I must say that driving in the Ha Giang Loop was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had in my life. It was thrilling, exciting, and adventurous.
In this blog post, I will answer the question “how to take a bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang?” in the most detailed and easiest way based on my backpacking experience from Hanoi to Ha Giang.
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Useful links for your Ha Giang adventure
- Ha Giang Itinerary & useful tips: Read this post
- Reliable website to buy a Hanoi – Ha Giang bus ticket: Click here
- Best homestays in Ha Giang: Ancient Town 29 Phố Cổ, Dong Van Cliffside House
Table of Contents
1. Where is Ha Giang?
Ha Giang is situated in the northernmost part of Vietnam, approximately 300 kilometers away from Hanoi. It shares its borders with China and neighboring Vietnamese provinces, including Cao Bang, Yen Bai, Lao Cai, and Tuyen Quang.
The province of Ha Giang comprises 10 districts and 1 city. Ha Giang City serves as the capital and is a key transportation hub for travelers exploring other parts of the province. Meanwhile, Hoang Su Phi, Dong Van, Yen Minh, and Quan Ba are among the most popular tourist destinations in the region.
2. How do I get from Hanoi to Ha Giang?
To travel to the Ha Giang Loop, the most common way is to take a sleeper bus or limousine from Hanoi to the Ha Giang bus station.
Once there, you can rent a motorbike in Ha Giang City and begin your journey through the Ha Giang Loop via road 4C (QL4C).
Many buses offer to drop you off at the rental shop, especially with the luxury sleeper bus or limousine option. It’s advisable to check with them about the drop-off point.
Other options to go from Hanoi to Ha Giang:
By motorbike: I don’t recommend this option because it can be very tiring. The road trip to Ha Giang City takes about 6 hours, and then you need to drive another 100 km on winding roads to reach other Ha Giang towns.
By tour: This is a great option for people who don’t want to drive the Ha Giang loop themselves. Many tour companies offer all-inclusive tours from Hanoi to Ha Giang with easy riders to explore the Ha Giang Loop on the back of a motorbike. Check out this 3DN2 Ha Giang tour.
By car: You can also book a private transfer service from Hanoi to Ha Giang. The cost of a one-way transfer from Hanoi to Ha Giang City is about 3,500,000 VND for a 4-seater car. You can book the car via this link.
➡ Check out my Ha Giang travel itinerary: Read this post
3. Hanoi to Ha Giang by sleeper bus
How to go from Hanoi to Ha Giang by sleeper bus?
Step 1: Buy the sleeper bus tickets from Hanoi to Ha Giang
The sleeper bus tickets from Hanoi to Ha Giang cost about 300,000 VND/way for the standard option. Please note that standard sleeper buses in Vietnam are relatively narrow and suitable for individuals with an average height of 160-180cm.
If you are over 2 meters tall, I recommend choosing the luxury sleeper bus option from This operator, which offers larger and longer beds (opt for a cabin for 2).
There are 2 ways to purchase your Hanoi-Ha Giang bus tickets:
At the bus station: Upon reaching the My Dinh bus station, you’ll find numerous ticket counters inside. Look for the counter labeled ‘Ha Giang,’ purchase your ticket, and then proceed to the parking area to choose your bus. Provide the ticket to the bus conductor when boarding.
Buy tickets online: If you prefer not to go to the My Dinh Bus Station (which is pretty far from Hanoi Old Quarter), you can purchase tickets online via THIS LINK. This platform offers numerous sleeper buses that pick up passengers from Hanoi Old Quarter for the journey to Ha Giang. Before making the payment, be sure to check the rating of the bus operator.
Step 2: Take the bus from Hanoi
There are two locations to board the sleeper bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang:
My Dinh Bus Station: This option is for those who want to purchase tickets at the bus station.
Hanoi Old Quarter: Some buses offer pick-up locations inside Hanoi Old Quarter for travel to Ha Giang. You can check the exact pick-up location when buying tickets online via THIS LINK.
The journey from Hanoi to Ha Giang by sleeper bus typically takes about 6 hours, assuming there are no traffic jams.
Bus schedule from Hanoi to Ha Giang
There are numerous sleeper buses from Hanoi to Ha Giang operating daily. The earliest bus departs at around 6 AM, and the latest one at about 10:30 PM. The journey typically takes 6-7 hours.
Below is several bus timings for the Hanoi to Ha Giang route:
| Sleeper bus company | Bus schedule | Ticket price |
| Techbus | 06:15 – 12:15 | $13 |
| Grouptour | 09:30 – 17:10 | $12 |
| Ha Giang Limousine Bus | 11:30 – 18:00 | $16 |
| Daiichi Travel | 12:30 – 19:00 | $17 |
| Duc Duong Bus | 21:00 – 03:00 | $16 |
➡ Explore more bus options from Hanoi to Ha Giang: Click here
Based on my experience, opting for the overnight bus departing between 9:30 PM and 10:30 PM is advisable. This allows you to sleep during the journey, and the bus usually arrives at Ha Giang bus station around 5 AM – 6 AM.
💡 Tips:
- If you plan to rent a motorbike in Ha Giang City, contact the rental store in advance and inform them of your early morning arrival. They may offer you a free dorm bed to rest.
