The North of Vietnam does not possess the sparkling modernity of a major city; however, the rustic nature keeps visitors coming back for more exploration. Ha Giang is among the up-and-rising travel destinations in the area, thanks to the adrenaline-rushing motorbike trails, eye-catching mountain passes, and breathtaking nature. Read our blog on how to prepare for your Ha Giang trip.
Quick Facts about Ha Giang Province
Most people would travel from Hanoi to Ha Giang, and you would need a travel permit and a recognized motorbike driving license. See the section below for more details.
Weather: The best time to visit Ha Giang is during the dry season (November – March) when the weather is generally settled (with the temperatures ranging from 20 oC – 25 oC / 68 oF – 78 oF). However, expect cold and chilly weather from the mountain wind when you drive the motorbike. Read the bottom of this guide on which month to visit Ha Giang.
Geography: Ha Giang is 320 km from Hanoi. The province lies on the northernmost point of Vietnam and shares a 270 km-long border with southern China. The terrain consists mostly of rocky mountains, forested hills, limestone formations, and springs.
Demographic: 25 ethnic minorities reside in 11 districts in Ha Giang province, including a provincial city of the same name.
History: The land establishment dates back to 3,000 years ago and has since undergone numerous courageous battles against the enemy for independence. During the colonial period, the French tried to lure the Hmong King Vuong Chinh Duc to take over the area, but the King supported Ho Chi Minh’s ally.
What to Pack for Ha Giang Travel
Besides the essentials for your Vietnam Travel, bring these items when traveling to Ha Giang.
Check this guide for a complete packing list for Vietnam:
- Passport & Visa
- Appropriate clothing (depends on the month of travel)
- Raincoat/toiletries (you can find these along the way at roadside shops, so bring cash in Vietnam Dong)
- Camera & spare batteries (check adaptors)
- Security/waist belt
- Medicine (bug spray, Antihistamines, Imodium)
- Entertainment items (books, games)
- Laundry items to wash your own (or you can easily find laundromats for VND 15k – 20k per kg)
- Quick-dry towel scarf
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle
- All should be compacted in a backpack, preferably made of waterproof materials.
- Walking/hiking shoes
- Face mask & a good quality helmet (if you’ll be riding the motorbike)
- Insurance
- Translation app to Vietnamese (this will come in handy when you’re in the remote region)
- GPS phone with data for map navigation (3G/4G is cheap in Vietnam)
Check Where to Buy a SIM Card in Hanoi
And since you’re traveling to a more off-the-beaten-path destination, you should sign up for travel insurance from a trusted brand like World Nomads.
Where to Stay in Ha Giang Travel
Since Ha Giang is not a tourist-centric area in the North of Vietnam, the accommodation options and modern hotel services are quite limited. On the contrary, the cost is pretty economical, and you can easily stay under budget on your trip to Ha Giang.
Good choices for hotels and homestays are available in the provincial cities of Ha Giang, Dong Van, and Meo Vac districts. Check out our recommended places to Stay in Ha Giang.
Or find a hotel on Agoda:
Ha Giang Travel Permit
You may need a permit when visiting Ha Giang, mainly to present to the police when visiting the area. We say may here because nobody is likely to check for the permit. You will be more likely to be checked if you travel near the frontier area, which you’ll see signs on the side of the road like below. Although nobody is expected to ask you for that in general, it is necessary to avoid unexpected problems. We didn’t get checked once. You might be fined up to VND 1 million if you’re unable to show the permit. The permit price is VND 210,000 (USD 10) per person, and the process is quite swift and easy. Most hotels or guesthouses along the way of Ha Giang Province can help you acquire one.
Where to get your permit yourself when in Ha Giang City: Immigration office, 292 Tran Phu Street, Ha Giang City
Documents required: passport, motorbike registration if you’re traveling by motorbike
How to Get to Ha Giang Province
Most people depart from Hanoi to Ha Giang. Hanoi has the Noi Bai International Airport, which is accessible from within the country or overseas. There are several ways to get to Ha Giang from Hanoi, though the choices are not abundant, as, after all, Ha Giang is still an off-the-beaten-path area. Note that you may need a travel permit even when opting for public transportation.
Traveling to Ha Giang by Bus
Many transportation companies have buses leaving for Ha Giang Province from Hanoi, and the majority of them offer good basic amenities, such as reclining seats or a sleeper bus, to ensure a comfortable trip. The journey takes 6 – 8 hours and usually goes through the night to arrive at Ha Giang City by dawn.
- Pros: convenient, cheap, and suitable for traveling in groups.
