Ha Giang is the start of the famous loop, about 300 km northwest of Hanoi. The road is good but long, 6 to 7 hours. Most travellers take a bus. Here is the honest picture.
Your options
| Time | Price | What to expect | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeper bus (night) | 6 to 7 hours, overnight | Around 250,000 to 350,000 VND per person | Cheap and saves a hotel night. But you arrive at 4 or 5 in the morning after little real sleep, and start the loop tired. Flat beds are short if you are tall. |
| Limousine bus (day) | 6 to 8 hours | Around 300,000 to 450,000 VND per person | More comfortable than the sleeper, fixed times, fixed stops. A full day gone either way. |
| Private car | About 6 to 6.5 hours | From 4,200,000 VND per car | Leave when you want, stop for lunch and photos, arrive rested in the afternoon. With 3 or 4 people the price per person comes close to comfort-bus class. |
Our honest advice
Young, alone, on a budget? Take the night bus like everyone else, it is part of the experience.
But if you are with family, value sleep, or get carsick in the back of a bus, the car changes the whole start of your loop. You arrive in daylight, checked in and rested, and start the loop fresh the next morning. We can also arrange the full loop by car with a driver who knows the mountain roads, see our Ha Giang by private car tour.
Coming from Ninh Binh instead of Hanoi? We drive that too, from 4,900,000 VND per car.
Prices on this page were correct when we wrote it. They can change a little over time, for example when fuel prices change. We do our best to keep this page up to date, and we always confirm the exact price before you book.
How to book
- Send us a message with your dates and route. We reply the same day.
- No prepayment. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup.
- You pay the driver at the end, in VND, USD or euro. Gas, tolls and parking are included.
Contact us here or book directly on our transfer page.
See also: one driver for your whole trip and the full transfer price list.
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