2-day Ha Giang Loop motorbike tour: Self-drive the Happiness Road

Two days crossing mountain passes and staying in a village homestay

A 2-day self-drive motorbike tour of the Ha Giang Loop in northern Vietnam, where you ride a semi-automatic motorcycle along winding passes, terraced rice fields and limestone karsts with a local English-speaking guide. Day one climbs Quan Ba Heaven Gate and reaches Dong Van. Day two tackles Ma Pi Leng Pass and the cliff of death before ending in Du Gia village, with overnight accommodation in a Dong Van homestay and all meals provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Ha Giang to Dong Van via scenic passes

• Meet tour guide after breakfast
• Follow Happiness Road north of Ha Giang
• Climb Quan Ba - Bac Sum Pass
• Visit Quan Ba Heaven Gate viewpoint
• Pass Fairy Hill and continue to Yen Minh
• Drive through pine forest pass to Yen Minh
• Have lunch in Yen Minh
• Drive Tham Ma pass on highway 4c
• Visit Vuong Chinh Duc palace in Sa Phin
• Arrive Dong Van Town and visit ancient Fort
• Enjoy local dinner with live music and karaoke
• Overnight at homestay in Dong Van town

Day 2: Dong Van market to Du Gia Village

• Check out homestay and have breakfast
• Visit Dong Van market in old town
• Travel through mountain passes to Meo Vac
• Climb Ma Pi Leng Pass and visit Panorama Viewpoint
• View Tu San defile below
• Have lunch in Mau Due
• Drive through rocky mountain passes
• Reach and visit Du Gia Village

The experience

You ride your own semi-automatic motorcycle for two days across the Ha Giang Loop, a route that starts north of Ha Giang city along what locals call the Happiness Road. The guide leads the way on a motorcycle ahead of you, setting the pace and stopping at the major passes: Quan Ba Heaven Gate, where rice fields stretch below a steep zigzag road; Tham Ma Pass through pine forest; and on day two, Ma Pi Leng Pass, which climbs a cliff face above Tu San defile. The roads are winding and the terrain is mountain, but the bike is semi-automatic, so you shift gears without a clutch. A local guide rides ahead and stops to point out the landscape, explain what you're seeing, and handle any minor motorcycle repairs on the road. Gas is covered, and you carry a helmet, gloves, knee pads, elbow pads, a poncho, first aid kit and a backpack cover.

Day one takes you from Ha Giang through Quan Ba and Yen Minh to Dong Van, passing Fairy Hill and stopping at Sa Phin to see the hundred-year-old palace of Vuong Chinh Duc, a former H'mong king. You eat lunch on the road and arrive in Dong Van town for dinner, live music and karaoke with your homestay family. Day two starts with breakfast, then a visit to Dong Van market, the largest goods and culture exchange on the rocky plateau. From there you climb Ma Pi Leng Pass, stop at the Panorama Viewpoint above Tu San defile, eat lunch in Mau Due, and finish in Du Gia village. The route crosses some of the most dramatic mountain terrain in northern Vietnam: limestone karsts rising into clouds, terraced rice paddies, jungle-clad passes, and valleys that open suddenly below you.

You stay one night in a homestay in Dong Van town. Meals are included: breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, plus water and local "happy water" (rice alcohol). The tour runs with a maximum of eight people per group. A local guide who speaks English leads the ride and stays with you throughout. If you prefer not to ride, you can hire a driver for your motorcycle or request a car with driver at your own cost.

What’s included

• Semi-automatic motorcycle hire with safety equipment (helmet, gloves, knee pads, elbow pads, poncho, first aid kit, backpack cover, aluminum bottle).
• gasoline and minor motorcycle repairs.
• one night accommodation in a Dong Van homestay.
• breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.
• water and local rice alcohol.
• entrance fees to attractions.
• and a local English-speaking guide for the full two days.

Options for this experience

3 options

Two-day, one-night motorbike tour of Ha GiangGuide in English · 07:00, 11:30 and 19:30

Three-day, two-night Ha Giang motorbike tourGuide in English · 07:00, 11:30 and 19:30

Four-day, three-night Ha Giang Loop tourGuide in English · 07:00, 11:30 and 19:30

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 11:30 and 19:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (15 to 61 years) · Senior (62 to 66 years) · Youth (12 to 14 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Lisa Vietnam Travel

Is this one for you?Pick this if you ride your own bike and want to set your own pace at viewpoints while a guide handles navigation ahead of you. Book a driver seat instead if you'd rather not ride.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 14 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Happiness Road and where does it start?

The Happiness Road is the route north out of Ha Giang city that begins day one of the tour. It is the opening stretch of the Ha Giang Loop, following national highways through the mountains toward Quan Ba and Yen Minh.

What happens at Quan Ba Heaven Gate?

Quan Ba Heaven Gate is a mountain observatory reached by climbing the Quan Ba-Bac Sum Pass. From the top, you see unlimited rice fields and majestic mountains below a steep zigzag road. The guide stops here so you can take in the view and understand the landscape.

Do I have to ride the motorcycle myself, or can someone else drive it?

You ride the motorcycle yourself on the self-drive tour, but you can hire a driver for your motorcycle or request a car with driver at your own cost if you prefer not to ride.

What is included in the overnight accommodation?

You stay one night in a homestay in Dong Van town. The homestay includes dinner with the family, live music and karaoke in the evening, and breakfast the next morning before you depart.

How difficult is Ma Pi Leng Pass?

Ma Pi Leng Pass is a winding mountain road that climbs a cliff face and is known among trekking and motorcycle enthusiasts as a challenging route to conquer. The pass takes you to the Panorama Viewpoint, where Tu San defile lies below. The road is dramatic but the guide leads the way and sets the pace.

What safety equipment do I get?

Safety equipment includes a helmet, gloves, knee pads, elbow pads, a poncho, first aid kit, backpack cover and an aluminum bottle. The guide carries additional first aid supplies and handles any minor motorcycle repairs needed during the ride.