Ha Giang Loop Motorbike Tour: 3-Day Small Group Adventure

Summary

Winding roads, village markets and the wild Dong Van Plateau

You’ll wake up surrounded by mountains, ride twisting roads through Dong Van Karst Plateau with a small group, eat home-cooked meals in villages like Du Gia, and share laughter over “happy water.” With pickup included from Hanoi or Sapa and an English-speaking guide leading every turn, this Ha Giang Loop motorbike tour leaves you changed—if only just a little.

What’s the experience like?

Eyes open, and there’s mist curling over the roofs of Ha Giang city—5am after a half-dreamy night on the sleeper bus. I remember my legs felt stiff but the air was cold and smelled like wet stone. Our guide, Tien, met us at this tiny office where they let us nap a bit before breakfast. He handed me a helmet that still had a faint whiff of someone else’s shampoo (not unpleasant). By 8am we were all straddling our semi-automatics, engines sputtering as we rolled out toward Quan Ba. The first climb up Bac Sum Pass hit me with a wall of green—so many shades I lost count—and Tien kept shouting facts over his shoulder about the Dong Van Karst Plateau GeoPark. I only caught half of it because I was trying not to wobble off the edge.

The road twisted through Heaven’s Gate Quan Ba where clouds hung low enough to touch. We stopped for lunch in Yen Minh—a bowl of something hot and peppery, with steam fogging my glasses. After that came Tham Ma Pass and Sung La valley; kids waved from doorways and an old woman in Lung Cam sold us tiny oranges that tasted like sunshine. At Lung Cu flag pole, Tien explained why it matters so much to locals—something about borders and pride—and Li laughed when I tried to say “Lo Lo Chai” in Mandarin (probably butchered it). That night in Dong Van town, we wandered the market until my feet hurt and someone handed me “happy water.” Still not sure what was in it but everyone seemed friendlier after.

The second day started with pho at sunrise—rich broth, sharp onions—and then straight into Ma Pi Leng Pass. The drop down to Nho Que River made my stomach flip; I gripped the handlebars tighter than I’d admit. There’s this moment where you just stop talking because the cliffs swallow sound. Tien pointed out wildflowers clinging to rock cracks—he said they bloom even when it’s freezing. Meo Vac town buzzed with people selling everything from chickens to cheap phone cases. By late afternoon we reached Du Gia village; kids played football barefoot on gravel and there was time for a swim at a waterfall near our homestay (the water shockingly cold). Dinner was sticky rice and pork cooked over wood smoke—I still think about that flavor sometimes.

On our last morning, sun broke through for once. We rode back toward Ha Giang via Lung Tam silk village—watched women weaving patterns I couldn’t even sketch if I tried—and walked a bit in Nam Dam among Dao houses painted blue-grey by rain. The ride ended back at Rocks Hostel where they gave us tea and fruit before sending us off on another sleeper bus toward Hanoi. It’s funny how you get used to the hum of motorbikes and mountain wind in your ears; now regular traffic sounds kind of empty.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ha Giang to Dong Van Town

• Pick up in Hanoi at 19:30
• Depart from My Dinh bus station at 21:00
• Bus rest stop at 23:30
• Arrive Ha Giang city at 03:30, rest
• Breakfast at Rocks Restaurant at 07:30
• Meet tour guide and group at 08:00
• Visit Km0 square and Happiness road
• Pass Bac Sum to Dong Van Karst Plateau GeoPark
• See Heaven’s Gate Quan Ba and Twin mountains
• Drive through Can Ty Pass, admire scenery
• Lunch at Yen Minh small town at 12:00
• Stop at Tham Ma pass for views
• Visit Sung La valley and Lung Cam village
• Visit Lung Cu flag pole and Lo Lo Chai village
• Check in hotel at Dong Van town at 18:00
• Dinner at old Quarter at 19:30
• Evening walk around Dong Van town

Day 2 — Dong Van to Du Gia Village

• Breakfast at Dong Van market at 07:00
• Leave Dong Van town at 07:30
• Drive on Happiness Road
• Visit Ma Pi Leng pass and Nho Que river
• Stop at Panorama Coffee for views
• Visit Meo Vac town and local market
• Arrive Du Gia homestay at 16:00
• Walk around village or swim at waterfall
• Dinner at Du Gia homestay at 19:00

Day 3 — Du Gia to Hanoi via Ha Giang

• Breakfast at homestay at 07:00
• Walk around village or swim in waterfall
• Check out and depart Du Gia at 09:00
• Visit Lung Tam silk village
• Visit Nam Dam village with short walk
• Lunch at Quan Ba town at 13:00
• Arrive Rocks Ha Giang Hostel at 15:30
• Enjoy tea break and relax
• Wait for bus to Hanoi or other destinations

Top questions

How long is the Ha Giang Loop motorbike tour?

The tour lasts 3 days and 3 nights including overnight bus travel between Hanoi (or Sapa) and Ha Giang.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, pickup is included from your hotel or office in Hanoi Old Quarter or Sapa town.

What are the main stops on the Ha Giang Loop?

Main stops include Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate, Dong Van Karst Plateau GeoPark, Tham Ma Pass, Nho Que River, Ma Pi Leng Pass, Dong Van town market, Lung Cu flag pole, Lo Lo Chai village, Du Gia village, Lung Tam silk village and Nam Dam village.

Is food included during the tour?

Yes, all meals are included: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners featuring local cuisine.

What type of accommodation is provided?

You’ll spend one night on a sleeper bus, one night in a hotel in Dong Van town, and one night at a homestay in Du Gia village.

Do I need motorbike experience?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended; guides provide instructions for semi-automatic bikes but prior experience helps.

Is an English-speaking guide included?

Yes, an English-speaking local guide leads the group throughout the tour.

Are entrance tickets covered?

All entrance fees are included as part of your booking.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel or office pickup from Hanoi or Sapa by sleeper bus (with options for VIP cabin or limousine), all meals—breakfasts steaming hot at sunrise markets to dinners shared around homestay tables—three nights’ accommodation (bus cabin bed plus hotel and homestay), use of semi-automatic motorbike with helmet and gear provided by your English-speaking guide who knows every pass by heart; plus mineral water along the way (“happy water” too), all entrance tickets covered so you can just focus on riding those wild mountain roads.