Home » Travel Guider » Ha Giang Tours to Ha Long Bay: Best Travel Options
Ha Giang Tours to Ha Long Bay: Best Travel Options
The journey from Ha Giang to Ha Long Bay is not just a change of address but also a voyage through the cradle of north Vietnam’s soul. Spanning from the eroded, overcast peaks of Ha Giang to the swept-through limestone pinnacles of Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh, this route combines untamed adventure with coastal calm. Whether you’re after views on two wheels or comfort on four wheels, how you travel matters — and that’s why evaluating all the options is essential. In this post, we’re going to cover the best ways to get from Ha Giang to Ha Long Bay, with authentic advice, expert tips, and recent information on Ha Giang Transport to ensure you plan your route to perfection. Be sure to check out our main section on Ha Giang Transportation for intelligent travel options!
By road, Ha Giang to Ha Long Bay is approximately 470 kilometers. As the crow flies, it’s just a distance of around 300 km, but the mountain roads of northern Vietnam stretch it out.
By car or bus: approximately 9–12 hours
Through Hanoi (by bus or train): 13–15 hours
By motorbike: 2 days usually including time to rest and explore.
The common trail is: Ha Giang → QL34 → QL2 → QL18 → Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh. Be prepared for curves and hills; it is a pretty drive.
All Travel Options Compared
Bus (Most Budget-Friendly)
Traveling by bus is the most popular option for travelers who want to get from Ha Giang to Ha Long Bay on a budget. It’s cheap, straightforward, and reliable.
Operator
Ticket Price (one-way)
Departure Time
Travel Time
Notes
Quang Nghi
US$17–21 (~₫400k–₫525k)
departures throughout day & night
~9–10 hrs
VIP sleeper, free Wi‑Fi, onboard toilet
Daiichi Travel
₫500k (~US$19)
~23:00
~10 hrs
sleep/bus combo, includes seat or sleeper
Thuan Thuc Bus
₫400k (~US$16)
11:00 & 18:00
~9.7 hrs
air‑con, professional service
Cuong Lan Bus
₫300k (~US$12–13)
15:30
~10 hrs
cost-effective afternoon departure
Ha Long Bus Travel (via 12Go & redBus)
US$20–22 (~₫480k)
19:00–20:00
~10 hrs
sleeper cabins, blankets included
Departure & Arrival: Most buses leave from Ha Giang Bus Station in the late morning or the evening. They pull into Ha Long City or Bai Chay Station in Quang Ninh, close enough to transfer to Ha Long Bay cruises or continue to Cat Ba Island.
Pros:
Very affordable (₫300k–₫500k)
Lots of night departure dates, save on a night’s stay
Straight route- do not need to go to Hanoi first
Cons:
Long duration of travel (~9–11hrs.)
Fixed schedules, minimal comfort. Less comfortable than private shuttles
Quality varies – some buses don’t have toilets on board
Ha Long Bus Travel (Source: 12go)
Private Car / Taxi (Best for Comfort)
Reliable Car & Taxi Services with Accurate Prices
Below are reputable companies that provide direct transfers from Ha Giang to Ha Long Bay with instant confirmation and English-speaking staff:
How to book: via WhatsApp or website: hoianprivatetaxi.com
Phong Nha Locals
Fixed price: US$187 (~₫4,400,000) for sedan
Custom itinerary available: can stop in Hanoi, or connect to Cat Ba Island
Professional drivers, comfortable fleet
Booking: phongnhalocals.com or email support
ThueXeHaGiang.com (Ha Giang Car Rental Local Service)
Self-drive or chauffeur-driven options
Sedan: From ₫1,600,000/day (without driver)
With driver: From ₫2,800,000–₫3,000,000 for inner-city, or ₫4,000,000+ to Quang Ninh
Ideal for: custom routes, flexible detours
Booking: via hotline or online booking form (Vietnamese support available)
Travel Time & Route
Approximate driving time: 8 to 10 hours
Common route: QL34 → QL2 → CT05 → QL18, finishing in Ha Long Bay or in Bai Chay
And with smoothly paved roads once you are out of the mountains, rest stops can be timed to suit.
