Get ready to be treated to one of Vietnam’s most spectacular vistas. The Ha Giang Tours visit Ma Pi Leng Pass is your door to rough mountains, twisting roads, and colorful ethnic culture. As one of Vietnam’s Four Great Passes, Ma Pi Leng promises an unforgettable motorbike ride in the clouds and vistas overlooking the jade-green Nho Que River. Whether you’re in the mood for adventure, culture, or unspoiled nature, the carefully designed Ha Giang Tours guarantee an experience that’s authentic, raw, and surprisingly rewarding
Along National Highway 4C, the legendary Happiness Road, Ma Pi Leng Pass serves as a passage point connecting Dong Van to Meo Vac in the rugged frontier of northern Vietnam. Join the Ha Giang Tours and visit Ma Pi Leng Pass. The twisting mountain road is no longer a mere highway, it’s the portal to a legendary reality of rock, mist, and history.
The serpentine mountain pass twists more than 20 kilometers along breathtaking cliffs, barely wide enough in many spots for a single car, more than 1,200 meters up from the sea. Around each bend unfolds another vista: towering karst summits, curving rivers, and isolated ethnic villages perched at the world’s edge.
In the 1960s, thousands of young Vietnamese from all over Vietnam built Ma Pi Leng Pass, a monumental achievement of engineering and perseverance. The pass, carved stone by stone, went through some of the country’s most challenging terrain. That alone makes it a source of pride in the hearts of the Vietnamese.
And its significance extends beyond infrastructure. Ma Pi Leng Pass is the symbolic entrance to the Dong Van Karst Plateau, a UNESCO-protected Global Geopark prized for its geological, ecological, and cultural diversity. It’s one of several reasons why Ha Giang Tours are admired as much for scenery as for depth and meaning.
When you book Ha Giang Tours visit Ma Pi Leng Pass, you’re not only witnessing nature, you’re entering a story about culture etched in stone.
Ma Pi Leng Pass (Sours: localvietnam)
05:30 – Our journey begins as you depart Hanoi with your expert Impress Travel guide, heading north along National Highway QL2. This scenic drive introduces you to the verdant countryside that gradually transforms into limestone landscapes.
11:30 – Arrival in Ha Giang City. Upon arrival, you visit the historic Km0 Milestone, the symbolic beginning of all Ha Giang Tours, as you step into the northernmost frontier.
12:00 – Savor a rich lunch of mountain goat cooked in herbal spices, a signature dish of De Duc Hien Restaurant, a proper introduction to the highland flavors.
13:30 – Start your climb up the legendary Happiness Road to the Heaven Gate of Quan Ba. Pause to gaze out over the Twin Mountains (Nui Doi Co Tien) and admire the legends and mythology that surround the region.
15:30 – On pine forest roads and limestone valleys, continue onward into the highlands.
17:00 – Arrive at Yen Minh Eco Lodge, a serene haven amidst the natural world, the perfect place to relax after a scenic day of discovery.
19:00 – Enjoy a local restaurant serving authentic H’mong and Tay-inspired cuisine. Then, get a good night’s sleep for the wonders that lie in wait for you in your Ha Giang Tours visit Ma Pi Leng Pass.
Yen Minh Eco Lodge (Sours: hagiangtv)
07:00 – Following breakfast at the lodge, our cultural experience starts. Drive through scenic mountain passes to Sung La Valley, in which colourful flowers bloom and ethnic villages cover the hillside.
08:30 – Visit “Pao’s House”, one of the film locations of Vietnam’s most cherished movies. The H’mong-style house offers a glimpse into the architecture and everyday life of the locals.
09:30 – Stop by Pho Bang Ancient Town, a former trading post, now a quiet haven of earth-colored houses and timber-fronted shops, a photographer’s and historian’s dream.
11:30 – We reach the northernmost point of Vietnam at the monumental Lung Cu Flagpole, offering a breathtaking view over the Vietnam–China border.
12:30 – Lunch with the Lolo family at Pa Vi Homestay, sampling local specialties such as corn wine and sesame salted sticky rice.
14:00 – Arrive at Dong Van Old Quarter. Walk along the ancient streets, shop in the local shops, and enjoy a coffee in a typical H’mong cafe.
17:00 – Arrive at the Rock Plateau Hotel Dong Van. Rooms here combine contemporary comfort with local ambiance, the ideal setting for your mountain night.
18:30 – Enjoy your dinner at the Nho Que River Fish Restaurant in the company of a delicious grilled fish freshly caught in the river, one of the unforgettable savors during your Ha Giang Tours visit Ma Pi Leng Pass.
