Quick menu<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Mu Cang Chai.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n Vietnam is a country with a wide range of climates that vary significantly from north to south and depending on altitude. Still, there are a few months of the year that can be considered ideal for visiting the entire country.<\/p>\r\n In fact, the months from September to December (autumn) and from March to April (spring) are the best time to go to Vietnam and avoid the monsoon rains that characterize the rest of the year.<\/p>\r\n Here\u2019s an overview of the climate by region:<\/p>\r\n\r\n The dry season runs from late November\/December to late April and is marked by hot, sunny days. The rainy season, from May to November, brings downpours that are often concentrated in the afternoon or evening, so it isn’t necessarily an obstacle to your visit.<\/p>\r\n Tea plantations in Moc Chau.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n The rainy season generally runs from September\/October to December. In some areas, like Hue or Hoi An, the rains can continue into January or February, with a risk of flooding, especially in the autumn months. The typhoon season along the central coast is from August to November, with the possibility of strong winds and heavy rainfall. The best time to visit this region is between February and July, when the weather is more stable.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The best time to visit is from October to November, with pleasant temperatures and sunny days. December is cooler, but still good. From January to March, it starts getting colder, with temperatures that can drop below 10\u00b0C in the mountainous regions (like Sapa or Ha Giang). The dry season lasts from November to April, while the rainy season runs from May to September, with increased humidity and possible flooding in the mountain areas.<\/p>\r\n Ha Giang Loop.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n Since 15 August 2023, Italian passport holders can visit the country without needing a visa for up to 45 days, a full 30 days more than the 15 days granted in the past (the rules change depending on your nationality, so check yours). Also starting from that date, you can get a single- or multiple-entry tourist visa online (“e-visa”) for stays of up to 90 days. The visa must be applied for through the official platform<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n Vietnam doesn’t require any mandatory vaccinations, but Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are always recommended. For up-to-date information on visas and so on, I recommend checking your own government’s official travel advice (for example, the UK’s Foreign travel advice<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n Bai Dinh Pagoda.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n In this guide, prices are given in the local currency. The official currency of Vietnam is the \u201cVietnamese dong,\u201d abbreviated as \u201cVND\u201d or simply \u201cD\u201d.<\/p>\r\n The exchange rate is about 1\u20ac = 29,000 VND. For the current rate, I recommend taking a look at this page<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n Note: throughout the guide you’ll often find links to https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/<\/a>. If you want to use offline navigation directly in the AllTrails app, you need to upgrade to the Pro version. However, you can get around this by downloading the coordinates from the desktop version of the site in \u201cGoogle Earth KML\u201d format and then uploading them to Organic Maps<\/a>, which is by far one of my favorite travel apps<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n The capital of Vietnam, and the country’s second largest city in terms of population after Ho Chi Minh City, is a truly fascinating city that combines the ancient with the modern, oriental architecture with French architecture dating back to the colonial period, a city of contrasts that, unlike other Southeast Asian capitals, is definitely worth a visit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Hanoi is chaotic and hectic, a perfect example of the typical Southeast Asian city where scooters and motorcycles whiz by in what appears to be organized chaos. This in itself is a really interesting experience for those who have never experienced anything like it. As in any big city, you could join a free walking tour; I booked one on Guru Walk<\/a> that wasn\u2019t too bad.<\/p>\r\n Welcoming Morning Sunlight Bridge.