Ha Giang Loop: 3-Day Motorbike Tour with Easy Rider & Homestays

Summary

Motorbike rides, mountain passes, and riverside laughter in Ha Giang

You’ll ride pillion with local easy riders through Ha Giang’s wildest scenery — sky-high passes, winding roads, and riverside boat trips. Stay in family homes, eat home-cooked meals, swim beneath waterfalls, and swap stories over tea or corn wine. This isn’t just about landscapes; it’s about laughter echoing off mountains and those quiet moments when Vietnam gets under your skin.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the smell — that sharp green air as we kicked off from Ha Giang city, a bit nervous but mostly just buzzing. Our easy rider guides grinned at us like they’d seen it all before (probably had). The road to Quan Ba Heaven Gate twisted up past rice terraces and little villages where kids waved so hard I thought their arms would fall off. At one stop, our guide Linh handed me a chunk of sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf. I tried to thank her in Vietnamese and she laughed — not unkindly — correcting my accent. The view from the pass was wild: clouds snagged on limestone peaks, everything below looking impossibly small.

Day two started early, mist still clinging to the hills as we rode towards Ma Pi Leng Pass. That stretch is famous for a reason. It’s not just the drop-offs (which are real), but how the road hugs the cliffs, sometimes so close you can feel your stomach drop if you look down too long. There were moments when we’d round a bend and suddenly there’s this silence — just wind and distant bird calls. We stopped for tea with an old H’mong man who told stories about building “the Happiness Road” back in the day; his hands were rough as tree bark. Later, bouncing down hairpin turns to the Nho Que river, I almost lost my hat — worth it for that boat ride under sheer rock faces. Water smelled cold and mineral-rich; I let my fingers trail in it until they went numb.

By day three my legs were sore from gripping the bike but somehow I didn’t want it to end yet. We swam at a waterfall near Du Gia — freezing water but everyone yelling and laughing anyway. Lunch was with another family; their little girl shyly offered me corn wine (strong stuff) while her mom fussed over bowls of noodles. The ride back to Ha Giang felt quieter, maybe because everyone was tired or maybe just soaking it all in. Hard to say goodbye to people you’ve only known for three days but shared so much road with.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ha Giang to Dong Van via Quan Ba

• Breakfast at Lotus Hostel
• Visit Quan Ba Heaven Gate
• Ride through The Road of Happiness
• Lunch in Yen Minh town
• Dinner with local family

Day 2 — Dong Van to Du Gia via Ma Pi Leng Pass

• Breakfast with pancake or bread
• Ride Ma Pi Leng Pass
• Motorbike down to Nho Que river
• Boat trip on Nho Que river
• Dinner with Tay People

Day 3 — Du Gia to Ha Giang via Duong Thuong

• Breakfast
• Visit waterfall and swim
• Return to Ha Giang

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for the Ha Giang Loop tour?

No hotel pickup is listed; tours start from Ha Giang city.

How long does the Ha Giang Loop motorbike tour last?

The tour lasts 3 days and 2 nights.

Are meals or accommodation included on this tour?

Yes, cozy accommodation with local families is included along the loop.

Do I need to drive my own motorbike?

No, each traveler rides pillion with an experienced local rider.

Is there a boat trip on the Nho Que river?

Yes, a one-hour cruise on the Nho Que river is included.

What should I bring for swimming at the waterfall?

You should bring a swimsuit for swimming at Du Gia waterfall.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with health issues?

No, it's not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular problems.

Are guides English-speaking?

Yes, an English-speaking local guide accompanies you during tours.

What’s included

Your journey includes every motorbike ride (with fuel) piloted by friendly local riders who know every bend of the loop, an English-speaking guide throughout, two nights’ accommodation in welcoming family homes or homestays along the way, plus a scenic one-hour cruise on the Nho Que river. Meals are home-cooked and there’s always time for tea or a quick swim if you’re up for it.