Ha Giang
North of Hanoi, the landscape shifts quickly from lowland countryside to the mountains, deep valleys and winding roads of Ha Giang.
The journey
Dong Van Karst Plateau
Continue onto the Dong Van Karst Plateau, travelling through some of Vietnam’s most dramatic mountain scenery. Small towns, villages and local markets punctuate the route. Stops and walks give you time away from the road.
Dong Van to Meo Vac
Between Dong Van and Meo Vac, the mountains become steeper and the valleys deeper. Rather than approaching the region as a fast motorcycle loop, the journey takes its time: you travel with a local guide and stop in villages along the way.
Hoang Su Phi
Continue towards Hoang Su Phi, where mountainsides have been shaped into layers of rice terraces over generations. Walk from village to village, spend time in the countryside and enjoy a quieter part of northern Vietnam, before heading back to Hanoi.
Why this journey works
Most visitors know northern Vietnam as a quick stop in Sapa or a fast loop through Ha Giang on a motorbike. Slowing down changes what the region actually offers: villages, markets and valleys that most itineraries drive straight past.
Highlights
- Leave Hanoi behind for the mountain roads of Ha Giang
- Cross the dramatic landscapes of the Dong Van Karst Plateau
- Travel the mountain roads between Dong Van and Meo Vac
- Visit local markets and villages with a guide who knows the region
- Walk through the rice terraces and valleys of Hoang Su Phi
- Stay in small, locally run accommodation and experience rural northern Vietnam at a slower pace
The rhythm
Slow and focused on a single region: road journeys, walks and markets count for more than any one landmark.
Duration
12 to 20 days as a guide: the itinerary adapts to the time you have.
Budget
As a rough guide, our tailor-made journeys average around €150/day/person. No fixed budget: every itinerary is adjusted to your expectations.
Make it yours.
- Designed by a specialist
- Private guides and transfers
- 24/7 on the ground
- Free quote
You book and pay a licensed local company, named in your quote.
Also in Vietnam
The Many Faces of Vietnam
Hanoi — Halong Bay — Ninh Binh — Hue — Hoi An — Mekong Delta — Ho Chi Minh City
From Hanoi to the Andaman Sea
Hanoi — Halong Bay — Hoi An — Chiang Mai — Bangkok — Khao Lak
Across the Mountains of Vietnam and Laos
Hanoi — Northern Vietnam — Luang Prabang — Nong Khiaw