Ha Giang Loop Motorcycle TourHa Giang Loop Tour From Hanoi: Which Departure to Book
A Ha Giang loop tour from Hanoi is really two journeys bolted together: a sleeper bus north of 7-8 hours, then three days on the loop. Several departures bundle the bus both ways, while one starts in Ha Giang city with an optional Hanoi bus, so read what each price includes before you compare. Hanoi departures here run from $137 to $206 per person. What separates them is the departure time, the size of the group, who rides, and whether the Nho Que boat is in the price or waiting at the pier. For the whole field, see all Ha Giang loop motorcycle tours.
About the Hanoi departures
Sleeper or limousine bus from Hanoi. Overnight departures run 20:00 to 22:30. Aquarius also lists an 11:00 sleeper and a 16:00 limousine seat
Per person, the lowest option on each listing. The bus is in the price on most, one way only on the Infinity trip
Aquarius and DragonflyCruise also allow riding yourself with a valid 1968 IDP. The Chestnut Travel self-drive is sold as self-ride only
Shared rooms are the default and a private room is a paid upgrade on some tours
Not in the price. Listings that state it say $10. Operator blogs say 230,000 to 300,000 VND (about $9 to $12)
Up to 24 hours before departure on every listing here
Check dates
Live calendar for the Aquarius departure, the most reviewed of the Hanoi trips.
Which Hanoi departure to pick
If you want the safest default
Every departure here rides the same circuit, about 350 km out of Ha Giang city and back. What you are choosing between is the group, the nights and what the price quietly leaves out.
The Aquarius small group at $137 has 866 reviews at 5.0, the most of any Hanoi departure on this page and the lowest price. The Hanoi sleeper bus both ways, the Nho Que boat and a free shared-room night in Ha Giang before the ride are all in the listing, and the group is capped at 10. Chestnut Travel at $167 has 824 reviews at 4.9 and also lists the Nho Que river cruise in its inclusions. It sells a 2-day and a 3-day version, and the price for each appears once you pick a date.
The catch with Chestnut is scale. Its listing allows groups of up to 12 or up to 40, depending on the option. Ask the group size when you book.
If you want the whole field rather than this slice of it, see all Ha Giang loop motorcycle tours with prices and ratings.
If you want the highest-rated
The Aquarius trip at $137 holds a clean 5.0 across 866 reviews and is the cheapest Hanoi departure here. Reviews mention the drivers, the food and the group of 10 more than the itinerary.
It also lets you ride yourself. Self-riding needs a valid 1968 IDP in category A, and bike insurance for solo riders is not included. DragonflyCruise at $206 allows it for experienced riders too, and recommends an easy rider even for them.
If you sleep badly on buses
Two listings solve the early arrival by adding a night in Ha Giang before the riding starts: the Infinity three-day at $188 and the Infinity four-day at $230. Both run on the same logic. The date you book is the pick-up day, you sleep in the operator's hostel and the loop starts the next morning. Aquarius also gives a free shared-room night at its Ha Giang homestay before the ride.
An extra night means you start the first riding day rested instead of straight off the bus. The Infinity listings include the bus to Ha Giang but not the drop-off bus, which can be arranged.
If you are already north
One trip on this list starts in Ha Giang city rather than Hanoi: the Hong Hao Travel three-day at $202, with a campfire evening in Dong Van and a Du Gia homestay. It rides with an easy rider and includes a dorm bed at Hong Hao Hostel the night before.
The round-trip Hanoi bus is included in its Hanoi departure option only, so choose the option at checkout. Book without the bus only if you are getting yourself to Ha Giang. A self-booked sleeper runs 250,000 to 350,000 VND (about $10 to $14) for a standard berth and 380,000 to 480,000 VND (about $15 to $19) for a VIP cabin.
Easy Rider or Self-Drive From Hanoi
Two of the six Hanoi departures let you hold the handlebars. The rest are easy rider only.
Who Should Ride Pillion
In Between Travels puts it plainly: unless you are very experienced, an easy rider is the better option because you watch the views instead of the road. Chestnut Travel, Infinity and Hong Hao are easy rider only, and Aquarius and Dragonfly offer both. Dragonfly includes an easy rider and recommends one even for experienced riders. The Infinity 4-day is also easy rider only.
