Ha Giang Province
Ha Giang is known for limestone karst passes, highland markets and the Ha Giang Loop, a mountain road trip near the China border.
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Ha Giang is a mountain province in far northern Vietnam, on the border with China's Yunnan province. Its karst limestone peaks, granite outcrops, cliffs and river gorges look nothing like the lowlands further south, and the country's northernmost point sits at Lũng Cú commune in Đồng Văn district. A National Assembly resolution of June 12, 2025 merged Ha Giang into Tuyên Quang province, and the old province ceased to exist on July 1, 2025. Ha Giang city, the former provincial capital, is about 320 km from Hanoi, mainly by Highway 2.
The best-known route is the Ha Giang Loop, a mountain road past the Đồng Văn Karst Plateau, a UNESCO Global Geopark since 2010, and along the Nho Quế River gorge. Mountain roads are slow and can be difficult, so allow extra time. Rain brings flash floods and landslides from about May or June to September, and winters are cold, with frost and occasional snow in the high karst areas. For the Hoàng Su Phì rice terraces, the terraces look best from April to June, during planting, and from August to mid-October, when the rice ripens.
Ha Giang Province in five
- Decide who drives before you bookThe UK advice says drivers need a 1968-form international permit plus their home licence, and it warns against hiring a motorbike unless you are experienced. A driver-guided bike or a car with a driver is the lower-risk way to do the loop.UK travel advice: motorbike safety
- Allow three to four days for the loopThe loop passes through Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van and Meo Vac districts. The tourism board describes it as a four-day road trip across high passes and curves, so shorter plans leave little time to stop.
- Check border-area rules before you set outVillages and wards near the border may need permission from the provincial police, and the areas are not always marked. Ask your host, tour operator or the local authority.
- Time your trip to the seasonSeptember to November is cool and clear, and November is hugely popular for the Buckwheat Flower Festival. April to June is pleasant and warm, while July and August can be very hot with regular monsoons.
- Reach Ha Giang city by road from HanoiThe tourism board says Ha Giang can only be reached by road, about 300 km from Hanoi. Buses run day and night and take around six hours, depending on the vehicle and driver.
Things to do in Ha Giang Province
See all attractions in Ha Giang Province
Need to know
- Airport
- None; Ha Giang is reached by road from Hanoi
- Getting there
- About 300 km from Hanoi; buses take around 6 hours
- Getting around
- Driver-guided motorbike, private car or your own licensed ride
- Best base
- Ha Giang city to start; Dong Van or Meo Vac mid-loop
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 days for the loop
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Cold, mistyJanuaryPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, misty
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Spring bloomsFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 33 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring blooms
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Flowers, mildMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Flowers, mild
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°Warm, clearAprilRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- MayRain20 rainy daysHigh26°Low17°WarmMayRain
Good
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 178 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- JuneRain25 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Hot, rainJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 264 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rain
- JulyRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh25°Low18°Hot, monsoonJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 245 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, monsoon
- AugustRain26 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Hot, monsoonAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 275 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, monsoon
- SeptemberRain22 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Cool, clearSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 188 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clear
- OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°Golden riceOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Golden rice
- NovemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Buckwheat bloomNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Buckwheat bloom
- DecemberPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°ColdDecemberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 27 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold
Average daily high and low in Ha Giang, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Ha Giang Province
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
23
- Feels like
- 27°
- Humidity
- 94%
- Wind
- 1 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Ha Giang Province
04:24 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today27°22°98%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed28°23°88%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Thu29°24°100%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Fri28°22°100%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sat26°21°100%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun29°21°96%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 96%.
Updated 12:10 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 25,787 VND
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Quan Ba and Heaven's Gatefirst stop on the loopA lookout over twin hills at the entrance to Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark.
- Lung Cu flag towera stop beyond Dong VanA giant flag at the border, with about 200 steps to climb, best in late afternoon.
- Sa Phin H'Mong King Palacenear Dong VanA wood-framed palace built in 1902, in a mix of Chinese, French and H'Mong styles.
Before you go to Ha Giang Province
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Rules for Ha Giang Province, checked
- The UK advice says drivers of a car or motorbike need a 1968-form international permit plus a home licence and third-party insurance; helmets are mandatory.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Near the border you may need permission from the provincial police department; check with local authorities before visiting border villages or communes.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Ha Giang Province
The start and end point for most Ha Giang trips
Read the guideMai ChauA gentler valley stay near Hanoi
Read the guideBa Be National ParkLakes and forest in the northern uplands
Read the guideBac HaMarket town in the northwest highlands
Read the guideNortheast VietnamCao Bang, Ban Gioc and the Quang Ninh coast
Read the guideBest time to visit VietnamSeasons across north, center and south
Read the guideTravel insuranceCheck that motorbike and trekking are named
Read the guideAll of VietnamEntry, seasons, regions and money
Read the guideHa Giang Province FAQ
How many days do you need for the Ha Giang Loop?
Three to four days. The tourism board describes a four-day road trip through Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van and Meo Vac, and shorter plans mean more hours riding than looking.
Do you need a license for the Ha Giang Loop?
To drive yourself, the UK advice says you need a 1968-form international driving permit plus your home licence, third-party insurance and a helmet. If you do not have them, book a driver-guided ride or a car.
When is the best time to visit Ha Giang?
September to November is cool and the buckwheat flowers bloom from October to December. March brings spring blossoms, April to June is warm, and July and August can be very hot with monsoons.
Is the Ha Giang Loop safe?
It is a demanding mountain road, and the UK advice calls motorbike travel in Vietnam much riskier than at home. Ride only if experienced, wear a good helmet and choose a driver if unsure.
How do you get to Ha Giang from Hanoi?
By road only, about 300 km, with buses by day and night taking around six hours. Sleeper and smaller VIP minivans run to Ha Giang city, where most loops begin.