Motorbike adventure in Ha Giang for 3 days and 2 nights can be an amazing experience if you have a clear and detailed itinerary. Understanding that, in this article, I will share with you everything about the 3-day 2-night motorbike itinerary in Ha Giang, including costs, transportation, dining spots, and accommodations.
3-day 2-night motorbike itinerary in Ha Giang
Below is the actual itinerary of my 3-day 2-night motorbike trip in Ha Giang:
Day 1: Ha Giang City – Quan Ba – Yen Minh – Lung Cu – Dong Van (approximately 180km)
8:00 PM, Old Quarter Hanoi: Since we had booked a tour in advance, our group gathered here and waited for the sleeper bus to pick us up. After a 6-hour journey, around 3:00 AM, we arrived at Ha Giang Bus Station. We checked in to our accommodation and rested until morning.
5:00 AM, Ha Giang Amazing Tour: We woke up and enjoyed a breakfast of instant noodles and coffee. Next, we rented motorbikes Ha Giang, along with accessories like helmets, raincoats, and mineral water. As we were all students, we opted for Yamaha Sirius bikes, which were affordable and reliable (priced at 180,000 VND per day).
5:45 AM, Milestone 0: Surely, everyone checks-in here when traveling to Ha Giang. Our group set off early to have more time and avoid the crowds.
6:30 AM, Bac Sum Slope: We had heard that this place was beautiful, so we were excited to go early and capture the best moments. However, the fog was thick, and the sun was nowhere to be seen. The misty atmosphere created a unique experience, like walking on clouds and getting lost in a fairyland.
7:30 AM, Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate: After an additional 18km, we reached the legendary Heaven’s Gate. The weather had cleared up, allowing us to comfortably check-in. From the gate, we could overlook the winding roads snaking through the green hills. The drifting clouds made it an enchanting place that no one wanted to leave.
8:30 AM, Co Tien Twin Mountains: When we arrived, the whole group couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow!” because the place was incredibly beautiful. Nature has truly bestowed Ha Giang with such majestic landscapes, resembling scenes from a movie.
9:15 AM, “Alone” Tree: The weather was sunny, and the scenery was stunning. The majestic beauty of the land and sky gradually revealed itself along the paths we traveled. We spent over 30 minutes taking photos here because it was simply breathtaking.
11:30 AM, Yen Minh Town: In Yen Minh, we stopped for a budget-friendly lunch at a local restaurant. The food here was delicious, and we couldn’t resist having 2-3 bowls of rice each. It was definitely worth embarking on a 3-day 2-night motorbike adventure in Ha Giang.
13:00 Tham Ma Pass: I arrived at Tham Ma Pass when the sun was high. Since it was the weekend, there were many ethnic minority children wearing vibrant Hmong flower baskets on the pass. The children were adorable and friendly, happily agreeing to take photos with me. I rented a flower wreath and a Hmong basket to take pictures on the winding Tham Ma Pass. When I asked the children about the rental price, they simply replied, “Take as much as you want.” I gave them 20,000 VND and handed out some snacks to the children since the photo session took a while.
Just by choosing the right angle, I managed to capture some outstandingly beautiful photos.
14:00 Chin Khoanh Pass: This road is steep and winding, with many sharp bends and U-shaped turns. It feels exhilarating to ascend the pass.
14:45 Vuong Family Mansion: The entrance fee is 10,000 VND per ticket. Stepping into this ancient mansion, I was overwhelmed by the grandeur of the architecture. The unique, exquisite, and remarkable architectural features impressed me.
16:00 Lung Cu Flag Tower: After traveling about 30 kilometers, I reached Lung Cu Flag Tower, the northernmost point of the country. I rode my motorbike to the base of the flag tower and climbed about 200 steps to reach the top. It was crowded when I visited, so I spent some time exploring before heading back to the triangular buckwheat flower hill.
16:30 Buckwheat Flower Hill: After surveying the area, I found that the two buckwheat flower hills near Lung Cu Flag Tower were the most beautiful. Try admiring the flowers in the evening, as the sunset casts a mesmerizing glow. Standing amidst the flower hill with a cool breeze and surrounded by majestic mountains on all sides, it’s truly an indescribable feeling, as if being in a heavenly landscape. It was absolutely amazing.
18:00 Dong Van: I returned to Dong Van town (remember to be back before 6 PM, as it gets dark early in winter, and the mountainous roads can be dangerous). I arrived just as the evening fell. I rested and had dinner at a hotel in the Old Quarter.
For dinner, I enjoyed the local specialties of Ha Giang, such as running chicken, grilled meat, and grilled river fish. The food was delicious and satisfying, made with fresh ingredients. Overall, it was a perfect 10.
After dinner, I took a stroll in Dong Van Old Quarter. In the evening, people light campfires and play traditional games. The atmosphere is lively, vibrant, and friendly. People make friends and interact, creating a joyful and unforgettable experience. Be sure to visit Dong Van Old Quarter in the evening; it will undoubtedly exceed your expectations.
That concluded the first day of my 3-day, 2-night motorbike trip to Ha Giang. It was tiring but enjoyable, and everything went according to plan. Since I was exhausted from the whole day of traveling, I went to bed immediately to recharge for the next day.
Day 2: Dong Van – Meo Vac – Du Gia (approximately 75km)
7:30 Dong Van Old Town: With a more relaxed itinerary, I took a walk to the old town. I heard about the famous “banh cuon” (steamed rolled rice pancake) by Mrs. Ha and wanted to give it a try. I had to wait for 10 minutes to get a table at the crowded restaurant, even though it was a Monday morning. The banh cuon here is served with bone broth, and I found it delicious and unique. I had it with soy milk. After finishing my meal, I strolled around the old town and the market, enjoying the early morning scenery.