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Historic district of Hanoi<\/strong><\/p>\r\n That said, in addition to walking the city streets and savoring the local culture, especially within the old quarter (where most tourist accommodations are located), I recommend visiting the Temple of Literature (Google Maps<\/a>). Founded in 1070, it became the country\u2019s first university six years later. The entire structure and the inner courtyard are worth the visit, 70,000 VND. A short distance away you could also visit Ho Chi Minh\u2019s mausoleum (Google Maps<\/a>); admission is free but be prepared for long lines, especially on weekends, and dress properly\u2014shorts and tank tops aren\u2019t allowed. Also a short distance away, you could visit the imperial citadel (Google Maps<\/a>); although I’ve been to Hanoi more than a few times, what with one thing and another, I’ve never visited it, so I can’t speak from personal experience, but it’s often recommended.<\/p>\r\n A couple of temples worth visiting are the Bach Ma (Google Maps<\/a>), which is the oldest in the city, and the more iconic Ngoc Son (Google Maps<\/a>), located on the small island in Hoan Kiem Lake, though I never went inside (Google Maps<\/a>). If it\u2019s something you\u2019re interested in, across the street is the theater where the popular water puppet show takes place (Google Maps<\/a>) (official website<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n Train Street.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Train Street has become a real attraction in Hanoi. Honestly, I don\u2019t think there\u2019s anything that exceptional about it, but if you\u2019re interested, access is now regulated and the only official entrance is at this point (Google Maps<\/a>). Technically, you have to sit in one of the various bars\/restaurants while you wait for the train to arrive. A somewhat less popular alternative is located slightly further south at this point (Google Maps<\/a>). On this page, you\u2019ll find the schedules of the various trains<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n Other areas of interest in the historic district could be the Long Bien Bridge, which you can see from the station (Google Maps<\/a>). Built between 1899 and 1902 during French colonial rule, it was one of the first steel bridges in Southeast Asia. Near there is also the \u0110\u1ed3ng Xu\u00e2n market (Google Maps<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n Lastly, I went to Hoa Lo Prison (Google Maps<\/a>), also known as the Hanoi Hilton, first used for political prisoners during the French occupation and later during the Vietnam War for U.S. prisoners. Although in my opinion you get a good dose of propaganda, the visit was still interesting; admission costs 30,000 VND and the audio guide another 100,000 VND.<\/p>\r\n Long Bien Bridge.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Out-of-town excursions<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Around Hanoi there are a number of “handicraft villages” (Tho Ha, Thu Sy, Phu Lang, Ban Yen Nhan, and Quang Phu Cau) that specialize in the production of rice paper, pottery, incense, soy sauce and so on. I\u2019ve never visited any of these villages, but I know that tours are offered right from Hanoi, and I imagine that for some people it might be an interesting visit. The same goes for the tea plantations in Long C\u1ed1c, although those are definitely farther away.<\/p>\r\n Pub Street.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Where to stay in Hanoi?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n On my last trip to Hanoi, I stayed at three different hostels, and I\u2019d recommend all of them. B\u00f4ng H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i hostel<\/a> is conveniently located near the stop for Bus 17 to the airport. Cheers Hostel Hanoi<\/a> is right in the heart of the Old Quarter, just a short walk from the cathedral. TrangTien Hostel<\/a> has a decidedly less social atmosphere than the other two, but if you’re simply looking for a place to rest that’s still not too far from the center, the capsule beds are really spacious and comfortable.<\/em><\/p>\r\n How to get to Hanoi?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n The airport is connected to the city center by several bus routes. I arrived very late in the evening, and while looking for Express Bus 86, which connects the airport to the train station (Google Maps<\/a>), I was approached by a driver operating a bus without a number who simply said, \u201csame same.