Ha Giang Loop by 4WD Truck or Motorbike by Flipside (Private) | 3 or 4 Days | from HANOI, VIETNAM

Overview

This tour can be done via motorcycle or 4×4.

Rev up your adventure aboard a motorcycle or 4×4 for the ultimate journey through Northern Vietnam! Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline-fuelled two-wheeled expedition or a more laid-back journey from the back of a 4×4, this private Ha Giang Loop tour has you covered! Get off the well-worn tourist trail and give back to those in need with Flipside. Local guides will lead you along uncharted roads, allowing you to experience local traditions, epic scenery and hidden gems all while taking much-needed supplies into the small, traditional villages that make up the REAL Northern Vietnam!

Please note: a minimum of two people are required to book this tour. 

Itinerary

This itinerary can change at short notice, depending on road conditions, weather, national holidays, availability and your own personal preferences. All changes are taken to enhance the guest’s enjoyment of the tour.

Day 0: Departure from Hanoi to Ha Giang

Please choose Day 0 as your start date when placing your booking.

• The adventure begins with a pickup at 07:00 or 16:00 in Hanoi. Journey via limousine bus to Ha Giang. The journey takes around six hours – make sure to stock up on snacks or grab a hearty meal before the journey. Options are limited en route but there will be a toilet break around halfway through. 
• Arrive at the Flipside Villa and relax for the evening by the pool or campfire (dependent on season). 

Day 1: Ha Giang to Du Gia

• Grab breakfast at the villa and meet your local guides who will be with you throughout your private Ha Giang Loop adventure!
• After breakfast, you’ll be introduced to your motorcycle or 4×4 before heading off around the loop! 
• Almost immediately, you’ll be met with some of the most spellbinding views Northern Vietnam has to offer!
• During the trip, you’ll have the chance to make a meaningful impact locally. Through Flipside’s extensive network, you can help provide basic amenities to communities in greatest need. For many people embarking on the Ha Giang Loop, this is one of the most memorable and rewarding parts of the trip!
• Eat a group lunch at Du Gia and, weather permitting, make your way down to the swimming hole to cool off!
• After lunch, continue soaking up the views before bedding down for the night at a local homestay. Expect an epic sunset and sunrise, as well as a delicious dinner and, if you’re lucky, a shot at the classic karaoke! 

Day 2: Du Gia to Ma Pi Leng 

• Start your day with breakfast before jumping back on your bike or into the truck. Along today’s route, you’ll pass through small communities of minority groups such as the Red Dao and Nung people. 
• Lunch is in another ethnic village, this time with the Tay people. Seeing how people live in this part of Northern Vietnam is a true eye-opener – especially when compared to hectic city life! 
• After lunch, head further north to the most popular part of the Ha Giang Loop – Ma Pi Leng Pass. Touristy? Yes but for good reason! Welcome to Southeast Asia’s deepest gorge! 
• Your home for the night is in a small village on the border of China and Vietnam. Enjoy locally sourced seasonal food and soak up the majestic views! 

Day 3: Dong van, Quan ba to Ha Giang

• As always, your first job is to fuel up for the day. After breakfast, you’ll head Southwest through ancient landscapes. Jurassic-era fossils have been found in this area and it’s easy to imagine dinosaurs roaming across it today! 
• Continue along the Ha Giang Loop back to the district of Quan Ba where you’ll stop for lunch at a local Doa village. After lunch, it’s trekking time! A vibrant jungle trail will lead you to a secluded waterfall where you can swim and relax for the afternoon! 
• The day finishes back at Flipside Villa with enough time for you to shower and freshen up. Those on the three-day itinerary will catch onward transport back to Hanoi or Sapa. 

