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Max 27 pax
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The Ha Giang Loop 3 day trip is one of the top adventures for backpackers in Vietnam. It is fast, scenic and gives you a real taste of mountain life in the far north. This guide walks you through the full 3 day route, what the journey actually feels like and the key spots you should not miss.
This Ha Giang Loop 3 day trip is designed for travelers who want authenticity, adventure and great value. It is one of the best ways to explore the far north of Vietnam without overspending, and the route is packed with stunning views, friendly locals and experiences you will remember long after you leave.
You can choose one of the two options below. Both are included in the tour price.
Notes:
2 Tour Options: Self-ride and Easy-rider (Please note your preference in the “special note” box)
CHILDREN‘S PRICE
Three days is the sweet spot for backpackers who want the full Ha Giang experience without rushing. The 3 day loop gives you enough time to ride the main route, visit local villages and enjoy the mountain passes at a comfortable pace.
Many travelers choose 3 days because it covers the top highlights like Yen Minh, Ma Pi Leng Canyon and the Nho Que River. You still get time to stop for photos, join activities and spend a night in a local homestay.
It is also the most practical option for anyone traveling from Hanoi. You can leave in the afternoon or evening, start the loop the next morning and be back in the city after three full days on the road.
The Ha Giang Loop 3 day route follows a clean circle through the mountains. It is easy to follow, even if this is your first time riding in the north.
Here is the simple breakdown:
Ha Giang City → Yen Minh → Dong Van → Ma Pi Leng Canyon → Meo Vac → Ha Giang City
You will ride through limestone valleys, narrow passes, and small ethnic villages along the way. The roads are winding but well known and popular among backpackers, so you will always see other riders on the same route.
Most tours, including ours at Vietnam Backpacker Hostels, take this direction because it gives you the best views on Ma Pi Leng Pass and the smoothest flow for a 3 day loop.
Below is the full 3 day flow so you know exactly what to expect on the loop. This schedule is based on the join-in Ha Giang Loop 3 day tour we run at Vietnam Backpacker Hostels, but it also helps any backpacker planning the same route.
You can choose between the 3:30 PM D-car or the 10:00 PM night bus. Both options are included in the tour.
The D-car is the most comfortable choice. It leaves Hanoi in the afternoon and arrives in Ha Giang between 9:30 and 10:00 PM. When you arrive, you check in at our hostel and get a good rest before the loop starts the next morning.
The night bus leaves at 10:00 PM and reaches Ha Giang around 4:30 AM. The driver stops halfway for a short toilet or food break, but we always advise bringing snacks since there is not much available at the resting point. When the bus reaches Ha Giang, you can rest in the common area before breakfast.
Your first morning starts slow and easy. Breakfast is served at 7:30 AM, usually hot pho or a simple Western option.
At 8:00 AM, your guide gathers the group for introductions, a clear safety briefing and cultural etiquette tips. You will learn how to handle your bike, what to expect on the route and what to bring for the day. Anyone who self-rides must take a basic competency test in a safe open area.
Once everyone is comfortable, the ride begins. The scenery opens up fast, with limestone mountains, quiet valleys and curving roads that get better with every kilometer. On warmer days, the guide may stop at a natural swimming hole that is popular among backpackers on the Ha Giang Loop 3 day route.
Late in the morning, you visit a local family in need. This is a VBH tradition and many guests say it is a meaningful moment of the loop. We contribute simple items like rice, noodles or warm clothes depending on the season.
Lunch is served in a small spring-fed village, often in the early afternoon. After eating, you can swim again or take a short walk for photos during the cooler months.
You end the day with a hearty dinner at a local restaurant before checking in to your homestay. Expect shared rooms, clean bedding and a friendly host family. Many groups end the night with stories, tea and sometimes a bit of rice wine.
Breakfast starts at 7:30 AM with pho or bun noodles, which are signature dishes of northern Vietnam.
The ride continues at 8:00 AM. This section takes you through a quieter route that few travelers know, passing Red Dao and Nung communities. The views become taller and more dramatic, with deep valleys, open ridges and traditional stilt houses scattered along the road.
Around midday, you stop for lunch with a Tay ethnic family. Their home sits in a peaceful mountain village where you can see daily life in slow motion. Most dishes come straight from their own garden.
After lunch, the guide leads you to a cave system used as a natural water source for nearby communities. It is cool, quiet and surprisingly large for such a remote area.
The next section brings you to the highlight of the Ha Giang Loop 3 days: Ma Pi Leng Pass. This canyon is known as one of the deepest in Southeast Asia and offers unbelievable views of the Nho Que River. You will have plenty of time to stop for photos.
Dinner is served at your Hmong homestay in the evening. Expect seasonal dishes like sautéed greens, slow-cooked pork and pumpkin soup. After dinner, you relax, chat or simply enjoy the calm mountain night.
You can sleep in or get up early to watch the sunrise over the border area near China. Many riders consider this one of the most peaceful moments of the entire Ha Giang Loop 3 day experience.