\u201d I paid 50,000 VND. Other options, depending on where you\u2019re staying in Hanoi, include Bus 7, which goes to Kim Ma Station (Google Maps<\/a>); Bus 17, which goes to Long Bien Station (Google Maps<\/a>); and Bus 90, which goes to Cat Linh Metro Station (Google Maps<\/a>). These buses should cost only 9,000 VND. Finally, you could simply take a Grab. If you\u2019re traveling light, you could also walk out of the airport and call a mototaxi\u2014I actually traveled that way in the opposite direction when I left the country.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Hanoi.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n The city of Ha Giang is nothing more than the ideal base for tackling the famous Ha Giang Loop. This loop, usually completed by motorbike or scooter over three, four or five days, offers breathtaking views in the north of the country, all the way to the border with China. While it has become relatively popular and is certainly no longer a hidden gem, I still can\u2019t recommend it enough. It\u2019s truly a beautiful experience.<\/p>\r\n Most travelers end up booking an organized tour directly in Hanoi that includes literally everything: transportation to Ha Giang, accommodations, food, an easy rider (the driver who rides the scooter), etc. If you don\u2019t know how to ride or simply don\u2019t have much experience on two wheels (the roads are mostly in good condition, but at least in 2023 there were still some stretches waiting to be paved), don\u2019t have an international driver’s license and don\u2019t want to deal with the police (they stop everyone across the board to scrape up money), want a much more social experience or simply want everything organized, the tour is definitely the best option, and the costs aren\u2019t high at all. If you\u2019d like, you can join a tour for the organization and the social side but still ride yourself. Some people go for this solution because, even without an international driver\u2019s license, you can get through the checkpoints riding with an easy rider and then go back to riding as normal. In any case, a friend of mine took the tour with Hong Hao Hostel and Motorbikes<\/a> and had a great time.<\/p>\r\n Ha Giang Loop.<\/em><\/p>\r\n That said, I\u2019ll share a little anecdote: On the last night of the loop, I was sitting at dinner with a German guy and a father and son from Switzerland, also independent travelers. In the distance, we could hear an organized group toasting noisily. The gentleman commented on how happy he was that it was just us as guests in the guesthouse. He added that every night, he hoped not to have to share lodging with one of these organized groups.<\/p>\r\n Clearly, it\u2019s not for me to tell people how to travel, and I fully understand that for a thousand different reasons, many may prefer the organized tour. However, personally, I can only agree with his sentiments. Moreover, if you decide to go DIY, you could take a few extra days and venture off the classic route by riding to the Ban Gioc Waterfall, as I did, which I\u2019ll briefly describe below.<\/p>\r\n If you choose the organized tour, the only advice I\u2019d give is to go for at least four days and three nights. As for the rest, just enjoy the scenery!<\/p>\r\n Ha Giang Loop.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n Before diving into the details of the itinerary, I think it\u2019s worth mentioning a few words about the police situation. As mentioned earlier, the police along the Ha Giang loop are particularly strict but also very corrupt. I personally saw three different checkpoints and spoke to a group of about twenty Slovaks, all of whom lacked international driver’s licenses. After being stopped, they each paid around 100\u20ac to be able to keep riding. We\u2019re talking about serious money which, in case it needs saying, goes straight into the officers\u2019 pockets. The \u201cprofession\u201d has become so lucrative that, according to what a local told me, to join the police in Ha Giang province you have to pay tens of thousands of euros to whichever corrupt official happens to be in charge.<\/p>\r\n Basically, unless you want to \u201cforce\u201d the checkpoints or end up paying the “fine,” you\u2019d better have an international driver\u2019s license. The chances of doing the whole loop without ever running into the police are really low. If you’re already abroad or simply want to get it online, you can do so on this site<\/a>. If you decide to take the risk and receive a ticket, I was told a kind of “pass” is issued that is valid for a few days, to be shown if the police ask for more money. I know, it’s crazy!