Ha Giang

Hi there, let me tell you about one of the best trip I did while I was in Vietnam. It's a famous 290 km loop called Ha Giang loop. You begin your trip from Ha Giang and finish it in Ha Giang. Some also like to go to Cao Bang which is another city near Ha Giang but it's another 227 km drive. We did Cao Bang loop on a separate trip that I'll talk to you about later.

So there we were on our bus to Ha Giang. We arrived around 2 am at our homestay . We decided to wake up at 5 am to dodge police control at the beginning of the loop. Unfortunately policemen were already up when we passed the police station and we had to pay a fine for not having motorbike driver's licences. There you can see the crew driving the motorbikes with confidence.

Mathis and Océane

Loïc et Nari

Guillaume

The morning started with heavy and humid weather, but it gradually improved as the day went on. Our first significant stop was at a charming Vietnamese cafe, where we engaged in a lengthy conversation with a young local. He shared his aspirations of becoming a guide and taking over his family's restaurant, which happened to be the very cafe we were enjoying our coffee at. It was heartwarming to hear about his dreams and plans for the future.

Later on, we paused for lunch at a spot with a breathtaking view, providing us with a glimpse of villagers planting rice in the fields below.

Our restaurant

Us having lunch

Some dogs at the restaurant

Paddy-fields drone photo

Paddy-fields drone photo

Paddy-fields drone photo

We then continued our journey, driving non stop until arriving to a little touristic spot where we sat on the rocks, put a little bit of music and enjoyed the view.

The crew discussing our trip strategy

Local girls were dancing under that roof

Another paddy-field

After a long and tiring 7-hour drive covering 100 kilometers, we finally reached our final destination: Dong Van. Despite almost running out of fuel during the journey, we were relieved to find that the hotel we booked was perfect for its price, providing comfortable accommodation for all six of us at just 400,000VND (approximately 16 USD). Despite our exhaustion, we couldn't resist exploring the city a bit. I seized the opportunity to buy a lovely shirt and a beautiful scarf as souvenirs for my mom.

The next morning, after a well-deserved night of rest, we were ready for more adventures. Before hitting the road, we visited the local market, where we discovered some intriguing and unfamiliar spices. However, my curiosity led me to try some fried foods, and while they were delicious, eating six or seven of them turned out to be a bit too much for my stomach. Nevertheless, with full bellies and a full reservoir, we embarked on the next leg of our journey, eager to continue our exploration of Hà Giang loop's captivating landscapes and unique experiences.

At 9 am we arrived at Lung Cu city and visited Lung Cu flag point a high tower on a hill near to China's border

Lung Cu city entry

View of a buddhist temple from the flag point

Chinese border

Photo of us from Lung Cu flagship

Since we couldn't fly the drone near the chinese border, here's a google photo of the flag point.

Lung Cu flag point

Following our instincts, we made our way to a small pagoda that had caught our eye from the flag point. One of the joys of traveling independently is the freedom to deviate from the predefined paths and to improvise along the way. Being on our own allowed us to embrace spontaneity and explore at our own pace, which I personally enjoy very much. As we journeyed, we came across other groups of travelers on the road, each consisting of at least ten people. It made me realize that the more people you travel with, the less freedom you may have to make impromptu decisions and fully immerse yourself in the experience. For me, the beauty of traveling lies in the liberty to wander and discover without constraints, cherishing every moment of exploration.

The pagoda

Next goal was to find Nho Que river. Since google maps was not up to date, we had trouble finding them but we did eventually found them. It's a very touristic river so we had to share boats with foreigners. We met a belgian man and his daughter who was kind enough to take a photo of us on the boat.

Nho Que river from the hills

Boats on the Nho Que river viewed from the sky

The whole crew on the boat

Boats stopping at a coffee shop

The coffee shop view

Roads of Ha Giang loop

Next, we set off towards our homestay town, Meo Vac. The homestay was pleasant, and the host lady warmly welcomed us with a refreshing cha dah, the famous cold tea in Vietnam. Afterward, we searched for a place to have our meal, which turned out to be alright in taste. The town itself was relatively small, but its charm came alive in the evening. Children were playing soccer, parents were enjoying badminton, and the atmosphere was filled with happiness and contentment. Witnessing the locals engaging in joyful activities gave us a glimpse of the simple yet fulfilling life in Meo Vac, making our stay all the more delightful.

The next morning we were all ready to begin our final day. You must know that even though we drive a lot, seeing the beauty of the landscapes and stopping several times on the road makes the Ha Giang loop much easier than it looks. Here are some photos of road stops that just make me want to go back.

Guillaume and locals getting along

A beautiful landscape

Local cows eating leafs on the road

Me and butterfly

A lot of roads in construction, Ha Giang is developping

Discovering hidden waterfalls after lunch was a true adventure. Initially, finding the spot proved to be a bit challenging, but our experience took an unexpected turn when a friendly dog decided to join us on our journey. This canine companion led us straight to the waterfalls, creating a funny and heartwarming memory. At first, we shared the place with Vietnamese children, making the experience feel authentic and special. However, as more tourists arrived throughout the day, the serenity gradually gave way to a crowded atmosphere. It reminded us of how fortunate we were to travel independently, cherishing moments of solitude and connection with nature. To capture the beauty of the scene, my friend Loïc skillfully captured some breathtaking drone shots, which I am excited to share with you all.

After our wonderful adventure at the hidden waterfalls, we decided to head back to Ha Giang as the sun was setting. However, we encountered an unexpected obstacle : construction workers blasting the road right in front of us! It was quite a shocking and astonishing sight to see an entire road blow up. These unexpected moments are what make travel experiences so thrilling and unforgettable, adding an extra layer of excitement to our journey.

After a long and eventful day, we finally arrived safely at Ha Giang, even though it was already dark. Exhaustion had taken its toll, but we couldn't help but feel grateful and proud of ourselves for embarking on this journey independently and making it through successfully. A big thank you goes out to Guillaume, Nari, Océane, Mathis, and especially Loïc for their willingness and dedication throughout the trip. Loïc's amazing drone shots captured the beauty of our experiences, and I am truly thankful for that. As for me, I'm off to Mai Chau now. I'll be back next week with more stories to share. Thank you all for reading and following along with our adventure! See you soon! ;)

The whole crew after completing the loop