Searching for a memorable getaway to Vietnam’s northern highlands? Our Ha Giang tours visit Tham Ma Pass and are just what you need for that and more. This stylish 3 or 4-day hike is a thrilling mix of adventure, culture, and nature, taking you along stunning mountain landscapes, mingling with ethnic minority peoples in lush villages, and tackling the famous bends on Tham Ma Pass. Ideal for adventure-seekers and culture enthusiasts alike, Ha Giang Tours by Impress Travel offers not only a journey but a life-changing experience led by trusted local guides.
Now let me share why travelers who take our Ha Giang tours visit Tham Ma Pass always come back with stars in their eyes and awe-inspiring stories they’ll have for years!
First, location! Tham Ma Pass is wedged directly on National Road 4C, the arterial road cutting through the rocky innards of Ha Giang. It links Yen Minh with Pho Cao, while also being part of the famous Happiness Road, the name itself should tell you that this is not your typical road trip.
Now imagine this: nine serpentine hairpin turns chiseled into sandy limestone cliffs. Locals refer to it as the “Snake Road,” and when you’re on it, you’ll see why. From overhead, the road curls like a dragon’s tail among the clouds. And believe me, as the navigator of this journey, it’s a serious highlight of any Ha Giang tours itinerary!
The views? Jaw-dropping. Towering karst mountains, emerald valleys, and mist rising in the early morning, it’s a landscape that humbles you, exhilarates you, and yes, tests you. Just the way each of our Ha Giang tours visit Tham Ma Pass is like that, every turn is like a moment of wonder, and every stop is like a photo that stays in your life forever.
But behind the beauty is something deeper, Tham Ma Pass isn’t just scenic, it’s symbolic. Local legend has it that this was where horses were once tested for strength. A horse was considered worthy if it could ascend the steep hill without dying. Tham Ma, which means “test the horse.” This ancient practice exists only as a memory, lending the pass an almost mythical heft.
So when you join Impress Travel on our Ha Giang tours visit Tham Ma Pass, you’re not just witnessing a road, you’re entering a tale that’s been told over centuries, feeling the unvarnished, genuine history that’s steeped in the spirit of the Ha Giang plateau.
Tham Ma Pass (Sours: expatolife)
06:00 – Get picked up by our friendly guide at the doorstep of the Hanoi Old Quarter with Impress Travel. Step onto our comfortable air-conditioned bus and start your adventurous journey north into the Vietnamese highlands.
11:30 – We stop in Tan Yen town to have lunch in a small, local-style restaurant. You will be treated to freshly prepared dishes including hill chicken, forest vegetables, and crispy spring rolls — fuel for the journey ahead!
14:00 – Brief meditative stop, Den Doi Co Cau Ma, a riverside shrine—reveals the local beliefs that vanquished under the mountains.
15:30 – You arrive officially in Ha Giang City, stopping for an iconic photo at the Km0 milestone that marks your official entry back into Vietnam’s northernmost frontier.
17:00 – We climb up higher and arrive at Quan Ba Heaven Gate which offers a magnificent view of the Twin Mountains and the karst valley beneath. And it is the perfect backdrop for stunning photos!
18:30 – Arrive in Yen Minh and check in the Phoenix Hotel Ha Giang 4★ with modern, comfortable facilities. Relax, recharge, and prepare for an exceptional night.
19:00 – Dinner at Cao Nguyen Xanh Restaurant with delicious highland foods such as grilled pork, five-color sticky rice, and a shot of local corn wine – the indispensable experience of Ha Giang tours.
Den Doi Co Cau Ma (Sours: discoverhagiang)
06:30 –Wake up with morning mist covering Yen Minh Pine Forest. After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to the most exciting part of your trip to Ha Giang visit Tham Ma Pass.
08:00 – We crest over the famous Tham Ma Pass, which does some wild and features some awesome views. There, we stop frequently to take photographs, to talk to ethnic H’mong children selling flowers, and to live in the raw, untamed beauty of the mountains.
09:30 – Visit Pho Cao, a quiet village known for its ancient H’mong stone houses and blooming buckwheat fields in autumn. Don’t forget your camera!
10:30 – Reach the picturesque Sung La Valley, nicknamed “the muse of Ha Giang” for its poetic surroundings. In spring or summer, you might walk through purple buckwheat or golden mustard flower fields.
12:00 – Eat lunch at Dong Van Quan restaurant, famous with local people with pho Trang Kim, chao au tau, and other highland authentic dishes.
14:00 – We ride up to the famous “northernmost point” of Vietnam, the Lung Cu Flag Tower at a height of 1,700m above sea level. You have a view of China’s border from here, and you can feel the spirit of the land’s frontier.
16:30 – Reach Dong Van, and check in at the superb Rocky Boutique Hotel 4★. Its mountain-facing rooms and stylish interiors are an ideal place to rest before you head out to Thimphu.
18:00 – Dinner at Pho Co Restaurant, where you’ll have a rustic wooden house to enjoy traditional food such as warming rice wine.
Evening – Stroll through Dong Van Old Quarter, sipping on highland coffee under the lantern light and enjoying the peaceful, old-world vibe of this mountain town.
Lung Cu Flag Tower (Sours: vietsensetravel)
06:30 – If today is Sunday, we visit the Dong Van Market, a profusion of colors, fabrics, and grins when the ethnic minorities come from all directions in their best clothes.
07:30 – After breakfast, we visit the Vuong Family Mansion, where the H’mong kings used to live. Read about their ascension and how it draws from a French-Chinese-Vietnamese architectural blend.