<\/p>\r\n Ha Giang Loop.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Below is the itinerary I recommend. If you don’t have five days to devote to the loop, from Yen Minh, you could go directly to Meo Vac, skipping Lung Cu Flag Point. Another option to save one more day is to head straight back to Ha Giang from Meo Vac without going through Du Gia. Basically, you can literally create whatever itinerary you like and change it as you go. Between doing the loop clockwise or counterclockwise, the possible combinations of stops, viewpoints, accommodations and so on are practically endless. For example, if you do the loop on the weekend, there\u2019s a Sunday market in Dong Van or Meo Vac. Similarly, every year from the 25th to the 27th of the third lunar month (usually between April and May), the Khau Vai Love Market<\/a> takes place.<\/p>\r\n Ha Giang Loop.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Day 1 Ha Giang Loop (Ha Giang – Yen Minh)<\/strong><\/p>\r\n The night before starting the loop, I stayed at Hong Hao Hostel and Motorbikes<\/a>, which I recommend. I rented a semi-automatic scooter directly at the hostel. I\u2019d advise against automatic scooters, though, because there are lots of ups and downs, and gears are really handy around here. If you take an automatic scooter, make sure it has good brakes. If you like, you can leave some of your things at the hostel. Start riding toward Bac Sum Pass (Google Maps<\/a>). This stretch of road offers loads of spectacular views, and you could simply stop along the road; I made a short stop at Coffee View (Google Maps<\/a>). A little further on there are some fields full of flowers (Google Maps<\/a>). Nothing special, and they charge an entrance fee, but you can take a look from the road. Continue toward the \u201cGate of Heaven,\u201d or Quan Ba Heaven Gate (Google Maps<\/a>). Another nice viewpoint, and there\u2019s also a small caf\u00e9 with a lovely viewing terrace (Google Maps<\/a>). From here, continue to another viewpoint nearby, Fairy Bosom Mountain Viewpoint (Google Maps<\/a>); if you like, you could simply stop along the road a little further on, the view is more or less the same (Google Maps<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n Ha Giang Loop.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Afterward, I visited Lung Khuy Cave (Google Maps<\/a>). You have to park at this spot (Google Maps<\/a>), where they charge 5,000 VND for parking, and then continue on foot for about half an hour. You absolutely don\u2019t need a guide: the trail is easy to follow and even mapped on Organic Maps<\/a>. The entrance fee to the cave is 30,000 VND. Nothing exceptional, but definitely pretty, and on top of that many organized tours don\u2019t seem to visit it, so there were very few people.<\/p>\r\n Lung Khuy Cave.<\/em><\/p>\r\n From here you have two options to reach Yen Minh: I took the old road that passes by the Lonely Tree (Google Maps<\/a>). This is also the shortest route; it was getting late, so I didn\u2019t really have a choice. If you decide to take this road, you can stop for a drink at CLOUDY Cafe & camping chill chill (Google Maps<\/a>). That said, if you like, you can take the long way around on the main road. Along the way there\u2019s a pine forest where people often stop for a break (Google Maps<\/a>). In Yen Minh I stayed at Milk Milk Homestay<\/a>; I arrived without a reservation and they gave me a private room for the same price as the dorm. That day there were only two other guests, so the atmosphere was very quiet. Excellent buffet dinner.<\/p>\r\n Ha Giang Loop.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Day 2 Ha Giang Loop (Yen Minh – Dong Van)<\/strong><\/p>\r\n If possible, leave Yen Minh early in the morning to get ahead of the organized tours. The first stop along the road could be Coffee D\u1ed1c Th\u1ea9m M\u00e3 (Google Maps<\/a>), where there\u2019s a nice viewpoint over the hairpin bends of the road you’ve just ridden. Then continue to the Ch\u00edn Khoanh Ramp viewpoint (Google Maps<\/a>), which has a great view over the valley; a little further on there’s another nice viewpoint (Google Maps<\/a>). From here, a popular stop is the Dong Van Plateau (Google Maps<\/a>), where an expanse of rocks creates a sort of lunar landscape. Not far away is the Dinh Vua M\u00e8o Fort (Google Maps<\/a>). Honestly, there’s not much to see; the interior is mostly bare and lacks information. The entrance fee is 30,000 VND.