Riding pillion removes the licence question entirely.
Who Should Self-drive
Self-drive means a valid International Driving Permit issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention with a motorcycle category, plus your home licence. Vietnam joined the 1968 Convention in 2014 and does not recognise 1949-format permits, so a US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand licence holder has no valid IDP route. UK, German, French and Dutch riders can use a 1968 permit.
The full verdict by passport, including the ASEAN-agreement route for Singapore and Malaysia, is on the self-drive page. From Hanoi, the Aquarius listing sells self-riding as one of three options, and the Chestnut Travel self-drive departure is self-ride only at $205 with the sleeper bus both ways, though its listing states no licence rule, so confirm what checkpoints require before booking. Bike insurance for solo riders is not included on the Aquarius listing.
Source: In Between Travels, UN Treaty Collection, Vietnam News.
Ha Giang Loop Tours from Hanoi Compared
Most leave from Hanoi with a bus in the price, in full or one way. The Hong Hao three-day starts in Ha Giang city with the Hanoi bus as an option, and the Chestnut Travel self-drive is for riders with a licence.
Ha Giang Loop in 3 Days: Small Group of Up to 10 with Aquarius
5.0 from 866 reviews, the most-reviewed 3-day loop here: small group of up to 10, self-ride or easy rider, sleeper bus from Hanoi
Three riding days on the full loop in a group of up to 10, with a free shared-room night at the operator's Ha Giang homestay before the ride. Suits first-timers who want the standard route, with the choice of self-riding or an easy rider.
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24h
- Operator
- Aquarius Ha Giang Loop
Border permit $10 extra. Self-riding needs a 1968 IDP with category A.
3-Day Loop from Hanoi with Infinity: Groups of 8 and an Extra Hostel Night
Three riding days in a group of up to 8, with an extra hostel night in Ha Giang before the loop and bamboo rafting on Day 2. Suits travellers who want a small group and hotel pick-up from several northern cities without adding a fourth day.
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24h
- Operator
- Infinity Ha Giang Loop
Bus back to Hanoi not included. Border permit extra.
3 Days, 3 Nights from Hanoi by Limousine Bus: Easy Rider, Private or Small Group
Three riding days from Hanoi on a limousine sleeper bus, with the Hmong King's Palace, Ma Pi Leng Pass, a Nho Que River boat and a Du Gia waterfall swim. Suits travellers who want to choose between a private tour and a small group, and who prefer a day-time bus back.
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24h
- Operator
- DragonflyCruise
Permit $10, paid to the guide. Self-ride only for experienced riders.
Easy Rider Loop from Hanoi: 2 or 3 Days with Chestnut Travel
Chestnut Travel's easy rider loop sold as a 2-day or a 3-day trip, both with a sleeper bus each way and a Nho Que River boat ride. Suits travellers who want a Hanoi round trip and are still deciding between the short and the full circuit.
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24h
- Operator
- Chestnut Travel
Choose 2 or 3 days at checkout. Border permit $10, paid on arrival.
3 Days, 2 Nights on the Loop with a Campfire and a Du Gia Homestay
Three days and two nights over about 410 km, with a campfire in Dong Van, the Ma Pi Leng viewpoint and a homestay in Du Gia. Suits first-timers who want a small group and the full loop in the shortest comfortable time.
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24h
- Operator
- Hong Hao Travel
Starts in Ha Giang city. Border permit not included.
Self-Drive the Loop from Hanoi: 3 Days with a Sleeper Bus Both Ways
The self-drive version of the loop: you ride your own motorbike with petrol included, led by a guide, with a sleeper bus both ways from Hanoi. Suits confident riders with a valid licence who want to hold their own handlebars.
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation 24h
- Operator
- Chestnut Travel
You ride: bring your licence and a 1968 IDP. Permit $10 on arrival.
