Ha Giang Loop Motorbike Tour 5 Days: Best Trip Ever

Your Ha Giang motorbike adventure begins with a quick safety briefing and an introduction to riding rules in Vietnam. After rush hour, we leave Hanoi, heading northwest through the lively outskirts of the city.
By midday, we reach Viet Tri town for a local lunch before continuing towards Thac Ba Lake, Vietnam’s largest artificial lake. The afternoon ride takes you through tea plantations and quiet countryside roads, offering a peaceful break from city life.
Upon arrival at the lake, we take a short boat ride to swim or simply relax, soaking in the calm beauty of Thac Ba’s waters and islands.
As the sun sets, we settle into a Dao family homestay in Vu Linh village. Enjoy a simple, home-cooked dinner and share stories with your local hosts before resting for the journey ahead.

Summary:
Accommodation: Best Homestay in Area
Distance: 180km
Meal: Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast with your Dao hosts, we bid farewell to Vu Linh and begin our ride along quiet roads lined with palm trees, following the edge of Thac Ba Lake. It’s a calm start before we dive deeper into the north.
After a local lunch along the way, we continue towards Ha Giang, Vietnam’s northernmost province, famous for its winding mountain roads and striking limestone landscapes.
In the afternoon, we pass through Hoang Su Phi, where terraced rice fields stretch across the hillsides, offering some of the most stunning views in the north. We stop for breaks to enjoy the scenery and capture photos.
As the day winds down, we follow the “Road to Heaven’s Gate,” leading us towards the edge of the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark. By late afternoon, we arrive in Ha Giang City, check into a hotel, and prepare the permits needed for tomorrow’s ride.

Summary:
Accommodation: 3 - 4 stars Hotel
Distance: 180km
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, we embark on our journey to the Dong Van Karst Plateau, a UNESCO Global Geopark renowned for its dramatic limestone formations and breathtaking mountain views. After securing the required permits, we follow winding roads that climb higher into the northern mountains.
This section of the Ha Giang Loop, often referred to as the “Happiness Road,” takes us through villages where ethnic communities reside among terraced fields and rugged landscapes. The roads may be narrow and twisty, but the stunning scenery makes every kilometer worth it.
In the afternoon, we reach the Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of Vietnam’s most legendary mountain passes, sitting at around 1,500 meters above sea level. Below, the emerald Nho Que River winds through a deep canyon, offering breathtaking views.
We end the day descending into Meo Vac, a quiet Hmong town nestled in the valley. Here, we settle into a local homestay, enjoy a warm meal, and relax after a rewarding day on the loop.

Summary:
Accommodation: Ecolodge
Distance: 180km
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we hit the road, aiming for Ba Be Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in Vietnam. Today’s ride is a highlight of the Northern Vietnam motorbike tour, with a mix of winding mountain roads, river crossings, and off-the-beaten-track trails.
Leaving Meo Vac, we follow the DT217 toward Khau Vai, crossing a bamboo raft ferry over the Nho Que River before continuing down to Bao Lac. Parts of the trail can be muddy and challenging, requiring reasonable control as we navigate around rivers and through remote areas.
Along the way, we pass through traditional villages where ethnic communities continue their daily routines against a backdrop of stunning mountain scenery. We stop for a local lunch in Bao Lac before continuing toward Ba Be National Park.
In the late afternoon, we arrive at Ba Be Lake, where you can unwind with a refreshing swim or take a boat ride to soak in the peaceful surroundings of the lake and limestone cliffs.
We will spend the night with the Tay family in a cozy homestay by the lake, enjoying a home-cooked dinner and the serene atmosphere of the surrounding forest.

Summary:
Accommodation: Ecolodge
Distance: 200km
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wake up to the peaceful views of Ba Be Lake, surrounded by limestone peaks and lush forests. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast by the lake as you take in the last moments of calm before heading back to Hanoi.
Today’s ride is the longest of the trip, so we will start early, riding through quiet mountain roads and across gentle passes. The scenery remains stunning as we pass through local villages and farmlands, offering one last glimpse of Northern Vietnam’s countryside.
We stop in Thai Nguyen for lunch and a quick rest before the final stretch back to Hanoi. Expect to arrive in the late afternoon, just before rush hour.
We end the Vietnam Motorbike Tour with a cold drink and a warm farewell. Thank you for riding with Indochina Adventure. We hope to see you again on your next journey.

Summary:
Distance: 180km
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch