The Ha Giang Loop is a fairly well-known experience in Vietnam and one that is on many travellers’ bucket lists. In 2023, I worked in Hanoi selling the Ha Giang Loop Tour every day and got to experience the 4-day tour with Jasmine Tours myself, which was a magical experience! This guide will cover everything you need to know from what to expect to other tips and tricks to have the best experience of the loop. I’ll break down the easy-rider vs self-drive debate, the difference between the 4-day and 3-day tours and discuss differences between the tour companies. I’ve also included packing lists for all seasons at the end of this guide!
What is the Ha Giang Loop?
The Ha Giang Loop is a 3-4 day motorbike loop tour, in the far north of Vietnam, that is high on many travellers’ bucket lists. Imagine winding mountain roads, the wind in your hair, stunning landscapes, and karaoke every night with your loop group (your new besties)– that’s the Ha Giang Loop for you. Starting and ending in Ha Giang city, the loop stretches over approximately 350 to 500 kilometres, depending on which detours you take. The Ha Giang Loop is best completed through a tour company, who organise for your group to stay in homestays in the mountains every night, all meals and stops at local attractions and viewpoints. When you go through a tour company you have the option to either drive yourself on a semi-automatic bike or jump on the back of a bike with an easy rider (an experienced local driver/guide).
By day, you travel by motorbike with your loop group (can be anywhere from 5-to 15 people depending on which tour company you go with) and meet up with other groups from the same company at night at the homestays. Every day of the loop follows a similar formula: you visit some sights, stop for a family-style lunch, visit more sights, check into the homestay, have a family-style dinner, and then the drinking, karaoke and dancing starts.
Every day you visit different sights, tackle a different section of the loop and stay in a different homestay. As each day goes by, you bond more with your loop group, get to know your easy rider more (if you have one) and meet other people from different groups at the homestays. Ha Giang Loop is more than just the sights, the experience of being on a motorbike and getting to stay in homestays, it’s the social atmosphere!
Self-drive vs easy-rider?
One of the first decisions you need to make when you are booking a Ha Giang Loop Tour is whether you want to drive yourself or go with an easy rider.
Self-driving, where you’re the one behind the handlebars, offers a sense of achievement knowing you conquered the Ha Giang Loop yourself. Self-driving is perfect for those who love adventure and feel confident driving a semi-automatic motorbike along twists and turns of the road. The roads in Ha Giang are notorious for their sharp curves, steep ascents, and occasional loose gravel, presenting a challenge even to confident and experienced riders. Rainy or foggy weather can also add an extra layer of complexity for those self-driving. Also, you will spend a lot of time driving focusing on the road and navigating obstacles, rather than enjoying the views and being able to take photos or videos.
On the flip side, opting for an easy rider means you’re chilling on the back with a local driver experienced on the road conditions of the loop. This choice is golden for those less experienced driving motorbikes or who wish to soak in the scenery without the stress of navigating the crazy mountain roads. When I did the Ha Giang Loop, more than 90% of people opted for an easy rider over driving themselves. It means you can just relax on the back, take in the views and get lots of photos and videos of everything you see. Also, easy riders are not just drivers; they’re your guides, friends and often drinking buddies in the evening. The easy riders add so much to the experience: they’re always happy to answer questions about culture and life in Vietnam, they act as expert photographers and travellers often bond with their easy riders.
Which is safer?
Self-driving saves you on average $20 USD per day, as you don’t have to pay for a driver, but really you should consider safety and your confidence driving a motorbike before making a decision. The majority of crashes (however serious) are from those driving themselves.
Easy-riders rarely have any sort of accidents as they drive these roads every day and have most likely been driving a motorbike since they were a child, as is common in Vietnam. Of the occasional crashes travellers have when going with an easy rider, it’s usually caused by a self-driver or stray dog running across the road. Even then, the damage and injury are usually pretty minor as the drivers know how to handle crashes to minimise injury.
