MOTORBIKING HA GIANG IN 6 DAYS
Introduction to Ha Giang In 6 Days
Ha Giang In 6 Days is one of the shortest motorbike tours in northern Vietnam, covering the spectacular Ha Giang and Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark areas. Despite the shorter duration, the itinerary includes long riding days, challenging mountain roads, winding passes, and remote backroads, making it best suited to experienced motorcycle riders who are comfortable spending several hours on the bike each day.
This route offers a great introduction to the dramatic landscapes of Ha Giang Province, including rugged limestone mountains, deep valleys, remote villages, and traditional communities. If you have a few extra days available, we recommend extending the adventure farther into the Northeast of Vietnam. You can continue along the historic Highway 4, visit the spectacular Ban Gioc Waterfalls, and explore more of the remote border region. With additional time, it is even possible to continue south and east toward the coast and finish your adventure around Halong Bay.
Ha Giang 6-Day Dirtbike Ride At A Glance
1st day: Hanoi – Vu Linh
2nd day: Vu Linh – Ha Giang
3rd day: Ha Giang – Dong Van or Meo Vac
4th day: Dong Van or Meo Vac – Bao Lac
5th day: Bao Lac – Ba Be
6th day: Ba Be – Hanoi
This 6-day Ha Giang dirt bike adventure is designed for riders who want to experience the highlights of northern Vietnam without committing to a longer itinerary. From the peaceful lakeside setting of Vu Linh to the spectacular mountain roads around Dong Van and Meo Vac, every day brings a different landscape and riding experience.
Other Ha Giang Motorbike Tour Routes
Below is a video clip featuring portions of this Ha Giang in 6 Days motorbike adventure, giving you a glimpse of the mountain roads, remote landscapes, and riding experiences included in the trip. If you would like to see more videos from our Vietnam motorbike adventures, please check out our YouTube channel.
DETAILED ITINERARY
This trip is designed to combine two memorable local homestays with the spectacular scenery of Ha Giang in just six days. Despite the short duration, the route takes you through some of the best landscapes and most authentic areas of Northern Vietnam, making it an excellent choice for experienced riders with limited time.
Day 1: Hanoi – Vu Linh (~180 km, ~7 h)
Today is the first day of our Ha Giang in 6 Days adventure. We meet at 9 am at our company office in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. By this time, the morning rush has eased a little, making it a more comfortable time to begin the ride. However, Hanoi traffic can still be quite different from what you are used to at home, so take your time and stay alert during the first part of the journey.
After a short riding and route briefing, we leave Hanoi from the western side of the city and soon escape the busiest streets. We then follow a relatively straight road along the Red River (Song Hong) before continuing toward Thac Ba Lake. The riding is easy on sealed roads, allowing you to settle into the bike and enjoy the changing scenery as the city gradually gives way to rural Vietnam.
From Thac Ba Lake, we turn onto smaller roads toward Vu Linh, a peaceful Dzao village on the shores of the lake. The local people are known for their friendliness and warm hospitality. Tonight’s homestay provides an excellent opportunity to experience traditional village life, local food, and genuine Vietnamese hospitality away from the usual tourist routes.
Day 2: Vu Linh – Ha Giang (~180 km, ~6 h)
After breakfast, we continue riding along the shores of Thac Ba Lake, following a small and scenic road lined with palm trees. The route passes through quiet countryside and offers beautiful views of the lake, surrounding mountains, and remote villages. It is a relaxed way to begin the second day before we gradually move into more rugged terrain.
We eventually join the main road heading north toward Ha Giang, the gateway to some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in Vietnam. As we approach the city, the scenery becomes increasingly mountainous and the roads more winding.
We stop for the night in Ha Giang and arrange the necessary permit for riding in the border areas. Depending on the current local procedure, the permit can also be obtained through a hotel in Ha Giang Province. After settling in, there is time to relax and prepare for the more challenging mountain roads ahead.
Day 3: Ha Giang – Dong Van (~180 km, ~6 h)
After breakfast, we leave Ha Giang and head deeper into the mountains on small, challenging roads that wind through the spectacular landscapes of the Dong Van Karst Plateau. The riding becomes more demanding, but the scenery is incredibly rewarding as we pass through remote areas inhabited by different ethnic minority communities. Traditional villages, dramatic limestone peaks, and deep valleys accompany us throughout the day.
