The mountain region between Ha Giang and the Chinese border, with its bizarre karst formations, rice terraces and river valleys, is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam. The bad tourist infrastructure is more than made up for by all impressions. The trip is good to do in three days (better still in four), but requires the necessary driving experience, because the roads are narrow, here and there bad and pretty winding. We show you a 3 day Ha Giang motorbike route.
Route information
Begin: Ha Giang
End: Ha Giang
Route: Ha Giang – Yen Minh – Dong Van – Meo Van – Ha Giang (320 km)
Duration: 3 – 4 days
Cost: Around $100, including scooter rental, two nights and the travel permit.
Important: For this motorbike route in Ha Giang you need a travel permit at the Immigration Office (415 A Tran Phu, tel 0219 387 52 10, Monday till Friday 9 – 12: 30, 1:30 – 4:30, Saturday and Sunday 9 – 12:30, VND 210,000). You need this travel permit because you will be travelling along the border. The motorbike can be rented at one of the guest houses.
Ha Giang motorbike route
Day 1: Ha Giang – Yen Minh, 105 km
The 3 day Ha Giang motorbike route leads along the national road 4 C from Ha Giang on the left of the river Lo to the north to the 55 km distant, at about 900 meters altitude, Tam Son. Ta, Som is surrounded by conical karst hills and is the administrative center of the Quan Ba district. It is a good place to refuel or supplement supplies. Here you can have a lunch break in a restaurant, and then continue to Yen Minh. The route then leads past the Song Mien, which leads through a deep valley. As the road continues eastwards, a fantastic view of the amazing mountain formations of UNESCO-Geopark Dong Van opens. After 50 km you reach Yen Minh, which stretches in a wide valley at 420 meters along the road and is very suitable for overnight stays (for example the Thao Nguyen Hotel from $ 15).
Day 2: Yen Minh – Dong Van – Meo Vac, 70 km
The next day is one of the most spectacular scenic parts on the program. It goes along the karst mountains that rise as robust towers. About 3 km east of Yen Minh the road splits. You follow the link to Dong From the current road in a northeastern direction about 30 km until a next junction. Here you turn right in the direction of Dong Van. On the way, in the small Hmong village Sa Phin you will pass the Palace (Nha Vua Meo Vuong) built in 1928 by Hmong leader and opium trader Vuong Chinh Duc (1865 – 1947). After another 15 kilometers you will reach Dong Van, which has developed into a lively town and has a wide range of guest houses. But it is worth it to drive 22 km further over the Ma Pi Leng Pass to Meo Vac because in the late afternoon light the karst mountains are very beautiful. For accommodation you can for example go to the Auberge de Meo Vac, beautiful rooms around $ 55, bed in dorm for $ 15.
Day 3: Meo Van – Yen Minh – Ha Giang, 150 km
On the last day there are several possibilities for the return trip to Ha Giang. From Meo Van you can follow a narrow road to the west, which leads to Yen Minh again. Or take the national road 4 C resp. 34 to the south along the river Nho Que via Na Phong and Bac Me (also about 150 km). Both variants are spicy, but scenically very beautiful.
Motorbike route map
Going by tour
You can also do this Ha Giang motorbike route by tour. A guide will help you with driving safely through the mountains, show you the way to drive so you don’t get lost and arrange your accommodation and food. If you don’t have any motorbike driving experience, it is not recommend to start learning it in this region, experience is required, because the roads and infrastructure is not great. An alternative to the motorbike is renting a car with driver. Check all your options here.