Ha Giang Motorbike Loop Guide

Ha Giang Motorbike Loop Guide For Traveller 2023

Welcome to Ha Giang Motorbike Loop Guide. If you are planning a bike trip in Vietnam, read this informative guide first. You'll find everything you need to know about riding the Legend of Vietnam Wheel right here, including routes, paperwork, tips

Welcome to Ha Giang Motorbike Loop Guide. If you are planning a bike trip in Vietnam, read this informative guide first. You’ll find everything you need to know about riding the Legend of Vietnam Wheel right here, including routes, paperwork, tips, etc.

How to go around Ha Giang by motorbike

4 Days Ha Giang Motorcycle Tours With Dirt Bike

You don’t want to be locked in a car or bus watching the world pass by you through a steaming window. Riding a motorbike through this majestic mountain is the best way to experience it.

Ha Giang is the northernmost route of Vietnam. It is called Ha Giang Loop because the route passes Ha Giang province. The provincial capital city also known as Ha Giang, is where most people start and end their trip.

Ha Giang Loop is famous for riding motorbikes. Given the type of road you’ll be driving along, this is the best way to experience the area. They are narrow, winding, and often undulating which makes them interesting.

Why is it so famous?

True North Ha Giang Loop Motorbike Tour: The Best Tour for Backpackers!

Ha Giang ring is famous and not famous. While Sapa (130 miles southwest of Ha Giang) is popular, Ha Giang is less touristy and more remote. Still, it’s a mecca for any adventurous traveler looking to explore Vietnam, and here’s why.

Beauty

It is unbelievably beautiful with the overlapping mountain scenery and the path through the clouds and down to the valley. At each corner, you’ll want to stop and take photos of the area’s pristine nature, very friendly people, and the crazy road you just took to get there.

Culture

The area is inhabited by traditional ethnic groups such as the Hmong, and you can see their daily life in the mountains during your trip. You will experience a unique Vietnamese culture here, as it is common to stay with a host family and have dinner with the family.

Riding

Most tourists and tourists who come here do it on two wheels. After many months of traveling through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines on our motorcycle round-the-world trip, I can easily say that the Ha Giang Loop in Vietnam is one of the best. the best motorbike roads and trails in Southeast Asia.

When do we leave

Ha Giang Daily Group Motorcycle Loop Tour to Nam Dam, Dong Van , Du Gia, Yen Minh

Ha Giang has two distinct seasons: the rainy season and the dry season.

January, February, and March: These months are the dry season with little rain. Tet festival will also fall within this scope. You can witness festivals, but now is not a good time to travel as everything is closed and this is the biggest holiday in Vietnam.

January can be cold, but the roads are quieter. You will need warm clothes and a heavy jacket. We drove it in January and loved it. The first day of the journey from Hanoi to Ha Giang was chilly, but when we got up for a lap it was fine. It’s also much quieter than the peak season months, which suits us perfectly. February is crowded with tourists coming to Ha Giang to see the banyan flowers in bloom. March is a good month to visit, with moderate temperatures.

April and May: You are more likely to find clear skies and less rain in April. In May, the weather starts to improve.

June, July, and August: These are the hottest and most rainy times of the year. Now is not a good time to ride a bike.

September, October, November, and December: Late September to early October is the colorful season in Vietnam thanks to the ripe golden rice fields. This makes October one of the best months to visit Ha Giang. The same goes for November, though December may start to get chilly again.

Motorcycles, Driving Tools, and Packaging

In general, you can repeat one of these, but that’s not recommended. The only time I’d recommend riding in Ha Giang is if you’re inexperienced and uncomfortable with anything else – but if that’s the case, you shouldn’t go around in the first place. The automatic transmission capacity range in Vietnam is 110-130cc.

What kind of motorbike do I need to get around Ha Giang?

HA GIANG DIRT BIKE OFF ROAD 3 DAY $ 267/ PERSON/ DAY

In Ha Giang, you can choose from 3 types of motorbikes. Let’s take a look at the three types of bikes on offer, how they work, and their intended uses to help you decide which bike is right for you.

