Overview:
Embark on an exhilarating motorbike adventure made for intrepid explorers seeking THE Authentic Ha Giang Loop Experience! Buckle up for a wild ride as you veer off the well-worn tourist trail, along uncharted backroads and through vibrant ethnic villages. Pioneering sustainable tourism and showcasing hidden gems you wonโt find on other tours, youโre guaranteed an unforgettable journey through this incredible part of Northern Vietnam. Take control of the motorcycle or opt for an easy rider experience โ the choice is yours. Welcome to the True North Ha Giang Loop Tour, a legendary adventure imitated by many but matched by none!
Itinerary
Flipside’s True North trip can be a three or four-day tour. The itinerary is the same, with an additional fourth day for those who have time!
Day 0: Departure Hanoi โ Ha Giang (6hrs D-car limousine)
Please choose Day 0 as your start date when placing your booking.
- You will be picked up at 07:00 or 16:00 and taken to the beautiful Flipside Villa where youโll spend the night before embarking on day one!
- Departing from Noi Bai airport or the Hanoi Old Quarter, the limo buses are equipped with business-class style seating and USB charging ports. The driver will make a toilet/food break at about the halfway point. Bring snacks on the bus or eat beforehand as the stops offer limited snacks.
- When you arrive at the villa, youโll be greeted by Flipside staff who will run you through what to expect from your Ha Giang Loop experience! Depending on the season and time of arrival, you can enjoy the campfire, swimming pool or fully stocked bar. This is a great time to get to know your fellow adventurers!
Day 1: Yรชn Minh District
- Enjoy an early breakfast at the villa before meeting your guides for a debrief on safety, cultural etiquette and the itinerary.
- Pack up and head to your motorcycles. Youโll get a chance to look over the bikes and ensure theyโre in good working order. Then, youโre away!
- Almost immediately, youโll be immersed in mind-blowing scenery that never gets old.
- During the trip, youโll have the chance to make a meaningful impact locally. Through Flipsideโs extensive network, you can help provide basic amenities to those 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 local lunch as a group at Mแบญu Duแป, then head to the swimming hole to cool off and digest!
- After reaching your destination for the day, unpack and get settled in. But donโt get too comfy on those beds โ thereโs dinner, drinks and karaoke to come!
Day 2: Ma Pi Leng Canyon & Dong Van
- Enjoy a filling breakfast at the homestay before embarking on a journey through the communities of Red Dao and Nung minority groups.
- Stop for lunch in a quiet mountain village occupied by the Tay ethnic group. Amenities are very basic, offering an insight into how the Tay people live to this day.
- After lunch, head to a river near the Chinese border for another chance to swim and cool off.
- Then itโs time to get moving once again! Venture further north to the most popular part of the Ha Giang Loop โ Ma Pi Leng Pass. Touristy? Yes but for good reason! Welcome to Southeast Asiaโs deepest gorge!
- The day finishes close by in a town that borders China! Enjoy a range of seasonal dishes for dinner, cooked and served at the Hmong homestay.
Day 3: Dong Van & Quan Ba
- Enjoy a communal breakfast at the homestay before jumping back on the bikes for a journey into another era. The area Southwest of Dong Van is well known among palaeontologists for turning up some of the best Jurrasic fossils in Vietnam โ itโs easy to imagine these creatures roaming across this ancient landscape!
- Continue through epic scenery towards the Quan Ba District and enjoy lunch in a Dao village.
- Now itโs trekking time! Follow a path through lush Vietnamese jungle to a hidden waterfall for another swim! From there, itโs an easy ride back to the Flipside Villa!
- Those on the 3-day trip have time to shower and freshen up before jumping on a bus to their next destination.
- Those on the 4-day package can relax with a drink by the pool (or fire) before a delicious BBQ dinner and a night of good times!
Day 4: Local Village
- Another day in paradise โ swim or relax before diving into fresh fruit and pancakes for breakfast!
- Following your meal, itโs time to venture by car or motorbike through local villages. This landscape is very different to what youโve experienced along the loop; with stilt houses nestled amongst rice paddies and crystal-clear water bubbling out of the ground; this place is the definition of magical!
- Explore the area with your local guides and be as adventurous as you like โ there are easy walks, tougher treks, caves and waterfalls. Explore whatever takes your fancy!
- Lunch will be with one or more of the Flipside easy riders, either at their house or a local-style BBQ at a swimming spot. This is often an emotional experience for guests โ meet the families of the guides youโve 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 at Flipsideโs friendly network of homestays and guesthouses. This tour includes shared sleeping arrangements in clean, comfortable dorms. Bathrooms are also shared.
Private rooms are available for an additional $20USD per night.
