Ha Giang and Cao Bang Loop Motorbike Tour

In November 2024, our family embarked on an adventure of a lifetime—a five-day motorbike tour through Northern Vietnam. When I say we made memories to last a lifetime, I truly mean it. Our family of 4, along with two friends from India, enjoyed this journey together and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who loves beautiful places, adventure, and experiencing new cultures. We took our sons, aged 9 and 12 at the time, on this tour, and they loved it. We booked a private tour, and our tour operator, Mr. Vu's Easy Riders, was fantastic.

In this blog post, we detail what the tour entailed, what we experienced each day, and provide our honest review of our tour operator, Mr. Vu's Easy Riders.

Additionally, check out our Instagram feed for content we created while on the tour, and be sure to follow so you don't miss out on our family adventures!

This post is long and detailed to give you all the information you need on this tour.

Keep reading or use the links below to skip to any section you'd like to read more about:

OVERVIEW of the Ha Giang and Cao Bang Loops

Tour DAY 1

Tour DAY 2

Tour DAY 3

Tour DAY 4

Tour DAY 5

TOUR OPERATOR REVIEW-MR. VU'S EASY RIDERS

Tips for Riding the Ha Giang Loop or Cao Bang Loop as a Family

What Was in Our Backpacks?

Family Group Tour Poll

Who

We booked this tour through Mr. Vu's Easy Riders. I, Kelly, did a very lengthy search on Ha Giang Loop tours. As relatively older adults (we aren't old, ok) compared to the traditional early 20 somethings that more typically frequent this loop, we weren't really interested in booking one of the group tours. Honestly a lot of people book their Ha Giang Loop tour via their hostel, and this is a great option for them. They are looking to meet others and just genuinely have a good time (which involves things we as a family just aren't interested in). So, we knew from the beginning we'd have to find a private tour. After a ton of research and reading, I reached out to Mr. Vu's Easy Riders and was immediately impressed with the communication and information provided. Read our honest review of Mr. Vu's Easy Riders below (or click here to skip below).

Our tour group consisted of our family of 4 and 2 of our friends from India. We took our two boys, ages 9 and 12, on this adventure, and they had an incredible time. Of course, it depends on your kids, but if they are flexible, well-traveled, and enjoy adventure, a motorbike tour can be a fantastic family experience. I believe children aged 8 and above would do well on a tour like this if they have an adaptable nature and adventurous spirit. Our boys were thrilled by the winding roads, the endless uphill climbs turning into downhill thrills, the stunning landscapes, and the unique cultural experiences. They adapted quickly to the rhythm of the journey, and their excitement was contagious. It was a joy to see them interact with the local children, learn about different ways of life, and embrace the adventure with open hearts and minds.

Who, What, When, Where, and How

What is it?

The Ha Giang and Cao Bang Loops are renowned scenic routes in northern Vietnam, offering breathtaking landscapes, winding mountain roads, and a glimpse into the local culture. Both loops are a testament to Vietnam's natural beauty and cultural richness, making them perfect for an adventurous motorbike tour.

The Ha Giang Loop is famous for its dramatic scenery and challenging roads, while the Cao Bang Loop is less traveled but equally beautiful, with stunning waterfalls and serene villages. The Ha Giang Loop takes you through rugged mountains, deep valleys, and ethnic minority villages, providing a raw and authentic experience. The landscape is dotted with terraced rice fields, winding rivers, and towering limestone peaks. The Ma Pi Leng Pass, often referred to as the "King of Passes," offers some of the most breathtaking views in Vietnam.

The Cao Bang Loop, on the other hand, offers lush green landscapes, majestic waterfalls like the Ban Gioc, and tranquil rivers. The region is home to the stunning Nguom Ngao Cave and the serene Thang Hen Lake. Both regions provide a perfect backdrop for an adventurous motorbike tour, with their unspoiled natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

When

The best season to visit the Ha Giang Loop is during the months of September to November and March to May. During these periods, the weather is generally mild and dry, making it ideal for motorbike touring. In the fall (September to November), you can enjoy the stunning views of golden rice terraces and pleasant temperatures. In the spring (March to May), the landscape is lush and green, with blooming flowers adding vibrant colors to the scenery. These seasons also offer clear skies and comfortable riding conditions, ensuring you have the best experience exploring the breathtaking landscapes of the Ha Giang Loop.