- You can also request the bus driver to drop you off at the motorbike rental store if it’s close to Ha Giang bus station.
What to expect about the Hanoi – Ha Giang sleeper bus?
- Expect some delays, which might extend up to 1-2 hours, but you should remain punctual.
Arriving early is recommended to secure a better seat as the last row consists of 5 unseparated beds, which you may want to avoid.
There are no on-board toilets. However, the driver will make a stop at a local restaurant for a restroom break or food.
Expect frequent honking along the route from Hanoi to Ha Giang.
- During national holidays or weekends, buses might be overbooked and some people may have to sit/sleep in the aisle. To avoid this, consider travelling by limousine instead.
You may also like: The easiest way to go from Hanoi to Ninh Binh
My experience taking the sleeper bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang
I opted for the overnight sleeper bus to get some sleep during the journey. I booked a bus from My Dinh Bus Station to Ha Giang Bus Station, operated by Cau Me Bus. This company seems to be well-known for its services on the Hanoi to Ha Giang route.
Overall, the experience was great, and below are my reviews:
- The bus driver and ticket conductor were friendly and humorous.
- The bed provided was comfortable, complete with a blanket and pillow.
- During the journey, there was a stopover that offered free access to a toilet. However, it’s essential to note that the facilities were quite dirty. The stopover also had some local food options, but don’t expect high standards. I rather bring my own snacks.
- The convenience of being dropped off at the place where I rented my motorbike was a plus.
4. Hanoi to Ha Giang by limousine
Travelling from Hanoi to Ha Giang by limousine is slightly more expensive than taking a standard sleeper bus. A one-way limousine ticket is priced at around 400,000 VND, which is still affordable.
Although you can’t lie down while travelling by limousine, the journey is smoother with less wobbling compared to a sleeper bus.
Many companies offer direct pickups from the Hanoi Old Quarter. Check out This link to buy the tickets.
Read more: Hanoi to Ha Giang travel guide: Everything you need to know
5. From Hanoi Airport to Ha Giang
The airport in Hanoi is called Noi Bai Airport, located about 26 km from Hanoi Old Quarter.
Some sleeper bus and limousine operators offer routes from Noi Bai Airport to Ha Giang City.
The price for a sleeper bus bed is about 250,000 – 300,000 VND, and for a limousine seat, it’s about 400,000 VND.
The journey lasts about 5 hours if there is no traffic jam.
➡ Buy the tickets from Noi Bai Airport to Ha Giang: Click here
6. From Ha Giang to Hanoi
Usually, the buses depart from the Ha Giang bus station or the nearby area. Some operators also offer pick-up services; be sure to check with them.
The journey from Ha Giang to Hanoi also takes about 6 hours, with many buses/limousines operating daily.
➡ Check out the bus schedule: Click here
So, this concludes my guide on how to go from Hanoi to Ha Giang by bus and limousine. I hope you find it helpful. If you have any questions about taking a bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang, feel free to comment below. Thanks for reading!
Read more: The most complete Hanoi to Ha Giang travel guide
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I take a train from Hanoi to Ha Giang?
No, you can’t. There is no train connecting Hanoi and Ha Giang.
2. Is there any flight from Hanoi to Ha Giang?
No, there isn’t. There is no airport in Ha Giang province.
3. How long is the bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang?
The travelling time from Hanoi to Ha Giang by a sleeper bus or a limousine takes about 6-7 hours.
4. How do you get to Ha Giang?
You can reach Ha Giang either by bus/limousine or by motorbike. I totally suggest a bus or a limousine because it’s less tiring.
5. Is Ha Giang near Sapa?
Ha Giang is about 253km away from Sapa and it takes about 6 hours to travel between these 2 destinations by bus or private vehicles.
6. How many days should I spend in Ha Giang?
You should spend at least 4 days 3 nights in Ha Giang (including transportation time from other destinations) because the distance from one attraction to another is pretty long, it would be very tiring if you try to visit Ha Giang for less than 4 days.
7. How much is the sleeper bus ticket from Hanoi to Ha Giang?
The ticket price of a standard sleeper bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang is from 300,000 vnd/ person/ way.
8. How long is the sleeper bus from Hanoi to Ha Giang?
It takes about 6-7 hours to travel from Hanoi to Ha Giang by sleeper bus.
9. Can a beginner do the Ha Giang Loop?
It’s not advisable to do the Ha Giang Loop if you’re not a skilled driver. Instead, you should join a motorbike tour where you ride as a passenger with a local driver who is experienced with the Ha Giang Loop.
10. How much is a taxi from Hanoi to Ha Giang?
It costs about 120 USD to rent a private 4-seater car from Hanoi to Ha Giang.
11. Are there mosquitoes in Ha Giang?
Unfortunately, there are a lot of mosquitoes in Ha Giang, mostly at night. If you stay in a local homestay, make sure the homestay provides a mosquito net. Besides, you should prepare insect repellent when travelling to Ha Giang as well,
12. Is the Ha Giang loop too touristy?
Nowadays, the Ha Giang Loop is more touristy than before. However, compared to other tourist destinations like Sapa and Ha Long Bay, it’s not as popular. The main reason for this is that the Ha Giang Loop is an adventurous destination, thus, it’s not for everyone.
