About Ha Giang

Ha Giang stands out as an incredibly thrilling destination in Vietnam, boasting mesmerizing karst mountains, challenging mountain passes, and captivating fog-laden villages. In this province, an unparalleled experience awaits, where the genuine cultural diversity harmonizes with the breathtaking landscapes.

Nestled in Vietnam’s northern highlands, around 318 kilometers away from Hanoi, Ha Giang is an awe-inspiring mountainous province with elevations ranging from 800 to 1,200 meters above sea level. Its landscape is characterized by a dense cluster of majestic peaks, complemented by lush rivers and vibrant flowers.

With a rich cultural tapestry fostered by 19 ethnic groups calling this land home, Ha Giang offers an ideal destination for cultural exploration. Despite the simplicity and rusticity of the local way of life, the untamed beauty of the scenery captivates visitors, leaving an indelible impression that lingers long after their departure from Ha Giang, Vietnam.

HOW TO GO FROM HANOI TO HA GIANG

Travel distance from Hanoi to Ha Giang is about 300 km by land. There are 4 options how you can get to Ha Giang from Hanoi: travel by bus/van, private taxi, train + bus via Lao Cai or travel on motorbike. Transfer by bus is the most popular and also cheapest option how to reach Ha Giang Province. There are reliable private bus companies and bus tickets start already at $8-10/pp. You can travel by sleeper (+overnight) bus or you can take modern minivan or limousine. You can also travel by private taxi/car to Ha Giang, the most comfortable, but the most expensive option. You can book your private car online. There is no train connection and no airport in Ha Giang province, so you need to go by bus/van, taxi/car (or motorbike – IDP necessary, for the most experienced drivers). Buses depart from various stations in Hanoi, but there are also some buses or private minivans from Noi Bai Airport.

The nearest railway station is located in Lao Cai, approximately 200 km away from Ha Giang town. Consequently, travelers have the option of taking a train to Lao Cai and then catching a local bus to Ha Giang. However, this route is not advisable due to its time-consuming nature. Alternatively, several tourist agencies in Hanoi offer services such as private car rentals or organized tours, including 3-day excursions or motorbike loops to Ha Giang province.

Since Ha Giang lacks an airport, air travel is not an option. Fortunately, booking transportation options like bus e-tickets, taxis, cars, motorbikes, or private tours from Hanoi to Ha Giang can be easily done online. Additionally, travelers can conveniently reserve and select their accommodation in Ha Giang, ranging from local homestays and cheap guesthouses to hotels or hostels.

Ha Giang offers a pristine and captivating escape amidst Vietnam’s abundant natural beauty. While Vietnam boasts numerous stunning destinations, many suffer from overcrowding due to tourist influx. Ha Giang, however, remains relatively untouched. Its landscape encompasses majestic mountains, verdant parks, serene nature, rolling hills, quaint ethnic villages, and an authentic rural lifestyle, all set against breathtaking vistas. Although mass tourism may eventually encroach, for now, Ha Giang retains its allure.

To truly experience this exceptional province, consider renting a motorbike and embarking on the renowned Ha Giang Motorbike Loop, a favorite among travelers. While local buses are available, they may not offer the same level of comfort. Moreover, to venture to more remote and exquisite locales such as Dong Van, Meo Vac, and the Lung Cu Flagpole, a permit ($10 per person) is required. From Ha Giang, travelers can also access Sapa in Lao Cai province by bus, van, or car via routes to Sapa.

How do I get from Hanoi to Ha Giang?

BUS from Hanoi to Ha Giang

The most used cheaper option of transportation from Hanoi to Ha Giang is a bus with seats or sleepers. Various modern buses will be available for you on this route, which will offer you sufficient comfort at friendly ticket prices.

There are many companies and some of them that operate Ha Giang from Hanoi are Cau Me, Grouptour, Hung Thanh, Quang Nghi, Trully Ha Giang, Full Moon Party Tour, Good Morning Cat Ba, Express Ha Giang, Bang Phang, Quang Giang, Khanh Hang, Daiichi Travel, King Express Bus, Duc Duong, Techbus VN and others.

These buses can depart from various stops and stations in Hanoi and also arrive at various locations and stops in Ha Giang.

The main bus station in Ha Giang is Ha Giang Bus Station, in the southern part of the city. But buses can arrive directly to some hotels and hostels in Ha Giang town, you will see all this information about departures and arrivals when booking tickets on online platforms, so read everything carefully.

Some buses to Ha Giang also depart from Noi Bai Airport, which is about 30 km from Hanoi. The bus transfer from Hanoi to Ha Giang takes about 5-6.5 hours, but the stated travel time may vary, depending on the traffic situation and the fact that buses in Vietnam may be late at departure.

Bus tickets to Ha Giang from Hanoi cost between $9-20/pp, depending on the company, these prices can vary slightly throughout the year. Bus tickets from Hanoi to Ha Giang are easy to search and buy online. Most companies also accept e- tickets with a QR code, so you do not need to print the tickets, just have them stored on your mobile phone or tablet.

However, companies may have different conditions for travel and tickets, so always read the current information and transfer instructions before booking. A bus transfer is a popular option for transportation to Ha Giang, especially among low-cost travelers who have a more limited budget.