We visited during November. The weather is typically dry and chilly but not too cold, and the crowds are manageable. This makes for a comfortable and enjoyable ride through the jaw dropping landscapes. The cooler temperatures added to the charm of the journey! While there were a few times we were cold on the bikes, dressing in layers can alleviate this! The cool air was really enjoyable for the most part and the days still got pretty warm when the sun was out. We were thankful for the cooler temps during some of the hikes!

For our tour, we had great weather overall. We had a light rain shower on the last day, but our tour operators were well prepared for this! There were some clouds that affected our views a little bit, but overall, we were able to see the stunning landscapes quite well. We all dressed in layers and were thankful for long sleeves, pants, and jackets, but also found ourselves taking off layers during the warm sun of the midday. If you are touring in November, dress in layers! And be sure to tour with a tour guide who is well prepared for any weather (like Mr. Vu's Easy Riders)!

Where is it and how to get there?

Ha Giang and Cao Bang are regions of extraordinary beauty in Northern Vietnam. Your home base for this adventure would be Hanoi, which is the largest nearby city. You can fly to Hanoi directly from many international destinations or start from Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam and then take a flight or train to get to Hanoi. Unfortunately, our travel plans this time didn't allow for us to go from the south to the north, but if we would've had the time, I definitely would've started in Ho Chi Minh City, traveled onwards to Hoi Ann, before heading to Hanoi. We definitely plan to go back to Vietnam someday to explore more of what this beautiful country has to offer!

From Hanoi, you can take a bus to Ha Giang or Cao Bang--depending on which loop you are touring, or which loop you are starting with. Our tour operator booked this for us, and we will provide more details on that trip a little further down in the post.

Why a Motorbike Tour?

Riding a motorbike allows you to fully immerse yourself in the stunning scenery, from rugged mountains and deep valleys to lush green fields and serene rivers. The freedom of a motorbike lets you explore at your own pace, stopping to take in the views, interact with local communities, and discover hidden gems off the beaten path. Whether it's the dramatic vistas of the Ha Giang Loop or the tranquil beauty of the Cao Bang Loop, a motorbike tour is the best way to truly appreciate the natural and cultural wonders of northern Vietnam.

If you are an experienced motorbike driver and have an international driving license, you can rent your own motorbike or scooter to ride the loop yourself. If not, or if you're traveling as a family, the best option is to rent what they call an Easy Rider in Vietnam. This is a bike with an experienced driver who will take you through the Ha Giang Loop. They function as your driver and your guide. I'd highly recommend booking a tour instead of doing it yourself. Even though ND is an experienced motorbike driver from growing up in India, he still opted for an Easy Rider so he could sit back, relax, and just soak in the scenery! If we were to go again, he might drive himself for the adventure, but he was glad that he chose an Easy Rider for this first trip. There are also Jeep/SUV tours you can book, but there is just something magical about touring on a motorbike. For the purpose of this article, I'll be referencing our tour guides/Easy Riders interchangeably.

Safety Note: I know safety is a major concern when it comes to adventures like this. It was a concern on my mind as well. But honestly, there was not a single point where I didn't feel safe. Our tour guides were experienced and very cautious. They didn't take any unnecessary risks and always had our safety in mind. They had helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads for all of us. They had large, comfortable bikes that were able to handle the terrain, and they were all very evidently confident and capable of managing the sometimes-difficult roads. We felt very safe with the tour group and felt comfortable with our kids riding as well. I would highly recommend researching the tour company you go with as this is a key factor to safety. Read our recommendation below.

Our Experience

Pre-Tour Day

Our tour started in Cao Bang. We took a "bus" from Hanoi to Cao Bang, arranged by our tour guide, who picked us up right from our hotel. I say "bus" because it was more of a luxury van, called a limousine in Vietnam, which was very comfortable. The seats were big and there was plenty of room to stretch out making the journey enjoyable. We made three stops along the way for bathroom breaks, but there weren't any good snack options, so we waited until we arrived in Cao Bang to eat. The roads are windy as you go up and around the mountains, so bring Dramamine if you need it! A few of us started to feel a little sick at one point, but closing our eyes and relaxing alleviated the feeling. We always like to challenge ourselves to do things that might be a little uncomfortable because this is where growth occurs--so even if you are nervous about car sickness, I'd encourage you to bring Dramamine or Zofran and give it your best shot! It will be worth it! The scenery along the way was beautiful, with lush green hills and quaint villages dotting the landscape. In total, it was about a 6-hour ride to Cao Bang.