- Cons: the long hours of traveling may take a toll on your back and legs; what is more, the staff may not speak English. Having said that, you can avoid those hindrances by booking a bus ticket online as you will receive all the road details and prices via email.
Search for bus (and train) tickets here:
Traveling to Ha Giang by Train
There are no direct trains from Hanoi to Ha Giang Province. You need to get off at Lao Cai Station and take another 6-hour bus to reach Ha Giang. However, this is a favorable option if you’re coming from the Sa Pa—Lao Cai way.
Traveling to and around Ha Giang Province by Motorbike
Motorbike is the most popular means to explore Ha Giang Province among adventurous solo or small group travelers. This is also a favorite means of transportation to travel around Ha Giang province. The 300 km ride of the Ha Giang loop can be arduous as it would take 3-15 days to complete, depending on your route and motorbike loop, and some underdeveloped roads do not make it any easier. Sometimes, you might have a delay from the blocked road due to previous landslides (but this is rare). On the brighter side, there is breath-taking scenery to marvel at along the way, from the splendid limestone karst and deep gorges, to the peaceful life of the ethnic villagers. Our take is that our motorbike trip through Ha Giang was totally worth it.
See our tips for renting a motorbike in Hanoi.
Travel tips:
- It is by law that you wear a helmet when driving, and for foreign riders in Ha Giang, you must acquire a Vietnamese license or an International Driving Permit (IDP).
- Check the bike quality carefully, especially if it is a rental. Brakes, lights, oil, chains, tires, etc.
- Make sure you plan & pack carefully according to the weather in Ha Giang.
- Be careful of the landslide during the raining season and the sharp turns at the mountain pass. If driving, you should honk when turning at extreme curves with little to no visibility to inform other vehicles that you’re coming in the opposite direction.
- Start the journey early in the day, and don’t risk going on an unfamiliar road at night.
- Plan your petrol and distance needed for the day – don’t wait until almost empty to refill.
- Factor in your driving time and do not base your timing off of Google Maps. The region is so beautiful that you’ll be making many stops along the way for photos. A good rule is to multiply your time needed by 2 or 3. Like, if the map says you’ll get there in 3 hours, plan for 6 hours.
- Try to stay on roads on Google Maps that are marked “QL” instead of wandering onto “TL” or “DT” roads. QL roads are considered national highways, so the road conditions are better than TL or DT.
What to Do and See in Ha Giang
Ha Giang is now internationally praised for its spectacular pristine nature and unique ethnic cultural traits. Not only the prominent attractions but also the little sneak peeks into the local’s life can lead you wonders to wonders relentlessly.
Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate
The Quan Ba Valley, which stands at a height of 1,945 m, is a combination of uniformly looking hills. Such a magnificent view has endearingly dubbed the valley “the Heaven’s Gate” at Quan Ba.
Tham Ma Pass
The Tham Ma Pass does not seem to be for drivers with a faint of heart, but its sexy twists and turns create such an epic view along the way. The road lies on the 4C Highway, connecting Meo Vac District and Ha Giang City.
Ma Pi Leng Pass
The Ma Pi Leng Pass also lies on Highway 4C at an altitude of 1,500 m, connecting the Dong Van and Meo Vac districts. The highway was built in the 1960s by ethnic villagers.
Phuong Thien Cave
Phuong Thien Cave is home to numerous natural caves and grottos, most notably the Fairy Spring and Fairy Hill, which are associated with the mythical story of female sentient beings frequenting the area.
Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark
This is a massive Vietnamese geopark that covers most of the four districts in Ha Giang: Meo Vac, Dong Van, Yen Minh, and Quan Ba. Almost 80% of the area is limestone, and mountain peaks and deep valleys are also present.
Lung Cu Flagpole
As mentioned above, Ha Giang shares a land border with China, and the Lung Cu Flagpole marks the northernmost point of Vietnam. Ethnic minorities charge an entrance fee of VND 25,000 at the steps before walking up to the flagpole. Motorbike parking is free.
Mansion of the Vuong Family
Vuong Chinh Duc, who was appointed the Hmong King in the early 20th century, built a mansion for his family residence in Chinese design. In 1993, the building was recognized as an architectural heritage in Dong Van District.
Weekly Markets
As opposed to the wet market culture in the flatlands in which the market is held daily, markets in the mountainous regions, and particularly in Ha Giang, only meet once a week. Depending on where you’re staying in Ha Giang, make sure to join the local villagers in these weekly occasions to blend in with the vibrant atmosphere of the trading activities here and grab some unique souvenirs for yourself. If possible, one reminder is to ask the local organizer to check when the market will be organized.