<\/p>\r\n Dinh Vua M\u00e8o Fort.<\/em><\/p>\r\n From the fort, I recommend the detour toward Lung Cu Flag Point (Google Maps<\/a>). The road is pleasant and the view from the top isn\u2019t bad at all. The entrance fee is 40,000 VND. If you have time, I also recommend riding to the northernmost point of Vietnam (Google Maps<\/a>); on the other side of the valley is China. Spend the night in Dong Van. I stayed in the dorm at Hotel Van Anh<\/a>. Nothing special, but more than fine for one night. If you arrive early, you could go and watch the sunset from the French Fort (Google Maps<\/a>), which overlooks Dong Van from above. Otherwise, you could pop up there the following morning.<\/p>\r\n Lung Cu Flag Point.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Day 3 Ha Giang Loop (Dong Van – Meo Vac)<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Many consider this the most spectacular stretch of the loop. Just outside Dong Van there\u2019s a nice viewpoint right along the road (Google Maps<\/a>). I then recommend riding at least part of the small side road that starts at this spot (Google Maps<\/a>). In places it’s fairly narrow, but it\u2019s fully paved and offers fantastic views of the river and the valley. I recommend going down at least as far as this spot (Google Maps<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n The view just mentioned.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Next comes the iconic Ma Pi Leng Pass (Google Maps<\/a>). Unfortunately, the old road has been closed to private traffic, so you can\u2019t ride it with your own vehicle. I carried straight on, but if you really want to go up to the top of the pass, you could leave your scooter at this spot (Google Maps<\/a>) and walk up, or pay 50,000 VND to use the taxi service offered by the locals.<\/p>\r\n Dong Van.<\/em><\/p>\r\n An interesting alternative is to do the entire Sky Path (All Trails<\/a>). The trail starts at the pass and comes out on the main road again after about 3 km. I did part of it, going up from the opposite side, and I promise it offers insane views. If you\u2019re traveling with at least one other person, you could leave a scooter at the end point (Google Maps<\/a>), ride back together to the parking spot (Google Maps<\/a>), do the trail and then go back to get the scooter. That day I had to ride all the way to Bao Lac, so I didn\u2019t have time, but if you like, you could simply walk out and back along the same trail or turn around when you\u2019ve had enough, without necessarily going back and forth with the scooters or arranging a taxi. In any case, even if you take the new road without going up to the pass or doing the Sky Path, there\u2019s certainly no shortage of spectacular views, and there are lots of viewpoints like this one (Google Maps<\/a>), this one (Google Maps<\/a>), this one (Google Maps<\/a>) and this one (Google Maps<\/a>)!<\/p>\r\n Sky Path.<\/em><\/p>\r\n After properly enjoying the view from above, you can go down to the bottom of the valley for the boat tour through the Tu San Canyon, which all in all isn\u2019t that bad. At this spot (Google Maps<\/a>) there\u2019s a large parking lot and the ticket office. Here you\u2019re loaded onto an electric cart that takes you to the actual pier, where the boats leave; they go through the gorge, turn around and come back. They charge 5,000 VND for parking plus another 120,000 VND for the boat tour, which takes about an hour. In my opinion the view from above is more spectacular but, as I said, all in all it isn\u2019t that bad if you have time. If you decide to go down, you can also ride part of this side road (Google Maps<\/a>), which offers great views of the gorge.<\/p>\r\n Boat tour.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Once in Meo Vac, you could go and watch the sunset along the road at this spot (Google Maps<\/a>) or here, where there\u2019s a small structure that serves as a viewpoint (Google Maps<\/a>). As I mentioned, on the third day of my loop I rode to Bao Lac to do the detour toward Ban Gioc Waterfall, but when I came back I spent the night in Meo Vac at Voi Meo Vac Hostel & Breakfast<\/a>; nothing special, but not bad for one night either.<\/p>\r\n Viewpoint in Meo Vac.