We arrived in Cao Bang around 6:30 PM and checked into our hotel (the bus dropped us right at the hotel). We stayed at the Thanh Loan Hotel (included in the cost of our tour and booked by our tour guide). It was cozy and welcoming, providing a perfect place to rest before our adventure. We ate at a local pizza place, Pedro's Pizza, and honestly had low expectations. In such a remote area, we were very pleasantly surprised because it was delicious! The pizza was freshly made, with a crispy crust and flavorful toppings. We walked around the small town after dinner and were impressed with the lights! After a shower back at the hotel, we went to bed, eager to hit the road in the morning.

Day 1: Waterfall, Cave, Vermicelli Noodles, Incense Village

The next day, we woke up bright and early, eager to hit the road! We headed out for a quick breakfast and, most importantly, coffee before we saddled up on the bikes. We had coffee at Gilu's Garden, and it was great. I'd definitely recommend the Findi Kem Cheese coffee—it was amazing! The Salt Coffee was also yummy. We opted for an American breakfast, and they had waffles, pancakes, and French toast. It was all tasty. We like to balance eating and trying local foods with eating foods we know and love. This is one family travel hack that I recommend. It can be overwhelming for some adults to eat unfamiliar foods all the time, let alone kids. So, we always like to balance it. We love trying new foods and often find we love them, but we also love our familiar comfort foods!

After breakfast, it was time to load up and get going. We finished meeting the rest of our tour guides, and they worked on strapping our bags to their bikes. I was very impressed with our tour group—they were well-prepared and really thought of the small details. They had elbow and knee pads for all of us and helmets. As they passed them out, I jokingly asked if they were anticipating crashing, and they assured me they weren't. They said the pads just make us feel more comfortable, and safer is always better! We were each assigned to a driver who we would ride with throughout the entire tour. Our drivers helped us put on our safety gear, and we were ready to roll out! It was an exhilarating feeling as we started out on the drive. I had ridden a motorcycle in India with my husband back when we were dating 15 years ago, but it had been a while. It is also a different experience riding behind a stranger, but it was exciting, and I found myself just smiling as we started driving through the countryside.

We quickly stopped for fuel and then had our first unique cultural experience of the trip. We stopped at a field along the way where some local villagers were making vermicelli noodles. They showed us the process and graciously allowed us to help lay the noodles out to dry. It was fascinating to see how they work! One thing we loved about Mr. Vu's Easy Riders was that they included so many unique cultural experiences in the tour. They didn't worry about time but instead focused on the experiences. They took the time to show us the process from harvesting the plant to drying out the noodles. Our next stop was an incense village where we learned about the traditional process of making incense sticks, a very important aspect of traditional Vietnamese culture. The village was filled with the sweet, aromatic scent of incense, and it was fascinating to see the artisans at work. From there, we stopped by a knife-making shop where we were able to observe a traditional blacksmith and his forging techniques. We stopped by a little coffee shop along the way for a drink and then continued the journey. The beautiful scenery made the drive feel like a dream, and the time passed so fast!

From there, we headed to Động Ngườm Ngao cave. There was a restaurant right outside the cave where we ate lunch before exploring the cave. We enjoyed a delicious lunch of local cuisine, including vermicelli noodles, chicken, and vegetables. After lunch, we explored the cave and really enjoyed the intricate rock formations, cool, damp air, and just pure beauty that was hidden inside. We explored the cave for about an hour, accompanied by one of our tour guides who expertly shared interesting facts about the cave and ensured our safety and enjoyment while we explored. Then it was time to visit the landmark that caused us to choose a tour with both the Cao Bang and Ha Giang Loops—the Ban Gioc Waterfall.