If you’re unsure about whether to book an easy rider or self-drive tour, you do have the option to change your mind before departing on Day 1. A lot of people book a self-drive tour and then chat with the tour company before the briefing meeting and ask for a test drive around Ha Giang town. That way you can test how comfortable you feel driving a semi-automatic motorbike and chat with experienced drivers about what to expect on the roads of the Ha Giang Loop. At this stage, if you choose to change to an easy rider you can or the test-drive may cement your decision to drive yourself. Whether you decide to drive yourself or go with an easy rider, the Ha Giang Loop will be a great experience that you’ll remember for years!
Which tour company should you go with?
The Ha Giang Loop is an activity that basically everyone does through a tour company, as they figure out the logistics for you and you get the added social atmosphere of being in a group. There are a lot of different companies that offer Ha Giang Loop Tours, with Jasmine Tours and Mama’s Tours being the two most popular. Whether you go with Jasmine, Mama’s or another tour company, you’ll still experience all the main attractions, viewpoints and stops on the Ha Giang Loop. The main differences are in pricing, quality of homestays and other inclusions, group sizes and the social atmosphere of an evening.
What to expect with Jasmine Tours
Jasmine Tours is the original tour company running Ha Giang Loop Tours and the busiest and most popular. They run the tours like a well-oiled machine and therefore the prices are a bit higher. You also tend to have larger group sizes due to their popularity. During the day, you travel with a smaller loop group of around 10-16 people, but in the evening, all groups stay at the same homestays meaning there will be 100s of people there. The vibe of an evening is extremely social and a bit of a party vibe. There’s lots of drinking, karaoke, dancing and drinking games. However, it is pretty short-lived as everyone goes to bed early before another day of the loop.
As Jasmine charges more, the quality of the homestays and the amenities are much better than other Ha Giang Loop Tour companies. The homestay you stay at on the last night of the four-day tour is stunning and feels like a luxury wedding venue. The average age of travellers on the Ha Giang Loop Tour with Jasmine tends to skew younger, but I did it at 28 and there were many my age or older.
What to expect with Mama’s Tours
Mama’s, on the other hand, exudes a more family vibe and is perfect for those who want a social vibe but don’t really drink or party much. The groups during the day and at night are much smaller, so it feels much more personal. While you do have a few drinks of an evening on the Ha Giang Loop, it’s not quite the party vibe of Jasmine Tours. The homestays are a bit more basic than Jasmine Tours, but this just makes the experiences feel a bit more authentic. Mama’s is also slightly cheaper than Jasmine Tours, which is a major benefit if you’re on a tight budget but still want to do the Ha Giang Loop. Generally, Mama’s Tours tends to appeal to an older backpacker demographic (25-40 years old), but mainly it’s just for people who want a less party alternative but still want to experience the Ha Giang Loop.
For those considering smaller, less mainstream options, Buffalo Tours and Bong’s Bikes offer alternatives that sit somewhere in between. Buffalo Tours and Bong’s Bikes will have smaller Ha Giang Loop group sizes than both Mama’s and Jasmine Tours and are usually more affordable.
3 day vs 4 day Ha Giang Loop Tour
Another decision you need to make when booking a Ha Giang Loop Tour (after you’ve decided on the tour company and whether you’re going to drive yourself) is how many days you want to book. Most companies have tours running for either 3 days, 2 nights or 4 days, 3 nights. Both have their merits, but it really boils down to what you want to get out of the experience and how much time you have to spare.
What to expect on the four-day tour
The four-day option is definitely the most popular. If you’re doing the Ha Giang Loop through Jasmine Tours, the homestay you stay in on the 3rd night is by far the nicest homestay of them all. On the 4th day, you’ll visit a cool waterfall which you can swim in (depending on the time of year and water temperature). This is a major highlight of the loop, particularly in warmer weather. After the waterfall, you make your way back to Ha Giang township, stopping for a family-style lunch and at many sights along the way.
The pace of the four-day tour (while still being pretty jam-packed) is much more relaxed than the three-day tour. You also get the benefit of having an extra day to spend hanging out with all your new friends from your loop group. Everyone on my four-day tour wished we could do an extended option for 5 or 6 days (unfortunately that doesn’t exist though).
