WESTERN LOOP - THE HOANG SU PHI OFF ROAD DIRT BIKE ADVENTURE

Join us for an exhilarating Hoang Su Phi dirt bike adventure with our 3-day/2-night tour.

ADRENALINE

ONCE-IN-A-LIFE-TIME

The motorbike route between Ha Giang city and Hoang Su Phi District is a breathtaking journey that offers spectacular views of Vietnam's extreme north. The road meanders over mountain ranges and along river valleys, straddling the Chinese border. The route is mostly on small roads that were recently carved out of the mountainsides.

Traveling on this route is a slow crawl through some of the remotest parts of Ha Giang. It's best to take this journey slowly and with caution as there are hardly any kilometers without a hairpin bend. This trip requires experience, as well as plenty of time to allow for unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather and landslides that often block the way.

Along the way, travelers can enjoy dramatic scenery, ethnic minority markets, fascinating border towns, and lush farmland. This road trip is suitable for riders seeking an extreme and unique experience without encountering any tourists along the way.

Overall, if you're looking for an adventurous yet remote journey through some of Vietnam's most stunning landscapes and cultural sites, the motorbike route between Ha Giang city and Hoang Su Phi District is undoubtedly worth considering.


GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Group size: max 6 persons - 4 years old and above

  • Pick-up/drop-off: Ha Giang City with transfer options from Hanoi or Sapa

  • Level of intensity: Extreme (This is not recommended for those who have any back or leg problems. Consider going by car in this case.


PRICES

Our prices are based on adventures that start and end in Ha Giang, as we are a Ha Giang-based operator.

  • Riding a manual dirt bike Honda XR 150: $259 per person

  • Riding as a pillion passenger: $329 per person

  • Traveling by car: $499 (starting from 2 persons)

We offer transfer services for our customers at an additional cost of $50 on top of the tour price if you wish to leave and return to Hanoi, Sapa or elsewhere. Our transfer from and return to Hanoi is usually with our own car or with a limosine.

The prices include all meals, water, accommodations, tickets, motorbike and car rental with gas, English-speaking guides, safety gear, and entrance fees at all sites. However, insurance, visa, flight tickets, and tips are not included.

WE AVOID NOISY AND BUSY PLACES

COMBO OF PRIVATE AND HOMESTAY-STYLE ACCOMMODATIONS

ALL ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDES WITH TRAINING, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE


ITINERARY

  • The itinerary for this trip is subject to change at the guide's discretion due to various factors such as the pace of the group, weather conditions, or transit issues. It is highly recommended that those intending to ride a motorbike should arrive a day early to receive safety procedures training before starting on the first day of the trip. However, if you are not riding a motorbike, you can leave Hanoi in the morning and join the group during lunch before the afternoon bike ride.

  • This standard trip covers all of Hoang Su Phi's attractions with a small group. If you have specific interests or places you would like to explore, please let us know so we can customize a private trip for you.

  • It's essential to ride a manual dirt bike while participating in this adventure. For your safety, beginners are not recommended to ride. Alternatively, you can choose to travel by car or sit on the back of our driver.

  • Sundays are market days, which is a significant social and cultural experience for the highland minorities. If your departure date is on Friday, we can fit in some time to visit the biggest market in northern Vietnam aka Bac Ha Market.

  • Overall, this exciting adventure promises to be an unforgettable experience for those seeking an adrenaline rush against the backdrop of Vietnam's stunning landscapes.

  • If you choose to travel with us by car from Hanoi, we will arrange for our car to pick you up between 6.00-6.15 am. You will then be transported to Ha Giang where you'll meet the rest of the team and enjoy lunch before embarking on the motorbike adventure.

    However, in case you are already in Ha Giang, our guide will meet you at your hotel in Ha Giang around 9.00 am. From there, we'll take you to our office where we'll begin the essential safety procedures. After gearing up, we'll provide a comprehensive briefing about Vietnam traffic and practice some fundamental bike skills on roads around Ha Giang. This practice session is designed to prepare you for your upcoming trip.

    We will then head toward Bac Quang have lunch before taking the turn to the mountain road. Our journey will take us through stunning jungles, valleys, and small remote villages. During the ride, we will make plenty of stops for photos and rest breaks before continuing on to our homestay in Thong Nguyen village - a Dzao minority village.