- Lung Phin Market (Meo Vac District): every Monday and “days of Tigers” of the month.
- Sa Phin “backward” market (Dong Van District): held in backward order during the weeks. In other words, if it is held on Sunday one week, in the following week, it’ll be held on Saturday, then on Sunday in the next week, etc.
- Hoang Su Phi Sunday Market (Hoang Su Phi District): opens on Sunday mornings
- Ma Le Frugal Fair (Lung Cu peak): regular market sessions on the weekend mornings
- Meo Vac Cattle Market (Meo Vac District): held every Sunday
- Xin Man Market (near the Chinese border): organized every Sunday
Plan your route ahead of time if you want to visit these markets. It is advisable to visit early to avoid the crowd of tourists.
Khau Vai Love Market
Of all the ethnic markets in Ha Giang, Khau Vai Love Market in Meo Vac District is the most popular and awaited among both locals and tourists. The market starts late evening on the 26th of the third lunar month and lasts until the end of the next day. Traditionally, it is when and where the young villagers gather to find their significant others. Therefore, do expect a lot of colorful costumes and a romantic atmosphere in the stunning highlands.
Hiking and Trekking in Ha Giang
For outdoor lovers, hiking in the majestic peaks of Ha Giang is an unforgettable memory. The highest tops of Ha Giang are Tay Con Linh Peak and Kieu Lieu Ty Peak.
What to Eat in Ha Giang
Au Tau Porridge
This is a type of rice gruel cooked with—you guessed it—a type of poisonous flowering plant! But fear not—au tau is completely safe and edible when appropriately treated.
Steamed Eggrolls (Banh Cuon)
Steamed eggrolls are an easy dish to enjoy. One portion is often enjoyed with a delicious dipping bowl of mixed fish sauce.
Thang Co
Thang Co is a type of soup that originates from the Hmong people. It is usually made from pieces of the meat, pork, or beef. The dish is eaten with spicy chilly flakes. You can easily spot giant pans of thang co in the weekly market in Ha Giang, ready to be served.
Con Lam Bac Me
Com Lam is one of Vietnam’s many signature rice dishes. The glutinous rice is carefully grilled on hot charcoal in a bamboo shoot before being eaten with sesame salt.
Grilled Algae
Grilled Algae is a staple dish of the Tay people. Though algae are nowhere near a usual cooking ingredient in any household, the Tay people know just the right seasonings to add and create a remarkable taste.
When to Visit Ha Giang Travel Guide
Ha Giang shares the humid subtropical climate in the northeast of Vietnam. Nevertheless, the montane weather patterns vary depending on the regions and altitudes. There are two seasons: the dry & cold season (November – March) and the rainy season (April – October), so naturally, the dry season is when you can freely explore Ha Giang without worrying about unexpected showers. Nevertheless, Ha Giang still presents distinguished charm at different times of the year, so make sure to check your calendar carefully to plan your ideal itinerary in Ha Giang.
Springtime (January – February) is the time when the whole country supposedly enjoys the Tet holiday according to the Lunar calendar. The New Year celebrations and festivals in Ha Giang, on the other hand, are especially vibrant thanks to the diversity of the ethnic groups in the area.
March is when Ha Giang puts on its most colorful coat, with the plum and peach gardens blooming in profusion.
April sees the gathering of the Khau Vai Love Market, which only happens once a year and is actually considered the Tet holiday in the northernmost mountains when people dress up nicely and rejoice in the exultation of the market.
From May to October, you can enjoy the best panoramic view of the terraced fields and observe the locals’ agricultural life. Beware of landslides in the rainy season.
October to December is probably the most visited time of Ha Giang due to the blossoming of the buckwheat flowers, especially after the magnificent landscape has captured international attention not so long ago.
Other Local Tips for Ha Giang Travel
- Bring cash. Though there are ATMs widely available in Ha Giang City and the central districts, the local vendors only accept cash.
- See our tips for Avoiding Food Poisoning when Traveling in Vietnam
- Budgeting: plan for USD 25 per day, including accommodation, food, fuel, other small miscellaneous expenses (note that this number is a conservative budget)
Our Final Thoughts on Ha Giang Travel
If not now, then when? Hands down, do it! Despite being a far-off area, the breath-taking nature in Ha Giang will fulfill your adventurous spirit. It’s a once in a lifetime trip that’s totally worth it, and you’ll probably end up talking about it for a long time. Trust us. 🙂
Read our blog on Motorbiking through the Ha Giang Loop to plan for the adventure of your lifetime.