Why Choose This Option?
Flexible schedule: Get up late, take photo stops, detour to a water park, or detour to Hanoi
Better still: Air-con, places to recline, a bit of privacy
Great for groups: Split the fare, and it’s a deal
Professional drivers: Safer in snow and ice on mountain passes
Ha Giang Car Rental Local Service (Source: BEGroup)
Motorbike Adventure (For the Brave)
Time Needed & Stopover Suggestions
You’ll need a minimum of 2-3 days to cover the entire span of the route from Ha Giang to Ha Long Bay, particularly if you intend to take breaks, rest, and explore.
Recommended stopovers:
Bac Me: Quiet riverside town and great first rest stop.
Cao Bang: Known for Ban Gioc Waterfall and local culture.
Mong Cai: A coastal town on the border with routes to Cat Ba Island, or further south toward Quang Ninh.
Best Route Options
Take a couple of days to push through from Ha Giang to Ha Long Bay:
Mountain Route (QL4C→ QL34→ QL18): Suggested for adventurers. You’ll travel over dramatic valleys, mountain ridges, and through remote villages. The roads will be curvy, and the vistas will be breathtaking.
Coastal Route (via Cao Bang → Lang Son → Quang Ninh): Easier on the body, for those who want to include beach time, seafood stops, or even a drop at a local water park, before finishing your trip at Ha Long Bay.
Motorbike Rental Shops in Ha Giang (With Real Prices)
Here are some reliable rental services that hundreds of travelers use each year:
QT Motorbikes & Tours: From scooters to semi-automatic and off-road bikes
Honda XR 150cc: ₫550,000/day
Helmets, maps, and local route advice included
Family-run, English-speaking management
Ha Giang Motorbike Rental (40 Lam Dong Street)
Honda Blade 110cc: ₫250,000/day
Honda XR 150cc: ₫650,000/day
Reliable bikes and negotiable rental durations
Giang Son Motorbike Rental
Price range: ₫150,000–₫200,000/day
Location near Cau Me – Km3
With rain gear, basic maintenance, and 24/7 hotlines
Bong Backpacker Hostel
Blade 110cc: ₫180,000/day
Future 125cc: ₫250,000/day
YB 125cc: ₫350,000/day
Comes with helmets and roadside assistance
Giang Son Motorbike Rental (Source: thuexemaytaiHaGiang)
Train + Bus Hybrid (For Scenic Enthusiasts)
Route Overview
This is a three-leg travel option:
Ha Giang → Hanoi (limousine van or bus)
Hanoi → Ha Long Bay (train or expressway bus)
Final transfer to Ha Long City, Cat Ba Island, or your hotel near the Ha Long Bay cruise terminal
Time Breakdown & Transfer Logistics
Ha Giang to Hanoi:
Sleeper bus or limousine van
Travel time: 6–7 hours
Reservations with local agents or online websites
Tip: Leave Ha Giang in the evening and be in Hanoi by morning
Hanoi to Ha Long Bay:
By train (Gia Lam Station – Ha Long Station): 6.5 hours, scenic but not as direct
By bus (My Dinh or Gia Lam – Ha Long City): 2.5–3.5 hours, more direct and often more frequent
Both drop you close to Quang Ninh’s coastline and main attractions
Hanoi to Ha Long Bay By Train (Source: mia)
Best Routes: Scenic vs. Fastest
Route
Type
Highlights
Estimated Time
Suggested Stops
Route A
Fastest
Via QL279 → Hanoi → Ha Long
Mostly highway travel, direct to Quang Ninh
9–10 hours (private car)
12–13 hours (bus/train combo)
Tuyen Quang, a short Hanoi layover, arrive straight to Ha Long Bay
Route B
Scenic
Via QL34 → Cao Bang → Mong Cai → Ha Long
Off-the-beaten-path gems
2–3 days (ideal by motorbike or flexible car trip)
Bac Me, Cao Bang, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Mong Cai coastal gateway to Cat Ba Island
Travel Tips from Real Travelers
What to Pack
The trip from Ha Giang to Ha Long Bay is a question of expecting sudden weather changes and uneven road conditions.