Lung Cu Flagpole (Sours: vinwonders)
06:30 – Wake up early and have breakfast before taking on the legendary road that became the source of the name for this tour.
07:30 – Today, you ride the breathtaking Ma Pi Leng Pass, cut into the face of limestone mountains with breathtaking views down to the Nho Que River below. A high point of all Ha Giang Tours and a trip-defining experience.
08:30 – Stop at the Death Rock Viewpoint, a legendary viewpoint where the horizon appears to extend infinitely across the rugged crests. Now is the time to pause and absorb the experience.
09:30 – Adventure-seekers can take a boat trip along the Nho Que River. Float under towering cliff walls in the Tu San Canyon, Vietnam’s largest gorge, to see the scenery in a whole new way.
11:30 – Lunch in the highland town of Meo Vac, with local specialties in a leisurely setting. You can also browse the colorful local market (Sundays only) if time permits.
13:00 – Set off to return, taking the mountain roads back through the city of Ha Giang.
17:30 – Brief stop in Ha Giang before the last leg to return to Hanoi.
22:00 –You arrive in Hanoi. Your time with Ha Giang Tours visit Ma Pi Leng Pass comes to an end, but the memories linger forever.
Nho Que River (Sours: localhagiang)
07:00 –Following breakfast in Dong Van, we drive to the Pa Vi Cultural Village, where you’ll be engaged in practical activities such as ethnic embroidery, khen (mouth harp) performance, and storytelling with Lolo elders.
11:00 – Enjoy a home-cooked lunch in a traditional wooden H’mong house, with the surrounding terracing fields and warm hospitality.
13:00 – Back to Ha Giang City and check in at the classy Ha Giang Historic Hotel (4-star), providing relaxation amidst a rich historical setting.
19:00 – End your experience with an evening at Bong Lai Restaurant, offering panoramic views of the lighted highland city.
Next morning – Leave for Hanoi carrying the serenity of the mountains in your heart.
Pa Vi Village (Sours: localhagiang)
Weather in the highlands can change in a heartbeat. For those joining our Ha Giang Tours, we strongly recommend packing the following:
You don’t have to overdo the packing, but selecting the right equipment makes your Ma Pi Leng Pass experience during a Ha Giang Tour safe and enjoyable from beginning to end.
Ma Pi Leng Pass is as exciting as it is narrow. Filled with harsh vertical drops along one side and unseen bends in many of the corners, you need to be careful and vigilant throughout your drive.
These general Ma Pi Leng safety guidelines are a big step towards making your trek an incredible experience for all the right reasons.
We’re aware of the draw of riding northern Vietnam motorbike trails, particularly one as legendary as this. Ma Pi Leng Pass, though, is for seasoned riders, not new bikers.
Aside from the scenery, the magic of Ha Giang Tours is in the people you encounter. The area is inhabited by more than 20 ethnic minority groups, each possessing their unique languages, traditions, and beliefs.
Dong Van (Sours: localhagiang)
The highlight of any Ha Giang Tours experience, truly, is the delicious, smoky jerky, which is produced from free-range buffalo flesh marinated with mountain foliage and smoked for days. It is high in protein, lightweight, and utterly addictive.
These sausages, infused with indigenous spices such as star anise, cardamom, and wild pepper, are naturally smoked or sun-dried using wood fires. A fan favorite among tourists joining the Ha Giang Tours visit Ma Pi Leng Pass.
Harvested from 200–300-year-old tea trees that thrive at high altitudes, this ancient tea boasts anti-aging antioxidants and a haunting floral aroma. A wonderful way to relive the serenity of Ha Giang Tours at home.
Made from the seeds of buckwheat flowers that bloom throughout the northern mountains in November, these soft, nutty cakes are both symbolic and tasty, a must for those who love unique local treats.
Sweet, luscious, and bright red, seedless persimmons are a delicious treat during the autumn season and a natural source of energy for highland treks. They look particularly attractive as seasonal gifts.
An old recipe prepared the old-fashioned way: spring water-soaked sticky rice packed into bamboo tubes and cooked by heat from the fire. The outcome? Aromatic, delicate rice with subtle earth flavors, ideal for offering as a gift or snacking while in transit.
The northern highlands are more than a location— they’re an emotion. As you turn each bend of Ma Pi Leng Pass, your heart is in harmony with the mountains. The memories you create during the Ha Giang Tours visit Ma Pi Leng Pass experience linger long after the drive ends.
Book your once-in-a-lifetime Ha Giang Tours with Impress Travel now, and the adventure starts.
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.
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!
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
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.
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
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.