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Day 4 Ha Giang Loop (Dong Van \u2013 Du Gia)<\/strong><\/p>\r\n The road from Dong Van to Du Gia, while not as spectacular as the previous day\u2019s, still offers lots of interesting views. You can start with this viewpoint (Google Maps<\/a>) and then have a coffee at H’mong coffee (Google Maps<\/a>). Not far away there\u2019s another viewpoint (Google Maps<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n The road then becomes rather \u201cmonotonous\u201d until you start climbing again; I marked this viewpoint (Google Maps<\/a>), but you can stop literally anywhere along the road. A little further on there\u2019s another viewpoint (Google Maps<\/a>) and a series of caf\u00e9s with viewing terraces (Google Maps<\/a>) (Google Maps<\/a>). Going down into the valley, you can stop at the ruins of the French fort (Google Maps<\/a>). Climbing back up the other side, there\u2019s a really popular viewpoint with a great view over the valley (Google Maps<\/a>). A little further on there’s yet another bar with a beautiful view and a large viewing terrace (Google Maps<\/a>). I went back there at sunset too, since Du Gia is only about ten minutes away. Once you get to the village, depending on the time of year and the weather, you could take a refreshing dip at the waterfall (Google Maps<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n In Du Gia I stayed at Du Gi\u00e0 Field View Homestay<\/a>: a really nice setting, a welcoming family and delicious food. Highly recommended.<\/p>\r\n Viewpoint near Du Gia.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Day 5 Ha Giang Loop (Du Gia – Ha Giang)<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Instead of going back to Ha Giang on the TL 176, which would be the fastest way, I recommend going back via the TL 181. Climbing the hairpin bends of the pass, there are lots of places to stop and a couple of bars, like this one (Google Maps<\/a>). On the other side of the pass the scenery is just as beautiful. On the way down, I recommend heading toward N\u1ed1 Th\u00e0ng village (Google Maps<\/a>): the road runs much higher up and offers a far better view than the one along the valley floor. Along the way, just for a change, there are loads of views of the rice paddies on the valley floor (Google Maps<\/a>). Once you reach the village, instead of joining the main road you rode on the first day, take the \u201cshortcut.\u201d Of course, here too there\u2019s no shortage of caf\u00e9s with a view, like Coffee Spot with view (Google Maps<\/a>), and there\u2019s even a waterfall (Google Maps<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n TL 181.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Ha Giang Loop with a detour to Ban Gioc Waterfall (and other options)<\/strong><\/p>\r\n As I mentioned, if you have a few extra days, you could extend the loop by a few days and reach Ban Gioc Waterfall, like I did. In short, on day 3, instead of sleeping in Meo Vac, ride to Bao Lac. Here I\u2019d stopped at Sunny Homestay<\/a>; the lady was really nice and, realizing I wanted to spend as little as possible, sent me to C\u1ed1m Homestay B\u1ea3o L\u1ea1c<\/a>. I was the only guest; nothing special, but more than fine for one night. On day 4, ride to Cao Bang via the iconic Khau Coc Cha Pass (Google Maps<\/a>). Unfortunately, during my visit it was closed for roadworks, so I had to turn around at the start of the hairpin bends, but it doesn\u2019t really matter: the normal road also offers beautiful scenery. If the pass is open, you could then stop at Pac Bo Cave (Google Maps<\/a>), where Ho Chi Minh took refuge for some time. From what I understood there isn\u2019t much to see; it\u2019s simply a place of historical significance. Anyway, in Cao Bang I stayed at Lan home<\/a>, excellent accommodation.<\/p>\r\n Angel eye mountain.<\/em><\/p>\r\n On day 5 you can visit Ban Gioc Waterfall (Google Maps<\/a>) and go back to sleep in Cao Bang, or spend the night in one of the many guesthouses nearby. I spent the night at Thu Homestay<\/a>; we agreed on 330,000 VND including lunch, dinner and breakfast. The entrance to the waterfall costs 40,000 VND, and if you want to take the little boat ride, they charge another 50,000 VND. If possible, avoid the weekend. I went during the week and there was still a nonstop stream of people, especially on the Chinese side. If you want a view of the waterfall from above, you can go up to the monastery (Google Maps<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n A cave nearby.