Hanoi - Ha Giang: How to get to Ha Giang from Hanoi?

The most remote region in the North of Vietnam, Ha Giang promises an exciting hike over a few days or several days combining great nature and discovery. In this mountainous province shared by karst rocks and flowers, you can walk the most tortuous paths, but also the picturesque valleys, remote villages and colourful traditional markets. Home of the first Vietnamese geological park recognized by UNESCO, the Dong Van karst plateau itself is worth a trek between breath-taking pass and an old mystical quarter which does not end without meeting some of the groups of Hmong, Giay, and Lolo… How can we appreciate this legendary land with majestic nature and astonishing ethnic wealth? First, you should pick our tips to better answer the question: "How to get to Ha Giang from Hanoi?"  

The legendary Ma Pi Leng pass

When to go to visit Ha Giang?

Changing by the seasons, the varied and breath-taking natural sceneries of Ha Giang invite nature lovers to come here all year round. If it is necessary to point out the most beautiful periods, many people prefer to go there around Tet, towards the beginning of February. The blossoming of peach and mustard flowers embellishes the spring festivities of nearly 17 ethnic tribes who populate the region. It’s the opportunity to grasp a dozen flavours that characterize the greatest traditional festival in the ethnic map of Ha Giang.

Do you want to be dazzled by the rice terraces classified as national natural heritage? The most magnificent period awaits you between August and September.

To escape into the picturesque valleys painted by buckwheat flowers, you should go to Ha Giang in October and November.

Distance between Hanoi and Ha Giang

Ha Giang city is 319 kilometres from Hanoi, it should be noted that it still takes nearly 160 kilometres to reach the famous Dong Van plateau where the Lung Cu flag tower dominates, its northernmost point.

How to get to Ha Giang from Hanoi?

Two practicable routes, namely:

Option 1 for cars and motorcycles:

Hanoi - Vinh Yen - Viet Tri - Doan Hung - Phu Tho - Tuyen Quang - Ha Giang

Option 2 for cars only:

Take the Noi Bai - Lao Cai Highway and then turn right from Tuyen Quang city to Ha Giang.

How to get to Ha Giang from Hanoi?

There are two ways to travel from Hanoi to Ha Giang.

Bus:

It is actually the most popular way to get to Ha Giang from Hanoi and other Northern regions. It takes around 6 hours to reach Ha Giang city. A bus with a berth is preferable and also easily accessible.

Ha Giang city marks the start of your adventure through the mountain paths. There are two practical circuits, either take a Ha Giang - Dong Van bus or rent a motorbike on site.

Motorcycle rental price in Ha Giang: 200,000 VND per day

Bus Ha Giang - Dong Van

The Ha Giang - Dong Van loop, mostly rocky, stretching over 170 kilometres really needs to be taken into account throughout your adventure. Therefore, it takes around 5 hours to drive normally.

The three buses available will leave from 5 AM at Ha Giang bus station to Dong Van district namely Trung Yen, A Sinh and Hung Hoa.

     >> More details on timetable and bus ticket Ha Giang - Dong Van

Motorbike

Riding your motorcycle for a trekking tour in Ha Giang is certainly an exciting adventure which is more suitable for an experienced driver and some good preparations. The path connecting Hanoi - Ha Giang - Dong Van implies almost 480 kilometres to cover, the Ha Giang - Dong Van loop is thornier. Renting a two-wheeler from Ha Giang city is very often chosen by adventurers.

Timetable and bus tickets for Hanoi - Ha Giang

There are nearly 20 bus companies in Hanoi that serve the route Hanoi - Ha Giang. They offer buses with comfortable comfort berths departing from:

- Hanoi bus stations including My Dinh station. Other stations are Gia Lam and Giap Bat,
- The city centre in the old quarter of Hanoi and
- Noi Bai Airport

Known bus companies:

Hung Thanh, Quang Nghi, Ngoc Cuong, Dang Quang, Cau Me, Viet Culture Tours, Express Ha Giang, Truly Ha Giang…

Bus to Ha Giang from Hanoi Old Quarter:

Viet Culture Tours offers comfortable limousines from 9 to 16 seats that welcome travellers on Hang Bo Street and stop in Ha Giang on request. The ticket is thus higher, from 300,000 to 350,000 VND per person.

Station addresses:

+ My Dinh bus station: 20 Pham Hung Street, My Dinh 2, Nam Tu Liem, Hanoi
+ Giap Bat bus station: Km6 Giai Phong Street, Hoang Mai, Hanoi
+ Bus station 132 Ngo Gia Kham, Ngoc Lam, Long Bien, Hanoi
+ Ha Giang bus station: 19/5 Street, Nguyen Trai district, Ha Giang city

Bus to Ha Giang from Noi Bai Airport

Bus from Noi Bai Airport to Ha Giang Bus Station:

Dang Quang, Cuong Lan, Quang Tuyen, Quang Nghi, the ticket price varies between 230,000 and 340,000 VND per person.

    >> More details on timetable/price and to book Hanoi - Ha Giang bus

How long does it take to visit Ha Giang?

This is one of the good questions that must be asked before leaving. How many days does it take to enjoy the best things in Ha Giang? A day or a week? Walking the karst mountains, admiring the rice terraces, visiting the ethnic markets, sleeping with locals... are some of the best experiences for hiking in Ha Giang. You should consider a trip of 3 or 4 days to fully enjoy it, according to the people who are well acquainted with the region.

What to see in Ha Giang?

From the awe-inspiring Dong Van karst plateau, the legendary Ma Pi Leng pass, the picturesque Quan Ba Sky Gate or the mystical palace of King Hmong, Ha Giang is full of secrets to amaze you and invite you to satisfy your curiosity.

Here are our suggestions for exploring all the up and down of this wonder of North Vietnam:

         >> Ha Giang Vietnam: Top 10 things to see and do

         >> Visit Ha Giang in 3, 4 or 5 days, what to see and do?

         >> 6 typical Ha Giang dishes to try when buckwheat is in bloom