The Ban Gioc Waterfall is the largest waterfall in Vietnam, and it lies on the border of China. We rode over to the waterfall, and it did not disappoint. Our tour guide accompanied us again, and we were well taken care of. One nice thing about a tour when you are used to booking and planning 100% of your travel yourself is that it is kind of nice to step back and have someone else book, plan, and organize everything. We spent about an hour exploring the Ban Gioc Waterfall and taking photos. It was beautiful! Apparently, the water flow was low at the time of our visit and is regulated by China. Even still, it was stunning and a place we will always remember! After such a full day, it was time to head to our hotel.

We checked into our hotel, the Kim Thoa Hotel, and showered. We then met our guides downstairs to head to dinner. The town we were in, Trung Khanh, was pretty small and didn't have a lot of food options. We didn't feel comfortable with the limited options for restaurants as we have experienced some pretty awful food poisoning in SE Asia before and wanted to avoid any risky food situations during a 5-day motorbike tour. Instead, we opted for some fruit and packaged foods for dinner to avoid any potential food poisoning that would surely bring misery to the motorbike tour. We like to be adaptable in that way—we don't have to eat a hot meal or anything special. We walked around the small town, buying fruit from a couple of fruit stands, and then found a mini grocery store where we bought bread, chips, and a knife to cut the mangos. We took our goods back to the hotel, washed our fruit with bottled water, and feasted. We still went to bed with full bellies and content hearts. After such an incredible day full of so much beauty and cultural richness, we couldn't wait to see what Day 2 would bring!

Day 2: God's Eye Mountain, Paper Making Village, Sweet Potatoes, 14 Corners Lookout

Day 2 started out with some mediocre coffee. Again, this was the most remote and smallest town we stayed in. Tourism is new to this area, and services are still being developed. It wasn't a big deal, and as mentioned previously, we adapt and move on. The guides loaded our bags onto the bikes, we suited up, and we were off.

We rode for about an hour to our first stop—a papermaking village. This was another incredible experience where we got to learn about their traditional ways of making paper by hand and share incredible moments with local villagers. The papermaking process was quite fascinating, and they were so gracious in letting us get our hands a little dirty to try drying the paper. Our tour guides did an excellent job of giving us opportunities to interact with local people and learn about their way of life. We really enjoyed this stop! As we were leaving, one of the villagers invited us into her home to share some sweet potatoes she had just boiled! So selfless, kind, and delicious! This was one of those moments you'd never expect but will remember forever. Our tour operators were sure to provide a thank you gift as we were leaving—again thinking of and taking care of everything.

Our next stop was the famous God's Eye Mountain, and as was the common theme throughout the journey, our expectations were exceeded. It is a mountain just coming up out of the ground with a giant hole in the top. It was beautiful, and we had the place nearly to ourselves. Most of us had to walk about half a mile to the closer viewpoint because of the bike's abilities and the rough terrain, but again, totally worth the walk, even the walk uphill on the way back.

From there, we headed to lunch, where we feasted on a local meal of noodles, chicken, vegetables, eggs, and peanuts. Yum! After lunch, we drove for a while, surrounded by incredible views on all sides. We stopped briefly for photos at several viewpoints before reaching our final stop for the day.

The last stop of the day was the 14 Corners Lookout. The guides told us it was a hike, but that it would be "pretty easy." As it turned out, the hike to the 14 Corners Lookout was more technical than anticipated. The beginning wasn't bad, but halfway through, it became completely technical, with steep inclines and loose dirt making it slippery (this was the point I wished the boys and I were wearing sneakers instead of Hey Dudes or Crocs). Luckily, we had three of our very kind and skilled tour guides with us who assisted. One even gave Caleb a piggyback ride on the way back down, and I held my hubby's strong hand for support. But despite the difficulty, the hike was 100% worth it, and I'm so glad we powered through to the top. The views were absolutely stunning and reminded us of Norway. Vietnam's beauty is surprising and can't be fully captured in photos. The scenery, the simple way of life of the local people, and their genuine kindness mixed together were breathtaking. The view at the 14 Corners Lookout will forever be one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.

We got back to the bikes after the sun had set, so we ended up driving down the windy roads to our hotel in the dark. I really appreciated that our tour operator allowed us to still do the hike, knowing we'd have to end the day driving in the dark. I can imagine that some tour operators would have just skipped the last part to ensure they could arrive at the hotel before dark, and we would've missed out on an incredible sight. This is definitely another reason I recommend a private tour and recommend Mr. Vu's Easy Riders!