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Nearby there\u2019s a cave you can visit; nothing special, but it can be a nice way to pass some time (Google Maps<\/a>). I did the short route, paying 45,000 VND; they also offer a longer route that requires a guide and costs 195,000 VND. I talked to a French couple who did it: you\u2019re assigned a guide who doesn\u2019t speak English and just leads the way through a less developed part of the cave. Nothing extraordinary, in their opinion. Another possible stop on your way to or from the waterfall is the Mountain of the Angel\u2019s Eye, or \u201cAngel eye mountain.\u201d It\u2019s nothing more than a mountain with a hole in it, but since it\u2019s right on the way, you might as well make a quick stop. To admire it, ride to this spot (Google Maps<\/a>). On day 6, a long day on the motorbike awaits you to get back to Meo Vac and pick up the loop again the next day.<\/p>\r\n To wrap up, this is just one of the possible variations the region offers to all two-wheel enthusiasts. If you want to stretch your \u201cHa Giang Loop\u201d even further, or maybe you\u2019re arriving from Hanoi by motorbike, on this page<\/a> you\u2019ll find more than a few interesting ideas.<\/p>\r\n Ban Gioc Waterfall.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Where to stay in Ha Giang?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n As mentioned earlier, I stayed at Hong Hao Hostel and Motorbikes<\/a> the night before and after the loop. It\u2019s an excellent hostel with a generous breakfast buffet. I also recommend it for scooter rentals or joining an organized tour.<\/em><\/p>\r\n How to get to Ha Giang?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n If you organize the tour in advance from Hanoi, or maybe write directly to Hong Hao Hostel and Motorbikes<\/a> or another hostel in Ha Giang, the bus ticket is usually included in the price, and if you want to make the most of your time, you can travel overnight, arrive in Ha Giang early in the morning, spend a few hours in bed and then start the loop after breakfast.<\/em><\/p>\r\n If, on the other hand, you go the DIY route, you can book the bus directly on Vexere<\/a>; there are several direct connections to both Hanoi and Sapa, but also to other destinations like Cat Ba (Ha Long Bay). In Hanoi, many companies also offer pickup directly from your accommodation. Alternatively, the front desks of all the hostels offer booking services for the various routes, but you usually save money by using Vexere<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Ban Gioc Waterfall.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n Located 1,500 meters above sea level in the mountains of northern Vietnam, Sapa is a truly picturesque town surrounded by breathtaking scenery, iconic rice terraces, and numerous ethnic minority communities who continue to preserve their traditional culture and customs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Let me start by saying that I spent 4 days in Sapa and never saw the sun, so I skipped more than a few activities, like going up to the top of Mount Fansipan. That said, if you’re looking for something to do in town, there’s a small free museum that isn\u2019t that bad (Google Maps<\/a>); after that, you could go into the park that overlooks the town from above (Google Maps<\/a>), and the entrance fee is 30,000 VND. If you happen to visit Sapa over the weekend, consider stopping by the Love Market, a traditional gathering where the region\u2019s ethnic minorities socialize and court, which has now become a cultural attraction.<\/p>\r\n Sapa.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Trekking in Sapa<\/strong><\/p>\r\n You literally won\u2019t be able to walk down the street without someone offering you a trek in Sapa. The \u201cclassic\u201d route starts with the traditional village of Cat Cat (Google Maps<\/a>); from here you go down into the valley through rural villages and rice paddies to Quy Khach Waterfall (Google Maps<\/a>). As usual, I try to avoid organized tours, and given the reviews of Cat Cat village, which seems to have turned into one big souvenir shop where, on top of that, they charge 150,000 VND to get in, I preferred the DIY approach together with some other people I\u2019d met at the hostel. Basically, we followed this trail (All Trails<\/a>) and combined it with part of the Muong Hoa Valley Loop (All Trails<\/a>). For lunch we stopped at A Sinh Restaurant (Google Maps<\/a>), but there are plenty of options along the way. Once we came out onto the road, we paid 300,000 VND for a taxi back to Sapa. Another option is to go down the other side of the valley, as described on this page (All Trails<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n Along the trek.