5 Day Ha Giang Loop and Cao Bang Discovery Tour

Ban Gioc Waterfall

Suitable For

Private and shared group of below 10 passengers

Departure

Daily at 8:30 am from Ha Giang City

Duration

5 Days 4 Nights

Mode of Travel

Motorbike with Easy Riders, Self-riding, or Car

Description

Overview: Discover Ha Giang Loop and Cao Bang in an unforgettable 5-day adventure. Explore the scenic beauty of Vietnam’s northernmost region, from limestone karsts and dramatic mountain passes to serene valleys, ethnic minority villages, and especially marvel at the fourth largest cross-border Ban Gioc waterfall in the world. This tour is ideal for travellers who want to experience the natural wonders and cultural treasures at a relaxed pace, with plenty of time to immerse themselves in local life and landscapes.

What makes our tour unique?

  • Safety First: Local riders with at least 5 years of navigating challenging roads.
  • Competitive Pricing: Our strong local partnerships, without intermediaries, allow us to offer the best prices without compromising the quality of experiences, accommodations, or meals, ensuring great value for you.
  • Off-the-beaten-path: Explore famous destinations and hidden off road gems.
  • Small Group & Private Tours: Shared group tours (below 10 pax) and private tours at the same price.
  • Community Support: We pay our riders 50% more than the average salary within the region and treats them with the most respect, while still providing a competitive tour pricing. 
  • Culture Immersion: Engage in authentic cultural experiences and interactive activities rather than noisy party scenes.

Important Note: Lila Inn Team wholeheartedly designed this tour itinerary and will do our best to accompany you in exploring all the listed destinations. However, the duration and stops may be adjusted depending on weather and road conditions. We will inform you if any changes are necessary.

default-icon-classItinerary for 5 Day Ha Giang Loop and Cao Bang Discovery Tour Expand All

  • Day 0 Get to Ha Giang

    Please arrange your own travel to Ha Giang City before the tour departure.

    Lila Inn can assist with booking round-trip buses to Ha Giang at various times from Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long, Ninh Binh, Cat Ba. Check bus schedules and pricing here.

    We offer free dorm bed for one night prior to the tour. If you would like to upgrade to a private room, check the availability and book here.

    Lila Hostel offers pleasant dorm beds and private rooms

  • Day 1 Tour Schedule

    Ha Giang City - Quan Ba - Yen Minh (110 km)

    7:30 AM Have breakfast, meet your guide/easy rider, and receive tour information at Lila Hostel in Ha Giang City before starting your adventure.

    9:30 AM Get to Bac Sum Pass, the longest pass in Ha Giang, often likened to a giant snake slithering along steep cliffs.

    10:30 AM Visit Khau Lan Waterfall, nestled within lush tropical forests, preserving its wild and majestic beauty.

    12:00 PM Arrive at Quan Ba Heaven Gate and enjoy panoramic views of Tam Son Town.

    Quan Ba Heaven Gate

    12:30 Have lunch in Quan Ba. 

    2:00 PM Pass by Nam Dam Cultural Village, featuring traditional rammed earth houses of the Dao people.

    Nam Dam Village

    2:30 PM Visit Lung Tam Linen Cooperative, a long-standing traditional craft village of brocade weaving by the Hmong.

    Lung Tam Linen Cooperative

    3:30 PM Take in the breathtaking views at Can Ty Viewpoint and sightsee rice terraces at Lao Va Chai. 

    Can Ty Viewpoint

    4:30 PM Get on your way to Yen Minh Town and stay the night here. Enjoy a family dinner, and sing karaoke with the locals.

    Dinner at homestay

  • Day 2 Tour Schedule

    Yen Minh - Vietnam China Border - Northernmost Point of Vietnam - Dong Van (115 km)

    7:30 AM  Have breakfast, then head to Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark.

    9:00 AM Reach the legendary Tham Ma Pass, a historical site with continuous hairpin bends.

    Tham Ma Pass

    9:30 AM Continue through picturesque Pho Cao Valley and Sung La Valley along the Nine-Turn Pass. 

    Pho Cao Viewpoint along Nine-turn Pass

    10:30 AM Visit Lao Xa Village and check out the unique rammed earth houses and the silver carvings of the H'mong people.

    Explore life in remote villages

    11:30 AM Tour the H’Mong King Palace, a national relic showcasing a blend of traditional Chinese and H’Mong architectural styles.