One of the major highlights is Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of the most spectacular mountain passes in Vietnam. From the higher sections, we can look across layers of cloudy mountain ranges while the beautiful Nho Que River winds far below in the valley. The views here are among the most memorable on the Ha Giang Loop.
We then continue along a zigzag mountain track toward Dong Van, a remote town surrounded by rugged limestone mountains. Along the way, we see how hard-working local communities have adapted to life in this challenging environment, cultivating small patches of land and building homes among the rocks. After arriving in Dong Van, there is some extra time to wander through the ancient streets, where traditional H’mong houses made from clay bricks and topped with tiled roofs have stood for generations.
Alternatively, you can spend the night in Meo Vac, either in a homestay or hotel. From our experience, however, Dong Van is a more interesting and pleasant place to overnight, particularly if you would like to explore the old town in the evening.
Day 4: Dong Van – Bao Lac (~80 km, ~4 h)
Today’s distance is relatively short, but the road conditions make this a surprisingly long and adventurous riding day. Some sections are still under construction, with rough tracks and unfinished road surfaces slowing our progress. Rather than rushing, we take our time and enjoy the incredible scenery along the route.
The landscape around this section of Ha Giang Province is among the most spectacular in northern Vietnam. Towering limestone mountains, narrow valleys, remote villages, and rugged slopes create an almost untouched atmosphere. The slower pace is actually an advantage, giving us more opportunities to stop for photographs and appreciate the scenery.
We cross the wild and remote regions of Ha Giang before eventually reaching Bao Lac, an important ethnic crossroads in northeastern Vietnam. The town is surrounded by mountains and is home to several different ethnic communities. On Sundays, the local market becomes particularly lively as people from different groups on both sides of the border come together to trade, shop, and socialize.
After arriving in Bao Lac, we settle in for the night and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this remote mountain town before continuing toward Ba Be the following day.
Day 5: Bao Lac – Ba Be (~150 km, ~5 h)
Today is another beautiful riding day as we leave Bao Lac and gradually descend from the high mountain ranges toward Ba Be Lake. The landscape changes noticeably as we move from the rugged limestone mountains into greener valleys and more peaceful countryside. The road offers a great mix of winding mountain sections, quiet rural roads, and spectacular views, making this a relaxing contrast to the more challenging riding around Ha Giang and Dong Van.
Our destination is Ba Be Lake, one of the most impressive natural attractions in northern Vietnam. Surrounded by forested mountains and dramatic limestone formations, the lake is famous for its peaceful scenery and rich biodiversity. It is also one of the world’s largest natural freshwater lakes located within a limestone karst landscape.
If time and weather allow, we can take a boat cruise on Ba Be Lake for around two hours. Cruising across the calm water is a wonderful way to enjoy the surrounding mountains, caves, forest, and remote lakeside villages. After the boat trip, we spend the night with a Tay ethnic family, enjoying a traditional homestay, local food, and the warm hospitality of the community.
Day 6: Ba Be – Hanoi. (~240 km, ~7 h). End of Ha Giang In 6 Days.
Today is our final riding day, with approximately 240 km from Ba Be to Hanoi. It is a relatively long day in terms of distance, but the roads are generally easy compared with the mountain tracks we have experienced earlier in the trip. An early departure from Ba Be is recommended so that we can make good progress and reach Hanoi before the evening rush hour.
The route takes us out of the peaceful Ba Be region and gradually back toward the capital. The busiest section begins around Thai Nguyen, where traffic increases as we get closer to Hanoi. After five days of riding through different terrains, mountain roads, remote villages, and winding backroads across northern Vietnam, you should be well prepared for the final stretch into the city.
We aim to arrive in Hanoi at around 5 pm, before the main evening rush becomes too heavy. After returning the bikes and saying goodbye, our Ha Giang In 6 Days adventure comes to an end.
Contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions, suggestions, or recommendations regarding this Ha Giang motorbike adventure in Vietnam.
More Motorcycle Tour Itineraries In Vietnam
- North-west Vietnam
- North-east Vietnam
- Central North Vietnam
- Big North Loop of Vietnam
- Ho Chi Minh Trail/Road
- Mai Chau, Hoa Binh
- One Day Tour Around Hanoi
- Easy Scooter Tours
Hi,
Are any tours held end of July/start of August 2020?
Thank you.
Hello Rebekah,
Most of our tours are private and only some are open to more riders. Updates are posted at this link. There is no tour you could join for your dates but it’s possible to start a new trip and we advertise to get more riders if possible.