{"id":464,"date":"2024-05-20T12:41:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-20T12:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/?p=464"},"modified":"2024-10-18T19:50:47","modified_gmt":"2024-10-18T19:50:47","slug":"ha-giang-loop-3-days-of-amazing-views-people-food","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/ha-giang-loop-3-days-of-amazing-views-people-food\/","title":{"rendered":"Ha Giang Loop: 3 days of amazing views, people &#038; food!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you\u2019re looking for adventure and some stunning Vietnamese views, the <strong>Ha Giang Loop<\/strong> is a road trip second to none! <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ideally done by motorbike, a <strong>Ha Giang Loop Tour <\/strong>really should be on any traveler&#8217;s bucket list or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/top-10-essential-things-to-see-do-in-vietnam\/\">Vietnam MUST DO checklist<\/a><\/strong>. And it doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re doing the driving or riding pillion \u2013 I did it riding pillion with a seasoned guide because I wanted to take plenty of pictures and videos &#8211; the experience is still a mind-blower! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Ha Giang Loop<\/strong> is definitely an adventure, as well as a bit of a challenge \u2013 there are some tricky roads which hug mountains and demand a huge amount of respect. But the Loop is also incredibly rewarding, with part of the challenge being to keep your eyes on the road, as you will pass through some truly incredible scenery (see the pictures below). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ideally done in three or four days, the <strong>Ha Giang Loop<\/strong> is a chance to see Northern Vietnam like no other. From my own personal experience, 3 days was enough (read on below for a full account), but because of the amount of driving involved, your back and ass will feel it! If you have more time, take it, you won\u2019t regret it! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Included in this post (click on a link to jump to the relevant section):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"#H1\"><strong>Preparing for the Ha Giang Loop<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#H2\"><strong>7 ESSENTIAL Travel tips for the Ha Giang Loop<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#H3\"><strong>My Ha Giang Loop Tour in 3 Days<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#H4\"><strong>Ha Giang Loop Map<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"cb-alert cb-white\"><strong>HaGiang or Sapa?<\/strong> This is often a dilema for many visitors heading to the north-west of Vietnam &#8211; should I visit Sapa or HaGiang? Time often limits a visit to one or the other and not both, so it really depends on what you&#8217;re looking for. To summarize it in one line for you, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/sapa-in-vietnam-the-essential-guide\/\">Sapa is more about the trekking and nature<\/a><\/strong>, while HaGiang is more about the motorbike tours on the stunning <strong>HaGiang Loop<\/strong>, as described below. <\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/HaGiangLoop4-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoop\" class=\"wp-image-497\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2><id=\"H1\">Preparing for the Ha Giang Loop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As you might have guessed, Ha Giang Loop tours set off from the city of Ha Giang. <em>Well I never!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting to Ha Giang can only be done by road \u2013 there are no air or rail options. But there are regular buses up from the major cities, and, of course, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/the-10-best-things-to-see-do-in-hanoi\/\">Hanoi<\/a><\/strong>, where the majority of Loopers will be heading from. There are plenty of cheap and cheerful options available, as well as more comfy VIP shuttles (I&#8217;ve been up twice on VIP minibuses, and the service varied greatly on each). For a full list of what\u2019s available at the best prices, check out the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/12go.asia\/en\/travel\/hanoi\/ha-giang\/?z=3225497\">12Go website<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One thing to consider when taking the bus \u2013 it\u2019s a good 6-hour ride (with probably just the one toilet break). So determine if you want to leave early in the morning, or perhaps take the <a href=\"https:\/\/12go.asia\/en\/travel\/hanoi\/ha-giang\/?z=3225497\"><strong>night bus up<\/strong><\/a> and arrive in the wee hours. Places like <strong>QT <\/strong>offer a free bed for those of you arriving on a night bus and heading out the next day, well worth considering. One last thing: you <em>can ride a motorbike to Ha Giang from Hanoi<\/em>, but it&#8217;s a bit of a ride, taking approximately 8 to 10 hours. Your choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the first things to decide when you arrive in <strong>Ha Giang<\/strong> will be what type of bike do you <em>really<\/em> need to do the <strong>Ha Giang Loop<\/strong>? It totally depends on you, of course, but the best way to get the <em>real<\/em> experience is to take a manual bike (125cc seems to be the popular engine size available), especially when you\u2019ll be riding on some extremely hilly and far from smooth roads. You could also try a semi-automatic, as they will probably have enough oomph to get you around, but I\u2019d recommend steering clear of automatics, they just aren\u2019t safe enough for the hill riding you\u2019re going to experience on the Loop. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"cb-alert cb-white\"><strong>PLACES TO RENT BIKES:<\/strong> There are a number of motorbike rental options in Ha Giang, but the guys we\u2019d highly recommend going with are <strong>QT<\/strong>. OK, they may be slightly more expensive than the majority of other rental options in Ha Giang, but I was very impressed with their service and professionalism. If you\u2019re worried about riding yourself on the Loop, try hiring a guide and riding pillion. It\u2019s probably the safest and greatest way to enjoy the ride, and you get to take in all those views while somebody else does the driving.