Best time to visit Ha Giang
Many riders choose October to December, when the buckwheat flowers bloom, or the drier months from November to March, when rain is lowest. Those months are also cooler, and the plateau gets cold in winter. May to September is the wet season, with the heaviest rain from June to August.
No month gives a guarantee. Flowers depend on the weather, and mountain conditions change quickly. If you book a guide for the loop, ask about the season first. The Ha Giang Loop tours list the options.
Our pick: a 2-day tour for a short window
If you can only pick a few good days, the 2-day version is easier to fit in; check the forecast before you book.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Ha Giang Loop tours for every season
Easy Rider, car and small-group tours across the loop, with live prices and availability for your dates.
Ha Giang weather by month
Average daily highs and lows and total rain in the valley town of Ha Giang, at about 118 m.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19.5 | 13.3 | 40.1 |
| February | 21.1 | 14.9 | 38.8 |
| March | 24.3 | 17.9 | 64.6 |
| April | 28.3 | 21.2 | 106.2 |
| May | 31.5 | 23.4 | 294.6 |
| June | 32.3 | 24.6 | 430.2 |
| July | 32.6 | 24.7 | 545.3 |
| August | 32.8 | 24.5 | 414.7 |
| September | 31.8 | 23.3 | 240.9 |
| October | 28.9 | 21.0 | 153.6 |
| November | 25.3 | 17.2 | 84.1 |
| December | 21.6 | 14.0 | 42.2 |
These are monthly averages of the daily extremes, not record values, and they describe the valley town. The Dong Van plateau lies higher and is much colder in winter. During a cold spell on 12 and 13 January 2025, Dong Van recorded 0.8 °C. Do not read the table as a forecast for your dates.
Ha Giang Loop by season
What each part of the year means on the road.
Ha Giang Loop in December
December is dry in the valley, with about 42 mm of rain, and the buckwheat season is still on. It is cold on the plateau, especially in the morning and after dark. Bring warm layers, gloves and a windproof jacket.
Ha Giang Loop in January
January is among the driest months, with about 40 mm in the valley, but it is the coldest part of the year. The valley is mild at 13 to 20 °C, while the highlands can drop close to 0 °C in a cold spell, as in January 2025. Conditions change quickly, so plan extra time on each stage.
Spring, March to April
Rain starts to increase, from about 65 mm in March to 106 mm in April, and temperatures rise. It is a mild time to ride, with a growing chance of showers.
Wet season, May to September
May brings about 295 mm, and June to August the heaviest rain. Heavy rain has caused landslides on loop roads in summer, so ask about road conditions before each stage and keep a spare day in the plan.
Flower and harvest seasons
Buckwheat in the autumn, terraces in September.
Buckwheat (tam giac mach) flowers are planned for October to December in 2026, with the peak at the start of November. Dong Van also holds a buckwheat flower festival in the blooming season, so ask about the dates. Flowers depend on the weather and may not be in full bloom in every field, so treat the dates as a plan and not a promise.
For golden rice terraces, look at Hoang Su Phi (Hoàng Su Phì) in September, when the terraces start to turn yellow. There is no single harvest date for every village, so check locally.
Tet in 2027 falls on Saturday 6 February. Demand is higher and some services run less around the holiday, so book rooms and transport early.
Plan your dates
Related pages.
Ha Giang Loop itinerary
Three or four days, stage by stage.
Getting to Ha Giang
Buses and transfers from Hanoi.
Ha Giang Loop cost
Tours, bike rental and entry fees.
If you also want Sapa on the same trip, see the Sapa weather guide for its seasons.
Best time to visit Ha Giang: frequently asked questions
Which month suits the Ha Giang Loop?
For flowers, October to December, with the peak at the start of November. For less rain, November to March. Winter is cold on the plateau, so pack accordingly.
When does the rainy season start in Ha Giang?
In May, with about 295 mm in the valley, and it is heaviest from June to August.
When do the buckwheat flowers bloom?
Planned for October to December in 2026, with the peak at the start of November. Bloom depends on the weather, so there is no guarantee for every field.
Is it cold in Ha Giang?
The valley is mild in winter, 13 to 20 °C in January, but the highlands are much colder. Dong Van recorded 0.8 °C in a cold spell in January 2025.
When are the golden rice terraces?
Hoang Su Phi shows yellow terraces from September. The harvest date differs from village to village.