi Leng Pass, clinging to cliffs and soaring above the Nho Que River.
  • Optional: hike down or take a boat ride on the river.
  • On to Du Gia, a quiet village among rice fields.
    
• Evening
  
  • Take a swim at Du Gia waterfall or simply chill at your homestay.
  • Dine with a Tay family, and afterwards, retreat to take an herbal bath, or head to the river for stargazing.

Lung Cu Flagpole (Sours: lilystravelagency)

Day 3: Du Gia – Lung Tam – Ha Giang – Hanoi (100 km + sleeper bus)

• Morning
  
  • Breakfast at the homestay.
  • Take a ride to Lung Tam Village, whose focus is traditional H’mong textile weaving.
  • Browse handcrafted souvenirs and take walks on village trails.
• Afternoon
  
  • Lunch on the way back.
  • Drop off at Ha Giang City, motorcycle back, rest, and shower.
• Evening
  
  • Sleeper bus back to Ha Noi.
  • Head to Hanoi early next morning (~05:00).

Lung Tam Village (Sours: localhagiang)

Route 2: Du Gia – Peaceful Villages & Waterfalls

In search of a calm day during your exciting Ha Giang Motorbike Tours? This 2-day trip to Du Gia village will help you gain more in-depth knowledge of local life and escape from the modern world, yet still have time to relax your soul after challenging the Ma Pi Leng pass. Whether traveling solo on your Ha Giang scooter tour or with an easy rider, you can’t miss this tranquil getaway that makes your Ha Giang loop motorbike tour unforgettable.

Run by responsible local providers such as Ha Giang Amazing Tours, this is an opportunity to get a little closer to Tày culture and pristine nature.

Day 1: Dong Van / Ma Pi Leng – Du Gia Village

Distance: ~80-100 km, depending on route

• Morning
  
  • Leave Dong Van (or at sunrise on Ma Pi Leng Pass).
  • Sail through limestone peaks, terraced fields, and winding tracks, and on into a more peaceful valley.
  • Optional coffee and local snacks in small villages on the roadside.
    
• Afternoon
  
  • By noon, you get up in Du Gia Village.
  • Check in a homestay in the village with the local Tay minority people.
  • Lunch with your host family, sample wild forest herbs and grilled pork delicacies.
  • After a little rest, continue on foot or by bike to the Du Gia Waterfall, where you can take a dip.
    
• Evening
  
  • Have a delicious home-cooked family-style dinner, with sticky rice, soup, fresh veg, and the local toast of the local rice wine.
  • Optional: Old herbal bath (On request).
  • Lounge next to the fire and talk with locals or other travelers, and let the peaceful pace of the mountains take over.
    
• Overnight: Traditional wooden stilt house homestay.

Du Gia Waterfall (Sours: newstuoitre)

Day 2: Du Gia – Lung Tam – Ha Giang City

Distance: ~100 km

• Morning
  • Breakfast on the balcony with valley views in the mist.
  • Cycle along wooded back roads to the village of Lung Tam, home of the H’mong cloth weavers.
  • Drop by a small weaving house, have a go at indigo dyeing, and buy a locally made souvenir for your creative crash course.
    
• Afternoon
  
  • Lunch back in Ha Giang City.
  • Take advantage of the opportunity to drop off bikes or bid farewell to your easy rider group.
  • Or to take a night bus to Ha Noi, or to travel to the further places such as Ha Giang – Cao Bang.

Ha Giang City (Sours: localhagiang)

Route 3: Xin Man & Hoang Su Phi – The Wild West Ride

In search of the roughest, wildest ride of your Ha Giang Motorbike Tours adventure? Let’s flip the script and head west toward Hoang Su Phi and Xin Man: Ha Giang Province’s pristine frontier, a world where colossal rice terracing caresses the mountainside, clouds snake through a hidden valley, and every corner pulls you deeper into real, raw Vietnam.

This 2-day motorbike trip is the best way to experience the off-the-beaten-path for those who’ve already done the classic Ha Giang loop tour and want to explore more. Whether you’re solo on a Ha Giang scooter tour or touring with a local easy rider, this drive offers soul-stirring beauty and epic cultural experiences.

Curated by local experts like Ha Giang Amazing Tours, this itinerary is perfect for people who want a more in-depth, off-the-beaten-path experience.

