9 DAY HANOI HA GIANG TRIP

This 9 DAY HANOI HA GIANG TRIP to one of the most fascinating places in Vietnam. It boasts of the most majestic and impressive natural landscapes in Southeast Asia, yet so many travelers overlook it. Ha Giang is a fascinating place where apart from an inspiring scenery, you have easy access to the most rural and authentic side Vietnam. Don’t miss it…

Day 1: Hanoi – Nghia Lo

Nghia Lo is good for a night before going off to discover Mu Cang Chai. There are quite a number of ethnic villages that offer homestay service in Nghia Lo, one of them is the Black Thai minority village which is praised for its authenticity of a Thai community. Do homestay at this village, travelers will enjoy the experiences of living, eating, working and living in a cultural space with local people.

Distance: 230km. Normal road. Homestay.

   9 DAY HANOI HA GIANG TRIP - VIETNAMRIDER®

Day 2: Nghia Lo – Sa Pa

O Quy Ho Pass has long been a legendary destination for travelers, it would make a wonderful stop for your motorbike trip. The pass is hailed as the king of passes in northwest Vietnam, being extreme in both road’s difficulty and natural scenery. The road leading up the pass’s top is winding, supple as the silk. Come when the sun is setting, visitors will be moved by the beautiful landscape just like a watercolor painting before the eyes. 

Literally called “the sky’s horn” - Khau Pha Pass is one of the most beautiful and dangerous passes in north Vietnam, it is more than 30 kilometers long.

Distance: 240km. Normal road. 1000m – 2000m high mountains. Hotel / Homestay.

9 DAY HANOI HA GIANG TRIP - VIETNAMRIDER®

Day 3: Sapa

Sa Pa is a small hill station town in Northern Vietnam close to the border of China. It’s best known for the terraced rice fields, colorful minority people, trekking, homestay, and Fansipan - the tallest peak in Vietnam and S.E.A. The town is gorgeously picturesque with buildings inspired by French architecture, local tribes selling handmade goods on the streets, and delicious local cuisine.

Trekking. 1000m – 2000m high mountains. Hotel / Homestay.

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Day 4: Sapa – Bac Ha

Bac Ha Market is a chance to get an intimate look at the culture and commerce of Northern Vietnam’s highlands. Visiting is definitely an exciting and interesting experience. The energy and color of the Flower Hmong People give the area a unique vibrancy. The local minority tribes bring their livestock, wares and rice wine to sell every week. Many different ethnic groups such as Flower Hmong, Black Hmong, Black Dao, Tay and Nung minorities gather to buy and sell local products that cannot be found elsewhere.

Distance: 120km. Normal road / off-road. 1000m – 2000m high mountains. Homestay.

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Day 5: Bac Ha – Ha Giang

If you come to Hoang Su Phi during the harvest season, you will have chance to see the golden terraces covered in the white clouds. The terraced fields have long been considered as the artworks of the locals' hard work and no longer just agricultural cultivation. Hoang Su Phi offers breathtaking views of layers and layers of rice fields on mountain after mountain.

The ethnic people, including Hmong, Tay, Nung and Hoa ethnic minorities stay true to their identity and tradition by dressing with their finest costumes to attend the weekly fair market. The event is a chance for local people to purchase their tribal goods, self-grown li, socialize, and eat good foods. It’s a very local, friendly atmosphere and you’ll find yourself enjoying the market in no time.

Distance: 180km. Normal road / off-road. 1000m high mountains. Hotel.

   9 DAY HANOI HA GIANG TRIP - VIETNAMRIDER®

Day 6: Ha Giang – Dong Van

The Heaven Gate which is on a height of 1500m above sea level, offering breathtaking views of the valley below. It’s such a wonderful experience to take in such scenery during your trip. From the Heaven Gate to look over the Quan Ba Mountains, a lovely sight to behold from the road. The two round-shaped green hills lying side by side on the middle of the rice field will sure will catch your eyes because of its charming appearance.

The Happiness Road (185 km long, made from 1958 - 1965) to Ma Pi Leng - the King of all the passes in Vietnam, has a long and heroic history of itself starting from the days even before its birth.

Many volunteers, workers from several ethnic groups had joined hands to open the toughest mountain road in Vietnam, very first road in Ha Giang. Some of them sacrificed their lives on the span of 7 years of making this road. The name of the road is also the wish for happiness that the local people here sent to the future.

Distance: 150km. Normal road. 1000m – 2000m high mountains. Hotel / Homestay.

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Day 7: Dong Van – Bao Lac

Lung Cu is a great place to take panoramic photos of Dong Van, Ha Giang, especially the winding Happiness Road. The 100-year-old Dong Van Old Quarter is the highest old quarter in Vietnam with the typical Chinese architecture on the dramatic backdrop of sheer mountains and green rice fields. Most of the houses in the Old Quarter are Trinh Tuong Houses, lived in by Hmong, Tay, Kinh, Zao, Hoa ethnic people.

Distance: 100km. Normal road. 1000m – 2000m high mountains. Hotel.

   9 DAY HANOI HA GIANG TRIP - VIETNAMRIDER®

Day 8: Bao Lac – Ba Be

Ba Be National Park has featured in hundreds of newspapers, magazines, forums and blogs, but nothing can prepare you for experiencing its intoxicating landscapes and clear waters first hand. The lakes have a lot to offer, including waterfalls, rivers, valleys, lakes, and caves all set amidst picturesque landscapes.

It was recently recognized by UNESCO as the third Ramsar site in Vietnam - an important wetland of the world. With further exploration of Ba Be National Park, you will also begin to discover some of the minority villages in the region.

Distance: 160km. Normal road / off-road. 1000m high mountains. Homestay.

   9 DAY HANOI HA GIANG TRIP - VIETNAMRIDER®

Day 9: Ba Be – Hanoi

One of the best ways to experience the incredible beauty of Ba Be is doing the boat trip, you can explore the rivers, lakes and caves that make up this area of stunning beauty.

Return and finish at Hanoi.

Distance: 250km. Normal road. 500m high mountains.

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