Automatic

The scooter automatically turns and goes. Without gears, they are the simplest and easiest bike to ride, you just need to turn the throttle and it will automatically shift gears for you.

The automatic is great for going in the city or town, but not for the Ha Giang Loop. There are many times when you want to immediately downshift to climb uphill, and one of them just isn’t possible. The wheels are also a problem because they’re smaller and wider than the semi-automatics and manuals, meaning they’re less effective at navigating potholes and potholes.

Semi-automatic

Semi-automatic motorbikes are the most common type of motorbike you will find on the Ha Giang Loop. They are a good choice because they have gears but no clutches. You can operate the gears with the foot pedal just like you would with a manual transmission, but without worrying about pulling the clutch lever.

 This makes going up and down hills easier. They are light, easy to use and drive, and are a great choice for Vietnam. If you have ever ridden a motorbike or have experience with automatic transmission scooters, you will quickly become familiar with semi-automatic scooters. Honda Future 125cc and Honda Wave Blade 110cc are some typical examples of semi-automatic cars in Vietnam. Both are 4-speed.

Handmade

Manual motorcycles are less common on Loops but can be a great option. With a clutch and manual transmission, you can get the most out of your bike and choose the right gear for the job. Some good examples of manual clutch bikes in Vietnam are the Honda Master 125cc and two Honda 150 ccs: Honda CB150 and Honda XR 150.

Our proposal

We used the Honda XR 150 on the trip from Hanoi to Ha Giang and vice versa and feel this is the best car for the Ha Giang route for experienced riders as well as off-road riders. topographic.

It’s small by Western standards, but in Vietnam, it’s a proper big adventure bike. A 250 cc like the CRF250L might be fine, but we don’t need anything bigger than 150. The XR controls let you through platoons of buses, trucks, and scooters, all of which are struggling. uphill, with a twist of the gas pedal.

It’s perfect for those looking to go further than Ha Giang, giving you the option of Looping the main roads and opening up some interesting trails in the countryside. It’s a fun bike and we recommend it as the ultimate Ha Giang Loop motorbike.

Loop Ha Giang motorbike equipment

Ha Giang Loop Tour 3 Days 2 Night

If you are going around Ha Giang Loop on your motorbike, you probably won’t bring your kit from home, as you will need to bring a lot of things for the short trip. So here’s the toolkit you need to source when you’re local or on the go.

Helmet: The safest option when choosing a helmet is to choose a full-face helmet. However, these are not common and you will most likely have to wear an open helmet. You should choose a visor with a drop-down full visor to protect you from the elements of weather and the road, just in case. Your rental or travel agency will provide you with a helmet. Make sure it fits, is comfortable, fastened, and doesn’t move easily.

Footwear: Most people will wear hiking boots or a decent pair of sneakers. Don’t wear flip-flops. Your feet easily slip on the gravel and are not safe. Your best bet is the proper riding shoes.

Jackets: A suitable cycling jacket is your best bet, but these can be hard to find and expensive for short trips. If you cycle in the colder months, we recommend buying a thick ‘North Face’ jacket from Hanoi and wearing a separate insulated down jacket underneath. It will be very cold. The North Face jacket is rain resistant with an insulated inner jacket. If you ride in the warmer months, then a lightweight, breathable jacket will be a great fit.

Pants: Choose hiking pants. They have large pockets, are comfortable, stretchy, and won’t let your feet hit rocks and mud. You can also invest in a pair of thin thermal pants or leggings if you’re in the colder months.

Gloves: Depending on the time of year you travel, you may need thick, warm, waterproof gloves or lightweight cycling gloves. We usually bring both.

Armor and Pads: Many riders opt for arm and knee pads because they choose to wear shorts and t-shirts while riding. These will absorb the shock of impact, making them a safer choice if you don’t have any armor in your gear.

Waterproof: This is a must – no matter what time of year you visit. Some people prefer inexpensive flap ponchos, while others prefer zipped jackets and separate pants. A well-fitting suit will keep you warm on colder days because it acts as a windbreak. If you are making long trips or going during the colder months, these are probably the best options. In the summer, it’s okay to turn over, otherwise, you’ll sweat pretty quickly.

