Ha Giang Motorbike Tours

If you’re looking for an adventure that takes you to the far remote lands of Vietnam, see ethnic cultures, ride across the mountain passes, then planning for Ha Giang motorbike tours could be a very wise idea. The area itself isn’t just about riding from A to B, The classic routes include heaven gate of Quang Ba, the picture postcard Dốc Thẩm Mã, Ma Pi Leng and Meo Vac and the infamous Lung Cu with an overnight stay in Dong Van.

This might be one of best things to do any first time visitor would want to experience. But from the leading riders perspective, Ha Giang is now way more touristy, but in same time, it’s becoming more developed, more hotels and accommodations and in same time, more demand by travelers.

Whatever the reason is, the whole area is among the most recommended highlights of motorbike tour around North Vietnam , it offers a different outlook of what you see in big cities like Hanoi, Danang or Ho Chi Minh City.

An insider look into Ha Giang Motorbike Tours

First of all, let’s find out where actually the Ha Giang city is, according to he new district changes back in early 2025, Ha Giang town is now belonging to the Tuyen Quang Province, located in northeastern side of Vietnam. Name Ha Giang started to be appear back in early 2008’s when western motorbike riders took an adventure around the final frontiers and introduce it as a loop ride. Since then it attracts more visitors and started to be promoted by tour counters in Hanoi’s old quarter and it become what we see it today.

The landscapes offers an astonishing series of limestone shaped outcrops among some of the most beautifully shaped scenery in while Southeast of Asia. The more demand and more videos through Youtube and TikTok makes it a must visit when it comes to where to go around Northern Vietnam. While most people are considering the current road conditions in Ha Giang some may think more about Is the Ha Giang loop safe to ride? We’ve cover them all here, check them out one by one.

Whatever your reason is, many of the more experienced riders are combining this amazing destination with northeast motorbike tours in Vietnam.

The 7 must-visit places on Ha Giang motorbike tours

It’s now time to plan the ride, to be honest, while most backpackers only drive through the classic routes, there are a large number of tourists eagerly looking for must see attractions and places to visit while Ha Giang, here I have listed 7 along with more details so you can plan your loop independently.

Vuong Palace

Located in Sa Phin hamlet, a search on google map will revel the exact location. This lofty two-storey old house was built for a local ethnic governing the area, the exact time of building is still on debt, but most locals refer to early 1930’s. The historic house is around 20 minutes ride from Dong Van old town.

Quan Ba ​​Pass & Heaven Gate

Cổng trời Quản Bạ, as it calls by locals, it’s probably the first twisty pass you’ll see once you left Ha Giang town behind. It is widely known as the Heaven Gate. its cool to stop, admire the views under your eyes and if you’re keen on, go for some of-road  through the limestone mountains. Not too serious though.

Ma Pi Leng Pass

To many, riding along this 20km high mountain pass is among the highlights of motorcycle tours around the Ha Giang. Locals see Ma Pi Leng Pass as the greatest among the all mountain passes in the north. While riding along the pass, it it advised to stop at viewpoint for photography, with the vista and the bird-eye view and also, ride de-tour for the boat ride across the infamous Nhat Que river.

Lung Cu Flag Tower

Another highly rated stops along the area is to ride toward Lung Cu, located in Lô Lô Chải village right at the front line border with China at 1,700 meter altitude. While this stop is a highlight of motorbike tours in Vietnam from Ha Giang city to Dong Van, it also offers a great views over the mountains and ethnic minority villages. Once there, park your motorbike, buy a ticket (VND50K = ~USD2), climb up the stairs and take your time to admire the view.

Hoang Su Phi & the Terraced Rice Fields

It is more recommended to visit Hoang Su Phi with a more capable motorbike, why, the reason is the off-road and gravel trails on road DT177. Anyway, the remote area is located around 75km from the Ha Giang city. Known for its dramatic rice fields and the whole area is among the less-visited places around the loop.

It is best to visit the villages around the months of September and October when rice to see the harvest season. If you’re a photographer and love to capture special vistas, you’ll need to ride to Hoang Su Phi.

