The Ha Giang Loop map is the most important pre-trip tool for planning a safe and well-paced circuit of Vietnam’s northernmost province. The full loop covers approximately 350 kilometers of mountain road across four major districts — Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Meo Vac — departing and returning to Ha Giang City. At TVPalm Adventure, I, Văn Trung Nguyễn, have briefed over 1,200 guests on this exact route since 2021. This guide gives you the complete segment-by-segment breakdown with distances, elevation data, GPS coordinates for critical waypoints, fuel station locations, and police checkpoint positions so you can navigate the loop with full situational awareness.
Ha Giang Loop Route: The Full Counter-Clockwise Direction
The Ha Giang Loop runs counter-clockwise as the standard direction — northward on QL4C to Meo Vac, then returning south via DT176 and QL34. Riding counter-clockwise places you on the inside (mountain-side) of the road on the most exposed cliff sections, reducing your drop exposure at Ma Pi Leng Pass and on the Lung Ho descent.
Total loop distance: approximately 350 kilometers
Primary roads used:
- QL4C (National Highway 4C): Ha Giang City → Quan Ba → Yen Minh → Dong Van → Meo Vac (220 km)
- DT176: Meo Vac → Du Gia (60 km, partially gravel)
- QL34: Du Gia → Ha Giang City (50 km)
Segment Map: Distances, Elevations, and Key Stops
| Segment | Road | Distance | Start Elevation | Peak Elevation | Riding Time (Dry) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ha Giang City → Quan Ba | QL4C | 46 km | 110m | 1,500m (Bac Sum Pass) | 1.5–2 hrs |
| Quan Ba → Yen Minh | QL4C | 55 km | 700m | 1,400m (Lung Tao Pass) | 2–2.5 hrs |
| Yen Minh → Dong Van | QL4C | 50 km | 800m | 1,500m (Tham Ma Pass) | 2–2.5 hrs |
| Dong Van → Meo Vac | QL4C | 25 km | 1,000m | 1,200m (Ma Pi Leng) | 1–1.5 hrs |
| Meo Vac → Du Gia | DT176 | 60 km | 800m | 1,600m (Lung Ho Pass) | 2.5–3.5 hrs |
| Du Gia → Ha Giang City | QL34 | 50 km | 250m | 650m | 1.5–2 hrs |
Total riding time (pure riding, no stops): 11 to 14 hours across 4 days.
GPS Waypoints for Critical Points on the Loop
Save these coordinates to Google Maps offline before departing Ha Giang City. Mobile signal is absent in two zones: the forest gorge on DT176 (km 215–230) and the section between Lung Tao Pass and Yen Minh town.
| Waypoint | GPS Coordinates | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ha Giang City Start | 22.8232°N, 104.9836°E | Km 0 marker on QL4C, Na Khe checkpoint 3 km north |
| Bac Sum Pass Summit | 23.0618°N, 104.9832°E | First major climb, 1,500m elevation |
| Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate | 23.1103°N, 104.9826°E | Twin Mountains viewpoint, pull-off on left |
| Yen Minh Town | 23.1162°N, 105.1563°E | Fuel station, lunch stop, last reliable phone signal before Dong Van |
| Tham Ma Pass Summit | 23.2009°N, 105.2312°E | 9-hairpin climb, 1,500m elevation |
| Dong Van Old Quarter | 23.2737°N, 105.3658°E | Overnight stop, accommodation zone |
| Vuong Family Palace | 23.2605°N, 105.3432°E | Entrance: 40,000 VND per person |
| Lung Cu Flag Tower | 23.3638°N, 105.3361°E | 400-step climb to China border viewpoint |
| Ma Pi Leng Pass Summit | 23.2273°N, 105.4030°E | 1,200m elevation, zero guardrails on cliff edge |
| Nho Que River Boat Launch | 23.2069°N, 105.4062°E | 3 km below Meo Vac town center |
| Meo Vac Town | 23.1502°N, 105.3979°E | Fuel station, overnight stop |
| Du Gia Waterfall | 22.8671°N, 105.2143°E | Swimming pool at base, 1-2m depth |
| Ha Giang City Return | 22.8232°N, 104.9836°E | Complete loop |
Fuel Stations on the Ha Giang Loop
Fuel is only available at formal petrol stations in the five main towns. Village vendors sometimes sell fuel from plastic bottles at premium prices (30,000 to 50,000 VND per liter vs the standard 22,000 to 25,000 VND/liter). Do not rely on village fuel as a primary plan.
- Ha Giang City: Multiple stations. Fill to 100% before departing north on QL4C.
- Quan Ba Town (Tam Son): 1 Petrolimex station on the south side of town.
- Yen Minh Town: 2 stations. This is your last reliable fuel stop before Dong Van (50 km).
- Dong Van Town: 1 station near the town center roundabout.
- Meo Vac Town: 1 station on the main street. Fill here before departing on DT176.
- Du Gia Village: 1 small private fuel seller. Do not rely on this — confirm with your guide.
The longest gap without a formal fuel station is the Dong Van to Du Gia segment via DT176: approximately 85 kilometers. A Honda Win 110cc (5-liter tank, ~40 km/liter) covers this distance with margin. A Honda XR150 (6-liter tank, ~35 km/liter) also covers it comfortably from a full tank in Meo Vac.
Police Checkpoints and Document Requirements
The Ha Giang Loop has 4 active police checkpoints that foreign riders encounter regularly.
| Checkpoint Location | Documents Checked | Border Permit Required |
|---|---|---|
| Na Khe (km 3 from city) | Passport, motorbike registration, license | Yes — submit before this point |
| Quan Ba (Tam Son junction) | Passport, license | No |
| Yen Minh (town entrance) | Passport, license | No |
| Dong Van (town entrance) | Passport, license, border permit | Yes — must show at this checkpoint |
The border area permit (Giấy phép khu vực biên giới) costs 50,000 VND per person and is processed at Ha Giang Provincial Police Department (39 Tran Phu Street). Processing takes 24 to 72 hours. TVPalm Adventure submits all guest permits before departure — guests joining our tours pass all checkpoints without delays.
For the complete loop tour experience including Easy Rider and private vehicle options, see our Ha Giang Loop tour overview.
Recommended Navigation Apps for the Ha Giang Loop
- Google Maps (offline): Download the Ha Giang Province offline map before departing Hanoi. The offline maps include road names and work without mobile data.
- Maps.me: More accurate on rural district roads than Google Maps in some sections of DT176. Download the Vietnam North offline pack.
- Guru Maps: The most detailed topo map available for the Dong Van Karst Plateau. Shows elevation contours and unmarked tracks.
- What3words: Save emergency location codes for the 3 dead-zone sections where GPS apps cannot upload your position to emergency services.