9:00 Ma Pi Leng Pass: Continuing on the Happiness Road, I arrived at Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of the four great mountain passes in Vietnam. In the middle of the pass, there is a breathtaking view of the emerald-green Nho Que River behind me. The scenery here is majestic, pristine, and magnificent. I was awestruck by the surroundings; it was truly beautiful.
10:30 Nho Que River and Tu San Alley: We parked our bikes and followed a small pedestrian path down to the river, purchasing tickets for 120,000 VND per person, including a shuttle bus from Xin Cai Pier. I boarded the boat on the Nho Que River when the sun was shining brightly. The scenery was enchanting, with the mesmerizing emerald-green water. The boat stopped at three points for photo opportunities.
First, we visited the Buckwheat Flower Hill (this hill is considered the summit). It offers a view of Tu San Alley, where a newly opened camping area provides a chill ambiance. Given more time, I would have stayed here the entire day.
The second stop was Tu San Gorge, known as the deepest gorge in Southeast Asia and situated in a valley with unique geological formations, unparalleled in Vietnam. The scenery here was marvelous, mysterious, majestic, and splendid. The third stop was a unique rock formation, ideal for checking in and taking photos.
On the boat, there were also food and beverage services, offering dishes such as lam rice and grilled skewers with roasted potatoes. Feeling tired, we decided to take a motorbike taxi for 50,000 VND per way.
13:00 Meo Vac: We returned to the town of Meo Vac to have “Bun bo sot vang” (beef noodle soup with red wine sauce) at Nang Cao Restaurant. The noodles here were delicious and flavorful, a perfect 10/10.
17:30 Du Gia: Afterward, our group headed straight to Du Gia. After freshening up, we had dinner and rested at a traditional stilt house of the Tay ethnic group. Here, I truly understood why Du Gia is called the “fairyland village.” Walking around, enjoying the valley scenery, and learning about the local culture through conversations with the villagers made me appreciate the experience even more. There was nothing to regret. We went to bed around 10:00 PM, marking the completion of 2/3 of our 3-day, 2-night journey in Ha Giang.
Day 3: Du Gia – Quan Ba – Ha Giang (approximately 80km)
7:30 Du Gia Homestay: We had breakfast and chilled with a cup of coffee. Breakfast was included in the accommodation, and the coffee was reasonably priced, ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 VND per cup, and of good quality.
9:00 Du Gia Waterfall: From the homestay, we traveled a little over 3km
to reach the waterfall. There are two cascades here, one above and one below. Standing beside the waterfall, listening to the sound of water and feeling the cool breeze was a memorable experience. The water here is crystal clear, allowing visibility all the way to the bottom. Taking photos here was a must.
10:30 Duong Thuong Road: We then traveled back to Ha Giang City via the Duong Thuong route. This road is incredibly beautiful but not yet well-known by many people. I recommend everyone to visit and experience it firsthand. The ups and downs along the road, with the lush green valley below, were absolutely stunning. I wondered why no tourism development had taken place in this area.
11:45 Lung Tam Village: Following a friend’s recommendation, we turned into Lung Tam Village in Quan Ba. Here, we had lunch at a stilt house and learned about the meticulous 41-stage manual process of making traditional Hmong textiles from flax. The effort put into creating these textiles was truly astonishing.
16:00 Ha Giang City: After four hours of conquering winding mountainous roads, we finally arrived in Ha Giang City to organize our belongings and rest for a while.
18:00 Milestone 0: We returned here to spend some time and participate in an electric scooter race at the Square. The price was only 15,000 VND for 10 minutes, and discounts were available for multiple rides. Afterward, the whole group had dinner at Ca Song Lo Restaurant, spending just over 500,000 VND for four people and leaving us feeling fully satisfied with the delicious and fresh fish.
20:00 Ha Giang Amazing Tour: Finally, I returned to this place to return the rented vehicle, freshen up, and rest. The staff here were very friendly and helpful, assisting us with storing our luggage and inquiring about the condition of the vehicle. They took note of any issues that needed attention and maintenance (a big plus). At 9:00 PM, we bid farewell to Ha Giang, boarded the bus, and headed back to Hanoi.
Experiences and Tips for a Thrilling 3-day, 2-night Motorbike Trip to Ha Giang
To avoid any unnecessary complications or unexpected situations, I would like to share with you some valuable insights from my own journey and fellow adventurers:
- If you’re riding a motorbike, always carry your identification card and driver’s license. During our trip, we were stopped twice by police officers for document checks. Luckily, we had everything in order, and the officers were friendly, so it was no problem at all.
- Ensure that your physical condition is at its best. If you’re not accustomed to long-distance riding, consider either having someone else ride or joining a guided motorbike tour in Ha Giang.
- Don’t forget to study a Ha Giang travel map beforehand. It will help you visualize the routes and choose the most suitable path for your itinerary.
- Keep your fuel tank full at all times when traveling in Ha Giang. While there are gas stations in every town, it’s better not to let your fuel gauge drop below three bars.
- When renting a motorbike, thoroughly inspect it before and after the rental period. If possible, take a test ride to evaluate its performance and functionality.
- Be sure to pack all your personal necessities because homestays usually don’t provide items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, or shampoo.
These are some of my personal recommendations and lessons learned from a detailed 3-day, 2-night motorbike trip in Ha Giang. I hope this article can help you gather useful information and plan the most optimal itinerary for your Ha Giang adventure.