Hanoi to Ha Giang – 2-Day Itinerary Trip By Bus And Motorbike

Located 300 kilometers away from Hanoi in northern Vietnam, Ha Giang province is one of the most adventurous destinations in the country. With plenty of impressive limestone karsts, steep mountain passes, switchback roads and misty villages, the province is also home to a wide diversity of local ethnicities who still preserve their traditional culture and lifestyle. Ha Giang will take your breath away and inspire your soul.

Below you can find a 2-day itinerary road trip that includes the top must-see sights of Ha Giang province.

Travel from Hanoi to Ha Giang by bus

Although you can reach Ha Giang either from Lao Cai province or Cao Bang province, the direct bus route from Hanoi is still the most convenient way to travel to the northernmost province of Vietnam.

The company Hung Thanh operates daily bus services from Hanoi to Ha Giang (baolau.com/s/Hanoi/Ha-Giang) and back from Ha Giang to Hanoi (baolau.com/s/Ha-Giang/Hanoi).

Buses depart from My Dinh Station in Hanoi and complete the whole journey in 8 hours. If you want to save time, we recommend that you take the night bus and arrive to Ha Giang before daybreak. Therefore, you will have plenty of time upon arrival to eat breakfast and go around the town in search for a motorbike to rent.

The fleet of buses is equipped with convenient sleepers, blanket and a small bottle of water for each passenger. Thanks to our cooperation agreement with Hung Thanh, you can book online in advance with Baolau and receive an electronic ticket that you can print to board the bus in My Dinh Station in Hanoi or Ha Giang Station.

Getting around Ha Giang

The best way to explore Ha Giang province is by motorbike, as sights are located far from each other and connected by mountain roads. Be prepared to ride approximately 200 kilometers per day to complete this itinerary within 2 days. In case you are not confident enough to drive around the hills by yourself, there are plenty of guided motorbike tours that will take you around Ha Giang.

Day 1: Ha Giang - Quan Ba  - Yen Minh - Dong Van

Quan Ba District

Quan Ba, also know as Heaven's Gate, is the entrance to Dong Van Plateau. From here, you can commence your journey through the QL4C road by capturing a majestic view of rice terraces and limestone hills. The most famous mountain in Quan Ba is Co Tien Mountain or Twin Mountain, known for its interesting natural shape of women breasts.

Yen Minh District

Stop over at Yen Minh town for lunch. Then continue your journey east into Mien River valley. Observe the river banks filled with bamboo forests and wooden houses. You can find children playing in the river and local men fishing on its waters.

Dong Van Plateau

Descending at other side of Yen Minh district you will enter Dong Van Plateau. The rocky valley soon gives way to an overwhelming steep canyon surrounded by dramatic karst mountains.

Dong Van is the northernmost district of Ha Giang province. The surrounding natural landscape's untouched and wild beauty beyond imagination has inspired artists to create unique paintings and poems through decades of history.

Lung Cu Flag Tower

If you continue to the north tip of Dong Van district you will reach Lung Cu commune, where you can find Lung Cu Flag Tower. The monument consists of a 30 meter tower topped with a large Vietnamese flag on the summit of Lung Cu Peak, 1,400 meters above sea level. The monument was built to mark the northernmost point in Vietnam close to the border of China. We recommend that you enjoy sunset at the top of the tower.

Dong Van Old Town

After visiting Lung Cu, drive back to QL4C road and you will reach Dong Van. This colorful town is home to Mong, Tay and Hoa ethnic groups. You will find several authentic ancient houses around the old quarter, including the former palace of the H’mong king, and a bustling market open from every early morning through the day. There are plenty of hotels and home-stays in Dong Van where you can spend the night.

Day 2: Dong Van - Ma Pi Leng Pass - Meo Vac

Happiness Road - Ma Pi Leng Pass

After early breakfast and a short walk around the town, start driving through the famous Happiness Road. This road was built between 1959 and 1965 by 16 ethnic groups from 8 provinces of Northern Vietnam. Some segments of the road, especially along the Ma Pi Leng Pass, required a lot of effort and sacrifice from the young brave locals.

Ma Pi Leng is probably the most epic mountain pass in Vietnam. No wonder why travelers consider it as one of the "Big Four Passes" in the mountains of northern Vietnam, besides Deo O Quy Ho (in Sapa), Khau Phạ Pass and Pha Din Pass.

The road from Dong Van to Meo Vac is the best part of the itinerary through Ha Giang. The pass is carved on the edge of the limestone mountain, hundreds of meters above the Nho Que river gorge, one of the most unique tectonic valleys in Vietnam.

Meo Vac District

At the end of Ma Pi Leng Pass you will enter Meo Vac, an isolated rural district of Ha Giang Province lying just a few steps away from the border with China. This historically important town attracts visitors thanks to its authentic cultures preserved by local ethnicities.

Continue to Cao Bang or Return to Ha Giang

From Meo Vac, you can continue your journey east through QL4C into Cao Bang province or you can return to Ha Giang city heading west through the road DT182, which connects with QL4C back in Yen Minh.

Rice terraces of Hoang Su Phi

Back in Ha Giang, you may consider dedicating an additional day to visit the rices terrace of Hoang Su Phi, located in the west side of the province. Recognized as national heritage, these rice terraces attract lots of photographers and travelers all year round and most frequently during harvest season.

Travel to Ha Giang between May and September to indulge yourself in the beautiful grown rice fields, just as impressive as those in Sapa.

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