THE “HA GIANG LOOP”
MOTORBIKE + HIKING – 4 DAYS – WITH DRIVER
♦ Your comfort and safety are our top priorities:
Quality makes all the difference, which is why I prefer to keep my groups small and use recent, well-maintained 150cc motorcycles. This way, you can fully enjoy the ride in comfort and safety. At each stop, you’ll have a private room, giving you the chance to rest and recharge after a day of adventure.
If you’d like to keep things more budget-friendly, dormitory accommodation is also available. My goal is always to ensure you feel well cared for while experiencing the very best of Ha Giang.
⭐Highlights of the route:
On this 4-day itinerary, you will ride through breathtaking karst mountains, visit the iconic Lung Cu Flag Tower, and cruise along the peaceful Nho Que River. Especially, a full walking day with the Dao and Tay communities 🥾 – trekking through rice terraces and ancient tea forests while experiencing authentic village life. A perfect blend of adventure, culture, and unforgettable landscapes! 🌄💚
👉The Route Map:
Day 1: Hà Giang – Thon Tha – Khuoi My – Shan Tuyet tea forest – Lung Vai
Day 2: Hà Giang – Quan Ba Heaven Gate – Fairy Twin Mountains – Thẩm Mã Slope – Lao Sa Village – H’Mong King’s Palace – Đồng Văn
Day 3: Đồng Văn – Lũng Cú Flag Tower – Lô Lô Chải Village – Mã Pí Lèng Pass – Nho Quế River – Mèo Vạc
Day 4: Mèo Vạc – M shaped Curves – Ngọc Long Stream – Tham Lin Cave – Lùng Tám Village – Km0 Hà Giang
Day 1
Itinerary: 🥾 AROUND 13 KILOMETERS🥾
– Ha Giang (Hà Giang) – Thon Tha (Thôn Tha) – Tay community (Người Tày) – Khuoi My (Khuổi My) – Dao community (Người Dao) – Shan Tuyet tea forest ( rừng trà Shan Tuyet) – Lung Vai (Lùng Vài)
We will leave Ha Giang around 8:00 AM, heading toward the small village of Thon Tha, home to members of the Tay community. You will discover their traditional stilt houses with palm-leaf roofs. We will then climb a small hill dotted with palm trees, bamboo forests and continue our journey through terraced rice and corn fields, the ingredients used to make rice liquor (Rượu Gạo)🌾 and corn liquor (Rượu Ngô)🌽, which you’ll have the chance to taste!🥴 Our walk continues to the village of Khuoi My, where we will have lunch. There, you will meet the Dao community, who speak their own distinct language. After lunch, we will visit traditional Dao stilt houses (some over 20 years old), then continue our hike to Lung Vai, a remote mountain village home to the Dao community. Along the way, we’ll pass through fields of cassava and peanuts, and you’ll see farmers herding buffaloes 🐃. We’ll continue to the ancient Shan Tuyet tea forest 🌿 at the top of the mountain, where some tea trees are over 400 years old. After exploring the forest and observing how locals make tea, we’ll return to Lung Vai for dinner with a local Dao family. You’ll also have the chance to interact with local people, learn how to cook local dishes and enjoy dinner with a host family, where we will spend the night.🛖
Day 2:
Lung Vai – Bắc Sum pass (dốc Bắc Sum) – Quan Ba Heaven Gate (Cổng trời Quản Bạ) – Fairy Twin Mountains (Núi đôi Cô Tiên) – Thẩm Mã Slope (Dốc Thẩm Mã) – Lao Sa Village (Làng Lao Sa) – H’Mong King’s Palace (Dinh Vua Mèo) – Đồng Văn
At 9:00 AM, we’ll leave Lung Vai and head toward Quản Bạ Pass. Our first stop is Bắc Sum Pass, followed by Heaven’s Gate of Quản Bạ, where the winding mountain road opens up to breathtaking views of towering granite peaks, often described as a “terrestrial Ha Long Bay”🏞️. At the summit, 1,500 meters above sea level (don’t forget a warm jacket 🧥), you’ll admire a sweeping panorama of the lush Tam Sơn Valley, highlighted by the iconic Twin Fairy Mountains tied to a local legend. The journey continues with Thẩm Mã Slope, a winding pass that once tested the strength of packhorses, now a spectacular viewpoint overlooking endless layers of rugged mountains. Next, we stop at the charming Phố Cáo Village for lunch. Afterward, we continue to Lao Sa Ancient Village, where centuries-old rammed earth houses with yin-yang tile roofs still stand, and traditional H’Mong silver-making is kept alive – offering a glimpse into an authentic way of life. Our next destination is the Palace of the H’Mong King (Vua Mèo), a unique architectural blend of Asian and European styles that reflects the glorious past of the Vương dynasty. Finally, we arrive in Đồng Văn, an ancient frontier town where century-old stone houses and a colorful market create a lively cultural crossroad in the heart of the rocky plateau. Here, we will enjoy dinner and spend the night with a local family, just a few kilometers from the Chinese border🤩.