Day 1: Ha Giang City – Hoang Su Phi – Nam Hong / Ban Phung

Distance: ~120-140 km | Terrain: Mountain roads, steep curves, terraced passes

• Morning
  
  • Breakfast early in Ha Giang City.
  • Start the journey to the mystical Hoàng Su Phi highlands in the west.
  • The journey ascends up twisting roads among virgin forests and remote H’mong villages.
  • Photo stops at misty mountain passes and shaggy valleys.
• Afternoon
  
  • Arrive in Ban Phung or Nam Hong, the centre of Red Dao country.
  • Eat lunch with a Red Dao family, sampling local specialties such as black chicken stew and sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves.
  • Hike (or bike) up to sweeping views of the UNESCO-nominated rice terraces.
    
• Evening
  
  • Stay overnight at a traditional stilt house of local people.
  • Savour a hot dinner with herbal wine, while sharing stories and Dao-style hospitality.
  • Optional: Discover the bath method of the Red Dao, using water mixed with leaves containing medicinal properties.
• Overnight: Homestay with Red Dao family in Nam Hong Village

Hoang Su Phi (Sours: indochinamotorbiketours)

Day 2: Nam Hong – Xin Man – Connection to Sapa or Return to Ha Giang

Distance: ~100-130 km (depending on direction)

• Morning
  • Rise early to roosters and river mist.
  • Eat breakfast with your host family.
  • Cycle through the mountainous Xin Man district, one of the most remote but pretty pockets of the province.
  • Stop by Vinh Quang Market (only if it’s a Sunday) to see a vivid ethnic trading scene.
• Afternoon
  
  • Choose your route:
    • Option 1: Push on west into Lai Chau or farther to Sapa, linking this wild ride up with another mountain sanctuary.
    • Option 2: Take backroads back to Ha Giang city, end of Ha Giang Motorbike Tours.
  • Lunch on the road. Reach your destination before the sun goes down.
  • Rest or drop off motorbikes, or meet the shuttle bus back to Ha Noi for return.

Vinh Quang Market (Sours: thailande)

Route 4: The Borderlands Adventure – Lung Cu to Ma Le

Prepare to Ride Beyond the Map! The 1-day Borderlands Tour is an impressive addition to your Ha Giang Motorbike Tour. From the symbolic summit of Lung Cu Flagpole to the hushed allure of Lo Lo Chai Village to the secret road to Ma Le, this path dishes out full-blown encounters, stunning border views, and a splash of Vietnam most travelers never see.

Great option for single-persons looking for a Ha Giang scooter tour, couples who want an off-the-grid beauty, or everyone who taking a Ha Giang loop motorbike tour with an easy rider from Ha Giang Amazing Tours.

Morning: Dong Van – Lung Cu – Lo Lo Chai

• Breakfast in Dong Van Old Town.
• Start your drive north along twisting mountain passes with breathtaking karst vistas.
• Get to the famous Lung Cu Flagpole, also known as “the roof of Vietnam”.
  
  • Scale the flagpole for a panorama by which to overlook the Vietnam-China border.
  • And savor the dramatic geography of the land that marks Vietnam’s final frontier.
• Short ride downhill to Lo Lo Chai Village:
  
  • Discover the Lo Lo ethnic minority people, famous for their colorful handmade clothes and their medieval way of life.
  • Then travel to visit traditional clay houses with a green tea in hand and learn about village life.
  • An optional visit to the Lo Lo culture museum.

Afternoon: Lo Lo Chai – Ma Le – Back to Dong Van

• Drive further into the highlands on the back road to Ma Le, a tranquil and secluded border commune.
• This tranquil section attracts cyclists who long for solitude and natural beauty: Think hills that wriggle, secret vistas, and sunny encounters with locals.
• Picnic lunch or light local meal (can be organised by Ha Giang Amazing Tour).
• Halt at gorgeous passes with few visitors for photos.
• Visit a small H’mong hamlet situated on the cliffs of Ma Le.

Evening: Return to Dong Van

• Back to Dong Van, leisurely, thought to be back by late afternoon.
• Optional: Extend with a night in Lo Lo Chai Village or continue your Ha Giang loop tour to Ma Pi Leng Pass or Du Gia.

Lo Lo Chai Village (Sours: vietnamtimes)

Route 5: The Hidden Trail: Lung Tam – Nam Dam – Vi Xuyen

Want to end your Ha Giang Motorbike Tours with something amazing in depth and off the tourist track? Introduce to you: The 1-day Hidden Trail tour around Lung Tam – Nam Dam Vi Xuyen. Every relaxed day ride you take. A soulful journey following some craft villages, pine forest valleys, and cultural connections.

If you’re a traveller finishing up your Ha Giang loop motorbike tour, someone after a slow travel adventure, or simply interested in eco-ethnic tourism in Northern Vietnam. Whether you tour on two wheels yourself or hire an easy rider from Ha Giang Amazing Tours, this trip has something unforgettable: silence.