What to expect on the three-day tour
If you’re short on time and budget, you still will have a great experience on the three-day tour. However, the pace is pretty fast, particularly on the third day. On the final day of the tour, you have a much further distance to travel, which means a long travel day and sore muscles from being on the bike for so long with fewer breaks. You essentially cover similar ground to what the 4-day tour does but in 1 day instead of 2. You also miss out on some key sights such as the waterfall and getting to stay in the nicest homestay (if you book Jasmine Tours).
Ha Giang Loop Tour inclusions
- Quality Motorbikes: Reliable and well-maintained bikes suited for the rugged terrain of the Ha Giang Loop.
- Safety Gear: High-standard helmets and any necessary safety equipment to keep you protected on the road.
- Accommodation: A mix of comfortable guesthouses and authentic homestays, providing a real taste of local life.
- Expert Local Guides: Insightful guides with deep knowledge of the area, offering cultural stories and access to hidden gems.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are usually included, giving you a delicious insight into local culinary traditions.
- Entrance Fees: Any fees for key attractions along the loop are covered, so you can enjoy the sights without extra hassle.
- Support Vehicle: Available for larger groups, carrying luggage and offering a lift if needed.
- Pre-tour Briefing: Comprehensive information session on safety, route details, and cultural etiquette to prepare you for the journey.
- Emergency Support: Assistance is just a call away in case of any unexpected issues during the tour.
Ha Giang Loop Tour Exclusions
- Travel Insurance: Essential for any adventure, especially one as rugged as the Ha Giang Loop, but you’ll need to arrange this yourself.
- Personal Expenses: Snacks, souvenirs, drinks outside of meals, and any personal buys are all up to you.
- Tipping: Not mandatory, but if you feel like your guide or host has gone above and beyond, this is appreciated but not included in your initial costs. If you do have an easy rider, most people do tip their easy riders.
- Gear: Basic safety gear is provided, but specialized gear like gloves, jackets, knee pads or rain ponchos isn’t typically included.
- Alcoholic Beverages: Any beers or local spirits enjoyed during your stays or meals aren’t covered.
- Buses: buses to and from Ha Giang town generally aren’t included in the standard tour price. Most tour companies have the option to add bus tickets to your tour booking for any extra charge.
- Extra nights: If you arrive on the day bus and stay a full night before the tour or you decide to stay an extra night after the tour, you’ll have to pay extra for these.
How to get to and from Ha Giang
The Ha Giang Loop starts and finishes in Ha Giang Township, which you will need to get to from wherever you are. For big companies like Mama’s and Jasmine Tours, you should book your Ha Giang Loop Tour at least 24 hours before it’s due to commence to guarantee your spot. For smaller companies, you may be able to get to Ha Giang Town and book it on the spot, but it’s always better to have a confirmed booking beforehand.
Most tour companies will not include buses in and out of Ha Giang in the standard tour pricing, but they offer a tour + bus combo package. With Jasmine Tours, if you book this package, you get a free night stay, the night before the tour starts. You can also book your bus with a hostel or through 12GOAsia online, however, that means you have to pay for the extra night stay before the tour starts. Regardless of how you’ve booked the bus, make sure you let the bus driver know where you need to be dropped off, either Mama’s, Jasmine or another tour company. The buses make drops at all of the major tour company accommodations in Ha Giang town.
How to get to Ha Giang
The majority of travellers will come from Hanoi, but it is also possible to get to Ha Giang directly from Sapa, Ninh Binh, Cat Ba and Halong Bay. It is important to note that the date you book your Ha Giang Tour is Day 1 of the tour so you need to be there and ready for around 8 am. Sapa is the closest bus journey at only 6 hours, but other destinations like Ninh Binh, Hanoi, Cat Ba and Halong Bay are all 8+m hours. Most people will either get there late evening the day before or will get a night bus and arrive in the early hours of the morning, get a few hours of sleep and then wake up at 8 am for the tour to commence.
If you’re short on time getting a night bus to Ha Giang is a great option as you don’t waste a whole travel day, but it means you may be tired for the loop if you don’t sleep well on buses. If you do have the time to spare, arriving the evening before means you have more of a chance to socialise and make friends at your hostel before starting the loop and you’ll be well-rested for it.