Cottage North Face (£30), feather jackets (£15), hiking pants (£5), and gloves (£2) are all available in Hanoi and along the route.

Luggage

Taking on Vietnam's Ha Giang Motorbike Loop | six-two by Contiki

What and how you bring it will depend on where you start and how many kits you have. For example, you might be a backpacker coming straight from Thailand with a giant backpack, or you might be flying in from home just to hitchhike.

Our advice is to buy or bring a 20-liter waterproof duffel bag and a pair of Rok straps (or use a rental/tour company bungee cord) and tie all your belongings to the chair. after. Whether you’re traveling for 3 days or 7 days, you’ll be able to fit all your belongings into one 20-liter bag. If you know you have a lot of luggage, choose a bag larger than 30 liters. You can then stash your valuables in a small backpack, small bag, or hip bag (inside the waterproof bag) so you don’t have to worry about them every time you step out of the car.

Your backpack or large suitcase can be left where you rent the bike. The company will keep your belongings safe until you return.

You can buy these waterproof duffel bags cheaply in Hanoi or on Amazon before you depart.

Our travel bag has a waterproof flap that attaches to the back seat. Since our travel bag was only 30 liters anyway, it was not worth it to buy another 30-liter waterproof bag.

List of goods

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You don’t need much equipment to get around Ha Giang. First, you have cycling gear that you wear every day. Then obviously underwear, t-shirts, shorts, flip flops, toiletries, laundry kits, and electronics. Traveling by motorbike is a gentle journey, however, some small additions can be helpful.

We always travel with sleeping bag lining. They are light, small, and priceless. They will keep you warm on cold nights, cool on hot nights, and protect you from mosquitoes and bugs. But best of all, if you find yourself at a homestay or hotel with a bed sheet problem, you’ll have a large clean sheet to crawl into (even if you’re traveling alone, you can choose a double bed).

When you land in Vietnam, get a local SIM card at the airport. Unlike other Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, getting a local SIM card is easy and doesn’t require your passport or registration. They’ll turn it on and you’ve got the data. It’s worth it, especially on the ring roads, as you’ll have frequent internet access and can easily plan routes, stops, and accommodations. It’s also a good idea to buy a SIM card with both data and calling capabilities so you can call the rental company in case of an emergency or call the host family in advance to order a meal.

We often come across people who say that they don’t want to buy a local SIM card outright because they think they won’t be able to use WhatsApp if they withdraw the card at home. No, you can still use WhatsApp as usual. The only difference is that you can’t make calls or send messages from your SIM card at home – you don’t want to do that in Vietnam anyway because it will cost you dearly!

It’s worth carrying a high-capacity USB power bank with you. You can use it to charge your phone while riding (just put the bank in your jacket pocket and connect the lead to your phone). Of course, at night, if your hotel loses power, you will be complacent because there is a large charger. Keep in mind that there is a limit to the size of USB chargers you can bring on a flight, and they need to be carried as hand baggage. They should not be registered.

Most rental and touring bikes must come with a phone holder, but if not, you’ll have to find and buy a sturdy one while in Vietnam. It’s easier to get a good one at home – especially if you’re planning on taking more plane and bike trips.

Rent, and organize tours, alone and in groups

HA GIANG LOOP RIDER in 4D4N - YESD Authentic Responsible Tours

Many go alone, and many go in groups. It’s not that one method is better than the other, they’re just very different and work for different people.

Go alone

Whether you should go it alone or not completely depends on your level of confidence, your experience with motorbikes abroad, and travel in general. You’ll have to navigate yourself, find your places to eat, drink, fuel, and shelter — and figure out where all the attractions are. But you also have total freedom to go where you want and when you want. No one is holding you back, you don’t have to wait for anyone, your journey is all yours. If this sounds like you, do it!

