Dong Van to Ha Giang tickets

How to get from Dong Van to Ha Giang

     Dong Van and Ha Giang are two of the major tourist spots on the Ha Giang Loop, a 350km drive through the stunning scenery of the undulating mountains in northern Vietnam.

     Many tourists travel the entirety of the Ha Giang Loop in one of two ways - either by riding their own scooter, or by riding on the back of a hired driver’s scooter.

     But for many reasons, some tourists aren’t comfortable being on the back of a scooter for the entirety of the journey. And if that’s the case for you, don’t despair! You can make it from Dong Van to Ha Giang without a scooter. It’s easy and simple to get a bus from Dong Van to Ha Giang. The journey is around 160km.

     For the bus to Ha Giang from Dong Van, you have only one option:

     The economy bus from Dong Van to Ha Giang leaves twice a day. Both options are daytime journeys (rather than night buses), and both take between 5 and 6 hours. The bus is very affordable, making it popular for travellers of all types. But this bus is most popular with families and older travellers, who may not feel comfortable riding on a scooter.

     The bus is comfortable and clean. There is no toilet on board.

     It’s very understandable that some tourists choose the Dong Van to Ha Giang bus rather than riding on a scooter. In Vietnam, scooters can be very dangerous - but they’re especially dangerous in this part of the country. Many tourists experience accidents on the perilously-winding roads, so the Dong Van bus is a very safe option if you want to enjoy the region without taking any risks.

     If you do decide to take the trip via scooter, it’s safer to ride on the back of a hired scooter rather than driving your own. You can arrange this with agencies in Ha Giang, Dong Van and Hanoi. We don’t currently offer this service but we are working to bring this travel method to our site as soon as possible.

     Both Dong Van and Ha Giang are incredible destinations for hiking. With misty mountain views, small tribal villages, awe-inspiring ascents and winding roads, this whole region is one of the most picturesque parts of Vietnam.

     Many tourists visit Dong Van for the Sunday market, where hundreds of local tribespeople come to peddle and purchase various pieces of local produce. It’s one of the biggest and most colourful markets in this whole region.

 

What you’ll see when traveling from Dong Van to Ha Giang

     It’s an absolute blessing that the bus between Dong Van and Ha Giang is a day bus, because the views are incredible. The Ha Giang loop is one of the most exciting tourist attractions in the whole of South East Asia - and this stretch of it is perhaps the best section.

     It really is one of the world’s best, most beautiful road trips. And seeing the peaks and valleys from the inside of a bus to Ha Giang from Dong Van is the most peaceful, stress-free way to enjoy the views and vistas.

     The bus between Ha Giang and Dong Van takes you over and across incredible and unique landscapes.

     The landscape’s limestone karsts weave seamlessly around the winding roads, for a journey full of forested peaks and mountain passes. One of the highlights of the trip is passing through Dong Van Karst Plateau, a UNESCO Global Geopark.  

     On the bus to Ha Giang from Dong Van, you’ll also pass many ethnic minority tribespeople, who often walk the roads to get from one village to another. With their colourful clothes and smiling faces, seeing them go about their business is one of the highlights of the trip.

 

What is the best time of year to visit Ha Giang?

     The best time to visit Ha Giang is absolutely in the dry season, which lasts from October to April. Though there may be a small smattering of rain during this period, it’s fairly unlikely.

     From May to October, there can be lots of heavy, disruptive rain, which can make Ha Giang unpleasant, cold and dangerous. The rainy season also makes the mountain views unseeable and inaccessible... and if you can’t feast your eyes upon the incredible views, there’s little reason to go!

     From November to February, temperatures can be deceptively low, especially at night. During this period, you should pack very warm clothes, including a hat and gloves. Don’t underestimate how cold Ha Giang can feel during this period. From November to February, temperatures average around 15C. But because of the altitude, and the relatively long nights, it can feel much lower. 

     In October, March and April, rainfall is minimal and temperatures are at their highest. These are the three best months to visit. But you should still pack warm clothes! In March and April, Ha Giang is particularly special, with blossoming flowers accompanying the vibrant view of every peak and valley. 

 

What is the best time of year to visit Dong Van?

     In many ways, Dong Van weather is similar to that of Ha Giang.

     Levels of rain are fairly similar, but the average temperatures can be even colder, especially at night. No matter what time of year, make sure you always pack warm clothes. 

     To reiterate, the best months to visit this region are from October to April.

     October, March and April, of all these months, offer the most temperate climes. 

     From November to February, average temperatures sit at around 13C, but the altitude and long nights can make Dong Van feel much colder.

     Generally speaking, you should try to avoid visiting Vietnam during Tet. The Vietnamese New Year, Tet is a huge celebration. Many businesses and restaurants are closed, so it’s not a great time to be a tourist in Vietnam. The exact dates change each year, but they’re always sometime in January and February - so make sure you check the dates before you visit.

     If you visit this area at the right time, you’ll be greeted by one of the best mountainous regions in the whole of South East Asia. With interesting tribes, stunning peaks and one of the world’s best road trips, it’s worth waiting for the right weather. At the right time of year, this region might just be one of the best places you’ve ever been.