Food
Local food is provided in restaurants and homestays along the Ha Giang Loop. Most diets can be catered for including: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and a range of allergies. Please inform of any dietary requirements by using the ‘additional information’ box at the time of booking.
Guide
Experienced, English-speaking, local guides will be with you for the duration of your tour. Most of the guides working with Flipside have grown up in Ha Giang and know the area like the back of their hand!
Whatโs Included
Includes:
- Return transport to Hanoi
- Meals
- Easy rider
- English speaking guide
- Helmets
- Shared accommodation at homestays and guest houses โ private rooms are available for an extra $20USD per night.
- Fuel
- Entrance tickets
- Activities
Does Not Include:
- Travel Insurance
- Drinks
- Personal expenses
FAQs:
- What clothing should I ride in? 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.
- What clothing should I bring for the evenings? 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 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. Follow the instructions of your tour guide for a safe experience.
- What size engine are the bikes used during the tour? The bikes are 110cc. If you like, you can upgrade to a bigger size: XR150cc for $20usd/day or CRF300L for $60usd/day. Please inform us when booking if you would like to upgrade.
- 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 abroad!
- 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, itโs 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 are extremely rare on this route. Safety is a priority and you can trust that the guides know the roads like no one else!
Further Information
Riding Preference
You can tackle the Ha Giang True North tour in two ways โ Easy Rider or Self-Drive!
- Easy Rider โ 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 โ 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.
Before being allowed to ride around the Ha Giang Loop yourself, Flipside will put you through a motorcycle proficiency test to ensure you’re a competent rider. If it’s deemed you are not safe to ride the loop yourself, you can still do the tour but it will be with an easy rider.
Liability and Travel Insurance
Flipside Travel and South East Asia Backpacker are 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. Read more about motorbike insurance in Southeast Asia here.
Hi, I’m Nikki and I started South East Asia Backpacker in 2008 after my own first solo backpacking trip! My vision was to create a travel diary for everyone, a place for travellers to share their experiences from the road. After backpacking and writing about Southeast Asia for over 10 years, I saw the opportunity to provide backpackers with the kind of experiences that I’d treasured myself in the region!
I finished this adventure a few days ago with my boyfriend, and it made our trip to Vietnam truly unforgettable. Iโd say it was possibly the best experience Iโve ever had. The journey took us through stunning landscapes and charming small villages. We dined at local homestays (with plenty of options for those who are celiac or vegetarian), enjoyed happy water, and simply lived our best lives. Our drivers were fantastic, and we always felt safe with them. A special thank you to Hแบฑng, Phแปง, and Toร n! We are so grateful that we had the opportunity to bring food to local mountain villages and help the community. On our next visit to Vietnam, we will definitely choose Flipside again.
Iโm so happy I decided to go with flipside among all of the companies offering the tour. It was by many Facebook recommendations that I made the decision. The hostel in Ha Giang is awesome with good vibes, and although my group was small (5) everyone was got along so well. The homestays were brilliant, as was the food, and Iโm so thankful for my excellent easy rider Quy, I felt so safe and he was always happy and good energy. Itโs also so lovely to bring food supplies to the Hmong families, a heartwarming experience. I had a fantastic trip and would recommend to everyone.
Embarking on the “Original” Ha Giang Loop Tour was an absolute thrill! I chose the 4 day journey which offered an authentic and immersive experience through the stunning landscapes and vibrant ethnic villages of Northern Vietnam. From the exhilarating ride through uncharted backroads to the warm hospitality ( and rice wine ) of the locals, every moment was filled with adventure and cultural richness.
The tour’s sustainability focus and dedication to showcasing hidden gems truly set it apart. The well-planned itinerary allowed for a perfect balance of exploration, local interaction, and breathtaking sights. From the serene village of Ban An to the awe-inspiring Ma Pi Leng Canyon, each stop was a testament to the beauty and diversity of the region.
Tom and Linh’s passion for sharing the real Ha Giang Loop experience shone through every aspect of the tour, making it an absolute must for anyone seeking an authentic and captivating motorbike adventure.
This was absolutely the trip of a lifetime! Everything was incredibly easy to organize through Nikki and this incredible site, and as a solo traveller I felt really comfortable going into it alone. Made it up to the mountains, immediately felt like I had met my new family with Adam leading and the rest of our group. Stunning place to be, stunning people to meet, and have continued to see folks from our Ha Giang gang as I travel south down the country solo with my own motorbike!
You will not regret doing this trip, I promise! (Ps. Book four days over three!)
Xx N
Flipside is absolutely the best choice for Ha Giang Loop. Linh is an incredible tour guide and gives you a much more meaningful trip than other companies. She really cares about supporting the local communities weโre entering! I canโt wait to come back and do this tour again!!