<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Ha-Giang2-bs-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Ha Giang, North Extreme Loop, North Vietnam, The Northern Loop,\" class=\"wp-image-500\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2><id=\"H2\">7 ESSENTIAL travel tips for the Ha Giang Loop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>And before I take you off on a description of my three-day ride through heaven, I\u2019ve created a list of the unmissable hottest tips (the ones your momma never told you about!) for the <strong>Ha Giang Loop<\/strong> right here: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>1<\/strong><\/td><td>Take plenty of cash with you (it will be hard to find ATMs enroute). Although if you take an all-inclusive tour like the ones offered by QT, you\u2019ll need less\u2026 <\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>2<\/strong><\/td><td>When taking your bike out on the road, check the battery is fully charged and your tires pumped to the right pressure. Once you set off, there&#8217;s no turning back! <\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>3<\/strong><\/td><td>If you\u2019re driving in the off-season, bring some warm clothes with you. And if rain is forecast, take some waterproof clothing too \u2013 it\u2019s really not much fun driving in wet clothes, or trying to get them dry overnight. <\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>4<\/strong><\/td><td>Bring\/rent protective gear, even if it makes you feel like RoboCop. Some of the roads can get treacherously slippery when wet, and you\u2019ll be thankful for some elbow\/knee protection. <\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>5<\/strong><\/td><td>Be prepared for the unexpected coming round the next bend. <\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>6<\/strong><\/td><td>When driving around corners, beep your horn. And listen out for horns too. <em>It\u2019s all about anticipation, baby!<\/em><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>7<\/strong><\/td><td>Some of the homestays are little more than crowded guesthouses. If you\u2019re looking for an authentic homestay experience while on the Ha Giang Loop, bear that in mind when booking in advance. As you can read below, I didn\u2019t enjoy the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/du-gia-homestay-budget-friendly-bliss-in-the-far-north-of-vietnam\/\">Du Gia Homestay<\/a><\/strong> as much as the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/dong-van-hmong-homestay-an-authentic-homestay-experience\/\">Dong Van Hmong Homestay<\/a><\/strong>. <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"995\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/HaGiangLoop6.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-506\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/HaGiangLoop6.jpg 995w, https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/HaGiangLoop6-770x557.jpg 770w, https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/HaGiangLoop6-300x217.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/HaGiangLoop6-768x556.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2><id=\"H3\">My Ha Giang Loop Tour: 3 Days in Heaven!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One thing I should point out before taking you on my heavenly journey &#8211; I did a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/ha-giang-loop-tour\/\">3-day tour of the Ha Giang Loop<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 you can choose to make it as long as you need, and yes, I highly recommend taking your time. The route can also be customized to your preferences, and even done the opposite way round \u2013 just ask the guys at <strong>QT <\/strong>for the perfect route for you, they\u2019ll have you sorted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Just a head&#8217;s up: if you&#8217;re looking for another motorbike adventure in the area, try the nearby <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/hoang-su-phi-the-place-to-go-for-stunning-rice-terraces-and-tea\/\"><strong><em>Hoang Su Phi district<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em>. Expect similar scenery to the Ha Giang Loop, but with some spectacular rice terraces and tea plantations!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 1: Outward Bound &#8211; Heaven\u2019s Gate &amp; Du Gia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>OK, after first wolfing down some breakfast and\ngetting kitted out by the friendly boys at QT, we headed north on QL4C, which\ntakes you up to <strong>Quan Ba Pass<\/strong>, otherwise known as <strong>Heaven&#8217;s Gate<\/strong>.\nThis is rather well named, as the pass gives stunning views of the Dong Van\nKarst Plateau, a huge range of limestone mountains covered in virgin forest.\nThis is a great start to any journey and will fill you full of enthusiasm for\nthe rest of the day (or that might be down to the coffee you drink at the\npitstop high above the plateau\u2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>OK, I confess, I didn\u2019t actually get to see the plateau thanks to a blanket of thick fog and drizzle\u2026but did get to see it on our homeward leg on Day 3 (see below). Be aware that the weather changes from mountain to mountain, and you have very little control of what you\u2019ll get to see (although the guys at QT were adamant that the weather is at its best in September time)\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop19a-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-571\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Once over the pass, we followed the tight, winding\nroads down into <strong>Quan Ba<\/strong>, where we stopped at a cute homestay for lunch.\nGreat food, great people, and the perfect battery recharge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After lunch, we headed through small villages \u2013 where we stopped to check out the local wares, and also get dressed up in the local traditional costumes and mix it with the locals for a bit of a laugh \u2013 and then through the misty, rainy clouds to the overnight destination of <strong>Du Gia<\/strong>. This was a beautiful route, especially the ride down into the village of Du Gia, so get the camera ready!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video aligncenter\"><video controls src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiang-locals.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop19-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoop\" class=\"wp-image-574\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop18.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiang Loop\" class=\"wp-image-572\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop18.