    This first day promises to be an exciting adventure as we begin our journey through some of Vietnam's most beautiful landscapes and cultural sites.

  • On the second day, we will have breakfast and coffee before continuing our adventure through the isolated district of Hoang Su Phi. This area is situated in a steep valley with incredibly windy and steep streets. After lunch, we will pass by a waterfall before embarking on a full-day ride to Kiou Leou Ti Mountain.

    This off-road trip promises to be an exciting journey, though road conditions can be pretty challenging at times. However, the beautiful scenery and thrilling experience will make it all worth it. After a long day's ride, we will check into our homestay near Xin Man for some rest and relaxation.

    Overall, day two promises to be an adventurous journey through some of Vietnam's most stunning landscapes, offering both excitement and relaxation as we explore this remote region.

  • Rise early and have breakfast, then it's time to attend the Bac Ma Market, one of the most prominent markets in the region that only operates on Sundays. After lunch at the market, we will return to Ha Giang city for the rest of the day while enjoying magnificent views of terraced crops, waterfalls, and rivers along the way, even through the ghostly mist that often hangs over the area. This region is famed for its terraced rice fields, and it is easy to see why, especially during the harvesting season. We will arrive back in Ha Giang around 4 pm and drop you off at your hotel. If you plan on catching our transfer back to Hanoi, our van will leave you at the Hanoi center around 10:30 pm.


THIS IS HOW WE WILL WORK WITH YOU

  • This is for you to tell us what you want who you are and what your concern. The more we know about you the better we facilitate you.

  • This is where we will communicate via email or WhatsApp. Sometimes we schedule call to talk to you too.

  • A final communication on details will be sent to you. We will also instruct you to further process with payment.

  • to start organizing your experience, a deposit is needed.

  • we will send you a reminder a day before departure.

  • OUR TRIP BEGINS


FAQS

Some detailed answers can be found below, Otherwise please talk to our online support or write us here.

  • Ha Giang is both a city and a province in Northern Vietnam. Ha Giang City is located right in the center of Ha Giang Province. This loop is on the west side of Ha Giang city hence we call it Western Loop. This is something completely different and far more remote and underdeveloped, to the point, there is no tourist while riding given the off-road paths as well as the difficulties that few tourists can handle. We create this trip given the demand of people who can handle manual bikes and want to do something different than general tourists. The Western Loop goes through Bac Quang - Xin Man - Hoang Su Phi - Kiou Leou Ti - Bac Quang.

    This is different from the Famous Ha Giang Motorbike Loop in the route that goes in the shape of a loop through Ha Giang City – Quan Ba – Yen Minh – Dong Van – Meo Vac – Du Gia – Ha Giang City. This loop is on the east side of the city where we also have a trip called Eastern Loop Motorbike Adventure.

  • No! This is a ride that requires good bikes and good experience. Locals can’t make that fast due to the fact that they don’t really use mountain bikes. For many tourists who ride motorbikes, this 3-day schedule with preparation is advised. In our experience, this is a very fun and relaxed schedule that limits the stress from riding motorbikes, as well as gives you some time to enjoy this stunning province rather than just passing through it.

  • Yes, we go on a small group tour unless you book a private trip. By small group tour, we limit the number of people per group to 6 people.

    This is mainly because our facilities (van, homestay, number of motorbikes, camping gears) are small. And due to the less popular and higher requirements for our customers, we only leave as small group tour every Friday.

  • This itinerary is designed for those who are currently staying in Ha Giang City, and we will arrange to pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. If you have a preferred pickup location other than your hotel in the city of Ha Giang, please let us know, and we can discuss the options with you.

    If you wish to start this adventure from other locations such as Ha Noi, Ha Long, Sapa, Cat Ba, or elsewhere, please feel free to contact us, and we can coordinate transportation via buses. We also offer a car and bus services for those who want to continue traveling to other destinations mentioned above but not via Hanoi.

    We provide comfortable SUV cars for those joining our adventure, which can also directly drop you off at the Hanoi Airport (Noi Bai Airport). Our cars typically arrive at the airport around 10:00 pm. To be safe, book any flights departing after 12:00 am. To ensure we have all the necessary information, please provide us with all information in the request form.