Package tour 

Taking a package tour is a great way to get the most out of your trip. You’ll be accompanied by a racer who knows the cycle and its best parts like the back of a hand. Everything will be arranged for you, which will help you reduce stress during the trip.

Traveling is a great idea if you are traveling with a group of friends or family. Routes and all day-to-day decisions do not fall on one person’s shoulders (only on your guide). If there are any mechanical problems, your guide will fix them quickly so they don’t spoil the tour of others.

They are also a great choice if you want to meet new people and travel with fellow travelers. Sure, you’ll meet solo travelers, but itineraries are usually done within 3-5 days, so people don’t hang out with locals every morning.

If you’re a solo traveler and don’t like the idea of doing it yourself, you can ask for a private guide. This is a great option. You can have the best of both worlds and we’ve met plenty of solo travelers doing the same.

Solo, big travel, private travel, with friends – whatever you do, you’ll love it.

Rent a motorbike in Ha Giang

Ha Giang Extreme North Motorbike Loop – Vietnam Coracle – Independent Travel Guides to Vietnam

I’d say 99% of travelers start from Ha Giang, which means catching a bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang and renting a bike there. There are plenty of tours and rental companies to choose from, but it’s a good idea to arrange your bicycles before heading up the mountain – especially if you’re going sightseeing. This must be arranged in advance.

How to Take Ha Giang Motorcycle Tour?

Taking a tour is as easy as finding an online travel agency and booking. The difficulty is finding reputable companies that won’t take you around on dilapidated bikes with a guide who doesn’t speak your language.

It also depends on what you want from your trip. Here are our two suggestions.

If you’re looking for a 4 to 8-day trip, or if you want off-road trails and obscure locations, look no further than Vietnam bike rental. Based in Hanoi, owner Danny and his guides are very experienced in the area and provide excellent service.

If you are looking for a short trip, then we recommend trying both of these companies on Viator as they are some of the highest-rated.

  • Easy Riders 3 Days Tour
  • QT Tour 4 Days

How to go from Hanoi to Ha Giang? 

The Ha Giang Loop – Dear Family And Friends

Go from Hanoi to Ha Giang by bus

The bus journey from Hanoi to Ha Giang takes about 6-7 hours. Tickets cost around £15 (US$17) and usually depart from My Dinh bus station. Taking the bus is simple and easy, just go to the station and buy a ticket or book it with a travel agency in Hanoi.

If a little luxury is what you’re after, take a taxi. However, you’ll pay anywhere between £150 ($180) and £350 ($450), depending on the number of passengers and the luxury of the taxi.

Scooter rental in Hanoi

Hanoi is a 7-hour drive from Ha Giang. If you’re used to long distances, you could probably do this trip in a day, but we recommend the Honda XR150 so you can cruise at a decent speed. If you’re going straight, uphill is nothing special, although there are a few interesting stops along the way. But the return journey through Bao Lac was great. We enjoyed our return trip to Hanoi almost as much as the trip itself.

Renting in Hanoi is worth it if you’re going on a longer trip in Vietnam and don’t want to just drive around. Likewise, we recommend Rent a Bike Vietnam to people living in Hanoi.

Route Hanoi to Ha Giang and vice versa Motorcycles

If you’re not taking a larger Vietnam tour and haven’t been to Sapa first, then we recommend you fly direct from Hanoi to Ha Giang. This should take about 7 hours if you cycle at a leisurely pace and stop for rest, lunch, and snacks.

Then you can spend most of your allotted travel time on the important part – cycling in Ha Giang. After that, depending on how much time you have, we recommend going back through Bao Lac and Ba Be Lake. If you have plenty of time, go to Cao Ping too.

Ha Giang Loop Map, Directions, and Navigation

Ha Giang loop: 15 highlights + 3 to 5 day route itinerary

Use the map to gauge and gauge how much time you want to spend on the route. If you are limited by time, then you can cut part or combine two dates into one. But of course, the more time the better.

Cycle map and directions

The main Ha Giang routes are: Ha Giang – An Minh – Dong Van – Mayowak – Don Gia – Ha Giang. The distance is about 300 kilometers and usually takes three to five days to travel, with some variation depending on your schedule. This is what it looks like on Google Maps.

