Ha Giang Loop: Open Air Jeep Tour with Local Guide & Stay

Summary

How to see Ha Giang Loop by jeep with local guide & stay

You’ll ride an open air jeep along Ha Giang’s most dramatic mountain roads, stopping in ethnic villages for tea and stories with your local guide. Expect cool winds on high passes, lunch with valley views, and a night in a traditional house. By the time you reach Ma Pi Leng Pass, you might find yourself wishing you could stay longer.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the wind to feel that cold up on Pac Sum Pass — it kind of woke me up more than my coffee did. We’d barely left Ha Giang city when the landscape just exploded into these wild limestone peaks and green valleys. Our driver, Mr. Tuan, grinned in the rearview every time we gasped at another bend. He pointed out Lung Tam village down below, where the women still weave hemp by hand. I tried to say “xin chào” but honestly, my accent made everyone laugh (in a good way). The air smelled like wood smoke and something sweet I couldn’t place.

The open air jeep was perfect for this — you can stand up and see everything without worrying about falling off like on a motorbike. At Heaven Gate, we stopped for strong tea and just stared at the valley for a while. There’s this hush up there except for distant rooster calls and the odd truck groaning uphill. Lunch in Yen Minh was simple rice and pork, but it tasted better than anything fancy because we’d been out in the sun all morning. Our guide told us stories about Hmong kings at their old palace — I kept picturing what life must’ve been like behind those thick stone walls.

Day two started early with bright sun bouncing off the karst cliffs near Dong Van. The Ma Pi Leng Pass is as wild as everyone says — standing in the jeep looking down at Nho Que River curling far below made my stomach flip (in a good way). We stopped at a viewpoint where some local kids were selling boiled eggs; I bought one mostly for an excuse to chat. The road back wound through tiny markets and endless rice terraces, our group quieter now, maybe just soaking it all in or already missing it before we’d even left.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Ha Giang Jeep tour and Dong Van arrival

• Depart Ha Giang city at 8:30 am
• Drive to Pac Sum Pass, enjoy panorama
• Visit Heaven Gate and Nam Dam village
• Pass Quang Ba to Tam Son town
• Drive to Can Ty Pass, stop at viewpoint
• Lunch at local restaurant in Yen Minh
• Visit Tham Ma Road and take photos
• Drive along China border, see villages
• Visit Hmong King Palace for 45 minutes
• Arrive Dong Van town, check in and free time

Day 2 — Ma Pi Leng Pass and return to Ha Giang

• Breakfast and check out at 8:30 am
• Drive through Happy Road to Ma Pi Leng Pass
• Stop at panorama viewpoint of Nho Que River
• Drive to Meo Vac town, visit local market if open
• See M Slope and limestone mountains
• Lunch at local restaurant in Mau Due valley
• Drive to Yen Minh town
• Return to Ha Giang city via Quang Ba and Pac Sum Pass
• End tour around 5:00-5:30 pm

Top questions

Is pickup included for this Ha Giang Loop jeep tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from Ha Giang City are included.

Do I need to ride a motorbike on this tour?

No, you travel by open air jeep driven by a professional driver.

Are meals provided during the 2-day tour?

Yes, all meals are included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner.

Where do we stay overnight?

You stay in a private room at a typical traditional house in Dong Van town.

Is there an English-speaking guide?

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

What are some highlights of this Ha Giang Loop day trip?

You’ll visit Pac Sum Pass, Heaven Gate, Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, Ma Pi Leng Pass, Lung Tam village, Hmong King Palace, and more.

How long does the tour last each day?

The first day starts around 8:30 am; you return to Ha Giang city between 5–5:30 pm on day two.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes, all entrance tickets for villages and historical sites are covered.

What’s included

Your journey includes pickup and drop-off from Ha Giang City, travel by open air jeep with professional driver and fuel covered throughout both days. You’ll have an experienced English-speaking local guide with you at all times. All entry fees to villages and historic sites are included along with two breakfasts, two lunches (with views), one dinner in Dong Van town’s traditional house accommodation (private room), plus bottled water each day.