The Ha Giang Loop Part 1 – Setting off on an adventure in northern Vietnam

Heike Panagoulias
Aug 3
5 min read

Updated: Aug 12

How to get to Ha Giang

Ha Giang is located in the far north of Vietnam, around 300 km from Hanoi – it doesn't have an airport, but is easily accessible by road.

The most convenient option: the night bus

Sleeper buses depart daily from Hanoi (usually in the evening) or from other cities. I took the sleeper bus from Sapa to Ha Giang.
Travel time from Hanoi is about 6-8 hours, depending on traffic
Costs €10-20, often with Wi-Fi, blanket, and reclining seat

Tip: Book the bus in advance, e.g., one day before – either through your hotel/hostel or at one of the many tourist offices. Some will pick you up at your hotel.

My tour with Infinity Ha Giang Loop

I did my Ha Giang Loop tour with Infinity Ha Loop – a real stroke of luck!

The tip came from the hotel owner in Sapa, by the way – and he was right.

Why I recommend Infinity Ha Giang Loop:

Very good organization: everything went smoothly—from booking to arrival after the tour.
Safety is a priority: the drivers drove with foresight and great confidence and safety, wearing helmets and protective gear.
Driver or driving yourself: I had an Easy Rider (someone who drives), which was super relaxed. I can only recommend this given the road conditions!
3-day tour: the “3 days - 2 nights” route was perfect: intense, but not overwhelming.
Highlights include: Ma Pi Leng Pass, villages, rice terraces, evenings with the group – and yet never overcrowded or like a mass event.
Accommodation & Food: Authentic, clean, good Vietnamese food, no hidden costs

Tour details (subject to change)

Start: in the morning after breakfast in Ha Giang City
Accommodation: Day 1, for example, in Yen Minh or Dong Van, Day 2 in Meo Vac
End: Return on the afternoon of the third day
Schedule: approx. 150-180 km per day, plenty of breaks, photo stops, insights into local culture

I booked directly via WhatsApp – communication in English was absolutely no problem.

Tourstart - Day 1

We set off in the morning after breakfast. Our tour guide showed us the route on the map and then we were off. Everyone found a suitable helmet and the Easy Riders were assigned to each individual. The backpack was stowed safely and waterproof on the motorcycle, the protective gear was put on, and then it was time to hop on the bike and go!

Ha Giang (Start)
Wasserfall-Stop
Quan Ba (Heaven Gate & Zwillingshügel)
Duong Thuong
Yen Minh
Lung Ho
Du Gia (Ziel der ersten Etappe)

A gentle introduction to a great adventure

The Ha Giang Loop – for many, a highlight of any trip to Vietnam. And I wanted to experience it too: winding mountain roads, remote villages, rice terraces, and the feeling of freedom on two wheels.

My first day was a fairly quiet stage – perfect for getting started, getting used to the roads, and gathering my first real impressions.

Quan Ba Heaven Gate & Fairy Hills

Our first photo stop: Quan Ba Heaven Gate.

We stopped several times to enjoy the fantastic view. The view down into the Tam Son Valley was breathtaking. In front of us were the famous “Fairy Bosom Hills” – two green cone-shaped mountains that rise almost surreally from the valley floor.

A small café on the side of the road at the viewpoint, a short break, a detour to a small waterfall. A somewhat arduous path up some steep steps through the deep, lush greenery to the waterfall. Pure nature. You could hear, feel, smell, and sense it. The water was cold, the air clear – one of those moments you don't plan, but remember for a long time.

And then we continued on our way.

Just a few kilometers further on, we stopped for lunch together. It was a meeting point for Loop Tours, as there were an incredible number of groups eating there. It was spectacular to see how the staff served food and drinks to this crowd in a friendly and confident manner. It was classic local food, super delicious, and there was something for everyone. There were also some delicious dishes for our vegetarians.

The whole group sat together and we all had a wonderful chat – in all kinds of languages. There were a few French people, a German couple, an Israeli travel blogger, a young man from New York, and me. It was a really friendly and very open-minded group. We had great conversations and a lively exchange about our experiences so far.

After this break, we continued on – into the Hmong area.

Duong Thuong – Curves, altitude, and solitude

The further we drove, the lighter the traffic became – and the more authentic the villages. Duong Thuong was one of those places that isn't mentioned in any travel guide. Wooden houses, children at the side of the road, cows on the road. Road conditions were sometimes worse than on a farm track at home, and there were also a few roadworks. The Easy Riders drove confidently along these roads and through the roadworks. Avoiding potholes, always driving at the right speed, and being mindful came naturally.

The landscape alternated between dense vegetation, rice terraces, and sweeping mountain panoramas.

We all trusted our Easy Riders blindly, so everyone could just look, marvel, and take pictures. Filming while driving was no problem at all. We simply felt safe.

Via Lung Ho to Du Gia

The last stage of today's journey took us across the Lung Ho Plateau.

Wide open spaces, wind, light breaking through the clouds – and then, slowly, we rolled downhill towards Du Gia.

A small village nestled between hills, with a river, a few homestays, rice fields – and above all, peace and quiet.

Arrivals in Du Gia

We stayed in a small homestay with a view of the countryside. We had dinner together with the group—fresh vegetables, rice, meat, and a little “happy water”!

Our homestay was a lovingly furnished dormitory with plenty of warm blankets and mosquito nets. There were also plenty of power outlets, towels, and a shower with hot water on the roof terrace. Everything was simple but incredibly functional and beautifully done. We really wanted for nothing!

In the evening, after dinner, there were a few stories, a few laughs, pleasant conversations, karaoke—and then it was off to bed early. The first day was enough to feel that

this was going to be something special.