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop18-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop18-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop18-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop20-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoop\" class=\"wp-image-576\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop22-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoop\" class=\"wp-image-578\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop24-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoop\" class=\"wp-image-579\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/du-gia-homestay-budget-friendly-bliss-in-the-far-north-of-vietnam\/\">Du Gia Homestay<\/a><\/strong> was actually part of the QT network, and although cute, was hardly the cosy, authentic stopover I envisaged. There were some 30 guests there, maybe more, and although the sleeping quarters were curtained off, it just felt a little bit too busy. But we had a great dinner, the chat with other tourists was flowing, and the Happy Water (don\u2019t forget to practice your <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/mot-hai-ba-yo-1-2-3-cheers\/\">1, 2, 3, Djo!<\/a><\/strong>) was hitting the right spots. Safe to say that a good night\u2019s sleep was had by all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop26-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoop\" class=\"wp-image-580\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 2: Through the stunning Ma Pi Leng Pass<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After breakfasting in <strong>Du Gia<\/strong> and wandering\naround the immediate neighbourhood to grab some photos, we set out again on\nQL4C, retracing our steps for a few kilometers before heading towards <strong>Meo\nVac<\/strong> for lunch. The weather did its upmost to make it wet and nasty for us,\nand just coming out of Du Gia we had to run for cover under a bus stop as a\nhuge rainstorm hit us for six. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop29.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiang weather\" class=\"wp-image-582\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop29.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop29-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop29-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop29-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube aligncenter wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"HaGiang Loop Tour\" width=\"1170\" height=\"878\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/F7XZEWtK8oA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>With the legendary views of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/ma-pi-leng-pass-vietnams-ultimate-mountain-pass\/\">Ma Pi Leng Pass<\/a><\/strong> on the schedule, I have to say I wasn\u2019t feeling too optimistic that my Canon was going to be pulled from my backpack&#8230; but Hugh and Chris, our two guides, were fairly chipper and confident that until we\u2019d make our way to Ma Pi Leng, the weather would hopefully change for the better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop31-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoop\" class=\"wp-image-584\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop32.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoop\" class=\"wp-image-586\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop32.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop32-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop32-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop32-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop35-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoop\" class=\"wp-image-588\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop36-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoop\" class=\"wp-image-589\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Within a few minutes they were right, and the sun\neven started to peek out as we headed on the gloriously winding road to <strong>Meo\nVac<\/strong>. Lunch was great at one of the local restaurants in Meo Vac, before we\nstarted on the road out of town and north to <strong>Ma Pi Leng<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This stretch of the <strong>Ha Giang Loop<\/strong> has the\nmost amazing roads of all, hugging the side of the mountains as you overlook\nsteep drops on your right (if you\u2019re heading north). The <strong>Ma Pi Leng Pass<\/strong>\nis a zigzag stretch which is about 20km long, but the views from here are truly\nbreathtaking. It\u2019s a real struggle not to stop the bike every ten meters and\ntake more photos\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoop\" class=\"wp-image-590\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop5-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoop\" class=\"wp-image-591\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop37-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoop\" class=\"wp-image-592\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube aligncenter wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"HaGiang Loop (Ma Pi Leng Pass)\" width=\"1170\" height=\"878\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FGgJ0VFwa1g?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Continuing on to <strong>Dong Van<\/strong>, we eventually ended up at the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/dong-van-hmong-homestay-an-authentic-homestay-experience\/\">Dong Van Hmong Homestay<\/a><\/strong>, at the southern entrance to the city. Now this was what I was expecting in a homestay, with minimal home comforts being compensated for by a terrific meal, plenty of Happy Water (the gut-warming rice wine), and great Hmong hosts. An awesome place to stopover for the night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop38-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoop-DongVan\" class=\"wp-image-593\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"734\" height=\"918\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop40-DongVanHmong.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoop-DongVanHmong\" class=\"wp-image-595\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop40-DongVanHmong.jpg 734w, https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop40-DongVanHmong-240x300.