Ha Giang Loop Tour Guide: Itinerary, Costs & Tips for Your Vietnam Trip

So, you’re thinking of doing the Ha Giang Loop? Great! You’re in for an awesome adventure.

Filled with long, curvy roads and stunning scenery that will take your breath away, this remote area of northern Vietnam is characterized by huge, dramatic limestone karst peaks, lush rice fields, and ethnic villages.

The raw, rugged beauty of Vietnam awaits you, and this blog post will tell you all you need to know about this legendary loop, safety precautions, and how to best have a truly wonderful adventure. We'll also introduce the Wise card, a handy travel companion to make seamless card payments when you're overseas.

Table of contents
When is the best time to do the Ha Giang Loop Ha Giang Loop Tours: All You Need To Know Independent self-drive Guided self-drive tour Easy Rider Car/Jeep Tour How much should I budget for the loop? Pay for transport, food, and shopping with the Wise card Frequently asked questions

What is the Ha Giang Loop?

Ha Giang is Vietnam’s northernmost province, a rugged, mountainous area that borders China. Nestled about 300km north of Hanoi, this legendary loop takes you deep into the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, a UNESCO site filled with dramatic limestone peaks, lush valleys, and high mountain passes.¹

Along the way, you'll pass through countless ethnic minority villages of groups such as the Hmong, Tay, and Dao.²

The Ha Giang Loop at a glance:

• Location: Northern Vietnam, 300km from Hanoi
• Distance: Approx. 350 to 400 km
• Duration: 3 to 5 days
• Starting Point Ha Giang City
• Route: Clockwise or counter-clockwise loop

When is the best time to do the Ha Giang Loop

Just like in Singapore, timing your trip to Vietnam to avoid the rainy seasons is key. The last thing you want on the Ha Giang Loop's hairpin turns is a downpour.

Best time (September to November and March to May)

This is the peak season. The weather is generally dry and clear, with mild and comfortable temperatures perfect for riding.

Cooler Season (December-February)

While it can get chilly and foggy, the major advantage of this period is having the loop to yourself with far fewer people.

Rainy Season (June-August)

The weather is hotter, which can be refreshing on a bike, but be prepared for a high chance of rain and potentially slippery, challenging roads.

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👀 Planning your next holiday? Check out our guide on the best time to visit Vietnam.

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Ha Giang Loop Tours: All You Need To Know

Already planning your trip? Awesome. The first thing you have to decide, which can make a significant impact on your Ha Giang Loop experience, is how you want to see it.

Types of Tours

Do you want a guide, or simply rent motorbikes and explore at your own pace? Here’s the rundown on the different options available.

Independent self-drive

If you want complete freedom, then simply rent a motorbike and explore the Ha Giang Loop at your own pace. Take a sleeper bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang and rent a motorbike from many of the businesses there. If you are especially adventurous, you can also rent from Hanoi and start your journey there, which allows you to explore other parts of Vietnam once you are done with the Loop.

This option is for riders who are entirely comfortable on a motorbike in various settings (city, highway, countryside) and are happy to plan their own trip.

Guided self-drive tour

There are numerous companies that offer three to five-day itineraries, and most of them are concentrated in Hanoi. You can easily check with your hostel, guesthouse, or one of the many tour agencies.

What’s typically included:

• Transfers to and from Hanoi
• Motorbike rental, insurance, and helmets
• Accommodation in homestays and guesthouses
• Meals and drinking water
• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour guide

What’s NOT included:

• Alcohol and soft drinks
• Tips
• Travel insurance

The advantage of going with a guided tour is that you leave the stress of planning the route to the guide, and you get to see some hidden attractions along the way. You’ll also be traveling with a group of people, so you’ll have the opportunity to make some new friends.

However, like all group tours, you might feel rushed, especially on a three-day tour, and you might not get to spend the amount of time you’d like at each site. You also can’t simply stop anywhere you want, as you’ll have to stick with the group. Also, you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP).

This is usually the way most travelers choose to enjoy the Ha Giang Loop. Prices vary but typically start from 149 USD per person if you self-drive.³

Easy Rider

The Easy Rider option includes all the items that come with the Guided Tour Package, but with one key difference: you’ll have someone do the riding for you.

That means you’ll be free to gawk at the scenery, have both hands free for photos, and relax while a skilled driver negotiates the tricky roads. This option best suits an inexperienced rider, or if you want to enjoy the loop stress-free.

