10-Day Ha Giang Loop & Hoang Su Phi Cycling Adventure

Day 1: Hanoi – Tuyen Quang – Ha Giang | Begin Your Vietnam Cycling Adventure

We leave the hustle of Hanoi behind and journey north to the breathtaking landscapes of Ha Giang Province. This day marks the start of your 10-day Vietnam cycling tour, combining rugged adventure with profound cultural immersion. Our transfer takes you deep into the Far North, where we'll stop for a delicious local lunch.

In the afternoon, we kick off our Ha Giang Loop cycling tour on scenic back roads. You'll cycle past lush rice terraces, quiet buffalo trails, and through authentic hill tribe villages of the Hmong, Tay, Nung, and Coin Dzao peoples. This section offers a more intimate and rewarding experience than a typical motorbike tour. We conclude the day with a well-earned dinner and an overnight stay at Ha Giang Wing Bungalow.

• Activities: Transfer & Cycling
• Accommodation: Ha Giang Wing Bungalow
• Meals: Lunch & Dinner
• Cycling Distance: 65 km

Day 2: Ha Giang – Quan Ba – Yen Minh | Vietnam Highland Cycling Challenge

After a nourishing breakfast, we set off from Ha Giang city. Our ride today is a true highlight, combining breathtaking scenery with a challenging climb. We begin by cycling through serene valleys and terraced rice paddies before starting a thrilling ascent into the dramatic limestone mountains of Quan Ba.

We climb nearly 800 meters to reach the iconic Heaven Gate 1 mountain pass. From the summit, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Tam Son Valley and the famous Twin Hills. After a well-deserved lunch at the top, we descend towards the Gam River and tackle a series of rolling hills and exhilarating descents, including a final 15 km ride into Yen Minh. Throughout the day, you'll pass through villages and encounter the unique architecture of Chinese-Vietnamese hill tribe communities.

• Activities: Cycling
• Accommodation: Phuong Dong Hotel***
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Cycling Distance: 97 km
• Elevation Gain: +1,787 m / -2,165 m

Day 3: Yen Minh – Tham Ma Pass – Chin Khoanh Pass – Hmong King’s Palace – Dong Van

Journey Through the Gateway of Heaven

Get ready for the most iconic day of your Vietnam cycling adventure. Today, we venture into the heart of the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, a UNESCO-recognized wonder. This route offers a spectacular mix of legendary climbs, historical mysteries, and the most dramatic limestone landscapes in Southeast Asia.

• Morning: Conquering the Legendary S-Curves Leaving Yen Minh, we immediately begin our ascent of the famous Tham Ma Pass. This iconic zig-zagging road is a true test of your climbing legs and a photographer's paradise. After a quick break at the summit to soak in the views, we continue to the Chin Khoanh Pass (the "Nine-Turn Pass"). This section features a breathtaking series of hairpin turns that descend into the rugged, rock-strewn valleys of Sa Phin.
• Afternoon: Secrets of the Hmong King’s Palace After a local lunch, we pedal toward the valley of Sa Phin to visit the Hmong King’s Palace (Dinh Vua Meo). Built over a century ago, this architectural masterpiece combines Chinese, Hmong, and French styles. Exploring this stone fortress allows you to step back in time and learn about the legendary "King of the Hmong" who once ruled these highlands.
• Evening: Arrival at the Frontier Town The final stretch of the day takes you through a "forest" of sharp limestone peaks. We conclude with a rewarding descent into the charming town of Dong Van. As the sun sets behind the karst towers, we’ll gather in the Dong Van Old Quarter to celebrate our achievements with a hearty dinner, sharing stories of the day over a glass of traditional buckwheat wine.
• Terrain: Challenging with significant elevation gains and technical switchbacks.
• Highlights: Tham Ma Pass, Chin Khoanh Pass, and the historic Hmong King’s Palace.
• Experience: A deep dive into the remote culture and rugged geography of Northern Vietnam.
• Activities: Cycling & Visiting
• Accommodation: Hoa Cuong Dong Van Hotel***
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Cycling Distance: 64 km
• Elevation Gain: +2,271m

Day 4: Dong Van – Lung Cu Flag Pole – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Meo Vac | Scenic Peaks & Ethnic Highlands

Today is a spectacular chapter of your Ha Giang Loop adventure. We begin with a visit to the vibrant Dong Van hill tribe market. Then, we cycle along the legendary "Happiness Road," admiring dramatic karst formations and limestone peaks. Our journey includes a visit to the historic Hmong King's Palace and a ride to Lung Cu Flag Tower, the northernmost point of Vietnam, offering panoramic views of the border with China.

After lunch, we tackle the Ma Pi Leng Pass, often hailed as the crown jewel of the Ha Giang cycling tour. This high-altitude road hugs the cliffs of a vast gorge, with breathtaking views of the emerald Nho Que River below. The thrilling descent into Meo Vac marks a perfect end to the day, where you'll witness a way of life largely untouched by modernity.

• Activities: Cycling & Visiting
• Accommodation: Hoa Cuong Meo Vac Hotel***
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Cycling Distance: 56 km
• Elevation Gain: +1,851 m / -2,213 m

Day 5: Meo Vac – Mau Due – Du Gia | Remote Cycling Through the Heart of Ha Giang

Prepare for another epic day as we dive deeper into the wild beauty of the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark. We start with a challenging 5 km gravel climb out of Meo Vac before navigating concrete switchbacks carved into the cliffs. The scenery transforms into a surreal landscape of jagged limestone peaks, a defining experience of this Vietnam off-road cycling tour.