On this route, you will start the first day in Ha Giang, stay overnight in Yen Minh, Dong Van, Meo Vac, and Du Gia, and then return to Ha Giang. So you get four nights of sleep on the road. You can see the distance and usage time per day from the map above and the breakdown below. Note that while Google Maps may show a 2-hour road, your driving, traffic, weather, and the number of stops you make for photos, food, drinks, and rest can take a lot of time.

Ha Giang to An Minh, 3 hours, 100 km

There is a shortcut you can take. Well worth it for the beautiful views. Copy and paste these coordinates into Google Maps: 23.119587, 105.063947. Draw a path from Ha Giang to these coordinates and then to Yen Minh. You will notice that you are missing a large loop. This is the route containing the shortcut.

Yen Minh to Dong Van, 1.5 hours, 50 km

It’s a beautiful line. If you are going to visit the Vietnamese flagpole, you should go to this part, otherwise, you will have to come back alone. A 30-45 minute Loop north to the Chinese border. This is a map showing the route.

Dong Van to Meo Vac, 1 hour, 30 km

Interestingly, quite a few people skip this section and ride from Dong Van to Meo Vac. You will notice that many online tutorials also do not cover this part. Not sure why as this was probably the best part of the whole trip. It’s a short day but you’ll be glad you made it because there are so many photo stops. Take your time, avoid Loops, visit the river, and enjoy the park.

Meo Vac to Du Gia, 3 hours, 70 km

Du Gia in Du Gia National Park is one of the more rustic stops on this route. You will find that getting from Meo Vac is a bit bumpy and can be difficult in wet weather. Another way is to continue south along NH4C and then go west to Ha Giang.

Du Gia to Ha Giang, 2.5 hours, 70 km

This is your return trip. You will take more mountain trails before heading back to QL34.

Things to do on the Ha Giang Loop trip

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The northernmost point of Vietnam

The Lung Cu flagpole stands proudly at the northernmost point of the country, marking the border between Vietnam and China. To get there, you have to leave the ring road and head north for 30-45 minutes (about 16 km) on a well-paved mountain road. 

The entrance fee is about 20,000 VND, you can park your bicycle and walk about 800 steps to reach the foot of the tower. You can then walk up the spiral staircase to the top for stunning views of China and Vietnam.

Aerial walkway

About 30-45 minutes (15km) north of Meo Vac, you’ll find a small parking lot under the statue where you can park your bike (2,000 VND) and walk to the Skywalk. You can no longer ride there. If you get to Meo Vac on time, it’s a beautiful panoramic hike and well worth it.

Boat ride

Head to Nho Que River for a boat ride near Dong Van. This loop takes you along the top of the valley, but you should also join one of the many small boat tours down the river if you have time. You’ll get some great pictures from the boats here.

The view is not bad. You will find this beauty between Dong Van and Meo Vac.

Road conditions

No matter what you think about it, the road conditions in Ha Giang are not safe. You should expect narrow roads and steep places without obstacles. But most of the route is covered with asphalt. Many sections of the road can be broken due to potholes, but you won’t do any crazy off-roading – unless you actively deviate from the main road and go looking for it.

There are many twists, turns, turns, and curves along the way. Be alert and careful with each one. Experienced riders may spot some empty cars and want to circle to the next car, but at any corner or hidden bend a car, bus, scooter, or truck can all be surpassed. If you’re completely skinny and someone lunges at you, it’s game over. You can also find gravel in the corners, so take your time and your time.

You should also always be aware of other road users and locals on the road, as well as animals crossing the road.

How to navigate the loop

Don’t worry, navigating the Ha Giang Loop is easy. Just save the places, hotels, and points of interest you want to stop by as “Saved Places” on Google Maps. If you have data and are using a Vietnam SIM card (this is a good idea as you will have internet in most loops) then you can use your phone as a satellite locator. If you don’t have data, simply zoom in on Google Maps and track your real-time location as you travel.