Morning: Ha Giang City – Lung Tam Village

• Breakfast at your homestay in Ha Giang city.
• Leave on a Ha Giang scooter tour or an easy rider tour.
• Hit flat roads along the river valley to Lung Tam: a peaceful H’mong weaving village at the base of the hills.
• Activities in Lung Tam:
  
  • Go to a traditional cooperative of hemp weaving managed by H’mong women.
  • View and try an ancient art, indigo dying.
  • Find out how these crafts help empower women in local communities and preserve their culture.

Afternoon: Lung Tam – Nam Dam Village

• The scenic journey to Nam Dam, a Red Dao village known for the preservation of culture, indigenous food, and natural herbal remedies.
• Lunch with a Red Dao family: try the forest herbs, free-range chicken soup, and bamboo shoots just pulled from the nearby hills.
• After lunch:
  
  • Stop at the elder stilt houses to hear stories about the Dao calendar, herbal medicine, and spiritual beliefs.
  • 20 minutes walk to the village viewpoint by terraced fields and medicinal forests.
• Optional: Have a herbal foot bath Dao-style (perfect for winding down after a few days on the loop).

Evening: Ride to Vi Xuyen or Return to Ha Giang City

• Option 1: Keep riding south to Vi Xuyen – North Vietnam’s border town, which is a quiet town and on the Ba Be tourist track.
• Option 2: Loop gently back down to Ha Giang City, full-hearted and peace-minded, having completed your northern ride.
• Arrive back before dark. Join your hosts for an optional dinner in town if you are staying overnight.

Nam Dam Village (Sours: localhagiang)

Safety Tips & Cultural Etiquette for Ha Giang Motorbike Tours

Road Safety First – Ride Like a Local, Think Like a Pro with Ha Giang Motorbike Tours

Inspect your bike before every ride: Even if you’re on a scheduled Ha Giang or Ha Giang easy rider, you should check brakes, tires, lights, and mirrors before setting off. Reputable places such as Ha Giang Amazing Tours or motorbike hire in Ha Giang will take care of this, but a second look is always a good idea.

Wear a helmet – and more than that: Put on a helmet, but not just a helmet: Helmets are the law. But we would suggest going beyond that: gloves, long sleeves, and closed shoes. The roads surrounding Ma Pi Leng Pass, Dong Van, and Du Gia can be very steep and unforgiving.

Mind the weather: Mountains are notorious for changing conditions. Showers can come up unexpectedly and fill mountain curves with freeway speed visibility killers. Take a raincoat, and ride slower in fog or heavy mist. The veterans of the Ha Giang loop tour will tell you the dry season (Sept-April) is best – but prepare for the unexpected!

Stay alert in small towns and markets: Cows, chickens, and kids tend to wander into the street with no warning. Particularly in settlements as circuits like Lung Cu, Nam Dam, and Xin Man, always slow down and move over with a smile.

Have a plan in case of emergency

• Save the number of your tour company (Ha Giang Amazing Tours, Green Hill Hostel Tour, or Ha Giang Epic Tour).
• Save maps offline on your phone.
• For self-guided riders, inform your homestay host about your next stayover each day.

Photography and Respectful Interaction with Ha Giang Motorbike Tours

The beauty of Ha Giang doesn’t end with scenery, it lives in its people.

• Always request permission to take photos, particularly of elders or spiritual places. A simple smile and nod can take you far in places like Lo Lo Chai Village or Nam Dam.
• Take off your shoes at the door if asked to enter a house.
• Say “Chao anh/chi!” to the locals you meet. (Hello!) – in which you’ll be greeted, smilingly, or with tea offered.
• Don’t be obnoxious around homestays or temples, quiet is a way of life in the highlands.

Market Visits & Local Shopping – Do’s & Don’ts 

The local markets in such places as Dong Van, Meo Vac, or Xin Man showcase the precious vestiges of a lively culture. Here’s how to shop considerately:

Do:

• Negotiate softly, but with respect. A smile and a sense of humor go further than pressure.
• Shop for handmade goods such as indigo scarves, herbal medicine, or mountain honey to support local people.

Don’t:

• Photograph without permission in more sensitive areas (butchery stalls, ritual areas).
• Touch things on altars or in home shrines, even if you are just looking.
• Anticipate tourist pricing, these are handmade items, not to mention usually underpriced for the labor behind them.

Conclusion

From the famous Ma Pi Leng pass cliffs to the stunning beauty of Du Gia and Nam Dam, there´s a route for every biker in the Ha Giang Motorbike Tours. Pick your vibe adrenaline junkie, cultural, scenic and hit the road. Ready to hit the road? Go for Ha Giang loop tour or the hidden gems with Ha Giang Amazing tours!