Our route descends into a verdant valley before we take on the day's second major ascent, M Pass. We'll ride over two sides of the mountain range into the serene Mau Due Valley for a well-deserved local lunch. The final leg of the day includes the scenic Mau Due Pass and Lung Ho Summit, followed by a beautiful descent into the tranquil Du Gia Valley, a hidden gem surrounded by emerald rice fields and traditional villages.

• Activities: Cycling
• Accommodation: Du Gia Cozy Homestay
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Cycling Distance: 72 km
• Elevation Gain: +2,962 m / -3,619 m

Day 6: Du Gia – Lung Ho – Thai An – Thuan Hoa – Ha Giang | Epic Climbs & Valley Trails

After a peaceful night in Du Gia Valley, we begin with a hearty breakfast before our next thrilling ride. Today is filled with steep climbs, panoramic ridgelines, and deep valleys. Our first challenge is the winding road up to Lung Ho Summit, which offers jaw-dropping views of the morning mist and remote hill-tribe villages.

We then begin a winding descent into Lung Ho Commune before tackling the second major climb of the day to the summit above Thai An village. This section is a true off-the-beaten-path experience. After a scenic picnic lunch, we continue our ride back to Ha Giang Town. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel and have the evening free to relax or explore the bustling streets.

• Activities: Cycling
• Accommodation: Ha Giang Wing Bungalow
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Cycling Distance: 97 km
• Elevation Gain: +2,941m

Day 7: Ha Giang City – Hoang Su Phi | Into the Heart of the Rice Terraces

Today, we embark on one of the most scenic and culturally rich rides of the tour as we head deep into Hoang Su Phi, home to some of Asia's most stunning terraced rice fields. Leaving the bustle of Ha Giang City behind, we venture into a landscape that feels like a step back in time.

The ride begins with a steady climb through peaceful villages and narrow trails bordered by lush forests. Our path leads us toward Thuong Son Commune, where we'll pause to admire ancient Shan Tuyet tea forests—some trees are hundreds of years old and are a treasured part of Vietnam’s heritage. The scenery is a perfect blend of vibrant green terraces and traditional stilt houses of the Dao and Nung ethnic groups.

We press on into Tung San Commune, navigating remote mountain paths before a scenic descent. The final challenge of the day is the ascent to Heaven Gate II, offering sweeping panoramas of the terraced mountainsides that Hoang Su Phi is famous for. We end the day in Hoang Su Phi Town (Vinh Quang), a quiet, culturally rich community nestled among the peaks.

• Activities: Transfer and Cycling
• Accommodation: Tay Con Linh Hotel
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Cycling Distance: 60 - 79 km
• Elevation Gain: +2,611m

Day 8: Hoang Su Phi – Luoc Village – Ho Thau | Mountain Bike Adventure through Cloud Forest

Prepare for a visually stunning and emotionally rewarding ride today. We begin with a thrilling descent before climbing rugged trails carved into the mountainside, passing through spectacular rice terraces. As we ascend and descend, we reach Luoc Village, a remote community where we'll have an authentic lunch with views of the surrounding valleys.

In the afternoon, our mountain biking adventure continues along a ridgeline trail offering jaw-dropping panoramic views of mist-filled valleys and cloud-kissed peaks—this is Vietnam highland cycling at its finest. We soon reach the serene Ho Thau Village, a charming settlement perched above the clouds, known for its mesmerizing vistas. The final stretch rewards your effort with a well-earned descent into a peaceful resting area.

• Activities: Cycling
• Accommodation: Ho Thau Ecovillage
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Cycling Distance: 33 km
• Elevation: +1,426 m / -844 m

Day 9: Ho Thau – Tien Nguyen – Quang Nguyen – Vinh Yen | Core Terraces & Ethnic Highland Trails

Today's ride takes you through the very heart of Hoang Su Phi, a region renowned for its golden rice terraces and culturally preserved hill-tribe communities. We start by cycling directly through the core area, where golden fields cascade down the mountainsides. This is an unforgettable experience, especially during harvest season.

The route consists of mixed terrain—single-track, paved village paths, and gravel roads. We pass through remote communities like Tien Nguyen and Tan Phong, with occasional views of mist-covered mountains and dense forests. We'll be greeted with warm smiles from local villagers. After a peaceful picnic lunch, we continue through the final stretch to Vinh Yen Village, our tranquil resting place for the night. This day is all about connecting with the land and its people.

• Activities: Cycling
• Accommodation: Hotel
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Cycling Distance: 82 km
• Elevation: +1,967m / -2,796m

Day 10: Vinh Yen – Lam Thuong – Thac Ba Lake – Hanoi | Scenic Ride & Gem Market Wonders

We begin the final day of our epic journey with a relaxed ride through the tranquil Lam Thuong Valley. Our route takes us through peaceful villages, terraced farms, and sparkling lakes. A unique highlight is a visit to the famous Luc Yen Gemstone Market, one of the largest and most fascinating gem markets in Northern Vietnam. It's a vibrant cultural experience that adds a special twist to your final day.

After exploring the market, we continue on a scenic single-track trail, winding past small Dao ethnic villages and tranquil lakeside paths. As we near Thac Ba Lake, we're treated to a final stretch of stunning scenery. We enjoy a picnic lunch before packing up and transferring back to Hanoi, bringing an incredible 10-day adventure to a close. You will return with unforgettable memories and a deeper connection to this beautiful region.

• Activities: Cycling & Transfer
• Accommodation:
• Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
• Cycling Distance: Optional
• Option1: 50 km
• Option2: 82 km
• Option3: Morning at Leisure and Afternoon transfer back to Hanoi