  • Ha Giang is a mountainous province. While the summer could be up to 40 degrees Celsius or 104 degrees Fahrenheit, the winter in some parts of the province could get down to 0 degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit. However, this is the mountain, the weather depends on the attitude. There is no absolute weather. We go out in rain, snow, or shine. Our trip spans over 200kms up and down via mountains and valleys. It means it might rain under the valley but above the cloud, it is perfectly sunny. Of course, while traveling on a motorbike might be fun and exciting, sitting in a car might be the best option if you don’t want to take risk of the weather.

    We reserve the option to cancel a trip if we think there is something that might affect our trip caused by the weather e.g. a mudslide or a rockslide that blocks our way. If you want to cancel your trip because of bad weather, or for any other reason, we require 48-hour notice to receive a refund. Please keep a close watch on the weather report for our area during the time of your planned visit.

  • This is a very difficult question, we think Ha Giang is beautiful at any season. Each season has its charm and beauty.

    While hot season from April till the end of October is perfect weather to go on a motorbike. It is also the busy tourist season that you might find it a bit too much, though nothing in terms of tourism in comparison to other destinations in Vietnam.

    The cold and wet season is from November till the end of March might not be ideal and as comfortable as the hot season. But it is a lot quieter, the landscapes are a lot more mysterious, people are a lot calmer and it feels lots cozier with a bonfire and good food. It is the true sense of northern Vietnam in our opinion.

    On top of it, Northern Vietnam including Ha Giang is famous for rice terrace structures. Many people see these famous photos of an endless rice field in the mountains and ask us when they can see that. So for your references, this could be experienced from the 2nd week of September to the 2nd week of October every year. This is the time when the rice is ripe and people are ready for their harvest season. As the matter of fact, Hoang Su Phi rice terrace is the national conservation area that is probably the best place for rice terraces you can find in the world.

  • Of course, this depends on the time of year. In the cold season (from November till the end of March) it is cold, especially for riding motorbikes, 3 layer rules are applied. shirts, something warm like a sweater, and something water/windproof like a jacket.

    THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE GOOD WALKING SHOES.

    For the rest of the year, bring bikinis, long sleeves, and pants. In the worse case, please let us know while communicating with us. We have all the clothing for you to borrow.

  • In general YES, our experiences cover all costs. Food is a big part of our experience, we cover all the meals—in a country with so much great food, it would be crazy not to include meals. Please let us know if you have dietary restrictions (e.g. vegetarian, vegan, or organic-only) and/or allergies in the customer information form. For not using plastic bottles. We will provide you with a 750ml aluminum sports bottle that can be refilled at our lunch stop or homestay/hotel. Due to the nature of our experience, we encourage travelers to keep themselves alcohol-free during the experience, especially those who ride a motorbike with us. A beer or 2 which costs about one USD is fine at the end of the day.

  • Tipping is always optional, but if you have a great time and want to thank your tour guide or simply want to contribute to our cause, gratuities are very much appreciated. Since we create experiences that are often alternative to the industry, helping us to spread the word by writing a review or recommending us to other travelers is also a great way to show your gratitude!

  • Yes! People of all ages and abilities can have a great time on our tours! Our excursions are private or small group tours where you can go at a pace that is comfortable for you and your group. We can stop whenever needed. We can also customize each tour to be more suitable for all members of the group. We do love children and find that they truly enjoy the experience. It's just a matter of choosing to communicate about options for them. The same goes for other minors. In our experience, we have had a courageous 7-year old or an exciting late 50-year old having a blast, loving every bit of the adventure.

    Since 2020, we’ve started to employ deaf communities to train them to be our guides. Therefore, we provide this adventure in sign language too. we sign in Vietnamese, American, and Korean sign languages.

  • The first night we will stay at a homestay. These are the actual homes of minority locals who live in the villages where we will spend the night. You will get to meet their families, eat dinner at the family dining table, and share shots of traditional rice or corn wine (aka "happy water") with the hosts. Meals are typically fairly simple—but very tasty—and include rice, veggies (cooked and raw), a meat dish or two (usually pork or chicken), and sometimes egg from their own garden or raised/produced by their own. Sleeping situations vary from homestay to homestay. Some have a common room with mattresses on the floor, blankets, pillows, and a mosquito net, where each bed setup is separated by curtains for privacy. Other homestays have raised beds in rooms with walls and a door.