Booking your bus from Ha Giang Loop on the last day
Regardless of whether you do the 3-day or 4-day Ha Giang Loop Tour, you’ll finish the tour at the hostel you started at in Ha Giang town. All tours finish between 4 pm and 5 pm on the final day of the tour. From there, you have the choice to stay an extra night to rest and recover at the hostel, before departing for your next destination. You don’t need extra time in Ha Giang town as there is really not much to do here apart from the loop.
If you want to maximise time, night buses depart to different destinations around Vietnam from 7 pm to 9 pm every night. They do pickups at all of the tour company hostels and can be booked through the tour company you go with. This is convenient as it means you’ll have enough time to shower, have dinner and say goodbye to your friends before getting on your night bus.
What to pack for the Ha Giang Loop
The most important thing to note before booking a Ha Giang Loop Tour is you cannot bring your big luggage or any suitcases with you. You need a small day backpack with just the essentials, which is tied to the back of the bike. Your luggage is securely stored in a room at the hostel of the tour company you book with, for you to pick up once your tour has finished. The other important thing to note is what you pack is dependent on the season of travel.
If you are driving yourself it is recommended to wear pants and a long-sleeve top in case you should come off the bike. This provides an added layer of protection between you and the asphalt/gravel, so it doesn’t end up in your bare skin. Most people end up outfit repeating every day, but you do end up getting pretty dirty/sweaty so you may want to bring extra changes of clothes provided you can fit them in your backpack.
Regardless of the season, here are some things you should bring for the loop:
- Backpack: A small day pack under 40 litres in size. It gets wrapped in plastic to protect it from rain and dirt and stays on the back of the bike for the day.
- Cash: Assume you won’t have access to cash or be able to pay on a card the whole time. While there are one or two ATMs on the way, they may be out of cash.
- Sun Protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat to shield you from the sun. Sunglasses are super important for dusty parts of the road.
- Phone and Charger. You may also want to bring a Go Pro and Camera.
- Comfortable Footwear: Closed shoes for riding and a pair of sandals for the night.
- Personal Hygiene Items: Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shower products, moisturizer etc.
- A Jumper or Hoodie: It can get pretty cold being high up in the clouds, even in summer.
- Airpods: Perfect for listening to music on the back of the bike. Bulkier headphones or cords can be tricky with the helmet.
Warmer Months (June- August):
The summer months are the easiest to pack for! However, they are also the sweatiest months so you may want to bring extra tees and shorts if you want to change your clothes more regularly.
- Underwear: Bring enough underwear for the amount of days, but also some extra as you do get dirty/ sweaty.
- Socks: Again you’ll get pretty dirty and sweaty so more pairs of socks is better than less.
- Swimwear: (only necessary if you’re doing the 4-day tour where you swim in the waterfall)
- Shorts: Linen shorts or activewear shorts are popular, but really whatever you’re comfortable with sitting on a bike all day. I would bring at least 2 pairs of shorts, maybe more, so you have options to change into so you’re not having to re-wear dirty clothes.
- Tees/ Singlets: Darker colours are better due to dirt/sweat. I would bring at least 4 tops so you can have a fresh one for every day, maybe more to change into of a night if you can fit them.
- Lightweight pants: Linen pants or leggings would be ideal. It can get colder of an evening so you may want a pair of pants to change into.
- Rain Gear: A lightweight waterproof jacket or poncho for sudden downpours.
- Insect Repellent
Shoulder Months (March-May and September-November):
The shoulder months are the most popular months to travel the Ha Giang Loop as they are generally not too hot but not freezing. I travelled in November and it was warm during the day (shorts and t-shirt weather) but cold at night (hoodie and pants weather). It’s probably the hardest to pack for as you need to bring a bit of everything.
- Underwear: Bring enough underwear for the amount of days, but also some extra as you do get dirty/ sweaty.
- Socks: Again you’ll get pretty dirty and sweaty so more pairs of socks is better than less.