Our hotel that night (Viet Hoang Botel Bao Lac) was comfortable, and we ate at a great restaurant that served delicious local foods like fried rice, chicken, omelets, and spring rolls with a side of French fries—balance! We went to bed exhausted, with full hearts and bellies.

Day 3: Bridge, Beautiful Coffee Spot, Local Village, Meo Vac

We started out Day 3 with a hearty breakfast at the same restaurant where we had eaten dinner the previous night. With some extra time in the morning, we took a leisurely walk around the small town of Bao Lac, enjoying the sights, including the pigs' hooves and heads at the meat market. After our morning walk, we set off for the day's adventures!

The day was filled with stunning scenery, and our first stop was a beautiful bridge suspended over the Nho River. From there, we headed to A Vang Coffee, a beautiful spot to stop for a traditional Vietnamese coffee surrounded by gorgeous scenery! Our next stop was a small local village where we handed out some lollipops provided by our tour guide to some of the local kids. They invited us into their home, and our tour guides took the opportunity to teach us about that village's local culture. These stops made our tour so much more meaningful and special!

Our last stop of the day was the Ma Pi Leng Skywalk, where the views left us in awe. It was a bit cloudy, but still, gorgeous! I can only imagine how breathtaking the views would be on a clear day! After taking in the scenery, our tour guides showed us a walking trail that would lead us up to another viewpoint and then down. They told us they'd meet us at the end of the trail with the bikes and we set off on the walk. The walk was enjoyable as the scenery was beautiful throughout. It was also a pretty easy walk with mostly paved roads. The very end of the trail was a little steep, but we managed easily. It was a longer walk than we anticipated and there were a couple of times where we almost got lost, but we eventually found our way down. One of the guides actually met us on the trail towards the end as they had sent him to look for us! Yet another example of the attentiveness of our tour guides! We interacted with some local kids on our way down and gave away the rest of the lollipops we had. Our sons really enjoyed passing out the lollipops and seeing the looks of joy on the kids' faces!

After we met up with our tour guides, we rode a little way down the mountain and stopped at another very scenic overlook with a tea shop. We sipped on lemon flower tea and soaked in the views. From there, we headed to our hotel, Le Tan, in Meo Vac. It was a new hotel and was very comfortable and cozy. We appreciated the AC/heat units on the walls, and we did need to use the heat that night as it was a little chilly. We had dinner at a nearby local restaurant and then went to sleep!

Day 4: La Coffee, Stunning Scenery, Waterfall, Resort Hotel

Meo Vac is a more developed town along the Ha Giang Loop and thus more tourist friendly. We were able to finally find a really good coffee at La Coffee. We tried their salt coffee, their caramel latte, and their egg coffee--all were pretty good. They weren't the quality you'd get in Hanoi, but still delicious and strong, a welcome treat after 3 mornings of instant coffee! For some odd reason, we did have an issue with ordering items hot, but receiving them iced at multiple times along our journey---something gets lost in translation I guess. We headed out for the day feeling rejuvenated by the coffee!

The scenery was stunning ALL DAY LONG, with some exhilarating driving on some of the more "adventurous roads" we encountered. While there were no major landmarks, we stopped often along the way for scenic overlooks and a couple of walks to take in the views. It was unhurried and beautiful, and we really enjoyed the day. We had lemon tea with a view, ate one of our favorite local lunches of noodles, pho, and chicken at a restaurant along the way, and just soaked in the beauty as we rode along. Our last stop of the day was the Du Gia Waterfall where we enjoyed the water and views without the crowds, thanks to the expertise of our tour guides who knew the perfect time to arrive to ensure we had the place almost entirely to ourselves. Honestly, I cannot adequately describe the magic of the scenery in northern Vietnam—you have to experience it for yourself.

After the waterfall, we headed to our resort hotel a few kilometers away, Tom's Du Gia Homestay. It was a fantastic resort with comfortable small cabins and a pool with an incredible view. The boys enjoyed a few hours swimming in the pool and then we showered for dinner. For dinner, the hotel prepared a serious feast of a variety of local dishes, and it was delicious! After dinner, we headed to our cabins to rest up for our last day on the loop.

