From Viti to Vietnam-The Ha Giang Loop

I completed my Southeast Asia trip with Vietnam, and it is still very much fresh in my mind even though I am tired, back home in Fiji and trying to write this without closing my laptop and going back to sleep.

Whenever I visit a country (even if it was for work) I would always make time to explore and find experiences that are off the beaten path. My google search always includes the name of the country and things to do off the beaten path. Everyone has a different idea of travel, and it is never necessary that we will all enjoy doing the same things or seeing the same sights.

Researching my Southeast Asia trip was fun because I knew exactly what I wanted to do and see. I am so happy that I managed to do everything I had intended to! A few of you have reached out to me asking about Ha Giang and that it is on your bucket list or you are now planning a trip here.

So let me start with Ha Giang and in particular the Ha Giang Loop which was an experience of a lifetime! It is known as Vietnam’s northernmost province, bordering China, and is often called the country’s last frontier. It’s remote, rugged, and far less developed than places like Sapa.

I was tossing up between Sapa and Ha Giang, and while Sapa is beautiful, I felt like I have lived it through what I have seen on social media by people I follow that have visited this place. Ha Giang on the other hand, seemed less visited by people from Fiji (so I think)! So, I decided on Ha Giang and then the loop constantly started coming up and I was like, you know what, I am adding this to my itinerary.

The Ha Giang Loop is a 3- day journey by car or motorbike and is considered one of the most scenic road trips. I used Jasmine Ha Giang Tours for this and they were brilliant in terms of logistical arrangements et al. What I later learned was that Ha Giang is also culturally rich, home to many ethnic minority groups such as the Hmong, Tay, Dao, and Lo Lo, each with distinct clothing, languages, and traditions. It is also where the Dong Van Karst Plateau, a UNESCO Global Geopark is, known for its ancient limestone formations.

For those of you planning to do the Ha Giang Loop here are some tips

Traveling to Ha Giang- There is no airport or train and travel to Ha Giang is by road. From Hanoi I got the sleeper bus which is about 6-8 hours to Ha Giang. You can book directly with a bus or through the tour company. Getting into the sleeper bus gave me flashbacks of my Peru trip and the buses there. I have to say although slightly uncomfortable, I found the sleeper buses here better than the Peru buses!

Jasmine Ha Giang Tour- They provide accommodation as well, but I had stayed at the Four Points Sheraton and got a taxi to Jasmine Hostel 2 on the start of the loop tour. I cannot drive a motorbike and so I went with the option of an easy rider. That way I was princess passenger and able to enjoy the scenery. I did the 2 nights 3-day tour and I think that is a sufficient duration to see the North of Vietnam. The tour includes meals and homestays; you can choose private rooms or shared. The itinerary includes stops along the way to see beautiful sites, and you can view the itinerary here and the other options. I think we were about 48 pax or so for this option and were then divided into 4 different groups. Each group has a leader (local of course) and off you go with your rider or you can also self-ride if you dare!

Luggage- You store your luggage at the hostel or whichever tour company you go with and only take a backpack with enough essentials for the trip.

Weather- I had researched and knew that it would be the start of winter so was prepared for that. Luckily it didn’t rain, because I would have been miserable! If you are visiting other countries prior to Vietnam and don’t want to carry winter clothes, my hack for this was to carry just sets of thermal bottoms and tops, 1 wind jacket and 1 waterproof pants. Thermals are light and easy to carry so that worked out well for me and kept me warm. Otherwise, travel here during summer which might mean more tourists on this route 😊 

Food- The FOOD has been the STAR! OMG, every meal provided was so so good and our group would arrive and smash through it all only to be hungry a few hours later again! Vietnamese food is amazing! As I write this, I am craving it and an egg coffee! Now happy water on the other hand, OMGF, that was fun to drink to stay warm! You will have to try it to know what I am talking about, and you will live the next day!

I am so grateful to my easy rider for navigating those winding uphill and downhill roads like a pro and bringing me back safely. I did not feel unsafe at any point and trusted my easy rider Poa. In fact, I love speed and was enjoying it when we would zoom fast! I blame my thrill for speed to my days working at the Health Ministry, when I would accompany the Minister on health tours, we would zoom around Viti! (ok bad example, but it’s the truth)

You don’t have to do a motorbike tour if that is not your vibe because there are car options too. Also know that my bum and legs were numb AF the entire duration because the amount of strength it takes to sit upright and not fall off, is madness.

Despite that, I still enjoyed myself. I met such interesting and cool people on this tour and am glad to have connected with, hoping that one day they get to visit Fiji!

Coming from a brown family meant that even as a 38-year-old adult, I couldn’t tell my parents that I am doing a motorbike loop tour and only did so by the 2nd day!  Thankfully my parents were busy preparing for their own trip to the states that not too many questions were asked. But I am waiting for them to return and give me that look of, you could have died! I am so going to love this banter!

If you are contemplating or planning Ha Giang, please go for it! It is an incredible experience, and you will come back seeking more high-speed thrill adventures, just like I am while I eye my suitcases that need unpacking!

Also also, I have to thank you my faithful readers for being part of my journey, whether on Instagram or waiting for my blog updates here. Your kind words and questions really kept me motivated. I wish you all a 2026 filled with all the love, happiness and success. Brb with more on Southeast Asia! x