- Swimwear: (only necessary if you’re doing the 4-day tour where you swim in the waterfall)
- Shorts: Linen shorts or activewear shorts are popular, but really whatever you’re comfortable with sitting on a bike all day. I would bring at least 2 pairs of shorts, maybe more, so you have options to change into so you’re not having to re-wear dirty clothes.
- Tees/ Singlets: Darker colours are better due to dirt/sweat. I would bring at least 4 tops so you can have a fresh one for every day, maybe more to change into of a night if you can fit them.
- Lightweight pants: Linen pants or leggings would be ideal. It can get colder of an evening so you may want a pair of pants to change into. I would bring at least 2 pairs of pants, if not more, just in case it gets cold during the day
- An extra jumper. You will definitely need a jumper/sweater/hoodie at night, but you may also need one during the day. Bringing 2 so you have one you wear during the day (that will get dirty) and one you’ll wear at night that stays mostly clean would be ideal.
Colder Months (December-February):
The winter months can be extremely cold, foggy, and rainy. Because of this, it’s generally the least popular time to do the Ha Giang Loop. My advice: bring any warm clothes you can. You may even want to buy fake Northface clothing in Hanoi or Sapa beforehand just for the loop. You’ll end up layering most days and nights to keep warm.
- Underwear: Bring enough underwear for the amount of days, but also some extra as you do get dirty/ sweaty.
- Warm Socks: Again you’ll get pretty dirty and and may get wet from rain/fog so more pairs of socks is better than less. Also, you can layer socks if your feet get cold of a night.
- Swimwear: (only necessary if you’re doing the 4-day tour where you swim in the waterfall). Depending on the temperature you may not even want to swim, but better to have them.
- Tees/ Singlets: Darker colours are better due to dirt/sweat. I would bring at least 4 tops so you can have a fresh one for every day, maybe more to change into of a night if you can fit them. Bring long sleeves or be prepared to layer t-shirts to keep warm!
- Pants: During the winter months, you’ll be wearing pants constantly so bring as many pairs as you have.
- Windproof and Waterproof Jacket: Essential for cutting down the cold wind while riding.
- Warm Gloves, A Beanie, A Scarf: You will need the extra layers, so bring whatever warm stuff you have!
What not to bring on the Ha Giang Loop
Space in your backpack is limited, so you don’t want to fill it with things you’ll never need. Here’s everything I wish I didn’t bring on the Ha Giang Loop:
- A book or a journal: Most people spend their downtime socialising and really soaking in the experience. I did not see one person reading or journalling on the loop.
- Skirts: You may wear them during the night in summer, but during the day, wearing a skirt is so impractical for sitting on the bike. Honestly, I’d avoid bringing skirts at all.
- Going out/ nice clothes: Most people dress pretty casually even at night. Personally, I’d bring more casual clothes you can wear during the day or night.
- Water Bottle: Controversial one, but on Jasmine Tours, there weren’t many places I could fill it up so my water bottle just took up unnecessary space in my bag.
- Headphones other than Airpods: Airpods are the only way you can comfortably listen to music on a bike. Bulky headphones won’t fit because of the helmet and corded headphones will be annoying with the wind.
- Towel. You may want to bring a towel to dry off after the waterfall swim, but otherwise, you can rent them at most of the homestays for showering. Don’t waste the space in your backpack, in my opinion.
Is the Ha Giang Loop overrated?
The Ha Giang Loop is probably the most popular travel experience in Vietnam. Everybody who’s done it rates about it and there’s so much social media hype about it. But with its rising fame comes the inevitable question: is it overrated? In my opinion no. It’s not overrated or underrated, in my mind, it is perfectly rated.
It’s the combination of the stunning scenery, the sense of adventure from being on the back of a motorbike and the social atmosphere at the homestay. Some might argue that the loop’s growing popularity has led to a certain degree of commercialization, with more homestays popping up, roads becoming busier and prices for the tours rising. While there’s some truth to this, it hasn’t detracted much from the experience that the Ha Giang Loop offers. While many travellers are embarking on the loop every day, the tour companies do space out groups so you do feel that you’re alone on the road, only occasionally coming into contact with other groups on the road. The Ha Giang Loop is so worth it that I would consider doing it again!
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