Day 5: Old French Military Fortress, Stunning Scenery, Hemp Weaving Village, Heaven's Gate

If I'm being completely honest (and I did promise an honest review), the last day was a bit tough. My husband and I were ready to be done riding a motorbike for a while, but the kids were still eager to go! With that said, I still wouldn't change a thing about the trip, and I'd quite honestly do the whole thing again. I would just warn you to be prepared—on that last day, you might feel tired and irritated, so have grace with each other and yourself. However, without this last day, we couldn't have had the other full four days, and we saw some really cool stuff on this day as well—so as I mentioned—totally worth it.

We started out the day by heading to an old French military fortress, enjoying stunning scenery along the way as usual. The fortress was a fascinating glimpse into the region's history, with its crumbling walls and overgrown courtyards. We then headed to a hemp weaving village where we learned about the traditional process of weaving fabric from hemp. It was really interesting, and the coolest part was seeing all the women work together to make it happen. All the women in the village volunteer their time and work together, with the older generations training the younger. It was beautiful! We stopped at several scenic overlooks again along the way. One of our favorite stops was the Quan Ba Heaven Gate, one of the highest points along the Ha Giang Loop and a must-see! Heaven's Gate offered breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, a fitting end to our adventure. From there, we headed down the mountains to Ha Giang city, hardly able to believe our 5-day tour was coming to an end.

The tour ended in Ha Giang city, where they dropped us off at the bus station and assisted in booking the bus back to Hanoi. We paid $13.47 per person for a sleeper bus with a large private bed each, which was super comfortable. The bus ride back was about 6 hours and stopped once for a bathroom/dinner stop. One interesting thing about buses in Vietnam is that you have to remove your shoes when you get on. They give you a bag to put your shoes in and when you get off the bus at the rest stop, they have a bucket of sandals you can use to wear into the rest stop. The bathrooms at the rest stop were not the best. They were western toilets, but dirty, stinky, and overcrowded. In our travels, we have definitely seen worse but be prepared. Additionally, the rest stop had local cuisine (pho, noodles, etc) as well as snacks, like chips and chocolates you could purchase. The bus stopped for about 20-30 minutes. Once we reached Hanoi, we took a Grab to our hotel, showered, and went to sleep, exhausted, yet fully content from such an incredible adventure!

Recommendation: Mr. Vu's Easy Riders

I highly recommend Mr. Vu's Easy Riders for anyone considering this adventure or any other motorbike adventure in Vietnam. Communication prior to and during the tour was excellent via email and WhatsApp. Safety was a key priority for the team—they provided helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads for everyone, as well as full body rain gear. They showed us the way of life in northern Vietnam, not just the sights. We really appreciated the cultural emphasis on this tour and think it is a key reason to book with this tour operator. The drivers were all experienced and careful with their passengers. It was a private tour, so we had a small group and were in full control. They use large motorbikes, not small scooters like other tours. The guides were knowledgeable and friendly, always ready to share interesting facts and stories about the places we visited. They made sure we were comfortable and safe at all times, and their passion for their country was evident in everything they did. The itinerary was excellent. As you can read in the detailed post above, each day was meticulously planned and executed. We were never bored, but we also did not feel like we were in a rush. The team does an excellent job with time management and allowing enough time for us to enjoy the experience but still keep us on track to see it all. This motorbike adventure through northern Vietnam was an incredible experience that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a beautiful, yet exhilarating adventure! We would book Mr. Vu's Easy Riders again in a heartbeat!

Cost of our 5-day Tour: $400 per person, totaling $2400 for 6 people

This was by far the most expensive part of our 2-month trip in SE Asia. We typically do not do tours and instead plan and explore ourselves. This is one time I would 100% recommend an experienced tour operator, and I do think the tour was worth every penny. The memories we walked away with were worth far more.

Included in the cost of our 5-day Tour:

• Motorbike: Larger motorbike, not a scooter

• Protective Gear: Helmet, knee and elbow pads

• Experienced Drivers: 1 per person. For our group of six, three out of six drivers knew English well, and the other 3 were English learners

• 5 nights' Accommodations: Booked and organized by Mr. Vu

• Van Ride from Hanoi to Cao Bang: Booked and organized by Mr. Vu

• Entry Tickets to Attractions: Cave, Waterfall, Overlooks, etc.

