Ha Giang 2-Day Motorbike Tour: Pac Sum Pass & Heaven Gate

Two days threading mountain passes and valley roads on a bike built for the terrain

A 2-day small-group motorbike tour of Ha Giang's Loop route with a licensed guide, staying overnight in Dong Van. You ride through Pac Sum Pass, climb to Quang Ba Heaven Gate at 1,500m altitude, visit Hmong ethnic villages and the Hmong King Palace, then traverse Ma Pi Leng Pass on the Happiness Road with views of the Nho Que River gorge below. All meals, accommodation in a traditional house, protective gear and fuel are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Ha Giang loop highlights and Dong Van town

• Meet team and safety briefing
• Visit Bac Sum Pass and Twin Mountains
• See Dong Van Karst Plateau and local villages
• Lunch in Yen Minh town
• Ride up Tham Ma slope and visit Hmong King Palace
• Stop at Hmong King Palace residence
• Continue to Dong Van town and overnight stay

Day 2: Ma Pi Leng Pass and return to Hanoi

• Breakfast and depart Dong Van
• Ride Ma Pi Leng Pass and enjoy panoramic views
• Walk at viewpoint along Nho Que River
• Drive through Meo Vac town and M-shaped road
• Discover Tay and H'mong villages in Mau Due Valley
• Return to Ha Giang city and end tour

The experience

The tour starts at 8 a.m. at the office with a safety briefing and gear check before you head out on a comfortable motorbike with a licensed rider. Day one takes you through Pac Sum Pass, where the road curves like a python through Twin Mountains, then climbs to Quang Ba Heaven Gate at 1,500m above sea level. From there you descend into the Dong Van Karst Plateau, a landscape of gray limestone peaks and cat-ear rock formations where Dao and Hmong people farm corn on steep mountainsides. You pass through Nam Dam and Lung Tam villages, stop for lunch in Yen Minh, then ride up Tham Ma Slope with thousand-meter limestone cliffs towering on one side. Before reaching Dong Van town for the night, you visit the Hmong King Palace to learn the history of the royal family and local culture.

Day two follows the Happiness Road, a severe 20-kilometer pass route that climbs Ma Pi Leng Pass. At the top you stop to take in the panoramic view of the Dong Van Stone Plateau and the emerald-green Nho Que River cutting through the abyss below. You then ride through Meo Vac town and the M-shaped road (a winding section that bends back on itself) passing Tay and Hmong communities at the mountain foot. The tour ends in Ha Giang city around 5 p.m., where you catch the night sleeper bus back to Hanoi. Protective gear, rain coats if needed, and an English-speaking guide travel with you the entire way.

Accommodation is in a typical traditional house, clean and comfortable. Meals include two breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner, all provided. You cover all entrance fees to villages and historical sites, motorbike fuel, and the cost of the guide. Bring personal spending money for extras not covered, and tip is at your discretion.

What’s included

• All entrance fees to villages and historical sites.
• motorbike ride with a licensed Easy Rider driver, comfortable bike and fuel.
• accommodation in a typical traditional house.
• two breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner.
• protective gear including helmet and rain coat.
• English-speaking guide for both days.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 08:30

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 90 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Ha Giang Peak Riders

Is this one for you?Pick this two-day version if you want to ride all four major passes and visit mountain villages without an overnight stay in Hanoi. A one-day tour skips Ma Pi Leng Pass and the gorge.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 4 years).

What is Quang Ba Heaven Gate and why is it on this route?

Quang Ba Heaven Gate sits at 1,500m altitude on the Ha Giang Loop and offers sweeping views of mountain and forest landscape, rice fields and seasonal flower valleys. It is one of the most photographed viewpoints in the region and marks a major climb on the first day of the tour.

Do I need a motorbike license to ride on this tour?

You do not ride the motorbike yourself. A licensed Easy Rider driver operates the bike while you sit as a passenger, so no license is required. The driver is experienced and trained in safety on these mountain roads.

What happens if the weather turns bad during the 2 days?

Rain coats are provided as part of the protective gear if needed. The tour runs in most weather conditions because the roads are passable year-round, though heavy rain can make some sections slower. Your guide will adjust the pace and stops based on conditions.

What are the Hmong villages like, and do we interact with the people there?

Villages like Nam Dam and Lung Tam are home to Dao and Hmong ethnic minorities who maintain traditional dress and farming practices. You pass through and stop to observe daily life (people drying corn, working fields, children playing), and learn about their culture. The Hmong King Palace visit includes a guide explaining the history and traditions of the royal family.

How much time do we spend riding versus stopping to rest and see views?

The itinerary includes multiple stops at viewpoints and villages throughout both days, with rest areas built into the passes. You have time at Quang Ba Heaven Gate, Tham Ma Slope, the Hmong King Palace, and Ma Pi Leng Pass to step off the bike, walk and absorb the landscape. Lunch breaks are a few hours, giving you time to rest before continuing.

Does the tour end in Ha Giang or Hanoi?

The motorbike portion ends in Ha Giang city around 5 p.m. on day two. From there you board a night sleeper bus back to Hanoi, arriving the following morning. The sleeper bus is not part of the tour but is arranged for your return journey.