Warm clothing: Summers are chilly in the mornings, even in Ha Giang, particularly by motorbike.
Rain gear: A poncho or rain jacket is essential in the highlands.
Sun protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a big hat are handy as you motor south down to Ha Long Bay’s sunny beaches.
Shoes: Suitable for walking, sturdy enough for motorcycling, in your head traction and support, especially on dirt back roads.
Timing Is Everything (Seasonal Travel Advice)
Ha Giang: September to November (clear skies, golden rice terraces) or March to April (t-shirt weather, cool in peach blossoms). Winter will probably be foggy and cold.
Ha Long Bay: October to April is high season—sunny, clear weather, best for cruises and Cat Ba Island visitation. Summers are hot and humid, with short showers.
Safety on the Road
Between North Vietnam’s mountain roads and coastal roads, the contrast is enormous—and so are the risks.
Rural roads: Gravel bits, steep hills, trucks on curvy roads. Slow down and don’t drive at night.
Coastal routes: Better paved, but can get busy with buses and local traffic. Stick to speed limits and watch for sudden stops.
Local Quirks & Things You’ll Love (or Be Surprised By)
Locals are incredibly helpful—even if they don’t speak English, gestures and smiles go a long way.
Fuel up often: Gas stations are rare in mountain stretches. Top off in every major town.
Cash is king: ATMs are available in Ha Giang, Cao Bang, and Quang Ninh, although less commonly in remote areas.
You may spot buffalo along the road, karaoke in the hills, or motorbike processions off to Hanoi—yes, all part of the fun.
Conclusion
However you intend to make the trip from Ha Giang to Ha Long Bay, the ride will be one you’ll never forget. If you crave speed, scenery, or comfort, there’s a route to suit your every need. For the latest transport tips, rental details, and suggested routes across northern Vietnam, remember to check out Ha Giang Transportation, your one-stop source for intelligent, safe travel. Now, buckle up—the trip to Ha Long Bay is on!
Ranana
You feel like organized tour, but you are in a privet tour. Impress Travel make the different.
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
Ebrahim
Tour of Vietnam
Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!
Solly Pochee
The tour was fantastic
I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating! We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC. The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T". I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all. Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team. Sulaiman Pochee
Bernard Lim
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
Derek.Schooling
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel
This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress. Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.
My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide). Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
CHECK PRICE & AVAILABILITY - BEST QUALITY GUARANTEE
The imposing mountains, hills, lure valleys, and scattered Karst Parks have all made Ha Giang one of the most appealing destinations in Vietnam for travelers around the world. Additionally, the culture, tradition, and diversity of ethnic minority people such as the H’mong make Ha Giang more immersive for people to come to explore this land at the intersection of earth and heaven more and more.
You will take an experience of stunning scenery, to obtain the active venture for trekking and driving on the winding paths to discover the authentic hill tribe of Hmong Village in Ha Giang.
To discover the most appealing landscapes such as Meo Vac, Lung Cu, Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark and further hidden tracks and the culture and traditions of Ha Giang ethnic minority people such as H'mong, Red Dzao, and try to specialty local foods.
This tour bring you to explore Ba Be lake and Giang Giang loop adventure tour for 5 days/4 nights. Real experience combines Ha Giang & charming part of North East. This is private for small group tour who is interested North East West Vietnam.
Adventurous package tour combine the discovery along the north west of Vietnam. Additionally to explore the northern pole of Vietnam - Ha Giang with breathtaking scenery of Meo Vac & Lung Cu.
View tour
Impress Travel
Typically replies within minutes
Any questions related to Ha Giang Tours to Ha Long Bay: Best Travel Options?