Side by side
Hanoi departures and the Ha Giang city start compared on price, start point, riding mode and reviews. Figures come from each live listing, and prices are per person.
| Tour | Price | Starts | Riding | Reviews | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our pick 3-day small group | $137 | Hanoi | Self-ride or easy rider | 5.0 (866) | Check Availability Details |
| Easy rider, 2 or 3 days | $167 | Hanoi | Easy rider | 4.9 (824) | Check Availability Details |
| 3 days, 3 nights, limousine | $206 | Hanoi | Self-ride or easy rider | 4.9 (170) | Check Availability Details |
| 3-day plus extra night | $188 | Hanoi, bus one way | Easy rider | 4.9 (166) | Check Availability Details |
| 3-day with campfire | $202 | Ha Giang city, bus optional | Easy rider | 5.0 (131) | Check Availability Details |
| Self-drive, 3 days | $205 | Hanoi | Self-ride | 4.9 (126) | Check Availability Details |
Prices per person, from the lowest option on each listing. The border permit is extra on every listing here. Figures current in Q4 2026.
How to Choose the Operator: Group Size and What the Route Includes
The road is the same on every departure. What differs is who you ride with and what the price leaves out.
Group Size Varies More Than Price
Group size is the biggest lever on how the loop feels. The Hanoi listings here cap at 8, 10, 12 or 15 riders, and the standard option on the Chestnut Travel easy-rider listing allows up to 40. In Between Travels reports that tours run by the big hostels can reach around 30 people, and chose one with a maximum of 12, riding in a group of 10.
Ask what is in the route, because the stops differ from one operator to the next.
| Departure | Price | Riding mode | Max group | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquarius 3-day | $137 | Self-ride or easy rider | 10 (listing text says 12) | Permit $10 extra, return bus time not stated |
| Chestnut easy rider | $167 | Easy rider | 12, or 40 on the standard option | Only the from price shows until you pick a date |
| Infinity 3-day | $188 | Easy rider | 8 | Drop-off bus not included, permit amount not stated |
| Hong Hao 3-day | $202 | Easy rider | 10 | Starts in Ha Giang city, Hanoi bus only in the Hanoi option |
| Chestnut self-drive | $205 | Self-ride | 15 | Listing states no IDP rule, confirm before booking |
| Dragonfly 3-day limousine | $206 | Self-ride or easy rider | 10 | Permit $10 extra, late return to Hanoi about 23:00 |
What to Ask Before You Pay
Three questions sort most of it. How many riders per guide, and is that a booking cap or a soft target? What are the rooms, shared dorm, homestay mattress or private room?
And is the Nho Que boat in the route? The boat is listed as included on Aquarius, Chestnut Travel, Hong Hao and the Chestnut Travel self-drive, while Infinity lists bamboo rafting and does not list the boat. vietnamtourism.com puts the boat at 250,000 VND (about $10) where it is not included. Ask also about the border permit, which no listing includes in the base price.
Source: In Between Travels, vietnamtourism.com.
The bus night, honestly
What the sleeper bus is actually like
A Vietnamese sleeper bus has reclining berths instead of seats. Times depend on the listing. Aquarius runs sleepers at 11:00 and 20:00, plus a 16:00 limousine seat. The DragonflyCruise limousine sleeper leaves 20:00 to 20:30 and takes about 6 hours. Chestnut Travel's takes about 7 hours. Bus pages quote 7 to 8 hours for a standard sleeper, 8 to 9 in rain or at weekends.
Most Hanoi trips collect you from your Old Quarter hotel. On arrival you get a hostel or homestay bed for a few hours before breakfast and the bike briefing. Bring an eye mask, earplugs and a jumper.
The day bus alternative
A daytime bus covers the same route and lets you watch northern Vietnam go past instead of guessing at it in the dark. It costs you a daylight day. Aquarius lists an 11:00 sleeper that reaches Ha Giang about 18:00 and a 16:00 limousine seat that arrives about 23:00. Bus pages also list daytime departures at 07:00 and 14:00 and limousine vans every hour from 06:00 to 16:00.
If your Vietnam calendar has slack in it and you sleep badly on a moving bus, ask the operator which departure times your listing allows.
Coming back
Return times vary by listing. The DragonflyCruise limousine bus leaves Ha Giang at 15:30 to 16:00 and reaches the Hanoi Old Quarter about 23:00. The Chestnut Travel sleeper boards on the last day and reaches central Hanoi the next morning. On the self-drive trip it boards at 19:30 or 21:00. Aquarius gives no return time.