Day 4: Local Village (Only for those on the 4-Day Itinerary) 

• It’s another day in paradise! Choose between swimming or relaxing before breakfast. 
• Following your meal, it’s time to venture through some local villages. The landscape is very different to what you’ve experienced along the loop so far – with stilt houses nestled amongst rice paddies and crystal-clear water bubbling out of the ground!
• Explore this area with your local guides and be as adventurous as you like – there are easy walks, tougher treks, caves and waterfalls. You can do whatever takes your fancy! 
• Lunch will be with one or more of the Flipside team, either at their house or a local-style BBQ at a swimming spot. This is often an emotional experience for guests and offers a great opportunity to spend time with local people – meet the families of the guides you’ve come to know over the previous few days!
• Finally, jump on the bus and head off to your next destination! 

Accommodation

Accommodation along the Ha Giang Loop is a mix of Flipside’s friendly network of homestays and guesthouses. This tour includes private rooms as standard. 

Food

Local food is provided in restaurants and homestays along the Ha Giang Loop. Most diets can be catered for including: vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free. Please inform us using the ‘Additional Information’ box at the time of booking if you have dietary requirements, including allergies. 

Guide

You’ll be partnered with English-speaking guides for the duration of your Ha Giang Loop adventure! 

What’s Included

Includes:

• Return transport to Hanoi
• Meals
• Experienced drivers
• English speaking guide
• Private accommodation at homestays and guest houses
• Entrance tickets
• Activities

Does Not Include:

• Travel Insurance
• Drinks
• Personal expenses

FAQs

• What clothing should I bring? Casual clothes like shorts and singlets are ideal. Bring warm clothes you can layer during the winter months. Flip-flops and sandals are a good choice. Essentially, wear what you feel comfortable in.
• What clothing should I ride in? If you’re going on a motorcycle (either riding or with an Easy Rider) enclosed footwear (hiking boots/sneakers), long pants (jeans preferable), a long-sleeved shirt (preferable to a t-shirt), sunglasses and a rain jacket are recommended. For the 4×4 trips, you just need comfortable clothes that offer some protection from the rain or sun. 
• What other stuff should I pack for the trip? Passport, sun cream, insect repellant and some pocket money for drinks.
• Is it safe to ride a motorbike on the Ha Giang Loop? While the roads can be challenging due to their winding nature, the trip is safe with proper guidance and equipment. Always follow the instructions of your tour guide for a safe experience.
• Do I need a driving licence to self-drive? It is recommended that you have a motorcycle license in your home country and an International Driving Permit. Without these, your travel insurer may not cover you for motorcycling! 
• What is the best time of year to visit Ha Giang? The best time to do the Ha Giang Loop is October to November OR March to May when the weather is cooler and drier. While rain can happen year-round, it’s more frequent from June to September. The coldest months are December to February.
• Can I do this tour during the rainy season? Yes. A member of the team is up in Ha Giang monitoring the weather at all times. Landslides rarely occur on the route we take. Safety is a priority and you can trust that Flipside know the roads like no one else.
• How many people are needed for this trip to run? A minimum of two people are needed for this trip to run.

Further Information

Transport Preference

You can tackle this private Ha Giang Loop tour in two ways – Easy Rider or Self-Drive!

• Easy Rider – This means that you will sit on the back seat of a motorbike whilst one of our experienced motorbike riders drives you around the loop. All Flipside motorbike drivers and guides have over 10+ years of experience navigating mountain roads and are fully licensed, insured and well-rested. 
• Self-Driving – This means you will ride the motorbike yourself. In order to do this, you will have to be a competent motorbike rider with an International Driving Permit. Be aware that the roads on the Ha Giang Loop are extremely curvy and can be dangerous for inexperienced drivers. If there is any doubt in your mind that you may be unable to manage a motorbike over such terrain, please choose the easy rider option. It is also a good idea to check that your travel insurance policy covers you for riding a motorbike in Southeast Asia. 
• 4×4 – A great option for families or groups that don’t want to be on a motorcycle! The Flipside four-wheel drive truck has seating in the cab as well as seats on in the top back, so you won’t miss any of the epic views! The truck can fit a maximum of five people. 

Liability and Travel Insurance

Flipside Travel is not responsible for any personal injury or loss/damage to personal belongings or bags if they are not in the car. Travel insurance is NOT included in the trip; we strongly recommend that you have your own travel insurance against illness, injury, loss/damage to personal belongings.