Ha Giang is one of Vietnam’s most sumptuous and least visited destinations, with stunning rice terraces in the north of the country. Getting here may require some research for travelers.
Traveling to Ha Giang
Ha Giang has retained its pristine landscape that has resisted the ravages of time over the past 20 years, with spectacular geography and a diverse culture of many ethnic minorities. Here are the most beautiful rice terraces, just that.
On the way to discover Ha Giang, you can also stop at many ethnic villages with unique cultures and lifestyles.
Overall, you will experience many fantastic mountain landscapes, with breathtaking hills and valleys, and the most beautiful place that should be on your list is the 400 million Dong Van Karst Global Geopark. years of geographical transformations – rivaling the Trang An, has Ninh Binh.
You should consider going to Hoang Su Phi village to see the world’s most surreal landscape of rice fields. Then you can finish conquering the Dong Van plateau, one last exciting destination is the peak of Lung Cu with the Vietnam flag flying, overlooking the border with China.
You can take a sleeper bus or motorbike to get to Ha Giang from Hanoi.
Private car and tour options are also an option but it’s quite expensive, so your best bet is to plan an adventure to Ha Giang on your own. Just in case, Hanoi Journey is an excellent agency, with cheerful private guides.
But surely it will be more rewarding to personally explore all the places on the back of a motorcycle, right? And try to spend at least three days there to really experience Ha Giang as much as possible.
There aren’t many travel options to choose from, and while most of them are quite simple, there is one thing to consider if you want to fully explore the beauty of Ha Giang – getting a local travel permit to visit remote and unspoiled villages, which are usually the most remote and beautiful destinations, such as Meo Vac, Dong Van, Lung Cu, etc.
Obtain Ha Giang permit
A permit is not that difficult to obtain. When booking accommodation, just ask your hosts and they will surely help you get one.
And if you have to do it yourself, once in Ha Giang, head to the immigration office located at 415a Tran Phu street. The officer will simply need to record some information from your travel documents (for example, your passport) as well as your motorcycle registration number if you arrive there by motorcycle.
The permit only costs about $10, and there is also an office in the Meo Vac Town Police Station in case you forget to get one in Ha Giang Town.
Means of transport to get there
By Bus
It is relatively easy to book these buses and getting ripped off is minimal, making them the most optimal option. You can ask your host to help you book a ticket.
Tickets are available in almost all travel agencies in Hanoi, where you can get information about quality, services and price.
You can also try to book online via vexere.com , which lists all vehicle options (express buses and sleeper buses).
To completely avoid scams, you only need to book and then pay directly after collecting the ticket.
The price ranges from 200,000 VND (8 USD) to 300,000 VND (13 USD), depending on the bus amenities (wifi, outlets, water and snacks, toilets, etc.). Unlike other popular routes to Ninh Binh or Sapa, there will be virtually no tour guides greeting you along the way, as the destination is not very popular with non-Vietnam travelers.
The bus usually stops once at a gas station where you can take a break and enjoy some local snacks. It is also important to know that before going to Ha Giang, the driver can go around Hanoi to pick up passengers and fill empty seats.
There are express buses and sleeper buses departing at almost all hours of the day and usually the pick-up service at your preferred location is also included with the ticket. Either way, you should ask your hosts in Hanoi to book a ticket to Ha Giang and ask for departure options that meet your requirements. Here is an approximate departure and arrival time to make your decision easier:
- Morning: 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m., arrive Ha Giang at noon
- Noon: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., arrive at dusk or early evening in Ha Giang
- Night: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., arrive early in the morning. Sometimes it only takes three to four hours to reach Ha Giang at that time, but the driver will let you rest on the bus until morning, so you shouldn’t worry about that.
Best way to experience Ha Giang – Ride a motorbike!
This is the best way to get to Ha Giang and discover the legendary loop with mountains and rice fields as far as the eye can see.
You should avoid leaving at night for your own safety, as trucks will think the road is empty and drive dangerously.
This trip takes about six to seven hours non-stop and is pretty straightforward. And of course, the time will increase proportionally depending on how many times you want to stop to rest and take photos.
How to get a motorbike in Hanoi
Motorcycles can be easily rented in Hanoi, you can go to Rent A Bike ( https://rentabikevn.com/ ). Make sure your motorbike is in tip-top condition before you embark on your Ha Giang adventure.
Keep in mind that it is essential to fill the fuel tank regularly. Every time you see a gas station. Bring an extra empty 1.5 liter bottle to fill up with gasoline in case of a long distance between two destinations.
You should only buy gasoline through official stations rather than local sellers. They tend to dilute fuel for profit, which can cause your motorcycle to malfunction.
Ride to Ha Giang and plan your adventure
Getting to Ha Giang by motorbike is quite easy, just stay on the AH14 – QL2 road (National Highway No. 2) and you will be there in no time. Having GPS is also important in case you come across a confusing intersection. As the route is quite flat before you even get to Ha Giang, you won’t have any problems with the 3G connection along the way. The general direction is north for your information.
There will be no main interest on the way to Ha Giang, but once you arrive in town, an endless adventure opens up. Conquer the serpentine passes, take photos of the magnificent panoramic landscape and meet ethnic groups.
Once you arrive in Ha Giang town and have the permit in your bag, make a checklist of these places and take about three to five days to enjoy the area:
- Meo Vac: Take up the challenge with motorcycle loops at altitude, and experience the Sunday market with all the village residents of different ethnic origins. Local delicacies, freshly boiled corn and popping rice are available.
- Sa Phin H’mong Village: former capital of the H’mong reign in northern Vietnam, you can visit the palace of the H’mong king and learn more about the history of Ha Giang, as well as the links between men and other local ethnic groups.
- Ma Pi Leng Pass: Conquer one of the most challenging and beautiful mountain motorcycle routes in Vietnam. I don’t need to describe anything, the photo below will do it justice.
- Hoang Su Phi: It has untouched nature, ethnic villages, cultural heritage and stunning rice terraces.
- Dong Van Karst Global Geopark: He’s the star of the adventure. When you cross the Quan Ba gate to heaven, 1,500 meters above sea level, a new world opens up to you: grandiose mountains that illuminate, colorful ethnic villages to discover and explore the prestigious ancient city by Dong Van.
Traveling from Sapa (Lao Cai) to Ha Giang by motorbike
If you have an adventurous spirit, traveling by motorbike is definitely the way to go. You will be rewarded with stunning and breathtaking natural scenery, as well as warm, welcoming and hospitable locals. Look how happy the children are when you wave to them! But don’t give them money or candy, as this creates a bad habit.
The fastest route to Ha Giang town is about 240 kilometers, but the most interesting route to Ha Giang, especially when riding a motorbike, is the Sapa town – Lao Cai – Bac Ha – Xin Man – Hoang Su Phi – Ha Giang town (280 kilometers). You may have been enticed by the gigantic mountain ranges of Sapa, but now prepare yourself for the majestic terraced fields of Hoang Su Phi, which belongs to Ha Giang province.
I know the scenery is distracting, but you should pay attention to the road, especially the Bac Ha and Xin Man sections.
Consult the maps carefully if you don’t want to get lost in Si Ma Cai district, Lao Cai province.
