Riding the Ha Giang Loop yourself
Riding the Ha Giang Loop motorbike route yourself gives you your own pace, but it also means you carry the rules and the risks. You need a valid licence for the motorbike class in Vietnam. A car licence alone does not cover a motorbike. If you would rather not ride, an easy rider tour takes the driving off your hands, and you do not need a motorbike licence for that.
The loop is roughly 350 km of mountain road with bends, mist and rain. Plan 3 to 4 days and ride only if you are confident on mountain roads. Prices are for 2026.
Licence rules for foreign riders
What the law asks in 2026.
The international route
Carry a 1968 international driving permit (IDP) together with a valid national licence that includes motorbikes. The IDP does not replace the national licence, and an IDP does not give you a motorbike class you do not hold at home.
Vietnamese classes
Class A1 covers motorbikes up to 125 cc or 11 kW. Class A covers bigger ones. An older Vietnamese A1 issued before 1 January 2025 stays valid for 50 cc up to under 175 cc. Foreign documents use other names, so do not equate them.
Helmet
Driver and passenger must wear a proper helmet with the chin strap fastened.
Fines
Riding without a valid licence costs VND 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 on a bike up to 125 cc and VND 6,000,000 to 8,000,000 on a bigger one. A missing national licence next to the IDP counts too.
Insurance
Without a valid licence, medical costs may stay uncovered. Insurers can ask for a full licence, a 1968 IDP, an insured vehicle and a helmet. Check your own policy before you ride.
No licence?
Then you may not ride a motorbike in Vietnam. Take an easy rider tour or a car with a driver instead.
Our pick: a tour with a motorbike
A tour that supplies the bike and a guide helps if you ride yourself, but you still need a valid motorbike licence of the right class.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. 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 and rides
Motorbike tours with a driver, plus car and jeep trips, with live prices and availability.
Bike rental and what the price covers
Examples for 2026.
| Item | Price per day | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 110 cc motorbike | VND 180,000 | Direct rental price |
| 110 cc with add-on | VND 250,000 | The add-on is called insurance, so ask what it covers |
| Simple manual bikes | VND 180,000 to 220,000 | Typical range for simple bikes |
The word scooter does not tell you the licence class. An automatic scooter is not banned on the loop, but check that it suits steep mountain roads and that your cover applies. Ask about the helmet and the condition of the bike before you leave.
Roads, weather and border areas
What to expect on the route.
Road surface
Most of the loop is asphalt. The stretch from Meo Vac to Du Gia is narrow, with damaged parts, gravel and potholes.
Fog and rain
Conditions change quickly in the mountains. The wettest months run from June to August. After heavy rain, landslides can close sections, so check the road before you set out.
Distances
From Ha Giang City to Quan Ba is about 45 km (1.5 hours), then 50 km to Yen Minh and 50 km to Dong Van. Allow more time than the figures, since they exclude stops.
Border area
Some villages near the border may need a local permit, and areas are not always signposted. Ask your homestay or the rental shop what applies.
Registration
Your lodging must register foreign guests, even for one night. Show your passport at check-in.
Doing the Ha Giang Loop by car with a driver
An option without a motorbike licence.
A car with a driver is a way to see the loop in rain, cold or with children. You do not need a motorbike licence, and the driver handles the bends. Car trips are sold as part of tours, so see Ha Giang Loop tours for the options and ask what the price includes.
Riding the Ha Giang Loop: frequently asked questions
Can I ride the Ha Giang Loop without a licence?
No. A valid licence for the motorbike class is required in Vietnam. Without one you risk fines of VND 2,000,000 to 8,000,000, depending on the bike, and your insurance may not pay. An easy rider tour or a car with a driver needs no motorbike licence from you.
Is an international driving permit enough?
No. Carry a 1968 IDP together with a valid national licence that includes motorbikes.
How much does it cost to rent a motorbike?
One example is VND 180,000 per day for a 110 cc bike and VND 250,000 with an add-on called insurance. Simple manual bikes range from VND 180,000 to 220,000 per day.
Is an automatic scooter allowed on the loop?
No general ban applies. But the name scooter says nothing about the licence you need, and cover and suitability for mountain roads must be checked.
Is riding yourself or an easy rider better?
For most first-time visitors, an easy rider is the simpler choice. Riding yourself fits experienced riders who hold the right licence and valid insurance.