    On our 2nd night, depending on the weather, we have an option of camping in nature. in each camp, we will provide sleeping bags, mattresses, and a light. There would be unfortunately limited bathroom facilities while camping in nature.

    There are a few exclusive resorts in the area, in case you want to stay in a higher standard place, please let us know, We’ll check the room for you. typically around 100 USD/night extra in these exclusive resorts.

  • You can safely leave your bags in our office in Ha Giang. just please let us know while filling out the booking form. Otherwise, any hotel would also offer the services for free as a part of welcome back.

  • Honda XR 150cc is the motorbike we will use during this trip. No other bike can beat this one. It is a perfect bike for this type of trip.

  • Yes! Motorbikes are the most common way people in Vietnam travel. Almost every adult has a motorbike and almost every kid grew up on a motorbike here. We are no exception. We provide good equipment, trained drivers, and other safety gear. The experience is small group and you-centric, if you want to stop for a photo, just let us know! If you want to stop to take a breath in nature, we're happy to make that happen. We understand that Vietnam is overwhelming for many people from the West and we are here to make your trip safe and fun.

  • No, you need an international license to ride a motorbike in Ha Giang now, There is an increasing number of accidents and deaths caused by and to the tourists who are not licensed or experienced. Therefore, the police is basically checking everyone.

    Ha Giang Adventure operates fully legal and does not encourage any violation of laws, though a big part of our job is to maximize the fun and create an experience for you and the group you are with. By preparing and getting your license done where you are from, You would be able to enjoy this experience fully.

  • If you have just a national riding license where you are from, Issued by the official authority. You can convert it or translate it into an international license to ride in Vietnam legally. It can be done pretty easy via some internet agency. Please see below for some information on converting your license into an international license that is valid in Vietnam.

    https://e-ita.org/logging-in-to-the-customer-portal/

    Note that in some countries mostly in Europe, when you have a car license, you are able to ride some certain type of scooter under a 75cc engine. This is not relevant for this trip since motorbike under 100cc can’t make this trip. Therefore your car license after being exchanged internationally might not work.

  • We have a 48-hour refund policy. If you do not cancel your experience within this time frame you will be held responsible for the total amount of your tour. If your flight has been canceled because of the weather, please call us right away—no matter what time—and leave a message. We will try and reschedule your tour for you and discuss other options.

    We discourage people from booking their tour on the same day their flight is due to arrive, as we all know flights run late all the time. If your flight is arriving on the same day as your tour, we suggest giving yourself at least 3 hours leeway between your flight arrival and your tour. Between flight delays, traffic, and having to drop off your bags at your hotel, know that the risk of running late is high.

    Please also know that it is YOUR responsibility to keep a check on the 5-day weather forecast. We go out rain, snow, or shine and if you don't want to go out because of inclement weather, once again, you must let us know 48 hours before your tour.

  • Even though it is not a government requirement for travelers to have insurance to enter Vietnam, it is your responsibility to travel with travel insurance when going on a trip with us. Let us know ASAP if you don’t have travel insurance in the information document. We can advise so you can buy some local insurance. If you sit on the back of a driver, most insurance will cover your expense in case of accidents. As a legal enterprise, our drivers are hired and trained as well as licensed. We can help with reporting, providing the authority with our corporate or legal document to obtain any paper for your insurance claim. Since the start of our operation in 2015, none of our customers got in any accidents. This excursion is only for licensed and experienced bikers who can handle manual bikes. There is no condition for you to ride it without these requirements.

  • The most important part of a safe journey in any adventurous excursion is the facility and equipment. It is the requirement from many of our overseas partners including Airbnb Adventures Collection which Ha Giang Adventure is the only operator in Vietnam. We have invested most of our money in facilities and equipment to live up to their expectation. All of our equipment is original, certified for not only safety but also environment-friendly, socially-responsible standard. Any damage, usually on the motorbike and equipment from riding a motorbike without experience will result in extra expense you will have to pay. Please pay attention to the guide’s instructions on how to best use them and avoid damage or losses.