You can typically add 20 to 40 USD to the guided tour price to choose the Easy Rider option.³

Car/Jeep Tour

If motorbikes aren’t your thing, you can also hire a private car with a driver. There are many four-seater cars and 10-seater vans that will happily take you on the loop, taking the stress out of negotiating challenging roads on a motorbike.

Prices vary according to the agency and group size but typically start at 255 USD per person for two people and go down to 179 USD per person for groups of 9 or more.⁴

Planning Your Ha Giang Loop Adventure

The easiest way to get to Ha Giang is to fly into Hanoi and get a sleeper bus to Ha Giang city. Most tour agencies already have this transfer included in their tour package.

If you intend to rent a motorbike and explore Ha Giang yourself, you’ll need to buy your bus tickets. Most agencies in Hanoi can help with this. Be sure to check with the agent when booking your ticket, as different bus companies may start from various offices or pickup points.

Budgeting and costs

For all-inclusive self-drive tours, you can expect a range from 149 to 229 USD. This is inclusive of meals and accommodation, but you should still factor in other small expenses like personal purchases, alcohol (not when driving!), soft drinks, and tips for the guides.

For a "free and easy" self-drive trip, here’s a rough indication of the costs you might encounter per day.

Item	Estimated Cost Per Day (USD)
Motorbike rental (automatic)	10 - 15
Motorbike Rental (semi-automatic)	6 - 10
Homestays and guesthouses	8 - 25
Three meals	8 - 15
Fuel	5
Entrance fees	2 - 4

For a comfortable, independent tour of the Ha Giang Loop, you can expect to pay on average about 30 USD a day.

A crucial part of your budget planning is ensuring you have enough physical cash for the entire trip. You'll want to withdraw enough cash in Hanoi or Ha Giang City before starting the loop, as ATMs are extremely limited along the route and are often out of service or out of cash, especially on weekends.

Pay for transport, food, and shopping with the Wise card to maximise your SGD to VND conversions

While Vietnam is a cash-based economy for many small transactions, a travel card can be incredibly useful.

The Wise card lets you spend in 40+ currencies at the mid-market rate including MYR, JPY, CNY, and USD so you know you'll be getting a great deal in over 150+ countries. Simply create a free Wise account, order a card and top-up SGD to get started.

Virtual cards are free and can be added to your Google or Apple Pay wallet, while a physical Wise card can be ordered for a low fee of 8.50 SGD. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as 2 free ATM withdrawals to the value of 350 SGD each month, before low fees start.

While abroad, you can choose to spend with directly in SGD and let auto-conversion do the trick, or convert to your desired currency with your Wise account. Either way, you’ll get the exchange rate you see on Google, with low, transparent fees from 0.26%.

Plus, you can activate Wise Interest to earn returns* on your SGD and other currencies, meaning your travel money could be growing right up until you spend it.

*Growth is not guaranteed. Capital at risk.

💳 Get your Wise card

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Ha Giang loop take?
Most guided tours take 3 to 5 days to complete the 300+ km loop. A 3-day trip is a fast-paced highlights tour, while a 4 or 5-day itinerary allows for a more relaxed journey with more time to enjoy the scenery.

Is the Ha Giang Loop Risky?

Yes, it can be dangerous, especially for inexperienced riders. The route has sharp turns, steep cliffs, and unpredictable weather that can make roads slippery. For a safe and stress-free experience, the 'Easy Rider' option (where a professional drives for you) is highly recommended.

What Makes the Ha Giang Loop Special?
It offers a unique blend of spectacular scenery, thrilling adventure, and authentic culture. You'll ride through wild, untamed landscapes of majestic limestone peaks and hairpin turns. The journey also provides a rare opportunity to visit the villages of ethnic minority groups like the Hmong and Dao, experiencing their traditions and hospitality first-hand.

What should I pack for the Ha-Giang Loop?
It’s best to pack smart and light for the loop. A great pro tip is that you can buy any missing gear, like affordable rain jackets and waterproof pants, in Hanoi before you head north. The most important items to bring are waterproof gear (even in the dry season), sturdy closed-toe shoes for riding, and enough cash, as most places do not accept credit cards. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory if you plan to drive yourself. Packing layers for the changing temperatures and sun protection is also highly recommended.

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Sources used:

1. UNESCO - List of UNESCO Global Geoparks and Regional Networks
2. Vietnam Government - Ethnic Groups in Vietnam
3. Ha Giang Loop Tours - 3-Day Itinerary
4. Ha Giang Loop Tours - 2D/1N Private Car