Conquer Vietnam’s Legendary Ha Giang Loop by Motorbike: A 3-Day Adventure Guide with Food Stops

If you're dreaming of wild mountain roads, postcard landscapes, and a taste of authentic Vietnam far from the usual tourist trail, then the Ha Giang Loop is your answer.

This epic 3-day motorbike adventure with Easy Rider through Northern Vietnam's most remote and scenic province is a rite of passage for backpackers, thrill-seekers, and culture lovers alike. From riding through majestic limestone mountains to savoring hot bowls of pho in local villages, this loop delivers more than just views — it’s a full sensory experience.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the perfect 3-day itinerary, including must-see stops and local food recommendations at each leg of the journey. Buckle up (or helmet up), we’re heading north.

Night 0: Hanoi to Ha Giang (VIP Sleeper Bus)

Your journey begins with an overnight VIP limousine or cabin bus from Hanoi. Most tours (or rentals) include pickup around 7:30 PM from Hanoi Old Quarter or Hanoi Capsule Station Hostel. You’ll arrive in Ha Giang City at the crack of dawn (around 4:00 AM), giving you time to rest or grab a quick breakfast before the motorbike adventure begins.

Pro Tip: Bring snacks and a neck pillow for the bus ride. You’ll thank yourself later.

Day 1: Ha Giang → Quan Ba → Yen Minh → Dong Van (135 km)

Adventure Starts: 9:30 AM
Today is about wide-open roads, sky-high mountain passes, and a crash course in Vietnam’s diverse beauty.

Key Stops:

• Bac Sum Pass: Your first test of the loop’s winding terrain, with views over lush, terraced rice fields.

• Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate: A panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Twin Mountains and patchwork valleys.

• Can Ty Pass: Serpentine mountain roads carved into cliffs, where clouds often brush your helmet.

Lunch Stop: Yen Minh

Recommend:

• Nhà Hàng Cơm Phở Hải Yến – A small but beloved local joint serving delicious beef pho and stir-fried rice. Affordable and fast.

• Yen Minh Backpacker Restaurant – Western-friendly options plus hearty Vietnamese dishes. Good for coffee, too.

Afternoon Stops:

• Tham Ma Pass: A stunning zig-zag pass perfect for photos.

• Vuong Family Palace (H’mong King Palace): Step back in time inside this well-preserved French-Chinese influenced mansion.

Overnight: Dong Van Town

Check into your hotel or hostel, take a well-earned shower, and relax before dinner.

Dinner in Dong Van: 7:00 PM

Recommend:

• Green Karst Restaurant – Clean, great ambiance, with local favorites like grilled pork and claypot tofu. They also serve local corn wine if you're feeling adventurous.

• Lung Cu BBQ & Hotpot – Try the hotpot or sizzling BBQ plates after a long day’s ride.

Day 2: Dong Van → Ma Pi Leng → Meo Vac → Du Gia (130 km)

This is the crown jewel of the Ha Giang Loop — a visual masterpiece of cliffs, rivers, and winding passes.

Morning Stops:

• Start - Dong Van Old Quarter: Grab a morning coffee and stroll through cobbled streets surrounded by ancient homes.

• Ma Pi Leng Pass: One of the most dramatic roads in Asia. Expect to stop often — the views are impossible to ignore.

• Nho Que River Viewpoint: Don't miss this! The turquoise river weaving through a gorge is breathtaking.

Lunch Stop: Meo Vac

Recommended:

• Mr. Hung's Restaurant – Clean and consistent Vietnamese food with a focus on noodle soups, tofu dishes, and grilled meats.

• Quán Cơm 1989 – Local rice plates with plenty of protein options and a family vibe.

Afternoon Stops:

• M Pass & Lung Ho Viewpoint: Peaceful, less trafficked viewpoints for one last look at the mountains before reaching your homestay.

Overnight: Du Gia Village Homestay

You’ll stay in a stilted wooden home, often with a cozy communal dinner and local rice wine. It’s rustic, but charming.

Dinner in Homestay: 7:00 PM

Expect a traditional family meal: stir-fried vegetables, grilled pork, fried spring rolls, and bowls of hot soup. Most homestays serve dinner communally, and it’s a highlight of the cultural experience.

Day 3 Final Day: Du Gia → Duong Thuong → Ha Giang City (100 km)

You’ve conquered the curves and climbed the cliffs, now it’s time to coast into the final stretch with a refreshing waterfall swim, a few last scenic stops, and the satisfaction of finishing a legendary journey through northern Vietnam Ha Giang Loop on a motorbike with Easy Rider.

Morning Swim:
Du Gia Waterfall: Wake up and cool off with a dip under the falls...you earned it!

Key Stop:

• Duong Thuong Viewpoint: Lesser known, this viewpoint offers a peaceful moment to reflect on the trip before heading back to Ha Giang.

Lunch Stop: Ba Tien

Recommend:

• Nhà hàng Ba Tiến Quán – A casual roadside stop with rotating daily specials. Great place for grilled meats, stir-fried morning glory, and iced green tea.

Finish Line: Ha Giang City by 3:30 PM

From here, board your return VIP limousine bus at 4:00 PM or VIP cabin bus at 5:00 PM back to Hanoi. Most tours offer a free dorm bed at Hanoi Capsule Station Hostel, giving you a chance to shower and rest when you arrive.

Overnight: Dong Van Town

Check into your hotel or hostel, take a well-earned shower, and relax before dinner.

The Ha Giang Loop isn’t just a scenic ride — it’s a journey through Vietnam’s soul. The people you meet, the food you eat, the misty mountains, and the feeling of freedom as you hug each curve — it’s all part of the story.

Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, or through a tour group, doing the loop by motorbike adds a sense of adventure that you’ll remember for a lifetime.

What to Pack:

• Rain jacket & warm layers (weather can change fast)

• Sunscreen and sunglasses

• Portable phone charger

• Reusable water bottle