Breakfast is at 7:30 AM. At 8:00 AM, you begin the final stretch, riding southwest along a border route filled with rocky outcrops and fossil formations. Guides often stop to show areas where scientists found evidence of ancient plate shifts dating back to the Jurassic era.
Depending on time, you may visit the Hmong King’s Palace. It is a historical home built during the French colonial period, and now open to the public.
Lunch is served at one of the oldest continuously running restaurants in Ha Giang. The chicken soup and sticky rice are favorites among backpackers.
When you return to the hostel, you have time for a shower and packing. Transport back to Hanoi departs either around 4:00 PM by D-car or 10:00 PM by night bus.
Arrival times:
The Ha Giang Loop runs all year, but not every season is ideal. Three days is the perfect amount of time for the route, and the months below offer the best balance of weather, scenery and riding conditions.
March to May
This is one of the best periods for the loop. The weather is warm without being too hot, the hills turn green again and the skies are usually clear. Roads are dry, which makes riding easier for beginners.
September to October
Another top choice. The rice fields glow gold, the valleys look sharp and clear and the temperatures are cool. Many backpackers say this is the most beautiful season of the year.
November to February
These months are colder in the mountains and mornings can be foggy, but the routes are still safe and the views are dramatic. Bring warm layers if you do the loop during this period. Swimming stops are limited, but the ride is still enjoyable.
June to August
This is not recommended. It is the rainy season, which means unstable weather, sudden afternoon showers and low visibility on the mountain passes. Roads can also be slippery. If you have flexibility in your travel dates, try to avoid this time.
No matter when you go, the Ha Giang Loop 3 days is a memorable ride. Weather affects the vibe, but the landscape is always worth it.
The Ha Giang Loop is one of the most photogenic places in Vietnam. The 3 day route gives you plenty of chances to stop, take in the views and capture scenes that look unreal in person.
Here are the top photography spots you should not miss.
This is the most famous viewpoint on the loop. The canyon drops sharply into the Nho Que River and the mountains stack endlessly into the horizon. Early morning or late afternoon gives the best light.
If you join the boat ride, you can take photos right at the water level. The emerald color of the river stands out even on cloudy days.
The ride into Yen Minh passes through rolling hills, pine forests and small farms. The curves in this section make great action shots of the bikes.
A unique mix of stone, wood and old courtyard architecture. It is a great place for portraits and detail shots.
Yes. Three days is the ideal amount of time for first-time riders and backpackers. You cover all the main highlights including Yen Minh, Dong Van and Ma Pi Leng Pass without rushing.
The route is manageable for beginners, especially with an easy rider. Some sections have sharp curves and narrow passes, so focus is important. If you do not feel confident riding, choosing an easy rider is the safest and most relaxing option.
The tour includes transport from Hanoi, accommodation, motorbike or easy rider, helmets, fuel, meals and all guided activities. The Nho Que River boat trip is optional.
You should bring light layers, sunscreen, a small towel, swimwear (for warm months), a rain jacket in cooler seasons, closed shoes and your essentials in a compact bag. Most guests leave big luggage at the hostel.
For questions about the Ha Giang Loop 3 days tour or to share your own review, reach out to Vietnam Backpacker Hostels at:
Return bus ticket to Hanoi- Ha Giang - Hanoi
English-speaking local guide
Bike hire with gasoline
Accommodation at local homestay or hostels
Meals as mentioned
Sightseeing entrance fees
Travel Insurance
Drinks
Personal Expenses
Departure times from Hanoi: 10:00 PM (night bus) or 3:30 PM (D-car)
(We highly recommend the D-car option for comfort)
D-car option: Arrive in Ha Giang 9:30-10:00 PM. Spend a night at our hostel
Night bus: Arrive in Ha Giang around 4:30 AM the next day
(The driver will make a toilet/food break at about the halfway point. We do however advise bringing snacks on the bus or eating beforehand, as the stopping points do not offer much)
7:30 AM: Having breakfast at our hostel
8:00 AM: Our guide will introduce themselves and explain the safety debrief, cultural etiquette, tour itinerary, and what to bring
7:30 AM – Have Pho or Bun noodles -a signature dish to the North for breakfast
8:00 AM – Begin the ride to a very unused route with outstanding scenery. Pass through several communities of Red Dao and Nung minority groups
7:30 AM – You can choose to sleep in until breakfast or get up early and see the sunrise over the China border. An amazing place to explore on foot.
8:00 AM – After breakfast, we will continue southwest and follow the border area where we will pass through areas of rocky outcrop that scientists have pointed
out show evidence of shifting in the earth’s plates (Fossils have been found here dating back to the Jurassic era)
Please note that an additional charge will apply for bookings on December 31, 2025, January 1, 2026, and during the Tet Holiday (February 16–20, 2026); some tours may not operate during Tet, so kindly contact us in advance to confirm final prices and availability