The best way to navigate is to use your phone and attach it to the phone holder on your bike. If you have a particularly expensive phone or are worried about being exposed to the elements, it’s a good idea to carry an inexpensive backup smartphone for satellite navigation.

Most rental and touring bikes come with a phone holder, but this is not guaranteed, so check first. This is even more important if you’re traveling alone because you don’t want to pull your phone out of your pocket every 20 minutes.

It’s a good idea to purchase an inexpensive phone holder before you travel. That way, no matter where you travel, if you want to rent another bike, you can attach your phone to a pole and navigate with ease. To drive the Loop, we recommend something like a Shape Heart mount, as you don’t need any tools to mount it (it’s made with rubber straps and a paper-thin box) and it comes packaged very well. small. You can learn more about it and other options in the guide below.

Money, shelter, food, water, and gasoline

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Ha Giang real estate

You have several options here: hotels, homestays, motels, and motels. Which one you choose depends on the level of comfort and convenience you want and the type of experience you want. You can always mix it up and leave it in different places. But we recommend staying with at least one host family. You will get an authentic experience and have dinner with a local family.

Quick notes on host families. It’s best to call the morning or night before to make a reservation so they can buy you enough food for dinner. You’ll find a lot of host families now on Google Maps, so you can find their phone numbers there and call them. If they do not speak English, find someone who can speak English to help interpret over the phone.

Here are some of our recommendations for great hotels and hostels along the riverside ring road. The following links lead to Booking.com and Google Maps:

  • Ha Giang: Ha Giang Loop Hostel
  • Coc Ma village: Ly Quoc Homestay
  • Yen Minh: Dien Homestay and Hong Thu Homestay
  • Dong Van: Hoa Cuong Hotel and Dong Van B&B Resort
  • Meo Vac: The Lady’s Ritual House
  • Du Gia: Du Gia Homestay
  • Bao Lac: Sunny Bao Lac Homestay
  • Ba Be Lake: Hoanh Tu Homestay

Food to eat

Top 8 must-try traditional dishes in Ha Giang | Local Insider

Food and drinks are easily available on the Ha Giang Loop. It’s very rustic, though, so don’t expect avocado toast from hipster chic tourist cafes. You can find some of these places in the larger towns, but they’re uncommon and hard to find. Vietnamese food is pretty good, as long as you find a chalet that sells pho, you won’t have any problems.

Food is reasonably priced. Expect to spend about 50,000 VND for breakfast or lunch and up to 100,000 VND for dinner (excluding any alcohol).

Finding water on the go is also very easy because you can find bottles in small stalls here and there. Make sure you carry plenty of water in bottles tethered to your bike, just in case you don’t drink tap water.

Money

On the Ha Giang Loop, cash is king. You’ll find ATMs in larger towns, but they’re often out of money or not working. You should prepare enough for the trip and if you think you need more, do it as soon as possible.

But finding an ATM and withdrawing cash isn’t nearly as difficult as it used to be in Ha Giang, so don’t worry about it.

Gas station

Expect to pay about 23,000 VND per liter of gasoline. Finding gas is not difficult as there are many large gas stations along the route and in every major town. Just keep an eye on the odometer and top up 25 km before running out and you’ll be fine. If you run out, there may be small huts or eateries that sell gas in plastic bottles.

Ask the rental company how many miles your bike can go in the bin and what your tank capacity is – they’ll have a pretty good idea. Reset your odometer to zero before you depart, then cycle until you are 25 kilometers from where the rental company says it is, then fill up the tank.

Note how many miles you have run and how many liters of water you have on your bike. Now you know how many kilometers your bike has traveled and how many liters.

Paperwork, Insurance, Police and Security

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Paperwork

First, you need a valid passport and visa to enter and stay in Vietnam. Some companies may want to keep your passport when you rent a motorbike. If you leave it to them, make sure they give you a copy of the passport page as you will 100% need it to check out any hotel. You won’t be able to check into a hotel or even a guesthouse without at least a copy of your passport page. In this case, we carry a laminated copy of the main page of the passport.

