The Ha Giang Loop In Vietnam: My Experience & Recommendations
In March 2026, I travelled to Vietnam, planning to spend about a month in this diverse country. Right at the top of the list of things I wanted to do in Vietnam was to complete the Ha Giang Loop. In this article, I’d like to tell you about my experience on the Loop.
Which Tour Operator & Tour To Choose
Safety was my top priority when choosing a tour operator for the Ha Giang Loop. The roads are extremely winding, steep and in places, quite narrow. It was therefore clear to me that I would choose a tour operator that offers small groups without too much partying. I eventually found what I was looking for with Road Kings Ha Giang. I decided to book a 4-day, 3-night Premium Highlands Tour, with a maximum of 8 people per group and looking back, I couldn’t be happier with my choice. I’d definitely recommend booking the 4-day tour, as otherwise you’ll have to spend too long on the motorbike during the day. The 4-day tour is also the most popular one.
Packing List For the Ha Giang Loop
Below, I’ve put together a brief packing list for the Ha Giang Loop. Of course, the packing list will always depend on the time of year. I did the Ha Giang Loop in early March and the weather was very changeable.
1 small backpack (35-40l). The smaller, the better, because the smaller it is, the more space you’ll have on your motorbike.
3-4 t-shirts
1 long trousers
1 pullover and a scarf
1 swimwear
Cash (best to get it in Hanoi)
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
These are the most important things you need to take with you. Here are some recommendations from the Road Kings Ha Giang.
How The Ha Giang Loop Generally Works
Bus Transfer
I booked the tour directly via the Road Kings Ha Giang website. The bus transfer to Ha Giang can also be booked at the same time as your tour. Like most people, I travelled from Hanoi on a sleeper bus and the transfer went very smoothly. For the return journey, another sleeper bus was waiting to take me back to Hanoi. However, there are also options to travel directly from Ha Giang to Ha Long, Sapa or Ninh Binh.
Accommodation Before The Tour
You can stay for free at the Road Kings Ha Giang hostel on the first night. Personally, I booked a private room at a local hotel, as I felt it was important to get some rest before the strenuous journey. I did, however, see the hostel’s rooms and they looked very good and I can also highly recommend the hostel’s own rooftop restaurant. You can leave your big bag in their storage room and bring your small backpack. On the morning before departure, there’s a get-to-know-you breakfast with the group, where you’ll be welcomed by the group leader and briefed on the upcoming trip. Later on, it’s time to grab your helmet and if you wish, your knee and elbow pads and hop on your motorbike.
During The Tour
During the tour, there are regular short breaks where you can refuel with drinks or snacks. Of course, you always get a brilliant view thrown in for free. There’s also a group meal every morning, lunchtime and evening. For breakfast, you can usually choose from several dishes, whilst at lunch and dinner, a variety of Vietnamese dishes are always laid out on the table for you to grab by yourself. The food was always adequate for my taste and the accommodation was also wonderful every evening. If you book the Premium Tour, you’ll be provided with a standard double room every evening. I had no complaints about any of the accommodation.
Motorcycle Experience
You spend several hours on the motorbike every day, which you definitely feel in your joints. As I’m not exactly the smallest person, I definitely had to treat myself to a spa day after the tour. I’d definitely recommend booking an Easyrider rather than riding yourself, even if you feel you’re an experienced motorcyclist. Firstly, the traffic isn’t the same as in your home country; secondly, the roads are very winding, steep and in places, very narrow and exposed; and thirdly, as a passenger, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Ha Giang Loop much more. The Easyriders cover these routes every week – sometimes even twice a week – and therefore know the roads inside out.
My Take On The Ha Giang Loop
The Ha Giang Loop was undoubtedly one of the most impressive experiences during my stay in Vietnam. Nothing that happened in Vietnam afterwards could compare to what I experienced on the Loop. As many before me have already said, the Ha Giang Loop is definitely a must-do during a stay in Vietnam. However, it’s important to note that the dangers on the Loop should not be underestimated. Accidents happen regularly, which is why choosing the right tour operator is very important and I would advise against travelling with a large group. Tour operators who organise tours for large groups tend to have more accidents, partly because they travel in large groups and partly because they party hard in the evenings. There have already been several fatal accidents, but with Road Kings Ha Giang, I always felt safe and I can definitely recommend this tour operator.
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