Ha Giang Loop: 5 Day Itinerary

Ha Giang is a province in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam, about 300km from Hanoi, whose terrain is characterized by steep hills and mountains and winding zigzag-y passes. The East of Ha Giang province borders Cao Bang province, the West borders Yen Bai and Lao Cai provinces, the South borders Tuyen Quang, and the North borders China. The Ha Giang Loop is a great way to explore this region because it allows you to visit the destinations of your choosing at your own pace, while taking you through the most stunning out-of-this-world landscapes. Don't know where to start? Let us help you.

How to get to Ha Giang

From Hanoi (~300 km)

To do the Ha Giang Loop, you need to take a bus from Hanoi, we recommend getting on a comfortable sleeper bus and take the night ride to save energy for the Ha Giang Loop. Bus prices ranges from 250.000 - 550.000 VND, depending on the quality of the vehicle. Travel time is about 6-7 hours. Visitors from the Central or the South of Vietnam need to get to Hanoi first and then take a bus to Ha Giang. Read all about bus companies and how to get to Ha Giang from Hanoi here.

From Sapa (~235 km)

The West of Ha Giang borders Lao Cai, so it's very common to travel to Ha Giang by bus or motorbike from Sapa. If you do decide to travel by bike, the landscape along the way will be stunning but be careful because there are many dangerous passes, even landslides and extreme weather conditions during rain season. The safer choice would be taking a van or a sleeper bus to Ha Giang, travel time is about 5-6 hours. Techbus VN and Grouptour have several daily buses to Ha Giang from 15 USD (367.000 VND), from 6:30 AM to 7:45 PM.

How to get around Ha Giang

Once you got to Ha Giang, you need to figure out how to get around the city. In my opinion, the most fun way to explore Ha Giang is on 2 wheels. There are a bunch of shops where you could rent a bike in Ha Giang, even knee/elbow pads, raincoats and bungee cords are up for rental. Eventhough the roads are steep and zigzag-y, you won't get the same experience driving a car. Even if you're not an experienced driver, you could opt for a Xe Om (Easy Rider) to get you around, which would cost round 200.000 - 300.000 VND/ride.

There's always the choice of taking a bus, but then again, there are a few places up there that don't have buses, like between the towns of Dong Van and Meo Vac.

A local travel agency: why not?

However, if you prefer traveling safe, you could go with a local travel agency, there are benefits of booking a travel agency: 
- They are aware if cool spots off the beaten track
- You get the best deals, angencies can negotiate the most favorable prices on their behalf
- You have a custom trip: as experts, they can plan a unique trip that tailor to your interest and can give you assistant at any moment during your travel.

If you're interested, we recommend Vietnam Original Travel, a local travel agency that specializes in private and customized tours in Vietnam and in Southest Asia, with almost 20 years of extensive experience in tourism. One of their bestselling tours is Northern of Vietnam, including tours in Ha Giang and other mountainous regions.

Itinerary

Day 0: Hanoi / Sapa - Ha Giang

After a 7-8 hour ride on the bus, dine at a local restaurant in Ha Giang and check in and spend the night in a hotel to get ready for the Ha Giang Loop. 

Where to stay:

• Ha Giang Loop Hostel & Tours: a quiet and affordable hostel right near city center, with free bikes, an outdoor swimming pool, a garden and a shared lounge. A night in the dorm room costs 108.000 VND ($4 USD)/person and a bungalow room with a virew of the garden and the mountains costs 405.000 VND ($16 USD).
   
• Ha Giang Hostel: a sustainable hostel with a built in bar, shared lounge, 24/7 reception and money exchange service, which costs 180.000 VND ($7 USD) /person/night in a dorm room and 495.000 VND ($20 USD) for a double room with a queen sized bed.

Day 1: Ha Giang - Thon Tha - Ha Giang

The first day of exploring Ha Giang will be dedicated to Thon Tha, a beautiful but tiny village with a population of about 550 people, located in Phuong Do commune. Spend a day trekking from the neighborhood filled with traditional stilt houses with thatched roofs, terraced rice fields all the way through rocky mountain passes and back. You will get the opportunity to experience village life in an "off the beaten path" way and get a glimpse of authentic village life and feel the hospitality of local ethnic groups.