***You can download the 12go.asia app on the app store or CHplay to your phone, and buy electronic tickets. There are many bus companies, as well as dates, times, and prices for you to choose from.***

VAN / MINIVAN from Hanoi to Ha Giang

A very convenient and fast option of transportation from Hanoi to Ha Giang is a smaller minivan / minibus that is for a limited number of passengers. These vehicles are actually something like smaller buses, but they are modern, fast and often very comfortable.

The prices for a transfer with these minivans are a little more expensive than regular buses, but sometimes they can be the same as a regular bus transfer, so it is advisable to get an overview of these options in advance. Companies that offer you these modern minivans from Hanoi to Ha Giang are e.g. Truly Ha Giang, Quang Giang, To Vietnam Travel or Grouptour.

These smaller minivans can depart from various locations in Hanoi, company branches and bus stations, or even from Noi Bai Airport, and arrive at various locations in Ha Giang. They often arrive at specific hotels or hostels in Ha Giang, but they can also go through the main bus station in the city.

You will see all the information about the departure and arrival points when searching for tickets online, so check everything carefully. The travel time by minivan / minibus from Hanoi to Ha Giang is approximately the same as traveling by bus, sometimes it can be faster, i.e. approx. 5-6 hours.

A minivan / minibus transfer will cost you approximately $13-20/pp, depending on the company, sometimes tickets can be a little cheaper. Again, you can easily search and buy tickets for these minivans to Ha Giang online ahead of time.

When booking tickets, always read all additional information and transfer instructions and follow the company’s instructions. Minivan or minibus transportation is suitable for all travelers and is mainly sought after by people who demand better comfort than a sleeper bus and are also willing to pay a little extra for the fare.

The most convenient, fast, but at the same time the most expensive transport option from Hanoi to Ha Giang is a private car/taxi transfer with a driver. The advantage of this option is the choice of departure and arrival point and better comfort than traveling by bus.

On this route between Hanoi and Ha Giang, private cars with drivers are offered by several companies such as Booking Car, Viet Technology Travel, Grouptour, Taxi with VTS, Saigon DMC or Ouros Travel. All these companies offer modern classic cars and even larger minivans or SUVs for more people.

Larger modern minivans or minibuses can be convenient for those traveling in a group of several travelers at once. With these private cars, you can depart from Hanoi city center or Noi Bai Airport, and you can often choose your arrival point in Ha Giang according to your requirements.

Driving time by private car with a driver from Hanoi to Ha Giang is about 5-6 hours and the fare ranges from $110-440/car. This travel time can also change. Prices vary according to the type of car, smaller cars are usually a cheaper option than larger minivans / minibuses or SUVs for more people.

The drivers of these private cars are mostly experienced and will offer you a hassle-free transfer all the way to Ha Giang without the additional stops that buses make, for example. You can search, view and book your private chauffeured car/taxi online well in advance.

When making a reservation, always carefully read all the conditions and instructions of the companies and follow all instructions to avoid any misunderstandings. Private car transportation from Hanoi to Ha Giang is a suitable option for those who have a higher budget for their travel and prefer privacy and comfort in transportation.

TRAIN + BUS from Hanoi to Ha Giang (via Lao Cai)

It is good to know that there is no railway leading to Ha Giang province, so it is not possible to go directly to this place by train. The only option is to go by train to the city of Lao Cai, but this is approximately 200 km from the city of Ha Giang, so taking a train here and then taking a bus to Ha Giang for 5 hours is not a very suitable option.

The only option is to go by train if you want to visit other places in the north such as Sapa or Bac Ha. There are also buses from Sapa to Ha Giang. The train journey from Hanoi to Lao Cai takes about 8 hours and the route is run by classic sleeper trains or luxury tourist sleeper trains, which are very popular among tourists.

Traveling by train is such a diversion when traveling in the north of Vietnam, but there are no trains to many places in the north. It is therefore advisable to forget about this option of transport from Hanoi to Ha Giang and use a comfortable minibus / minivan or tourist bus.

For transportation from Hanoi to Lao Cai, you can use the classic Vietnam Railways trains, which also include more comfortable tourist sleeper trains such as Fanxipan Express, King Express, Orient Express, Sapaly Express, Livitrans Express, Lotus Train, Chapa Express. You can easily find and book train tickets to Lao Cai online in advance.

From Hanoi to Ha Giang on a MOTORBIKE

A popular way to get to Ha Giang is by motorbike directly from Hanoi. This option can be interesting, but it will not be suitable for many travelers, you need to be a more experienced motorcycle driver and you need to have an international driver’s license with a valid license.

However, it can be a great experience if you continue to travel in Ha Giang province by motorbike and ride, for example, the very famous Ha Giang Motorbike Loop, which runs through the entire province.

If you want to ride a motorcycle, you can use it from various rental companies in Hanoi, but you can also reserve a motorcycle in advance online. It is not very suitable to ride a weaker scooter for such a long distance, this also applies to traveling in Ha Giang province.

Also, wear protective gear on your motorcycle and always obey all road regulations when traveling. The trip by motorbike from Hanoi to Ha Giang can take 7 hours, depending on the traffic situation and your driving skills.

In Ha Giang province, you can also take advantage of motorcycle tours to the province from some local agencies or travel agencies. Various hotels and hostels also rent motorbikes in Ha Giang. However, remember that you must always have valid documents and a driver’s license with a valid license.