Vietnam / Northern Mountains / Ha GiangHa Giang
The Loop: Karst Passes on the Chinese Border
The start of the Ha Giang Loop, a 3-4 day ride through the Dong Van Karst Plateau (a UNESCO Global Geopark): Heaven's Gate at Quan Ba, the Ma Pi Leng pass above the Nho Que river, the Hmong King's palace and the flag tower at Lung Cu, Vietnam's northern tip. Most visitors ride pillion with a local "easy rider" rather than drive: the roads are steep and narrow. Buckwheat flowers colour the hills in October and November.
Highlights
- Ma Pi Leng pass
- Boat on the Nho Que river canyon
- Quan Ba Heaven's Gate and Fairy Bosom hills
- Dong Van old quarter and Sunday market
- Lung Cu flag tower
- Hmong King's Palace
- Buckwheat flowers (Oct–Nov)
- Homestay nights on the loop
Things to do
- Ride to Quan Ba Heaven's Gate and Yen MinhMorning · 6h
- Ma Pi Leng pass and Nho Que river boatMorning · 5h
- Dong Van old quarter and marketAfternoon · 2h
- Lung Cu flag towerAfternoon · 2h
- Hmong King's Palace at Sa PhinMorning · 1h 30m
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: September – November
Worth knowing
Freezing Winters in the Mountains
From December to February the northern mountains are cold and often misty: nights can drop below 0 °C in Sapa and Ha Giang, with frost and sometimes snow on the peaks, and many homestays have no heating. Fog can hide the terraces and passes for days. Pack a warm jacket, gloves and layers.
Worth knowing
Tet: Closures and a Travel Rush
Tet (Lunar New Year) falls on 6 February in 2027. In the week before, trains, buses and flights sell out and fares rise; for three to five days after, many shops, restaurants and family-run hotels close. Check the date for your year, book transport a month or more ahead, and expect higher prices.
- Tet (Lunar New Year) — Vietnam's biggest holiday. In the week before, trains, buses and flights sell out and prices rise as everyone travels home; for three to five days after New Year's Eve many shops, restaurants and family-run hotels close, while temples and flower markets are at their liveliest. Book transport a month or more ahead, or avoid travelling in the days either side.
- Buckwheat flower season, Ha Giang — The Dong Van plateau turns pink and white with buckwheat flowers; Ha Giang holds a flower festival in the season. The loop's homestays fill at weekends, so book ahead.