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 734px) 100vw, 734px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 3: Lung Cu and then the Home Run<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Waking up with the baying cockerels (they really are bloody everywhere, even in the middle of <a href=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/the-best-10-things-to-see-do-in-saigon\/\"><strong>Saigon<\/strong><\/a>!), we convinced our guides to take us up to the <strong>Lung Cu Flag Tower<\/strong>, on Vietnam&#8217;s northern border with China, so set off fairly early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/HaGiangLoop8-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoopTour\" class=\"wp-image-513\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The road up from <strong>Dong Van<\/strong> was again a windy adventure through the mountains, only this time we had the sun on our backs and blue skies to savor. <strong>Lung Cu<\/strong> was great, with the 100-odd steps to the top of the flag tower well worth the sweat! The views out across the fields and mountains \u2013 and Chinese border &#8211; were superb!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop11.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiang Loop Tour\" class=\"wp-image-562\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop11.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop11-770x578.jpg 770w, https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop11-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop11-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>After paying our respects at a roadside funeral (and\ndrinking a shot of Happy Water offered to us), we continued on our way down the\nQL4C road to Ha Giang. We did stop off at a small town for lunch, but with many\nkilometres to burn (heading up to Lung Cu had added a considerable chunk of\ntime to our driving) we only made brief stops for photos and drinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the drive was stunning in the sunshine, with\nmountains and valleys to enjoy, cute villages to pass through, and wild water\nbuffalo to try and avoid!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop13-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoop\" class=\"wp-image-564\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop14-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoop\" class=\"wp-image-565\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube aligncenter wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"HaGiang Loop Tour\" width=\"1170\" height=\"878\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DFz6c1L9F-I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube aligncenter wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"HaGiang Loop Tour\" width=\"1170\" height=\"878\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OzichZ47mnc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop16-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoop\" class=\"wp-image-566\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HaGiangLoop17-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"HaGiangLoop\" class=\"wp-image-567\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the long drive back to Ha Giang (we arrived in the early evening but did stop near <strong>Heaven&#8217;s Gate<\/strong>, which we had missed due to a foggy Day 1) really killed my ass and lower back, it was a struggle\u2026therefore, if you have the time, I can highly recommend taking another day or two to break up the ride, and to really enjoy this truly gorgeous northern corner of Vietnam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Ha-Giang-North-Extreme-Loop-bs-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Ha Giang Vietnam\" class=\"wp-image-90\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on your next step, the boys at QT will sort you out with a bus ticket or a room for the night. I had already planned to head to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/how-to-get-from-ha-giang-to-ninh-binh-tam-coc\/\">Ninh Binh on the night bus<\/a><\/strong> that same evening, so despite the amazingly hospitable staff \u2013 and beers from Mr QT (Tan) himself \u2013 I continued my Vietnam journey on the bus to Ninh Binh and Tam Coc. But I\u2019ll be back for more\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/HaGiangLoop7-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-509\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><id=\"H4\">Ha Giang Loop Map<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The map below will give you an idea of where you&#8217;re going in Ha Giang province, but you&#8217;ll have to scroll about a bit to find some of the smaller towns&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1t9KNfac_PaotLx0NGKMTEDXfEKgqFO2N\" width=\"750\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In summary, the Ha Giang Loop is one of the most mind-blowing motorbike adventures you\u2019ll ever experience (by the way, you can also do the Loop in a 4&#215;4 vehicle). The views, the people, the Happy Water\u2026this is one trip that\u2019s likely to stay with you forever! To book a Ha Giang Loop Tour, <a href=\"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/ha-giang-loop-tour\/\">read more here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re looking for adventure and some stunning Vietnamese views, the Ha Giang Loop is a road trip second to none! Ideally done by motorbike, a Ha Giang Loop Tour really should be on any traveler&#8217;s bucket list or Vietnam MUST DO checklist. And it doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re doing the driving or riding pillion \u2013 I did it riding pillion with a seasoned guide because I wanted to take plenty of pictures and videos &#8211; the experience is still [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":564,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,28],"tags":[29,59,62,20,63],"class_list":["post-464","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-attractions","category-must-sees","tag-featured","tag-ha-giang","tag-ha-giang-loop","tag-motorbikes","tag-north-of-vietnam"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/464","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=464"}],"version-history":[{"count":56,"href":"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/464\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1308,"href":"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/464\/revisions\/1308"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/564"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gogogovietnam.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}