• Expert driving, incredible cultural experiences, interesting facts and history narration!

Not Included in the cost:

• Meals, coffee, snacks: Overall, we spent approximately 1-1.5 million Vietnamese Dong (about $40-$60 USD) per day on food and drinks for our group of 6. Mr. Vu estimated about 300,000 Vietnamese Dong ($12USD) per person per day, so we were just under that.

• Tips

• Souvenirs

• Transportation back to Hanoi after the end of the tour on day 5: $13.40 per person

See the tips section below for more on the cash to bring.

Booking Process:

• Simple: I emailed back and forth with Mr. Vu for several days and then booked the dates we wanted via email.

• Deposit: About 5 weeks prior to our trip, we paid a deposit of $400 for our group.

• Remaining Balance: The remaining balance for our tour was due 1 week prior to our trip.

• Payment: I paid the invoices online via a Credit Card

• Communication: Mr. Vu communication was excellent! He always answered my emails within 24 hours (excellent considering the 12-hour time difference between the US EST time zone and Vietnam) and answered all my questions fully. He also uses WhatsApp, and we used that closer to the trip to discuss details.

Check out and book Mr. Vu's Easy Riders here!

Check out Mr. Vu on Instagram here!

I can't end this review without a shoutout to one of our tour guides, Chai Latte, who works with Mr. Vu's Easy Riders, but also has his own tour company. You can check out his website here. He was an incredible guide! He is so friendly, speaks fluent English, was super helpful and knowledgeable, and we all just loved calling his name-Chai Latte! While I can't review his tour company, I can review his service on our trip, and I'd definitely ride a tour with him again! He was my husband's easy rider, and I know my husband enjoyed his driving skills, his narration along the route, and his fun nature. Check out his website and Instagram!

Tips for Riding the Ha Giang Loop and Cao Bang Loops as a Family

• Plan Ahead: Start researching tour companies, routes, and accommodations 6 months before the trip. Aim to book at least 3-4 months in advance to ensure you get the tour operator you want.

• Main Things to Consider with Your Tour Operator:

  • Is it private? As a family, this is essential—private meaning only your group. Be sure to ask this multiple times to ensure. Of course, if you book with Mr. Vu, I can assure you it is private.

  • Ask what bikes they use.

  • Ask about safety equipment and rain gear provided.

  • Ask what is included in the cost.

  • How many English-speaking tour guides will be on your tour?

• Safety First: Ensure your tour operator provides proper safety gear for everyone, including helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads. Consider bringing additional protective gear for children as needed. (Mr. Vu provided all of that, so we were all set!)

• Choose the Right Motorbike/Tour Operator: Opt for larger, more comfortable motorbikes rather than small scooters, especially if you're traveling with kids. This will make the journey more comfortable and safer. Mr. Vu's again checks the box here!

  • We saw a lot of tours in the Ha Giang Loop using scooters instead of motorbikes and we'd see tour guides/easy riders wearing sandals while driving people around. This didn't look safe, and the scooters would not be comfortable. Again, the majority of business for these tour groups is 18–25-year-olds who are looking for the most affordable option. As a family, that isn't our market, and this article is aimed at families. For those reasons, I'd highly recommend a tour operator like Mr. Vu.

• Bring Cash: You will need cash to pay for these things as nowhere we stopped took cards

  • We brought cash from Hanoi and got some additional cash out of the ATM in Cao Bang. Some of the towns we stopped in had ATMs, but some didn't. The ATMS in Vietnam would only allow us to pull out 2-3 million Dong per transaction, so we did multiple transactions over 2 days. We also got cash from the ATM in Ha Giang to pay for the bus tickets back.

  • About 300,000 Vietnamese Dong ($12USD) per person per day for food and drinks

  • Souvenirs (we purchased a handmade notebook at the papermaking village and could have bought knives at the blacksmith village and hemp-woven textiles at the hemp weaving village, as well as other small items along the way).

    • 1 million Dong should be more than enough unless you are really interested in souvenirs—we prefer to store up memories and not stuff—most of the time!

• Pack Light: Bring only the essentials to keep your load manageable. We each had a backpack, and I wouldn't have wanted to pack anything else. I did see some people with suitcases strapped on the back of the motorbike/scooter, and it looked a little tight and dangerous!