Driving license

To rent a motorbike, you need a valid driver’s license and an International Driving Permit (IDP). There are two IDPs: 1968 and 1949. For Vietnam, you need the 1968 version.

The IDP is issued in your country and is a booklet with a translation of your driver’s license. If you are from the UK you can get an IDP for around £5 at the post office and it only takes five minutes.

When you rent a motorbike, you also get documents proving who the owner is, which are safely stored and kept with the bike.

License

To cycle through Ha Giang and along the ring road (especially in the northernmost part of Ha Giang and closest to the Chinese border), you must carry a Ha Giang permit. Don’t worry, it’s easy to get. If you are traveling, your guide or company should ensure this for you in advance. If you are renting, ask your company in advance for a permit or if they can help you get one. Otherwise, motels and hotels in Ha Giang also have to charge extra. The best way to apply for a permit is to go directly to the Ha Giang Immigration Department and get it yourself. It costs about $10 and all you need is your license plate and passport (or copy). Very simple.

You need this permit to travel to Ha Giang. It is widely reported that the hotel requested this. But more importantly, if the police stop you and you don’t have the police, they can fine you and send you back to Ha Giang. We didn’t have to show permits at any of the hotels and we weren’t stopped by the police, but for $10 it wasn’t worth the risk.

Motorcycle Insurance

Your rental company or tour company will not insure your motorbike. It just doesn’t exist. You will be charged for any damage you cause to your bike. We recommend that you take multiple photos (or take a short video) of your bike to capture all wear, scratches, and any damage before it leaves the rental shop. That way, you can prove you didn’t cause any further damage (we do this all the time, even with rental cars, etc.).

Life insurance

Personal insurance is important for any traveler – but it’s especially important if you’re traveling by motorbike. You will need to purchase specific insurance that allows you to travel by motorbike.

Usually, a policy will say you can ride a bike, but in fine print, it might say that the bike must not exceed 125cc. Or it will say you can ride a bike as long as it’s not your primary form of transportation. Or you can’t rent or join tours. Read and understand your policy carefully before buying to make sure you’re covered, as foreign hospital bills can add up quickly. We used to pay a £20,000 hospital bill in Kathmandu due to a bicycle accident, luckily our insurance covered it, otherwise we would still be washing dishes there.

For more information on personal travel insurance for motorcyclists, read this guide.

Police

You won’t see many (if any) policemen along the way. Police crackdown on foreigners without an international driver’s license in Ha Giang after a deadly crash in 2018. So you can find police checkpoints that check IDPs, but that’s not common. variable.

Police in the Ha Giang region of Vietnam are not waiting around every corner to speed up and try to catch you. They usually don’t deal with foreigners unless necessary. Overall, they are very friendly and will help you as long as you have the right documents and drive legally.

What to do if there is a collision

In the event of a car accident, contact your car rental company immediately. They will advise how to proceed. If you don’t hit anyone or anything, you’ll get your bike repaired at your local shop. Your rental company will want to contact the store directly, so don’t try to fix anything yourself without going through your company first. Also, if the bike cannot be repaired, your company will come to your location to pick up the bike or arrange for return shipping.

If you hit someone, another car, someone’s property, or something, you need to fix the problem on the spot. Call your rental company immediately as they will have a Vietnamese speaker who can speak to anyone present and help agree on how much you need to pay that person. It’s best to deal with the person involved and not call the police unless necessary.

The police will only step in if you can’t find a solution. However, if the person yells and refuses to deal, you should call the police, which may cause them to reconsider. You also don’t necessarily need to call the police as they will charge you an extra brokerage fee.

Ride within your limits, at your own pace, and don’t try to keep up with anyone. The view is breathtaking, but you still need to focus 100% on the road, taking in the view as you stop. Take your time and you’ll have an incredible ride through one of the best cycling routes in the world. Have fun!

We hope this article about the Ha Giang motorbike loop helps with your planning. You will love this ride. 

  Please feel free to contact Annie’s team for more information and make a plan for your trip to Vietnam. 

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