    Hmong King Palace

    12:30 PM Have lunch in Sa Phin or Ma Le.

    2:00 PM Pass by Lo Lo Chai Village, check in with the iconic Lung Cu Flag Tower in the background

    Lo Lo Chai from a different viewpoint

    2:30 PM Get to the Vietnam-China Border and the Northernmost Point of Vietnam, enjoy the panoramic view of the vast mountains and rivers below.

    Vietnam - China Border

    3:00 PM Visit Ma Le Village, home to the Giay people, nestled among the rocky mountains. Stop at Khe Lia Viewpoint.

    Ma Le Village

    Khe Lia Viewpoint

    3:30 PM Pass through Ma U Village and Thien Huong Village, head towards Dong Van Ancient Town.

    Thien Huong Village

    4:30 PM Check in to your homestay in Dong Van Town and stay the night here. Enjoy a family dinner, and sing karaoke with the locals.

    Dinner at homestay

  • Day 3 Tour Schedule

    Dong Van - Meo Vac - Bao Lac (110 km)

    7:30 AM Have breakfast and visit the Dong Van Ethnic Market (Sunday mornings) to experience local culture and buy unique handicrafts and food.

    Dong Van Ethnic Market on Sunday morning

    8:30 AM Conquer the stunning Ma Pi Leng Pass, known as the "King of Passes" with extremely sharp hairpin bends for spectacular mountain views.

    Ma Pi Leng Pass

    9:30 AM There are 2 options for you:

    • Option 1: Hike 5 km to White Cliff for unmatched panoramic views of the Nho Que River, Tu San Canyon and surrounding landscapes.

    Hike to White Cliff on Ma Pi Leng Pass

    • Option 2: Enjoy a boat ride (about 30 minutes) on the emerald Nho Que River, sightseeing the Tu San Canyon, the deepest canyon in Southeast Asia.

    Boat on Nho Que River

    12:30 PM Have lunch in Meo Vac.

    1:30 PM Proceed to Cao Bang territory, arriving in Bao Lac Town.

    Proceed to Cao Bang

    4:00 PM Check in homestay in Bao Lac Town and stay the night here. Enjoy a family dinner.

    Dinner at homestay

  • Day 4 Tour Schedule

    Bao Lac - Tra Linh - Trung Khanh (180 km)

    7:30 AM Have breakfast, then continue the journey through Khau Coc Cha Pass, one of Vietnam's Four Great Passes with 15 vertical levels.

    Khau Coc Cha Pass

    9:00 AM Continue to Cao Bac Pass to admire terraced fields and mist-covered villages.

    10:30 AM Traverse the lesser-known Na Tenh Pass, which features impressive 20 gentle curves.

    12:30 PM Have lunch in Tra Linh District.

    2:00 PM Venture into the Phong Nam Valley or Ngoc Con Valley, where traditional Tay ethnic cultures thrive amidst picturesque paddy fields.

    3:30 PM Drop by Co La Waterfall, which has a poetic beauty surrounded by mountains and fields.

    Co La Waterfall

    4:30 PM Stroll through the 400-year-old Khuoi Ky Stone Village and explore the stone stilt houses of the Tay people.

    Khuoi Ky Stone Village

    5:00 PM Check in to the homestay near Ban Gioc Waterfall. Enjoy dinner with local foods.

    Local meals at homestay

  • Day 5 Tour Schedule

    Ban Gioc Waterfall - Mountain Angel Eye - Cao Bang City (100 km)

    7:30 AM Have breakfast then discover the remarkable limestone grotto Nguom Ngao Cave.

    Nguom Ngao Cave

    10:00 AM Hike to Phat Tich Truc Lam Pagoda to enjoy the panoramic view of the waterfall and rolling mountains from above.

    Phat Tich Truc Lam Pagoda

    11:00 AM Take a boat ride at the majestic Ban Gioc Waterfall, situated on the jade-blue waters of the Quay Son River flowing from China.

    Ban Gioc Waterfall

    12:00 PM Have lunch in Trung Khanh.

    2:00 PM Visit the mysterious Mountain Angel Eye, nestled in the valley of Thang Hen Lake.

    Mountain Angel Eyes

    4:00 PM Conclude your tour in Cao Bang City.