Check the bus line in the inclusions. The Infinity listings leave the drop-off bus out, which is the most common thing travellers assume is included and then pay for again.
Getting From Hanoi to Ha Giang: Bus, Limousine, Private Car
Most travellers let the tour handle the Hanoi leg. If you would rather buy it separately, these fares show what the bus inside a tour price is worth.
What the Hanoi Leg Costs on Its Own
vietnamtourism.com puts the Hanoi to Ha Giang sleeper at 7-8 hours, stretching to 8-9 hours in rain or at weekends. A standard berth costs 250,000-350,000 VND (about $10-14) and a VIP cabin 380,000-480,000 VND (about $15-19). Overnight departures run 21:00-22:30, with some daytime buses at 07:00 and 14:00, mostly from My Dinh bus station or with Old Quarter pick-up.
Vietnam.travel warns that ATMs are scarce once you leave Ha Giang city, so carry cash.
| Option | Fare | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeper bus, standard berth | 250,000-350,000 VND (about $10-14) | 7-8 h | 8-9 h in rain or weekends |
| Sleeper bus, VIP cabin | 380,000-480,000 VND (about $15-19) | 7-8 h | Overnight 21:00-22:30 |
| Limousine van | 350,000-450,000 VND (about $14-17) | 6-7 h | Hourly 06:00-16:00 |
| Private 4-seat car | 3.8-4.5 million VND (about $147-174) | 5.5-6.5 h | Private |
Why Booking the Bus Separately Rarely Saves Money
Four of the six Hanoi listings carry the bus in the base price. Aquarius and Chestnut Travel include the sleeper both ways, the Chestnut Travel self-drive departure sells it both ways in its $205 price, and Dragonfly includes a limousine out and back in its group option. Infinity includes the bus to Ha Giang but not the drop-off, and the Hong Hao Hostel trip starts in Ha Giang city at $202 with a round-trip Hanoi bus only in the Hanoi departure option. A separately bought seat at 250,000-350,000 VND (about $10-14) each way is extra money on top of any listing that already includes the leg. Free cancellation runs 24 hours on all six listings, so a date change is low risk.
The overnight sleeper out of the Old Quarter is the first leg of most Hanoi departures, and the reason they add a night on the road compared with starting in Ha Giang city.
How a three-day Hanoi trip runs
Day by day on a Chestnut Travel style Hanoi trip, as the listing sets it out.
-
Evening before
Leave Hanoi
Pickup from your accommodation in the Old Quarter, then the sleeper bus north.
-
Early morning, Day 1
Arrive Ha Giang
Into the operator's hostel for a few more hours of sleep, then breakfast and the bike briefing.
-
Day 1 morning
Bac Sum Pass and Heaven Gate
The first climb, then the Quan Ba viewpoint over the Tam Son valley and the twin mountains.
-
Day 1 midday
Lunch in Yen Minh
Included. The afternoon runs on to the Dong Van karst plateau.
-
Day 1 afternoon
H'Mong King's Palace
The Vuong family compound at Sa Phin, then into Dong Van for the night.
-
Day 2 morning
Ma Pi Leng Pass
The cliff road toward Meo Vac, with a short Sky Path walk and a coffee stop at the viewpoint.
-
Day 2 midday
Nho Que River
Down to the pier for the boat through Tu San canyon. Included on the Aquarius, Chestnut Travel and Hong Hao trips. Elsewhere it is paid at the pier, and one operator blog quotes 250,000 VND (about $10).
-
Day 2 evening
Du Gia homestay
Village night in the rice fields with a family dinner.
-
Day 3 morning
Du Gia waterfall
Swimming stop, then the ride back to Ha Giang city.
-
Day 3 evening
Bus back to Hanoi
The return sleeper boards in Ha Giang and reaches Hanoi the next morning on the Chestnut Travel trips.
Know before you book
The border permit
Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van and Meo Vac all sit in a border area, and foreign passport holders need a border area permit to ride through them. It is not in the price on these listings. Aquarius and Chestnut Travel state $10, pay on arrival, and DragonflyCruise states $10 paid to the local guide. Infinity and Hong Hao list it as not included without an amount.
