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Top Travel Options from Ha Giang to Sapa for Ha Giang Tours
Get ready to drive on one of the most beautiful road trips in northern Vietnam! Between Ha Giang and Sapa (or the opposite direction) is a trip of around 230–253 km that winds its way through foggy mountain roads, the Dong Van stone plateau, and the mythic fairy twin mountains. It will take from 4.5 to 8 hours, depending on the vehicle, but every minute will be packed with culture and views. Whether you’re making the Hanoi to Halong Bay journey and carrying on or organizing your own northwest Vietnam excursion, you’re in good hands here. Do make sure to take a look at our full Ha Giang Transportation guide for up-to-date routes, booking procedure, and traveling advice!
Ha Giang to Sapa (or Sapa to Ha Giang) is roughly 230 to 253 km, depending on where you go. If you direct them there, it will be shorter. If going the circuit route through Bac Ha, you lose some time, but scenic and cultural stops along the way.
Bus: 5–7 hours (with breaks)
Private car: 5–6 hours (more direct, more flexible)
Motorbike: 6–8 hours (adventurous but challenging)
The roads are QL2, QL70, and QL279 that pass through twining mountain regions like the Dong Van Stone Plateau and the area surrounding the fairy twin mountains. The roads have steep hills or fog in the morning, so do look at weather forecasts before your trip.
Travel Options from Ha Giang to Sapa
By Bus (Limousine, Sleeper, Cabin)
Bus Routes & Travel Time
Two routes from Ha Giang to Sapa:
Direct Route (230–240 km):
Via QL2 → QL70 → QL279
Time: 5–7 hours
Road: scenic, winding, slightly bumpy in some areas
Scenic Route via Bac Ha (approx. 260 km):
Long but worth it if you’re keen to explore Bac Ha markets
Travel time: 6.5–8 hours
Top Bus Operators: Full Details
Bus Operator
Departure
Bus Type
Fare (VND)
Pick-Up Point
Drop-Off Point
Contact Info
Quang Nghi
07:30, 10:00, 16:00, 19:30
Limousine, Cabin Sleeper
300,000
60 Minh Khai, Ha Giang
431 Dien Bien Phu, Sapa
0828 744 733
Quang Tuyen
08:00, 18:30
Sleeper
300,000
Van Phong Quang Tuyen, Ha Giang
Trung Tam Thi Tran Sapa
0826 311 311
Luxury Van
06:42
High-Quality Sleeper
360,000
100 Tran Phu, Ha Giang
582 Dien Bien Phu, Sapa
0828 005 055
Ket Doan
10:00, 19:30
Sleeper
320,000
Ben xe khach Ha Giang
599 Dien Bien Phu, Sapa
0828 993 993
Cuong Thinh
07:30, 19:00
Limousine 16-seat
250,000
Trung tam Ha Giang
Pick up at the Homes or the Sapa Office
0961 584 848
Ha Giang Vip
18:00
9-seater limousine
350,000
Noi Thanh Ha Giang
Trung Tam Thi Tran Sapa
0965 031 999
Ha Tuan Bus
09:00, 20:00
Basic Seat
100,000
Nguyen Trai, Ha Giang
Sapa Center
Book via redBus.vn
Vu Han Group
08:30, 19:30
Seat/Sleeper combo
160,000
Ben xe Ha Giang
Van Phong Sapa
Zalo hotline: 0387 164 257
Quang Nghi Bus (Source: xedihagiang)
Advantages:
Low cost (from 100,000 VND)
Big time gap
No self-stress
Easy to book via redBus, agents, or your homestay host
Breathtaking views over Ha Giang and Sapa’s scenery
Limitations:
Winding roads in certain spots—take care of motion sickness
No on-bus toilets (stops only)
No night buses might have limited views
By Private Car or Van
Main Route Overview
The most scenic and shortest route by car is: Ha Giang City → Tam Son → Hoang Su Phi → Bac Quang → Lai Chau → Sapa
Roads:
QL2 to Bac Quang
Then QL70 merges into QL279 towards Lai Chau and Sapa
Where to Book a Private Car in Ha Giang (Reliable Providers)
Here are reputable places to hire a car with a driver in Ha Giang:
Provider
Location
Contact
Type
QT Motorbikes & Tours
15b Pham Hong Thai, P. Minh Khai, Ha Giang
+84 961 022 698
Car + Local Driver
Mr. Hung’s Travel
53 Minh Khai, Ha Giang City
+84 963 630 989
Car/Van with driver
Ha Giang Amazing Tours
123A Nguyen Trai, Ha Giang City
+84 915 168 986
4–7 seat car hire
Ha Giang Riverside Hostel
121A Nguyen Trai, Ha Giang City
Ask at reception
Local tour driver
Ha Giang Motorbike Rental & Tour
39 Nguyen Trai, Ha Giang City
+84 972 819 000
Car booking supported
Ha Giang Riverside Hostel (Source: hagiangriverside)
Price Range & Inclusions
Expect to pay:
3,200,000 – 4,000,000 VND (~$130–USD 150)
Driver, fuel, tolls, and hotel pick-up/drop-off are all included in most prices.
Multi-stop excursions (e.g., Dong Van Ancient Town, the stone church of Sapa) will incur extra cost.
Who Is It Best For?