  • Post-Tour Stay and Travel Suggestions

    The tour ends in Cao Bang City, you can consider these 3 options:

    Option 1:

    • Stay in Cao Bang overnight and depart for Hanoi the next morning.
    • You will arrange your own accommodation, Lila Inn can assist with booking a local bus from Cao Bang to Hanoi.

    Option 2:

    • Take a night bus from Cao Bang to Hanoi.
    • From Hanoi, you can easily connect to other destinations like Ninh Binh, Cat Ba, or Ha Long.
    • Lila Inn can help you book a local bus from Cao Bang to Hanoi.

    Option 3:

    • Extend your tour to 6 days:
      • Stay overnight in Cao Bang City after the tour.
      • Return to Ha Giang the following day (7-8 hours by motorbike).
      • Then take a night bus from Ha Giang to Sapa.
      • An additional fee of 700,000 VND/person (applies for a package that includes a private room, dinner, breakfast, lunch, easy riders and motorbike).

    Please contact us if you need assistance with these options.

    Note: Direct buses from Cao Bang to other provinces are either unavailable or in poor condition, so we highly recommend these options.

5 Day Ha Giang Loop and Cao Bang Discovery Tour

Ha Giang & Cao Bang Map

Tour Package Prices

Motorbike Tour with Easy Rider

5D4N _ Car Ha Giang Loop Tour

Testimonials

FAQ

faq-icon-classFrequently Asked Questions for 5 Day Ha Giang Loop and Cao Bang Discovery Tour Expand All

  • 01 Can your Easy Riders speak English?

    In each group tour, we arrange at least one Easy Rider who can speak basic English. You can also easily communicate with them using Google Translate, as thousands of our customers have done.

    For those who prefer a fluent English-speaking guide, we offer this option for an additional fee, which can be selected in the booking form.

  • 02 What payment methods do you accept?

    For the deposit to secure your spot, you can pay via PayPal.

    For the remaining balance, we accept card payments and cash in Vietnamese Dong before the tour starts.

  • 03 I don’t want to join a shared group. Do you offer a private tour, and what is the surcharge?

    Yes! We can arrange a private tour for you. There is an additional fee of 100,000 VND per day per private room. You’ll find this option in the booking form – simply check the box and leave us a note.

  • 04 Can you accommodate Vegans and Vegetarians on your tours?

    Yes! We carefully select restaurants that serve fresh vegetarian and vegan dishes. For a glimpse as to the type of dishes click on the link here:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vwhCKvlZkxgtGrMy78bsWIt4EPGSWTE3?usp=drive_link

  • 05 What do the rooms on the tour look like?

    We carefully select local homestays based on criteria: cleanliness, convenient location, and providing a peaceful view for restful stays. Some rooms offer stunning window views of mountains and rice fields.

    The earlier you book the tour, the higher the chance of securing a room with a beautiful view.

    In the evening, you’ll enjoy delicious family dinners, drink ‘happy water,’ and sing karaoke. It’s a fun experience that strengthens connections with both your companions and the locals.

01 Can your Easy Riders speak English?

In each group tour, we arrange at least one Easy Rider who can speak basic English. You can also easily communicate with them using Google Translate, as thousands of our customers have done.

For those who prefer a fluent English-speaking guide, we offer this option for an additional fee, which can be selected in the booking form.

For the deposit to secure your spot, you can pay via PayPal


For the remaining balance, we accept card payments and cash in Vietnamese Dong before the tour starts.

Yes! We can arrange a private tour for you. There is an additional fee of 100,000 VND per day per private room. You’ll find this option in the booking form – simply check the box and leave us a note.

Yes! We carefully select restaurants that serve fresh vegetarian and vegan dishes. For a glimpse as to the type of dishes click on the link here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vwhCKvlZkxgtGrMy78bsWIt4EPGSWTE3?usp=drive_link

We carefully select local homestays based on criteria: cleanliness, convenient location, and providing a peaceful view for restful stays. Some rooms offer stunning window views of mountains and rice fields. 

 

The earlier you book the tour, the higher the chance of securing a room with a beautiful view.

In the evening, you’ll enjoy delicious family dinners, drink ‘happy water,’ and sing karaoke. It’s a fun experience that strengthens connections with both your companions and the locals.

5 Day Ha Giang Loop and Cao Bang Discovery Tour

Approx. VND 7800000 / guest*

Included in price

Other Add-ons

Local English Guide