Routes
Route Map: Hanoi to Ha Giang City by Motorbike
Ha Giang is the hottest destination in the North of Vietnam right now and rightly so. The amazing scenery and interesting culture along with the rich military and colonial history all make the place exceptional. You are right to want to visit and this is how to get there by motorbike.
Once in Ha Giang, what next? Well, you are going to want to explore the area so check out our Ha Giang Route Planner for ideas on routes and tips to help keep you safe.
Route Map: Hanoi to Ha Giang by Motorbike
It is a long way to Ha Giang City from Hanoi, around 300km direct. It can be driven by motorbike in around 5-6hrs, but it is a long day in the saddle. You can also see that I have added a few detours that you can take, if you have time. Just be careful not to exhaust yourself ahead of your Ha Giang Loop experience.
Hanoi – Ha Giang – Direct Route
This route totals around 300km and is a long ride here in Vietnam. It will take around 6 hrs and be very tiring. Make sure you have a hotel and perhaps dinner options lined up ready.
Morning: Hanoi to Tan Quang (Lunch) / 220km – 4.5 – 5 hrs
Afternoon: Tan Quang to Ha Giang / 60km – 1.5 hrs
Honda CB 500X Motorcycle Rental
Engineered to handle whatever the road throws at you Book NowHanoi – Ha Giang (Detours)
Hanoi to Ha Giang is quite a long journey and if you have decided to do this, you will likely want to go directly and not take detours. However, if you do find that you have made speedy progress and could arrive in Ha Giang early, you might want to explore a little. These detours will help you do that.
Detour 1
This route will take you on some small paths through some small villages and farms and likely add about 30 to 45 minutes to your journey time.
Detour 2
This route is quite long and probably too much to take on. However, if you look at the map you will see there are two or three options to join it and you can easily jump on and off, or only take a shorter section. Again, it will get you off the highway and onto smaller quieter roads.
Detour 3
This is the most fun of the three detours and it is best to use an offroad bike for this at the moment. There is one section that is steep and rocky and quite difficult to ride if it has been raining. Using a semi automatic would be fine so long as you are willing to take it easy on this section. A larger CB500x would have a lot of trouble on this, so don’t bother. Expect to add around 1 hr to your journey time.
Where to stay in Ha Giang City
In Ha Giang City we like to stay in:
These hotels are good quality, have air con and hot water and can offer breakfast. You will usually find a room betweeen 25-50usd.
Where to stay outside of Ha Giang City
Outside of the city, we like to stay in:
These options are a little outside of the city and are therefore either a little more peaceful or better placed to get you out on ‘the loop’ quickly and easily the next morning.
Where to next.
From Ha Giang City, most riders will be heading North to get to Quan Ba, Lung Cu or Meo Vac even. This will be their first day on ‘the loop’. You might consider going to Du Gia and doing the loop in the opposite direction agains the general flow of traffic.
You could also be heading West towards Hoang Su Phi, Bac Ha and eventually Sa Pa over in Lao Cai. This is a quieter route with less tourists until you get to Bac Ha or Sa Pa.
If you are headed back to Hanoi it is either back directly or consider whether to stop off in Thac Ba, or even Tuyen Quang.
Honda XR 150 Motorcycle Rental
Ready for adventure? The Honda XR150 is your perfect companion for rugged backroads, mountain passes, and open highways.
✅ Lightweight, reliable, and fuel-efficient
✅ Comfortable for long rides and multi-day tours
✅ Trusted by riders across Vietnam for the legendary Ha Giang Loop
What type of bike to choose
We would advise you to choose between a manual or a semi automatic bike. These are the best bikes for a long trip like this and also for the mountains of Ha Giang. You have more control and they are less prone to overheating or break down.
Honda XR150
The XR150 is a great budget option that will perform well on the road and in the dirt on the small tracks of Ha Giang. The bike is lightweight, even if a little underpowered. There is plenty of room to fit a 40l bag on the rear, which should hold more than enough for a trip. The 12l tank and great fuel economy mean that this bike has a huge range of over 300km on a tank.
If you plan to ride two up, it might be a bit of a squeeze and you will have to pack very lightly or risk overloading the bike and making it quite rear weighted.
Honda CB500x
The CB500x is a great bike for the long haul drive up to Ha Giang. It is big enough and powerful enough to overtake trucks on the highway and carry two people with ease. Using a rear box and side panniers will give you plenty of room for gear. The 17l tank means you will have enough range for a day’s ride with ease.
The only concern would be taking some of the smaller tracks off road as our bikes have road tyres and the bike itself is quite big and heavy. However, there are plenty of small, interesting tracks that have concrete and are wide enough for the CB500x.
Semi Automatic
The Semi Automatic bikes are a much more budget option. We can offer the Honda Wave, Honda Blade or the Honda Future and they are all quite similar. it is really best to ride single on this kind of bike as this will leave room for a backpack and also not overlaod the bike in the hills. They are very fuel efficient but only have a 4l fuel tank so will need filling more regularly than the manual options.
Fuel range varies considerably between these bikes, especially once you start combining long riding days with mountain roads. For a comparison of the XR150, XR190, Honda Future and CB500X, see our motorcycle fuel guide for Vietnam.
FAQ
What is the “Truck Peak Hour” I should avoid on the highway?
The QL2 highway is a major trade artery. Expect heavy container truck traffic and inter-city buses, especially between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM. If you are riding from Hanoi, aim to leave at sunrise (around 6:00 AM) to clear the busiest industrial zones near Viet Tri before the heavy traffic peaks.
Ask us to collect the bike between 4h30 and 5h30 the evening before (free of charge) so that you can make that early deadline. Make sure you have a secure place to store it overnight.
Is the route paved the whole way, or should I expect off-road sections?
The standard route via QL2 is 100% paved. However, “paved” in Northern Vietnam often means patches of gravel, potholes, and ongoing road construction. You won’t need hardcore off-road skills for the Hanoi-to-Ha Giang leg, but you must be comfortable navigating uneven surfaces and “loose” tarmac
What happens if my bike breaks down midway between cities?
We are pretty sure it won’t as we inspect our bikes carefully before we let them out of the shop, buuuuut…
Ask AZ Motorbikes to confirm the applicable rental terms, damage responsibilities, repair procedure and any available protection options before you book.
Will my phone signal hold up for GPS the entire way?
On the main highway from Hanoi to Tuyen Quang, signal is excellent. However, as you enter the foothills of Ha Giang, 4/5G can become “spotty” in the valleys. Always download the offline map area for Northern Vietnam on Google Maps before you leave Hanoi so you can navigate even when the bars disappear.
Can I ride a 110cc-125cc scooter for this 300km journey?
Technically yes, but it isn’t recommended. The ride from Hanoi involves long stretches of flat highway followed by steep climbs as you enter the mountains. A 110cc scooter will struggle with the heat and engine strain of a 7-8 hour day. For safety and comfort, a 150cc manual (like a Honda XR150) or a sturdy semi-automatic is the professional choice for this distance.
Hanoi to Ha Giang by Motorbike
It is a long way from Hanoi to Ha Giang so be prepared and leave early. Our Top Tip is to take 2 days and try to fit in one or two of the detours. Also, be sure to have accommodation booked ready for your arrival.
After Ha Giang, you might want to head for Bao Lac, Quan Ba or Du Gia. If you are cominng in the opposite direction or you have taken a detour, you could also check out Hoang Su Phi [future link] for a less touristy experience.