Operator blogs put the fee at 230,000 to 300,000 VND (about $9 to $12). Send your passport scan when you book and your guide handles the rest.
What to bring on the bike
Your main bag stays in Hanoi, at your hotel or the operator's office, and you ride with a daypack strapped down and wrapped in plastic. You will not open it while moving.
- Warm layers for the evenings, because the Dong Van plateau sits high
- Waterproof shoes, not sandals
- A buff or scarf against dust and wind
- Sunglasses
- Cash in small notes for coffee, drinks and tips
- Your passport, for the checkpoints
What the price does not cover
Drinks and coffee stops, tips for the guide and rider, the border permit at about $10, any private room upgrade, and the Nho Que boat on the tours that do not include it, which one operator blog prices at 250,000 VND (about $10). Entrance fees are in the price on the Aquarius, Chestnut Travel and Hong Hao listings.
Who it suits, and the rules
This trip is not suitable for anyone who cannot sit on a moving motorbike for long stretches, since the listings describe about 350 km of riding over 3 days. The Chestnut Travel self-drive listing says it is not suitable for children under 6, and the other listings state no minimum age.
What to bring: a daypack that closes, warm layers for the plateau evenings, waterproof shoes, a buff against the dust, sunglasses, your passport for the checkpoints and cash in small notes.
Not allowed: riding without a helmet, and taking the handlebars yourself without a home motorcycle licence and a 1968-convention International Driving Permit with a motorcycle category. Do not ride after drinking.
Roads and Insurance on a Hanoi Departure
The road is manageable and the risks are specific, so cover them one by one.
The Road and the Riding
Vietnam.travel calls the roads on the route good for the most part, warns that obstacles and construction can show up at any time, and advises riding in daylight only. Riders on Emma's Daydream report trucks, loose rock, dust and mud on day 2. Riders also report spot checks for licence and alcohol, and Vietnam has a zero-alcohol limit, so the campfire rice wine waits until the bike is parked. Aquarius lists helmet and protective gear, and an easy rider puts an experienced local on the controls for the narrow passes.
Insurance That Actually Pays
Travel insurance is listed as included on Hong Hao and Infinity and as not included on Dragonfly. Aquarius lists only bike insurance for solo riders as excluded, and the Chestnut Travel listings state nothing, so ask before you rely on it. The UK Foreign Office warns that travelling by motorbike in Vietnam is much riskier than in the UK, and that after an accident you may face a travel ban during the investigation.
UK Government guidance says riding outside the licence rules may invalidate your travel insurance. Check that your policy covers motorbike travel as a planned activity and includes medical evacuation, since vietnamtourism.com puts a ground-ambulance evacuation from Ha Giang to a Hanoi private hospital at EUR 4,000-8,000.
Source: UK FCDO, UK Government: Living in Vietnam, Vietnam.travel, vietnamtourism.com, Emma's Daydream.
When to Go: Season and Weather for a Hanoi Departure
The loop runs all year but the road does not treat every month the same. Rain, fog and cold nights all change a Hanoi departure.
The Windows That Work
vietnamtourism.com lists October-November and March-April as the dry windows, October to April as the dry season and May to September as wet. In Between Travels also calls October to April the best window. Wikipedia's Ha Giang city climate table shows why: July averages 545.3 mm of rain against 40.1 mm in January and 38.8 mm in February, and March and April are 64.6 mm and 106.2 mm. vietnamtourism.com puts the rockslide season at May-September and says fog is worst from November to February, so build slack into the morning start.
| Month | Rain | Mean low | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40.1 mm | 13.3 C | Dry and cool |
| April | 106.2 mm | 21.2 C | Rain picking up |
| July | 545.3 mm | 24.7 C | Wettest month in the table |
| October | 153.6 mm | 21.0 C | Rain easing |
| November | 84.1 mm | 17.2 C | Dry again |
Packing for the Cold Months
An operator, hagianglooptours.com, advises gloves, a mask and warm clothes for the cooler months from November to March. vietnamtourism.com says nights at altitude between December and February can drop to single digits, well below the 13.3 C January city mean low. Layers that work under a helmet, a windproof jacket and closed shoes cover most of the year. In the wet months pack a real raincoat rather than relying on the one the tour carries, and expect the bus north to run 8-9 hours instead of 7-8 when the roads are soaked.
