Ha Giang Loop

Food & Drink

• Hot pot with the tour guides after a day of riding
• Rice wine, plenty of it, shared with new friends each night
• Killer roadside lunches every single day of the loop
• Waffles for breakfast before saddling back up

Sights

• The Chinese border, reached partway through the loop
• Sweeping mountain scenery on every stretch of road
• Sunset over a national park on the third day

Experiences

• Riding on the back of a motorbike through the Northern Vietnamese mountains with a small group
• Playing Cao, a local card game, with the tour guides
• Karaoke and rice wine after dinner, more than one night running
• Witnessing a motorbike accident on the road — a sobering reminder to stay alert (not recommended)

Getting Around

• The whole point of the loop is the motorbike — go with a small guided group if you're not confident riding yourself
• Multi-day loops run out of Hanoi and typically include lodging, guides, and meals

Travel Tips

• Pack layers — mountain weather shifts fast, clear one afternoon and grey the next
• Take it slow on the road; the scenery is worth the stops, and the road conditions punish rushing
• Book through a guide with a good reputation, not just the cheapest option in Hanoi

Overall Review

One of the coolest experiences of my entire trip. A multi-day motorbike tour through the Northern Vietnamese mountains with good people, good food, incredible sights, and more fun than I expected — days of riding, killer lunches, and nights of hot pot, rice wine, and karaoke with the guides. If you're capable on two wheels (or willing to ride pillion), don't skip it.