We booked the Road Kings Ha Giang Loop 4-day basic tour package and had a fantastic time exploring this beautiful mountainous region in Vietnam.
What is the Ha Giang Loop?
The Ha Giang Loop is a popular route through a rural, mountainous region in Northern Vietnam, starting in the city of Ha Giang. It offers some of the best scenery in Vietnam and a glimpse into rural village life. It’s definitely a highlight of any trip to Vietnam.
The loop is best explored by motorcycle and can be completed in 2 or 3 days. You can either ride yourself if you’re confident on a motorbike and have the correct license, or pay extra for a local easy rider.
The roads can be trickier than Western roads, so I wouldn’t recommend driving yourself unless you’re very experienced and used to Southeast Asian roads. Personally, I found it enjoyable sitting on the back of the bike, listening to music and soaking in the scenery.
Should i choose road kings ha giang loop tour?
The loop is very popular with backpackers, and there are many tour companies to choose from, the most well-known being Jasmine. If you enjoy large groups, partying, and drinking lots of “happy water,” go for big operators like Jasmine or Mama’s. If you prefer smaller groups, a more relaxed environment, and some off-the-beaten-path stops, then I can personally recommend the Ha Giang Loop Road Kings tour.
We chose Road Kings and had 8 people in our group, which was the perfect balance between socializing and relaxing. The 4-day budget package cost £193 per person, including a night in a Ha Giang hostel before the trip, all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), accommodation (1 night in a private room and 2 nights in shared hostel rooms), and easy riders.
Road kings ha giang loop 4 day itinerary
Day 1: Ha Giang to Dong Van
We arrived in Ha Giang the afternoon before the tour started and checked into the Road Kings hostel. The hostel was basic but fine for one night. Ha Giang itself didn’t have much going on, but we met up with friends from home and had a nice meal, excited for the trip ahead.
The next morning, after a free breakfast, we were given rain gear and introduced to our easy riders. The riders were local, didn’t speak much English, but were incredibly friendly and skilled drivers. We felt very safe on the bikes.
As we climbed into the mountains, the weather turned cold and foggy. We stopped at several viewpoints, but visibility was poor so we couldn’t see much. Despite the weather, it was still fun cruising along the winding mountain roads. If you’re planning the trip in December, bring plenty of warm layers because it’s very cold.
After a few hours, we stopped for lunch in Yen Minh and enjoyed a variety of traditional dishes.
By late afternoon, we arrived in Dong Van. Our hostel was in the town center, and though it was quite cold, it was comfortable and we were only sharing with 6 people. For dinner, we had a delicious hot pot where we cooked meat/tofu and dumplings in a vegetable broth—a perfect way to warm up after a chilly day. The easy riders encouraged everyone to do a traditional Vietnamese “cheers!” with shots of “happy water.”
Later, we played pool and foosball before exploring the town. Although it was quiet, the main square had a lively dance-along that was great fun. By 10pm, everything had quietened down, and we headed to bed.
Day 2: Dong Van to Du Gia
We started early with a hot breakfast of eggs and pho before gearing up for a rainy, foggy day on the road. The weather wasn’t promising, and we were battered by rain, wind, and cold all morning! Unfortunately, this meant we missed several main viewpoints.
Thankfully, after lunch in Mau Due, the weather began to improve. The fog lifted slightly, just in time for bamboo rafting and cave swimming.
At our final stop of the day, we changed into swimwear and boarded bamboo rafts, surrounded by lush limestone cliffs and clear blue water. The cold swim in the cave was refreshing and a very unique experience.
Our hotel for the night in Du Gia was basic, but we appreciated having private rooms. Unfortunately, a village-wide power cut meant no hot showers. Welcome to rural Vietnam! Despite this, the evening was fun, with the guides leading karaoke and everyone singing songs from their home countries.
Day 3: Du Gia to Nam Dam
Before breakfast, we headed bright and early to a nearby waterfall for a morning swim, beating the crowds from larger tour groups. As we left the waterfall, we were shocked by the volume of tour groups flooding the area and were pleased to have gone so early. This is one of the benefits of doing the Road Kings Ha Giang Loop tour.
After breakfast back at the hotel, we set off on what turned out to be the best weather day (thank goodness!) The fog had cleared, revealing beautiful mountain views. Our guides revisited viewpoints we missed earlier due to poor visibility, including an incredible spot at the Vietnam-China border with views across a misty valley.
After lunch, half of our group returned to Ha Giang while the rest of us continued to Nam Dam village. Just 4 of us in this small village, with its mud-clay huts and remote setting, felt like our own private tour of Vietnam.
We stayed at a local homestay, which was charming but cold. With no heaters in the clay hut, we layered on every item of clothing and huddled under blankets. We had a nice dinner and an early night, exhausted from the past couple of days.
Day 4: Back to Ha Giang
Although the official loop was complete, the final day included extra sightseeing in better weather.
In the morning, we hiked to Lung Khuy Cave, full of fascinating, alien-like formations, with stunning views over the valley.
Later, we visited Thac Tho 6 Waterfall, a peaceful and hidden spot perfect for a quick swim. Surrounded by trees and meadows, it was a wonderful end to our trip.
We returned to Ha Giang tired but happy. The hostel provided free hot drinks and showers before our overnight bus to Hanoi. For dinner, we indulged in loaded fries and burritos—a welcome break from four days of rice and noodles.
Road kings ha giang loop: final Thoughts
I’d highly recommend the Road Kings Ha Giang Loop 4-day package. Despite the cold and fog, it was a great experience. The itinerary is well organised and offers plenty of unique experiences from bamboo rafting, exploring caves, swimming in waterfalls and sampling local cuisine.
However, I wouldn’t recommend going in the winter months (December-January) if you can avoid it. If you have no choice, bring plenty of warm layers and make the most of it—I’d love to return in a warmer, clearer season and do it all over again!
