How many days doing the Ha Giang Loop?
Ha Giang is often regarded as the highlight of any trip through Vietnam. It will be a missed opportunity to not plan enough time for exploration.
It may be tempting for some travelers to rush through the province in just 2 days by car, so you have more time to visit other places in Vietnam. However, this approach would mean you are missing out on the rich cultural experiences and smaller, hidden gems that Ha Giang has to offer.
With a minimum recommended duration of 3 days, the Ha Giang Loop can be extended to 5 days or even longer without ever experiencing a dull moment.
3 days and 2 nights:
- Visit the main highlights of the loop, such as Ma Pi Leng Pass and Dong Van Plateau.
- Explore ethnic minority villages and experience their unique cultures.
- Get a taste of the stunning mountain scenery and enjoy short treks along the way.
4 days and 3 nights:
- Venture further into the loop, exploring additional scenic areas.
- Spend a day immersing yourself in the picturesque rice fields of Du Gia.
5 days and 4 nights:
- More time to visit local villages.
- Go off the beaten track and discover hidden gems.
- Time to go on short trekking’s, instead of only driving around
Planning your Ha Giang Loop itinerary
Plan travel time
Consider the time it takes to travel from Hanoi to Ha Giang. Opting for a night bus can save you valuable daytime hours to explore Ha Giang. However, if you prefer a daytime bus because it feel safer or have difficulty sleeping on overnight buses, you need to add half a day to your Ha Giang Loop itinerary for traveling from Hanoi.
On the way back from Ha Giang to Hanoi you can take the (late) afternoon bus and arrive around midnight back in Hanoi, so this will not cost you too much travel time.
Flexible itinerary
For a 3-day, 2-night Ha Giang Loop itinerary, stick to the main highlights, but with 4 or 5 days, you have the freedom to plan a more flexible schedule and explore additional places like Du Gia or spend extra time off the beaten track in Dong Van.
Trekking
Don’t limit yourself to just being in a car or on a motorbike; Ha Giang offers incredible trekking opportunities. Step out of your vehicle and embark on foot to experience the peaceful and authentic beauty of the region. You’ll likely have the trails to yourself, away from other tourists.
Weekends
Keep in mind that the Ha Giang Loop tends to be busier on weekends when Vietnamese visitors from Hanoi come to enjoy their weekend getaway. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider avoiding the weekend rush.
Local markets
While we just suggest avoiding weekends, one of the biggest highlights in Ha Giang is held weekly on Sunday. The Meo Vac and Dong Van minority markets showcase a colorful array of local produce, livestock, and unique cultural experiences, providing a captivating addition to your Ha Giang Loop itinerary.
Ha Giang Loop itinerary examples
Below, you’ll find three different Ha Giang Loop itineraries, each tailored to suit varying lengths of stay. If you’re seeking more detailed information about the mentioned sights and attractions, we invite you to refer to our comprehensive Ha Giang Loop guide.
3 days & 2 nights
Day 1
Ha Giang City (start) – Quan Ba Pass (viewpoint) – Twin Mountains (viewpoint) – Tham Ma Pass (viewpoint) – Chin Khoanh Pass (viewpoint) – Sung La Valley (sighteeing) – Hmong Kings Palace (sighteeing) – Dong Van Old Quarter (sighteeing) – Dong Van (overnight)
Day 2
Dong Van – Ma Le village (sighteeing) – Lung Cu Flag Tower (viewpoint) – Ma Pi Leng Pass (viewpoint) – Nho Que river (boat tour) – Meo Vac (overnight)
Day 3
Meo Vac – M shape turn (viewpoint) – Mau Due (rice fields) – Lung Ho (viewpoint) – Ha Giang City
4 days & 3 nights
Day 1
Ha Giang City (start) – Quan Ba Pass (viewpoint) – Twin Mountains (viewpoint) – Tham Ma Pass (viewpoint) – Chin Khoanh Pass (viewpoint) – Sung La Valley (sighteeing) – Hmong Kings Palace (sighteeing) – Dong Van Old Quarter – Dong Van (overnight)
Day 2
Dong Van – Ma Le village (sighteeing) – Lung Cu Flag Tower (viewpoint) – Ma Pi Leng Pass (viewpoint) – Nho Que river (boat tour) – Meo Vac (overnight)
Day 3
Meo Vac – M shape turn (viewpoint) – Mau Due (rice fields) – Lung Ho (viewpoint) – Du Gia waterfall (swimming) – Du Gia (overnight)
Day 4
Du Gia – Du Gia rice fields – Ha Giang City
5 days & 4 nights
Day 1
Ha Giang City (start) – Minh Tan Stream (Swimming) – Quan Ba Pass (viewpoint)- Lung Khuy Cave (cave exploring) – Lung Tam Village – Yen Minh Pine Forest – Yen Minh (overnight)
Day 2
Yen Minh – Tham Ma Pass (viewpoint) – Chin Khoanh Pass (viewpoint) – Sung La Valley (sighteeing) – Hmong Kings Palace (sighteeing) – Lo Lo Chai Village (sighteeing) – Lung Cu Flag Tower (viewpoint) – Ma Le village (sighteeing) – Dong Van Old Quarter (sighteeing) – Dong Van (overnight)
Day 3
Dong Van – Trekking around Dong Van – Ma Pi Leng Pass (viewpoint) – Nho Que river (boat tour) – Meo Vac (overnight)
Day 4
Meo Vac – M shape turn (viewpoint) – Mau Due (rice fields) – Lung Ho (viewpoint) – Du Gia waterfall (swimming) – Du Gia (overnight)
Day 5
Du Gia – Du Gia rice fields – Ha Giang City
Ha Giang & Ban Gioc Waterfall
You can also choose for an itinerary combining Ha Giang and the Ban Gioc Waterfall, located in Cao Bang province. Ban Gioc Waterfall is the biggest waterfall and also considered as the most beautiful waterfall in Vietnam.
However, combining these 2 destinations means you won’t be able to complete the full Ha Giang Loop. The Ha Giang Loop in this combination stops at Meo Vac. This allows you to still experience the major highlights of the route, including Ma Pi Leng Pass, Dong Van Karst Plateau, and Lung Cu. However, you will miss out on the final leg of the loop from Meo Vac back to Ha Giang City via Mau Due and Du Gia.
While the route you miss offers incredible scenery, it’s important to note that Cao Bang offers much more than just the Ban Gioc Waterfall. So altough you miss out on a part of the loop, going through Cao Bang, with stunning mountain landscapes, picturesque rice fields, and numerous charming ethnic minority villages, makes it all up. Additionally, Cao Bang attracts fewer tourists, providing a more intimate and authentic experience.
Typically, this itinerary spans around 4 days, with 2 days in Ha Giang and 2 days in Cao Bang. However, some tours may extend the trip to include Ba Be Lake, the largest natural lake in Vietnam, nestled amidst the lush jungle and surrounded by ethnic villages.
Experience the best of Ha Giang, Ban Gioc Waterfall, and Ba Be Lake with our combination tour of “Ha Giang, Ban Gioc Waterfall, and Ba Be Lake.”