09:30 – Hit the road to Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of Vietnam’s “Four Great Passes.” We pause at lookout points for panoramic views of the Tu San Canyon, the deepest in Southeast Asia.
10:30 – A brief downhill bike ride brings us to the banks of the Nho Que River, where we board a boat to cruise through emerald-green waters between soaring cliffs. It is surreal, and contributes to Ha Giang Tours visit Tham Ma Pass inexhaustible charm, unforgettable, and always Ha Giang Tours exploration.
12:00 – Head back to Ha Giang City for lunch at Ngoc Son Restaurant, where you can find some familiar favorites with a highland twist.
13:30 – We bid farewell, heading back to Hanoi, where you’ll take home stories of misty tops, colorful markets, and the gypsy wilderness of Ha Giang.
19:30 – Arrival in Hanoi. But the memories will last forever.
Nho Que River (Sours: vietnamtrustcarrentals)
07:00 – After breakfast in Dong Van, we bid farewell to the stone-built town and ride along a scenic road to Du Gia, a tranquil valley in the northern mountain deep. The road snakes through H’mong and Tay villages, through rice terraces, and past waterfalls, the “hidden Ha Giang” that few tourists ever make it to.
10:30 – Reach Du Gia Panorama Lodge, a picturesque eco-lodge that sits among undulating hills and terraced fields. Arrive and settle in, then relax with a welcome herbal tea made by the host family.
11:30- Lunch Tay-style: bamboo shoot soup, free-range mountain pork, and hand-picked forest vegetables. Discovered freshness is unparalleled on Ha Giang tours.
14:00 – Begin your short trek through rice paddies and over wooden bridges to arrive at the Du Gia Waterfall. Take a dip in the clear mountain water here, where you can also kick back on a smooth rock and listen to the sounds of nature.
16:30 – Head back to the lodge and get involved in a quick cooking session with your local host. Learn how to wrap spring rolls around wild herbs or pound sticky rice old-school. This is not just sightseeing, it’s sharing life with the locals.
18:00 – Dinner is a real celebration: a BBQ by the stream and a night beneath the stars. Local meats, corn, tofu, and seasonal greens are grilled over charcoal, and then accompanied by a cup of homemade corn wine.
19:30 – Join your hosts and other travelers around the campfire. As the moon rises above the valley, listen to either H’mong or Tay folk melodies, performed on a mouth harp, or a basic bamboo flute. Nothing beats the stories, the laughter, and the warmth—that moment defines the best parts of the most memorable Ha Giang tours visit Tham Ma Pass.
Overnight – Drift off in a stilt house with little more than the sound of crickets and a whispering forest surrounding you.
Du Gia Nature Escape (Sours: jackfruitadventure)
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So you are asking that when is the best season to travel to Ha Giang tours visit Tham Ma Pass? From September to November, the landscapes explode in vibrant colors — golden rice terraces snake across hills like rivers of light, and fields of buckwheat flowers shimmer in the gentlest hues of pink and purple. It’s the postcard-perfect season for photographers and fantasists.
For another type of visual magic, visit in December and January, when the highlands burst into a riot of bright yellow rapeseed flowers. These months deliver clear air, fewer tourists, and the kind of natural beauty that makes your trip feel like a moving painting.
But don’t worry, Ha Giang Tours always focuses on an adventure but with safety first. The Tham Ma Pass may seem like a page straight out of a fairy tale, but in the rainy season (May to August), those hairpin turns get slick and treacherous.
Check the weather to find out if you should avoid wet weather so that this Ha Giang tours visit Tham Ma Pass can once again be guaranteed to be smooth and spectacular. Dry roads lead to safer curves and way better pictures!
Want to ride a motorbike to conquer the mountain Tham Ma Pass? Great pick, but don’t forget your battle armor! Wear a full-face helmet at all times (it’s not just for show, it does save lives), and keep with you your valid driver’s license and insurance for the motorbike.
The famed twists of this storied route, a highlight on every Ha Giang tours visit Tham Ma Pass, can be thrilling but call for reverence. Only advanced motorcyclists should attempt the pass, otherwise, let our Impress Travel drivers do the riding while you relax and enjoy the views!
Up in the highlands, everything changes quickly, the weather, the road conditions, the battery on your telephone. So, pack smart. Bring a power bank (you’ll want to juice up that camera for panoramic shots galore), dress in layers to keep warm, and pack plenty of snacks, such as dried fruits or sticky rice cakes.
The Ha Giang tours visit Tham Ma Pass is not only for condensing but also for the enjoyment of everyone so comfortable and confident in enjoying each moment.
Why Ha Giang Tours is so unique? It’s the landscapes, sure, but also the people. Along the Tham Ma Pass, you will encounter local H’mong children with flowers or playing beside the road. They have smiles that melt time and space, but of course, no tourist props.
Take photos only after requesting, Say “Xin chao ” with a smile and small Gifts (chocolates, stationery) Give with Respect. After all, a significant Ha Giang tours visit Tham Ma Pass is about relationships as well as the view.
From highland scenery to dangerous hairpin bends, a trip through Ha Giang tours visit Tham Ma Pass is not just sights, it is a great adventure through the wild frontier of Vietnam. But whether you’re a culture hunter or an adventure-seeker, there is something that Ha Giang Tours will bring to your soul and leave your camera full.
Ready to ride? Book your 2025 trip today!
Let’s partner to tell your next great story on the legendary curves of Tham Ma Pass!
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.