• Tips to Pack Light:

  • Pack layers of clothing to adapt to changing weather conditions

  • Wear comfortable clothing that you can also hike in, like leggings or joggers. We wore the same outer layers multiple days of the journey, just switching out under layers.

  • Wear clothing that you don't mind getting a little dirty

  • Wear a pair of comfortable shoes that you can hike in but are comfortable for the whole day. The boys wore Crocs, ND wore sneakers, and I wore a pair of Hey Dudes (because I hate wearing sneakers). I would admit that Hey Dudes and Crocs weren't the best choice for the 14 Corners hike (I did wish we had sneakers for that one), but otherwise, I was so glad I wore them, and the boys were very comfortable in their Crocs.

• Water and Snacks:

  • If your kids are super picky, I'd pack some small, easily packable snacks like granola bars, trail mix, etc.

  • Bottled water was fairly easy to find along the way, but we usually started our day with one bottle each from the hotel.

• Take Breaks: Plan regular stops to rest, stretch, and enjoy the scenery. This will help prevent fatigue and keep everyone in good spirits. Again, Mr. Vu's Easy riders already factored this in, and we felt like the number of breaks was perfect!

• Engage with Locals: Encourage your kids to interact with local villagers and learn about their culture. This can be a rewarding and educational experience for the whole family.

• Be Prepared for Weather Changes: The weather in the mountains can be unpredictable. Bring rain gear (or go with a tour operator like Mr. Vu who provides it) and warm clothing to stay comfortable in varying conditions. LAYERS!

• Stay Flexible: Be prepared for unexpected changes in your itinerary. Embrace the adventure and go with the flow to make the most of your trip.

• Capture the Memories: Take plenty of photos and videos to document your journey. Encourage your kids to keep a travel journal to remember their experiences.

• Health Precautions: Bring any necessary medications, including motion sickness tablets if needed. Ensure everyone is up to date on vaccinations and has travel insurance.

• Hire a Reliable Tour Operator: Consider hiring a reputable tour operator like Mr. Vu's Easy Riders. They can provide local insights, ensure safety, and make your trip so much more enjoyable.

What Was in Our Backpacks?

Here is what we packed in our backpacks:

• 2 pairs of pants each (leggings/joggers/comfy athletic pants)

  • I wouldn't recommend jeans as you are always sitting on a bike and also hiking

• 1 pair of athletic shorts or capri leggings each

• 1 pair of comfortable shoes (the boys wore crocs, ND wore a pair of sneakers, and I wore Hey Dudes--see tips above for more on that)

• 2 sweatshirts/long sleeve shirts

• 5 t-shirts each for base layers

• 2 pairs (shirt and pants) of midweight base layers for our youngest son who gets the coldest

• 6 pairs of underwear each

• 6 pairs of socks each

• 1 pair of pajamas

• 1 swimsuit each (waterfall swimming and pool swimming the last night)

• 1 packable travel towel each

• Baby Wipes for a quick wipe down or dirty hands, feet, etc.

• Travel sized toiletries (all our hotels had soap and shampoo, but I would still bring one small bottle in case they didn't)

  • deodorant

  • toothbrush/toothpaste

  • soap

  • shampoo

  • razor

  • creams, etc. BUT bring the bare minimum! This is a 5-day adventure!

• Sunglasses

• Phone and I'd recommend a phone strap

• Fanny pack or cross body to put ChapStick, wallet, cash, gum, etc.

• Rain Gear-our tour operator provided this, so we didn't have to pack this. They had a full body poncho suit for each of us for any rain showers that came up

• Sound Machine

• Any Medications you need (think your daily medications)

• A basic first aid kit (here's what I carried). Luckily we didn't need any of it!

  • Band-Aids

  • Ibuprofen

  • Cold medicine

  • Pepto bismol

  • Z packs (you can easily buy these in Hanoi)

  • Dramamine if needed

• Chargers and a travel adapter for outlets like this or this

WOW! You made it to the end of this EPIC blog post! Thank you! I hope the information provided here inspires you to add Vietnam to your travel bucket list or to take an adventure somewhere (even in your backyard) as a family!

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As always, thanks for reading and HAPPY TRAVELS!