Day 2: Ha Giang - Du Gia

After breakfast, continue day 2 of the Ha Giang Loop towards Du Gia village, a relatively new destination on the Ha Giang travel map, but it's getting more and more recognition for its immaculate and peaceful landscapes. Stop by Du Gia Waterfall where you can  have a swim, then get back on the road where you can be mesmerized by beautiful golden terraced rice fields and winding mountain passes. Stop by Du Gia National Park, a must visit for nature lovers while in Ha Giang. The park is home to many rare fauna, floras, and animals in danger of extinction. 

Where to stay:

• Du Gia View Homestay: a cute rustic homestay in Du Gia, Meo Vac with large and comfortable rooms with mountain views. A single room costs 258.750 vnd ($10.5 usd) and a double room costs from 328.000 vnd ($13.42 usd) per night.
   
• Du Gia Coffee View Homestay: an eco-homestay with a terrace, front yard and view over rice fields and the mountains, which costs 110.000 vnd ($4 usd)/person for a night in the dorm room, and 297.000 vnd ($12.15 usd) for a double room.

Day 3: Du Gia - Dong Van

After breakfast, head to Dong Van via Dong Van - Mau Due, a zigzag mountain pass with sharp turns in the shape of the letter M, and steep slopes up to 15m. One of the things that sets this route apart from other famous passes in Ha Giang is red cotton trees planted along side of the road. Take a few stops on the way to admire stunning red cotton flowers that resembles little dots of flotting fire. 

Arrive at the town of Dong Van. Here you can visit Dong Van Ancient Town, where you can see historical remnants and ethnic groups with their ancient customs.

• Binh Minh Hostel, which costs about 200.000 - 300.000 VND ($9 USD) per night for a double room, located right next to Dong Van market and Dong Van Ancient Town.
   
• Dong Van Cliffside House: a beautiful hotel with a beautiful view in the center of Dong Van, which costs about 1.200.000 VND ($52 USD) per night for a double room with a king sized bed.

Day 4: Dong Van - Lung Tam

If you happen to be in Dong Van on a Sunday, you're in luck because you can visit the Dong Van Sunday market. In addition to the purpose of trading, the market is also a place for cultural exchange between ethnic minorities groups in Ha Giang.

But if you're not here on a Sunday but you do have 2-3 hours to spare, you can also make a detour before starting Day 2 of the Loop by visiting the Lung Cu flag pole, the northernmost point of Vietnam.

Next, visit the H'mong King's Palace, notoriously known as the "Opium Palace", is a century old mansion that survived 2 major wars - the French war and American war - and now recognized as the symbol of past glory for the H'Mong. In the afternoon, stop by Dong Van Stone Plateau, renowned for its stunning karst landscape, characterized by limestone formations that have been eroded over millions of years, resulting in dramatic peaks, caves, sinkholes, and terraced fields.

Continue through Chin Khoanh Pass and Tham Ma Pass on the 4C route. Take as many stops as you need to rest and to admire the landscape. Arrive at the town of Quan Ba where you will spend the night.

Where to stay:

• Homestay Hoang Vu: a lovely and affordable family run homestay with wooden rooms and great views. A night in the wooden dorm room costs only 80.000 vnd ($3.7 usd) / person and 400.000 vnd ($16.37 usd) / night for a double room.
   
• Hong Thu Homestay & Bungalow: a cozy place ran by a friendly couple, which costs 100.000 vnd ($4 usd) / person for a night in the dorm room, 300.000 vnd ($12.27 usd) / night for a double room, and 600.000 vnd ($24.55 usd) / night for a garden view bungalow.

Day 5: Lung Tam - Ha Giang - Hanoi

Start by visiting the weaving village of Lung Tam, a traditional craft village of the Hmong, under the foot of the hills in Quan Ba town. The products, including clothes, wallets, pillows and blankets with colorful patterns showcasing the indigenous culture, are made by skilled hands and through a unique process, which makes them so appreciated nationwide and internationally. Stop by and support the small businesses and to help keep the village alive.

Next, visit Quan Ba Heaven's Gate, a famous check-point ressembling a doorway to Heaven, where you get a full view of the Twin Mountains, the valley and small villages down below. Then head back to Ha Giang via the Bac Sum Pass. Finally, take the bus back to Hanoi, finishing the 5 day Ha Giang Loop tour.

So that was our recommendation of a Ha Giang Loop tour for 5 days, however you could always skip the places that you're not that interested in, or stay in a village a while longer to explore stuff at your own pace. You can also check out other tours that we suggest, including a 3-day-2-night itinerary and a detailed 4 day itinerary of the Ha Giang Loop.