Ha Giang Loop: 3-Day Motorbike Tour with Local Homestays

Summary

Ride Vietnam’s Ha Giang loop with locals, sleep in rice fields, eat homemade food

You’ll ride through mountain passes with local guides who know every shortcut (even those not on Google Maps), eat home-cooked meals in village homes, swim under hidden waterfalls if you dare, and sleep in peaceful homestays surrounded by rice fields—Ha Giang will stick with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I remember rolling into Ha Giang City the night before the loop started—half nervous, half wired from the bus ride. The Dragon Team guys were already joking around when I walked in. They offered me a dorm bed for free (which was honestly a relief after that journey), and told me to grab a bicycle if I wanted to see the city before we set off. The air smelled like rain and petrol—kind of sharp but clean at the same time. I slept surprisingly well, even with all the anticipation buzzing in my head.

The next morning, our guide Minh spread out a map but kept grinning—he wouldn’t show us the full route. “Some roads don’t exist on Google Maps,” he said, which sounded like an exaggeration until we were actually bouncing down these tiny tracks between rice fields and villages. Sometimes we’d pass kids waving or old women carrying baskets who’d nod as we rumbled by. At one point, Minh pointed out a patch of wild ginger growing by the trail. He broke off a piece for us to smell—so spicy it stung my nose. The bikes weren’t fancy, but they felt solid, and Minh kept checking that everyone was comfortable (I stalled mine twice and he just laughed).

Lunches were always homemade—sticky rice, pork with lemongrass, vegetables I couldn’t name. One family poured us little cups of rice wine that burned going down; everyone toasted each other in Vietnamese and English. Li laughed when I tried to say “thank you” in Mandarin—probably butchered it, but she appreciated the effort anyway. Evenings at the homestays were quiet except for frogs and distant motorbikes; my room looked out over terraces so green it almost hurt my eyes.

The last day hit me harder than I expected. We stopped at Mat Ma pass where Minh told us how some travelers come to Ha Giang just because of this view—it’s true, I still think about that moment: clouds drifting low over jagged peaks, everything silent except wind and our own breathing. Later we found this tiny café run by a Hmong family; their coffee was strong enough to jolt me awake for hours. It wasn’t perfect—the roads are rough and sometimes you’re just tired—but riding the Ha Giang Loop with these guys made Vietnam feel real in a way I didn’t expect.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Village roads and hidden waterfall

• Ride village roads off main paths
• Explore secret local routes
• Visit hidden mountain waterfall
• Swim in mountain water
• Dinner with Tay family and corn wine

Day 2 — Scenic mountain pass and homestay

• Breakfast at homestay
• Visit the most beautiful mountain pass
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Dinner with H'mong family and homemade corn wine

Day 3 — Mat Ma pass and canyon village

• Stop at Mat Ma pass
• Visit Mong village cafe in canyon
• Enjoy drinks with mountain view
• Family lunch with Vietnamese food

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Ha Giang Loop tour?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; however, a free dorm bed is provided before the tour starts in Ha Giang City.

How many days is this motorbike tour?

The main Ha Giang Loop tour lasts 3 days (or optionally 4).

Are meals included during the trip?

Yes, all meals—including homemade lunches and dinners at local homestays—are included.

Do I need motorbike experience for this tour?

No prior experience required; easy riders are available if you prefer not to drive yourself.

Where do we stay overnight?

You’ll stay at local homestays—one in the middle of rice fields and another with Hmong hosts overlooking the city.

Is there swimming during the tour?

Yes—a hidden waterfall stop offers clean mountain water where you can swim if you want.

Are there any extra fees or hidden costs?

No hidden costs; everything is included such as meals, water, accommodation, guide, and motorbike use.

What’s special about this Ha Giang Loop route?

The guide takes lesser-known village roads not found on Google Maps for a more personal experience.

What’s included

Your trip includes bottled water throughout each day, overnight stays at welcoming local homestays (with private rooms but shared bathrooms), all home-cooked meals featuring regional dishes and rice wine tastings, use of a manual motorbike or easy rider option if needed, an English-speaking local guide who knows every shortcut—and even a free dorm bed before departure plus bicycle rental to explore Ha Giang City before your adventure begins.