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Mount Fansipan<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Mount Fansipan, or Phan Xi Pang, at 3,147 meters, is the highest peak in the country. As I mentioned, during my visit to Sapa I practically never saw the sun, so going up to the summit just to be wrapped in clouds didn\u2019t seem like a good idea. That said, I was told that the summit very often rises above the clouds that blanket Sapa, so you could still try your luck even if the weather in town doesn\u2019t look great. To get to the top, many people choose the cable car, which you can book on the official website<\/a>, but remember that online tickets are limited. The alternative is to go directly to the departure station (Google Maps<\/a>). It costs 800,000 VND, with surcharges on weekends\/holidays. The other option is to hike up, but unfortunately it\u2019s absolutely mandatory to hire a guide, not so much because the trail is hard to follow, but simply because they want to monetize the mountain. You\u2019ll find the trail described in detail on All Trails<\/a>, including reviews from people who tried to set off early in the morning to avoid the guards but were still stopped and had to pay 1.5 million VND. Basically, if you want to hike up, get a guide.<\/p>\r\n Cable car station.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Scooter ride<\/strong><\/p>\r\n Weather permitting, you could decide to rent a scooter and explore the area around town on two wheels. You could ride to the village of Ta Phin (Google Maps<\/a>); the road offers some great views. There isn\u2019t much to do in the village itself, but you could visit the cave (Google Maps<\/a>). You could then ride to O Quy Ho Pass (Google Maps<\/a>) or beyond, where there are a couple of viewpoints (Google Maps<\/a>). Along the road there are also a couple of waterfalls: Silver Waterfall (Google Maps<\/a>) and Love Waterfall (Google Maps<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n Lastly, although it\u2019s not exactly close to Sapa, the Bac Ha Market (Google Maps<\/a>), held every Sunday, is considered one of the most important and interesting in the region. On this page<\/a> you\u2019ll find an article about it.<\/p>\r\n Sapa.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Where to stay in Sapa?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n There are many guesthouses in much nicer locations, but if you want to stay downtown, Fancy Sapa Hostel 2<\/a> isn\u2019t bad at all. Besides speaking excellent English, the owner is an extremely friendly and helpful person. Recommended.<\/em><\/p>\r\n How to get to Sapa?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n If you go the DIY route, you can book the bus directly on Vexere<\/a>; there are several direct connections to both Hanoi and Ha Giang. Many companies also offer pickup directly from your accommodation. Alternatively, the front desks of all the hostels offer booking services for the various routes, but you usually save money by using Vexere<\/a>. To and from Hanoi, you could consider traveling by train: the closest station to Sapa is Lao Cai (Google Maps<\/a>), and you can book directly on the official website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\r\n Quy Khach Waterfall.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n
Destinations<\/summary>\r\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC06199-Edit.jpg\")
\r\nWhen to visit Vietnam<\/h2>\r\n
Southern Vietnam<\/h3>\r\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DJI_0409-Edit.jpg\")
\r\nCentral Vietnam<\/h3>\r\n
Northern Vietnam<\/h3>\r\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC06044-Edit.jpg\")
\r\nDocuments and vaccinations to enter Vietnam<\/h2>\r\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC06300-Edit.jpg\")
\r\nWhat to do and see in Vietnam<\/h2>\r\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/cosa_vedere_vietnam.jpg\")
\r\n\r\nHanoi<\/h3>\r\n
What to do and see in Hanoi<\/h4>\r\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC05980-HDR-Edit.jpg\")
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\r\nHa Giang<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n
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\r\nHa Giang Loop DIY itinerary<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n
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\r\nSapa<\/h3>\r\n
What to do and see in Sapa<\/h4>\r\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC06132-Edit.jpg\")
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