Source: In Between Travels, Wikipedia climate table, vietnamtourism.com, hagianglooptours.com.
Hanoi to Ha Giang
About 300 km north by road, which is why the bus takes most of a night. The loop itself starts where the bus stops.
Questions about the Hanoi departures
How long is the bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang?
About 6 to 8 hours depending on the bus. Overnight departures leave between 20:00 and 22:30, and the bus is included both ways on the Chestnut Travel trip. The Infinity trips cover the way up only.
What does a Ha Giang loop tour from Hanoi cost?
$137 to $206 per person for the departures on this page, with bike, guide, meals and accommodation included. The cheapest Hanoi departure is also rated 5.0 from 866 reviews.
Do I sleep on the bus or in a bed on the first night?
On the bus, then a few hours in a hostel bed before the riding starts. If that sounds unbearable, this Infinity trip includes an extra night in its Ha Giang hostel so you start rested, and Aquarius includes a free shared-room night before the ride.
Can I start the loop in Ha Giang city instead?
Yes. The Hong Hao Travel three-day starts at Hong Hao Hostel in Ha Giang city at $202, with a dorm bed the night before included and the Hanoi bus as an option. A self-booked sleeper costs 250,000 to 350,000 VND (about $10 to $14) for a standard berth.
Is the Nho Que boat included?
On the Aquarius, Chestnut Travel, Hong Hao and self-drive trips, yes. On the others you pay at the pier. One operator blog quotes 250,000 VND (about $10) and the listings state no price.
Do I need the border permit on a Hanoi tour?
Yes. Every itinerary crosses the border districts. The permit is not in the price, Chestnut Travel states $10 to pay on arrival, and operator blogs say 230,000 to 300,000 VND (about $9 to $12). Your guide files it from your passport details.
Can I leave my big backpack in Hanoi?
When do I leave Hanoi and when am I back?
It depends on the departure. The Aquarius trip offers a sleeper at 11:00 or 20:00 or a 16:00 limousine, while the Dragonfly limousine leaves at 20:00-20:30 and returns to the Old Quarter about 23:00 on day 3. The self-drive return bus boards at 19:30 or 21:00 and reaches Hanoi the next morning. Fares for the same trip bought separately are under getting from Hanoi to Ha Giang.
Easy rider or self-drive from Hanoi?
In Between Travels recommends an easy rider unless you are very experienced. If you want the controls you need a 1968-convention IDP with a motorcycle category plus your home licence, and US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand licences have no valid IDP route. The passport-by-passport verdict is on the self-drive page.
What is the best time of year for a Hanoi departure?
In Between Travels calls October to April the best window, and vietnamtourism.com lists October-November and March-April as the dry months. May to September is wet, and July averages 545.3 mm of rain in Ha Giang city against 40.1 mm in January. Gloves and warm layers are advised from November to March, see season and weather.
What riders said
One of the best trips i have ever been to. Absolutely worth the money.
Ha Giang Loop in 3 Days: Small Group of Up to 10 with Aquarius
Amazing tour, we met amazing people from many places around the world in a group of total 9 people.
3 Days, 3 Nights from Hanoi by Limousine Bus: Easy Rider, Private or Small Group
Very good experience, great guide, nice routes, and plenty to eat.
3-Day Loop from Hanoi with Infinity: Groups of 8 and an Extra Hostel Night
Still deciding
Two days, three or four
Three days is what these Hanoi departures are built around and what most people book. Two days compresses the same circuit into longer riding days and drops the Du Gia night, as on the Chestnut Travel 2-day option. Four days adds Du Gia waterfall, a Nam Dam Dao homestay and Lung Khuy Cave on the Hong Hao four-day at $250, or the Infinity four-day at $230.
If you are weighing the options against price rather than days, the full list of Ha Giang loop motorcycle tours shows each rating, inclusion and departure point.
Prices, availability and terms are set by the operator and confirmed at checkout.
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