5-Day Ha Giang Motorcycle Tour

The Ha Giang Loop

The bamboo ferry between Khau Vai and DUc Hanh, Ha Giang
This is THE Ha Giang motorcycle tour. The Ha Giang Loop, Asia’s craziest motorcycle loop is famous for its otherworldly landscapes and huge mountain passes. Ride the dirt H’mong highways, explore precipitous mountain peaks, rip around Dong Van Karst Plateau, chill by a secluded lake.
Vietnam Motorcycle Tour Map - The Ha Giang Loop - Black - ADV Outriders

Location

north Vietnam

Distance

870 km

Duration

5 days

Difficulty

Intermediate

Pillion

pillions welcome

Riders in front of the Victory Monument in Doan Hung, Phu Tho, Vietnam
Take the back roads out of Hanoi and into the countryside. Following lunch at a local eatery and a visit to the war monument that overlooks the confluence of the Red and Lo Rivers, we’ll follow the Lo River north to Thac Ba Lake. There are some fun trails in the area and, weather permitting, we should get the opportunity to head out onto the lake on a boat (and perhaps even do a bit of fishing)!
Taking an early evening boat ride on Thac Ba Lake, Yen Bai
From Thac Ba, test your offroad skills on the dirt tracks that lead high into the mountains and up to Hoang Su Phi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its awesome rice terracing. Then it’s on to Ha Giang city, where we’ll stop to check out the Km0 monument: the official start of the world-famous Ha Giang Loop and Happiness Rd.
One of the many small tracks that criss cross the mountainside in Ha Giang
The roads east from Ha Giang through Ma Pi Leng are surrounded by the high karst mountainscapes for which the Ha Giang Loop is famous. There are some fantastic gorges and waterfalls along the way, too, and after lunch in a well-known restaurant in Mau Due there’s some more awesome riding to be done: built by members of the local hill tribes, the ‘H’Mong highways’ thread the hillsides and are some of the coolest single tracks we’ve ever ridden.
Having fun on the Honda XR150 around Puong Cave in Ba Be National Park
Happiness Road is the 185 km stretch that connects Ha Giang City with the smaller townships in the region. It takes you right over Dong Van Karst Plateau, near the Chinese border, and you’ll get the opportunity to meet people from a variety of local hill tribes along the way. There are a couple of fun river crossings on the way to Puong Cave and, soon after, Ba Be Lake, which we’ll actually cross on a wee boat in order to get to our homestay.
A stunning view of Ba Be Lake early in the morning
Our final day’s touring is all about hitting as many cool single tracks and back roads as we can (with a few river crossings thrown in), on the way back down south to Hanoi. There’s actually a few rice wine factories in the area, too, where you’ll be able to check out how the ubiquitous local drink is made. Once we’ve dumped our bags at the hotel in Hanoi, we’ll head out to one of the city’s best eateries for a farewell meal.

Pricing X Availability

  • Honda XR 150
    Honda XR 150 $900/rider
  • Honda CRF 300
    Honda CRF 300 $1000/rider
  • Honda CB 500X
    Honda CB 500X $1100/rider
  • BMW 1250 GS
    BMW 1250 GS $2100/rider

Inclusions X Extras

Each of our guides has years of experience running motorcycle tours and is an expert on the local area.

All speak English and the local language, and guides who can speak other languages are sometimes available on request.

The cost of hiring your motorcycle is included in that of the tour. All running expenses, including fuel, are included as well.

All meals are provided, as are drinks and snacks along the way.

You’ll dine sometimes in your accommodation, sometimes at quality local restaurants.

Let us know in advance of any preferences or dietary requirements and we are happy to cater for these.

Accommodation is minimum 3-star quality.

Standard is a twin share room but on occasion (due to remote location) we will share one large, dorm-type room: in a stilt house or a yurt, for example.

All locations have been scouted beforehand and checked for cleanliness and good service.

Conditions in many of our destinations, in Asia, for example, may be really different from your home country.

Rain can be heavy, and start falling at a moment’s notice.

We’ll sort you out with a waterproof rain poncho and overtrousers where necessary.

We offer twin-share accommodation as standard. In most locations, though, we can arrange single occupancy if you prefer.

This comes at a small surcharge, but in most tour destinations is quite reasonable.

While most riders prefer to bring their own gear, we do have a limited range of extra gear (boots, gloves, armour and helmets, for example) in most of our tour destinations.

Naturally, whether or not we’ll be able to supply you with gear depends on size and availability.

We are happy to provide suggestions on pre and post-tour bookings in accommodation: knowing the area well, we know the best places to stay at all price points.

We can even book for you as an added extra without any service fee, sometimes even at a discount.

Enquire Now

4 riders
0 pillion

Related:

The Ha Giang Loop Motorcycle Tour

R.E. Himalayan 400

Royal Enfield Himalayan 400 motorcycle rental
Royal Enfield’s first adventure bike: the Himalayan is a reliable, capable all-rounder.

