Ha Giang Loop: The Ultimate 3 Day Adventure

It’s nearly impossible to backpack through Vietnam without hearing about the Ha Giang Loop - and for a good reason. It is one of the most life-changing experiences of my entire life! This 3-day thrill ride takes you through some of the most breathtaking mountains of northern Vietnam. In northern Vietnam, not far from the Chinese border, sit Ha Gian and its surrounding hills and villages, AKA your home back garden for the next few days…

Everything you need to know

This whirlwind adventure takes between 3 and 4 days. Adrenaline, exploration and going with the flow are the name of the game.

Jasmine Tours was the perfect choice for our loop, and they were just incredible; from the easy riders to the hospitality and the hostels, I couldn’t fault any of it. Before going on The Loop, we also looked into doing the tour with Mammas’ and Bong, but ultimately Jasmine ultimately takes the cake.

Easy Riders

The best way to experience The Loop is to sit back and relax with an Easy Rider taking the reins. These drivers are from the local area and know the roads like the back of their hands, and strike the perfect balance between keeping you safe and giving you the most exhilarating experience. Some of the roads on The Loop are extremely rough; luckily, an Easy Rider takes the weight off your shoulders. Accidents do happen on The Loop; it is dangerous, but an Easy Rider limits this immensely. 

How long to go for

We spent 3 days on The Loop, and the only thing I could fault about it is that we didn’t take the 4-day option. Once the adventure begins, you will never want it to end.

Getting to Ha Giang

The sleeper bus leaves from the Jasmine office in Hanoi in the evening, around 8pm, to take you up to Ha Giang. 

The drive is around 7 hours, pulling into Ha Giang at around 2/3AM.  

TOP TIP: booking a VIP sleeper bus is the most comfy way to travel up to Ha Giang to ensure that you are able to get the best night's sleep possible ahead of the next day’s adventures. They are 100% flat-beds, unlike your standard coach. This is THE way to travel through Vietnam.

Checking into Jasmine’s hostel was pretty easy, but trying to get back to sleep after half a night’s sleep was defo a challenge - especially with all the nervous energy in the 20-person dorm!! We managed to get an extra few hours of sleep before getting up for breakfast and the briefing the following day. 

What to bring

Layers, layers, layers - you never know how the weather will change up in the mountains!

SUNCREAM, it doesn’t feel too hot when you’re on the back of a bike speeding around, but don’t underestimate the sun here; it is super strong.

The Loop

DAY 1 

After a hearty brekkie comes the briefing, the room teeming with nervous energy. The briefing was fun and told us everything we needed to know about the next few days. Group by group, we met each other for the first time and hopped on the bikes with our bags strapped on behind us. Make sure you pop your music on before you set off, and have lots downloaded as there’s hardly any service up there.

Beginning in Ha Giang itself, with a jaw-dropping ascent into the hills, climbing and climbing, your way up, the views reveal themselves. As we rose, we were surrounded by butterflies, and it felt absolutely magical. After a few different viewpoint stops, lunch was held at a local restaurant in Quan Ba. The amount of food served is staggering; it’s like an all-you-can-eat buffet! 

Next up is a hike through corn fields up to Lung Khuy Cave, getting a well-deserved iced salt coffee is a must, as well as something for your easy rider. The cave was studding, but surprisingly cold and wet despite how hot it was outside. 

After a few more hours of riding and stopping at viewpoints, we reached Yen Minh, and our home for the night in a hostel that can only be described as a total oasis. 

This evening, we ate family-style with another absolute banquet of a meal, before the karaoke and happy water began. The Vietnamese chanting before you drink is hilarious. 

DAY 2

After a night of karaoke and happy water, Liu, my easy rider, came to pick up my bag and popped on my helmet for me, total princess treatment. We set off for day 2 of the loop, taking on the Than Ma Pass in our matching orange Jasmine t-shirts. At the top of this winding road, we were treated to the most incredible views, iced salt coffees and meeting lots of local kids. There are plenty of young girls offering to braid your hair, but sadly, taking up their offer means they might not be able to go to school.

We then zipped off to take a look at the Chinese border on our way to the Ling Cu Flag Tower, which hosts the largest flag in all of Vietnam. On our way, we went down a totally deserted motorway reaching speeds of 115KMH!! The stairway to the flag tower is brutal but totally worth it. 

The Vuong Royal Palace and market are the next stop; it felt like I had been transported back to the Middle Ages of Vietnam. My easy rider bought me a traditional bracelet of good luck here; it was honestly one of the most touching, wholesome moments of my whole trip. After our lunch stop in Dong Van, we continued to the famous Sky Walk, where, if you dare, you climb up to the edge of a cliff, hanging off the side!! Despite the rain, we made it to Meo Vac and to our hostel. This town was way more built up than Yen Minh, and as we had done the night before, we ate until we couldn’t eat any more and washed it all down with endless happy water whilst singing our hearts out. 

DAY 3

My only regret was choosing to spend 3 days on the loop (huge mistake) so today was the final day of our adventure. After layering up in ponchos, waterproof trousers, and shoe covers, we set course for the Tu San Canyon in Meo Vac for our boat trip up the canyon. Despite the rain, it was still utterly beautiful.

Today’s journey included the Ma Pi Le Pass, one of the most dangerous roads in Vietnam - extremely thin and with no barriers on the cliffside! Unfortunately, we could not see a thing due to the weather; we were totally in the clouds. At our coffee stop, we took some final group pics and enjoyed egg coffees. 

Of course, we had another feast for lunch, this was defo the best one of the loop, before leaving the rest of the group to head back to Ha Giang. Despite only knowing these people for a few days, the connections you make are incredible. It was so sad to leave our newfound family.

A wave of pride and nostalgia came over me during the final stretch back into Ha Giang - I could not believe what I had just done in the last few days, and I cannot wait to do it all over again soon!

Ha Giang, and Liu, you have my heart 🫶🇻🇳