Families with children
Photographers who wish to stop at any point
Small groups of 3–7 who want to divide the cost
Those seeking comfort after a long journey, such as the bus from Hanoi to Halong Bay
Tips for a Safe & Smooth Journey
Confirm the driver is licensed and experienced driving in the mountains
Set out early enough to avoid afternoon fog and traffic
Rent a car with air, seatbelts, and ideally a 4G hotspot
Notify your carrier if you want to drop in to see the products of ethnic markets or see the lifestyle of H’Mong residing in remote villages
By Motorbike
Route & Timing
The journey takes 6–8 hours, depending on how many times you stop to look (and you’ll need to stop lots!). The standard route:
Ha Giang → Hoang Su Phi → Bac Ha → Sapa
Roads: QL2 → QL279 → DT177 (detour via Bac Ha)
Terrain: steep mountain passes, narrow roads, deep valleys, and scenery that will leave you breathless
Cost Breakdown
Bike rental: ~200,000 VND/day
Fuel: ~350,000 VND for the full ride (≈10–12 liters)
Gear deposit: Some shops may ask for a passport or a cash hold
You can rent well-maintained bikes in Ha Giang city. Trusted rental providers include:
Shop
Location
Contact
Notes
QT Motorbikes & Tours
15b Pham Hong Thai, Ha Giang
+84 961 022 698
English-speaking, Honda XR available
Ha Giang 1 Hostel & Rental
54A Nguyen Trai, Ha Giang
+84 961 534 444
Affordable semi-automatic bikes
Flipside Hostel
5 Nguyen Trai, Ha Giang
Ask at the desk
Good for short-term riders
QT Motorbikes & Tours (Source: digiticket)
Gear Checklist
If you’re taking on Sapa to Ha Giang by bike, don’t skimp on safety. Bring:
Certified helmet (not the cheap plastic ones)
Gloves, raincoat, and layers (especially for early morning rides)
Phone mount and offline maps
Power bank and hydration pack
A basic repair kit or at least a tire patch
Bonus tip: Download Vietnamese offline map sections before losing signal around Fairy Twin Mountains or deep within the Dong Van stone plateau roads.
Pros & Considerations
Why you’ll love it:
Absolute freedom to stop where you want
Deep immersion in ethnic life and untouched nature
Photographers, this is your dream trip
Important to note:
Steep descents into Sapa require good brakes
Rainy season landslides—take it slow, especially on blind curves
Foreign insurance won’t typically cover Vietnam motorbike accidents
Budget & Logistics Summary
Let’s break it all down! Whether you ride a warm cabin bus, a mountain-view private van, or the thrill of motorbiking from Ha Giang to Sapa, this useful guide educates you on how to make the smartest choice for your time, comfort, and money.
After completing the legendary Ha Giang Loop, there’s nothing better than unwinding by traveling to Sapa’s slightly cooler hills. Three wonderful travel options:
By Bus: The best and lowest-cost. Daily trips, comfortable seating, and easy booking by redBus or your homestay directly. For up-to-date routes, see Ha Giang Transportation.
By Private Car: Ideal for small groups or families who want privacy and scenic stopovers, especially near the coconut stone plateau or the fairy twin mountains.
By Motorbike: For experienced riders craving adventure! You’ll pass through stunning routes like Hoang Su Phi and Bac Ha. Just ensure your rental is verified and safety gear is in check. Start early in the morning to catch the golden light!
How long is the bus from Ha Giang to Sapa?
The bus ride from Ha Giang to Sapa or Sapa to Ha Giang takes about 5 to 7 hours, depending on traffic and the standard of the bus.
Sleeper buses & limousines are running frequently throughout the day.
Price: 300,000 – 360,000 VND
Some of the most dependable operators include Quang Nghi, Ket Doan, and Luxury Van.
Buses follow the route QL2 → QL70 → QL279, with mountain views to rival even the coastal views on the Bus Hanoi to Halong Bay! Schedules are laid out in detail on the Ha Giang Transportation portal.
Should I go to Sapa or Ha Giang first?
Great question! It depends on your travel style:
Go to Sapa initially if you’re getting yourself on mountain roads. With easy trekking routes, homestays outside the Sapa stone church, and access to the Muong Hoa Valley, it’s perfect for newbies in the north.
Start with Ha Giang if you’re ready to dive straight into raw, unfiltered adventure. From the ancient town of Dong Van to the winding passes of the Dong Van stone plateau, this loop offers more rugged beauty and authentic cultural products.
Is Ha Giang near Sapa?
Yes! Ha Giang and Sapa are about 230–253 km apart—close in distance but incredibly diverse in character.
Ha Giang is an unspoiled adventure, with towering cliffs and hill tribal villages.
Sapa is postcard views, close villages, and misty rice fields.
The road connecting the two is as beautiful as the destinations themselves. Whether driving through ethnic markets or halting at scenic cafes, the scenery along the road is what you can expect all the time.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re riding up foggy mountain roads or lounging in a cozy sleeper bus, the journey from Ha Giang to Sapa (Sapa to Ha Giang) is truly one-of-a-kind. It’s a chance to gain insight from local cultures, enjoy Vietnam’s diverse landscapes, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
From Dong Van stone plateau’s rugged natural beauty to Sapa stone church’s cozy alleys, every kilometer is yours to discover. And if you pair it with a beach holiday like the bus from Hanoi to Halong Bay, you’ve just had Vietnam at its best.
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
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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.
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