VN · Tuyen Quang · 22.75°N 105.00°E

ha giang

Vietnam's famous motorbike loop over the high passes of the far north.

Best time
September to November is dry and clear, and buckwheat flowers turn the hills pink from about October. February to April brings peach and plum blossom. Summer is wet, with landslides, and winter is cold and foggy.
How long
3–4 days for the loop
Getting there
Fly KL to Hanoi (about 3 hours), then about 6 hours by sleeper bus or van to Ha Giang town, where most loop tours start.
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VN · Tuyen Quangha giang22.75°N 105.00°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Vietnam's famous motorbike loop over the high passes of the far north.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingHa GiangVN, Tuyen Quang
KLha giang
≈ 2,210 km from KL, as the crow flies
Ha Giang Province, Northeast Vietnam

Photo: Nguyễn Vũ Hiệp · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Vietnam's far-north frontier on the Chinese border, with limestone peaks, deep river gorges and villages of the Hmong and other ethnic groups. Most people come for the Ha Giang Loop, a ride of several days across the Dong Van Karst Plateau and over the Ma Pi Leng Pass, often on the back of a local rider's bike. Since 2025 the area has been part of Tuyen Quang province.

Makan

  1. Bánh tam giác mạchBuckwheat cakes made from the plateau's own crop, sold at markets and roadside stalls.Map ↗
  2. Bánh cuốnSteamed rice rolls served with a bowl of broth, the local breakfast. Usually made with pork.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The Ha Giang LoopThree or four days of mountain roads, villages and viewpoints. Go with an easy rider if you're not an experienced rider.Map ↗
  2. Ma Pi Leng PassA cliff-edge road high above the Nho Que River gorge.Map ↗
  3. Nho Que RiverBoat trips on the green river through the deep canyon below Ma Pi Leng.Map ↗
  4. Dong VanA small town with an old quarter and a busy weekly market.Map ↗
  5. Lung Cu Flag TowerA hilltop flag tower near Vietnam's northernmost point.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Riding yourself legally needs a licence recognised in Vietnam, and many travel insurers won't cover you without one. Most visitors ride pillion with an easy rider.
  • Halal food is very hard to find on the loop. Bring snacks, and ask for egg or vegetable dishes.
  • Carry your passport. You're close to the Chinese border, and hotels will ask for it.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.