Engine Type

air-cooled, single cylinder, SOHC, 4-stroke

Displacement

411 cc

Bore X Stroke

78 mm x 86 mm

Ignition

Digital Electronic Ignition

Fuel System

fuel injection

Compression Ratio

9.5:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

5-speed

Front Suspension

telescopic, 41 mm forks, 200 mm travel

Rear Suspension

monoshock, 180 mm travel

Front Brakes

disc

Rear Brakes

disc

Front Tyres

90/90-21

Rear Tyres

120/90-17

Wheelbase

1465 mm

Seat Height

800 mm

Ground Clearance

220 mm

Kerb Weight

199 kg

Fuel Capacity

15 litres

Dimensions

2190 mm (L) x 840 mm (W) x 1370 mm (H)

Honda CRF 300

Honda CRF 300 motorcycle rental
The perfect balance between size, weight, power and handling.

Engine Type

single cylinder, DOHC, Liquid cooled

Displacement

286 cc

Bore X Stroke

76 mm x 63 mm

Ignition

Full Transistor Digital

Fuel System

PGM-FI electronic fuel injection

Compression Ratio

10.7:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

5-speed

Front Suspension

43 mm Telescopic upside down

Rear Suspension

Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster

Front Brakes

256 mm disc, 2 piston caliper

Rear Brakes

220 mm disc, single piston caliper

Front Tyres

80/100 21

Rear Tyres

120/80 18

Wheelbase

1455 mm

Seat Height

880 mm

Ground Clearance

285 mm

Kerb Weight

142 kg

Fuel Capacity

7.8 litres

Dimensions

2230 mm (L) x 820 mm (W) x 1200 mm (H)

Honda CRF 250

Honda CRF 250 motorcycle rental
Replaced in 2021 by the CRF 300, this bike remains a great choice for thrill seekers.

Engine Type

liquid cooled, single cylinder, 4-stroke

Displacement

249 cc

Bore X Stroke

79 mm x 50.9 mm

Ignition

computer-controlled digital transistorized with electronic advance

Fuel System

PGM-FI

Compression Ratio

13.9:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

5-speed

Front Suspension

49 mm leading-axle inverted, 12.2-inch travel

Rear Suspension

single shock with spring preload; 12.3-inch travel

Front Brakes

single 260 mm disc

Rear Brakes

single 240 mm disc

Front Tyres

80/100 21

Rear Tyres

100 / 90 19

Wheelbase

1445 mm

Seat Height

875 mm

Ground Clearance

333 mm

Kerb Weight

145 kg

Fuel Capacity

7.7 litres

Dimensions

2,195 mm (L) x 815 mm (W) x 1,195 mm (H)

Honda XR 150

Honda XR 150 motorcycle rental
Inexpensive, comfortable and reliable, yet surprisingly capable off-road.

Engine Type

air cooled, OHC, single cylinder

Displacement

149 cc

Bore X Stroke

57.3 mm x 57.8 mm

Ignition

CDI

Fuel System

20 mm piston valve carburettor

Compression Ratio

9.5:1

Starter

electric with kick starter backup

Gearbox

5-speed

Front Suspension

telescopic fork, 180 mm axle travel

Rear Suspension

single shock swing arm, 150 mm axle travel

Front Brakes

dual piston caliper, 240 mm disc

Rear Brakes

mechanical drum

Front Tyres

90/90 19

Rear Tyres

110/90 17

Wheelbase

1362 mm

Seat Height

825 mm

Ground Clearance

243 mm

Kerb Weight

129 kg

Fuel Capacity

12 litres

Dimensions

2091 mm (L) x 811 mm (W) x 1125 mm (H)

R.E. Classic 350

Royal Enfield Classic 350 motorcycle rental
Wide handlebars and upright seating position, with classic styling.

Engine Type

4 stroke, air-cooled, single cylinder, SOHC

Displacement

349 cc

Bore X Stroke

72 mm x 85.8 mm

Ignition

Digital Electronic Ignition

Fuel System

fuel injection

Compression Ratio

9.5:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

5-speed

Front Suspension

telescopic, 41 mm forks, 130 mm travel

Rear Suspension

twin tube emulsion shock, 6-step preload

Front Brakes

disc, 300 mm

Rear Brakes

disc, 270 mm

Front Tyres

100/90-19

Rear Tyres

120/80-18

Wheelbase

1465 mm

Seat Height

805 mm

Ground Clearance

170 mm

Kerb Weight

195 kg

Fuel Capacity

13 litres

Dimensions

2145 (L) x 785 (W) x 1090 (H)

Honda XR 250

Honda XR 250 motorcycle rental
One of Honda’s older dual sport offerings, replaced in 2004 by the CRF 250.

Engine Type

Four Stroke, air cooled, SOHC, single cylinder

Displacement

249 cc

Bore X Stroke

73 mm x 59 mm

Ignition

CDI

Fuel System

32 mm Keihin carburettor

Compression Ratio

10.2:1

Starter

electric with kick starter backup

Gearbox

6-speed

Front Suspension

41mm telescopic, air assisted fork

Rear Suspension

Pro Link adjustable

Front Brakes

dual piston caliper, 240 mm disc

Rear Brakes

single piston caliper, 220 mm disc

Front Tyres

80/100 21

Rear Tyres

100/100 18

Wheelbase

1400 mm

Seat Height

920 mm

Ground Clearance

315 mm

Kerb Weight

104 kg

Fuel Capacity

9 litres

Dimensions

2110 mm (L) x 830 mm (W) x 1215 mm (H)