Day 3
- Đồng Văn market – Đồng Văn Karst Plateau (Cao nguyên đá Đồng Văn) 🌟UNESCO Global Geopark🌟- Lũng Cú Flag Tower (Cột cờ Lũng Cú) – Lô Lô Chải Village (Làng Lô Lô Chải) – Mã Pí Lèng Pass (Đèo Mã Pí Lèng) – Nho Quế River (Sông Nho Quế) – Mèo Vạc
Around 8:30 in the morning, after breakfast, we’ll visit Dong Van Market, where local ethnic groups gather every weekend (Sunday morning) to trade agricultural products, exchange goods, and showcase their vibrant traditional costumes 😍. You’ll have the chance to meet people from different ethnic communities such as the Hmong, Tay, Nung, Lo Lo, Dao, Pu Peo, and Hoa. We’ll then continue our journey through the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, home to majestic mountain ranges and dramatic deep valleys. Our next stop is the Lung Cu Flag Tower, known as the “roof of the nation,” where the red flag with a yellow star proudly waves amid the rugged mountains. From here, you can see the border line stretching across the mountain ridges 🌄. At the foot of the flag tower lies Lo Lo Chai Village, where the Lo Lo community lives. This peaceful village features traditional earthen-walled houses with yin-yang tiled roofs, and a unique culture and language that have been preserved for generations. Along the way, you’ll pass by countless rice terraces 🌾 and have opportunities to meet local villagers. After lunch in the Dong Van Old Quarter, we’ll conquer the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of the “Four Great Passes” of northern Vietnam. Stretching about 20 kilometers at an altitude of 1,200 – 1,600 meters, the scenery here is truly breathtaking 🤩. The winding road along the mountainside reveals spectacular views of towering limestone peaks and the emerald-green Nho Que River 🏞️, which flows through the Tu San Canyon – considered the deepest canyon in Southeast Asia. You’ll have the chance to take a boat trip to admire the dreamy river from below, surrounded by cliffs rising dramatically on both sides. Don’t forget your swimsuit if you’d like to take a refreshing dip in the jade-green waters! 🩳👙. (Or walking along the White Cliff of Ma Pi Leng is a thrilling experience, with dramatic cliffs and stunning views over the Nho Que River). By the end of the day, we’ll arrive in Meo Vac, a charming small town nestled among the mountains. Here, you can relax, enjoy the fresh air, share dinner with a local ethnic family, and spend the night in a traditional stilt house.
🌟Dong Van Karst Plateau
Located at the northernmost tip of Vietnam in Ha Giang Province, the Dong Van Karst Plateau is often described as a “paradise on rock.” Its breathtaking landscapes feature towering mountains, dramatic canyons, and endless fields of rugged limestone. This land is home to many ethnic communities such as the Hmong, Tay, Nung, Lo Lo, Dao, Pu Peo, and Hoa, each contributing to a vibrant cultural mosaic of festivals, weekly markets, and unique traditions.
Recognized by UNESCO as a Global Geopark in 2010, the plateau is not only remarkable for its rare geological value but also a dream destination for travelers seeking unspoiled nature and authentic cultural experiences in Vietnam’s remote borderlands.
The Dong Van Karst Plateau is also home to the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey 🐒, one of the world’s rarest primates, with only about 160 individuals remaining. With its distinctive upturned nose and striking bright eyes, this endangered species is not only a symbol of the region’s rich biodiversity but also a true natural treasure to be preserved in this majestic stone plateau.
Day 4:
- Meo Vac ( Mèo Vạc)🌞Visit the market on Sunday morning – M-shaped Curve (Cua M) – Ngoc Long stream (Suối Ngọc Long) – Tham Lin Cave – Lung Tam Village ( làng Lùng Tám) – Km 0 Milestone – Ha Giang City.
Just like the previous mornings, we’ll set off around 8:30 AM for the final day of our journey. Starting from Meo Vac, a charming little town nestled among majestic rocky mountains, we’ll follow winding roads to conquer the legendary M-shaped Curve (Cua M) – a true highlight framed by dramatic mountain scenery. Next, we’ll visit the French Fortress, a historic site from the resistance era that today offers breathtaking panoramic views over valleys and limestone peaks. Our adventure continues to the Ngoc Long Stream, where crystal-clear waters flow peacefully through untouched nature. Here, you’ll enjoy a relaxing bamboo rafting experience 🚣 and explore Tham Lin Cave, a hidden limestone cave adorned with sparkling stalactites and wrapped in fascinating local legends. (Don’t forget your swimsuit if you’d like to take a refreshing dip in the emerald water! 🩳👙). After lunch, we’ll stop by Lung Tam Village, renowned for its traditional Hmong linen weaving. This is a wonderful opportunity to see colorful handwoven textiles created with incredible skill and patience by local artisans. Finally, we’ll return to Ha Giang City, where we’ll pause at the iconic Km 0 Milestone – a symbolic marker of both the beginning (and the end!) of every adventure across the Dong Van Karst Plateau. We expect to arrive back around 4:30 PM, giving you time to catch a bus to your next destination (Sapa, Hanoi, or beyond).
Note: If you choose to take the boat trip on the Nho Que River on Day 2, you won’t have enough time to walk along the White Cliff of Ma Pi Leng. Please choose one of the two activities.
🚦“Safety First!”
Road conditions in Vietnam, especially in the Hà Giang region, can sometimes be challenging, which makes careful driving essential. That’s why maintaining a safe speed and staying fully focused is so important. Personally, I always live by the motto “Safety First!” and I make sure my drivers are committed to putting your safety above everything else 💜
⏩Additional Information:
📸 Photographing Ethnic Minority People:
Please always respect local customs and ask for permission before taking photos or joining activities in ethnic minority villages.
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❤️ Traveler Reviews ❤️ For many years, I worked as an English teacher in Hanoi, Sapa and Saigon. Three years ago, I began traveling to many beautiful regions across Vietnam, and it was those journeys that inspired me to share Vietnamese culture with international friends. Since September 2024, together with a few friends, I have been working in Ha Giang. To allow travelers to leave the most genuine feedback about the trips we’ve shared (100% authentic, guaranteed!), I created a TripAdvisor page that you can explore here: |
Lucy & Friends – Hà Giang Loop with
Looking forward to meeting you in Ha Giang!
Hẹn gặp lại tại Hà Giang !