• Check out Alternatives to the Ha Giang Loop

Tham Ma viewpoint

This is the infamous Zigzag road you may see as soon as you search for name Ha Giang. Once you leave the town, after some 2 hours ride, you’ll see a view point where pretty much everyone stops, it is now facilitated with coffee stalls and the funny thing is the local children selling colorful flowers.

As you follow the road 4C. This route passing from Ha Giang to Quan Ba, Yen Minh, and Dong Van, it enables you to cover a visit to famous attractions such as Quan Ba Twin Mountains, Quyet Tien ethnic market, Ma Pi Leng Pass and a lot more.

Dong Van Town

Many riders ending up staying for an overnight in Dong Van. This small yet ethnic populated highland district located at the northernmost tip the loop and forms part of the UNESCO Global Geopark of the Dong Van Karst Plateau. Try to book your accommodation in advance, specially if your visit is around The Weeknd and or the public holidays.

When is the best time for Ha Giang motorbike tours?

The best time of the year to ride a motorcycle around the Ha Giang, would be during the dry season from September to November or March to April. These months offer the ideal weather with clearer skies, mild temperatures of around 20 Celsius. For conclusion, check the table down bellow:

Book Ha Giang motorbike tours, better way

So, Ha Giang is all about an adventure through the twisting mountain passes that shapes the topography of the Northern Vietnam. Days including passing winding backroads, visiting ethnic minority villages and get an upclose insight into the local cultures of this part of the country.

Arranging this sort of trips usually required a bit of better planning, include choosing your motorbike wisely, consider the time of the year to visit and know your limit when it comes to riding a motorcycle. Check our the Riding map of Ha Giang

The area is very safe, locals are very friendly, respect local cultures and wear appropriate clotting while riding the motorbike.

most breathtaking mountains, colorful ethnic cultures, and winding cliffside roads that leave you speechless. However, to truly enjoy the loop as it should be, consider looking up into some of the best guided motorbike tours in Vietnam with trusted names in the business.

More insider tips: Where t sleep and what to eat in Ha Giang motorcycle tours?

The irony about Ha Giang loop is to feel the local ethnic minority culture, so probably every night, you’ll be accommodating in local homestay where you east and stay at same place where your local host is.

While staying at hotels in places like Ha Giang city is an option (for more quality compare to the homestay), most of other destinations such as Dogn Van, Ma Pi Leng, Bao Lac, are mainly offering local homestay.

And the foods you eat is reflecting the local culture as well. Basically, sticky rice with chicken, pork and or beef, boiled vegetables and soup and egg or soup noodles for the breakfast.

Since tourism is booming, many homestay now offer foods that catering to teh taste of western travelers, still do not expect Michelin star foods, but, expect local charm and taste.

Here we have picked up top 5 homestay in Ha Giang, based on them reviews on Tripadvisor.

What’s the recommended motorbike for Ha Giang motorcycle tour?

This is for sure the most important part of you adventure. Choosing the right motorcycle can enhance and or rush to fail the whole experience. While many, including backpackers opt for the cheapest scooters, I strongly refuse the idea of riding scooters in the mountain roads.

I suggest to pick a manual bike to ride the Ha Giang Loop, a little more power goes way better along the mountain road and for adding some off-road fun. Ha Giang works for anything from 150cc manual to the most powerful adventure style bikes such as BMW GS and or CB500x, beginners and or experienced riders, the choice is yours, but the experience is build by the bike’s performance.

Bottom line

If your time allows, I strongly recommend to experience Ha Giang and combine it either northeast and or northwest Vietnam. Places such as Ban Gioc, Ba Be, Sape and or Dien Bien Phu and Son La, will adds way more adventures to your journey than you can imagine.

Either choice, the Ha Giang motorbike tours attracts every riders regardless of the riding ability. I strongly advise to plan your routes, accommodation and number of days in the region. To book a Ha Giang Loop Tour, contact following details for more advice and itinerary suggestions:

• Hotline (Also on WhatsApp): +84917951100 – speak to Hamid
• Add: 22 BTLK1- Đại Thanh, Hanoi, Vietnam