We did this area on our own in ‘79, wasn’t a cop in sight and any we did come across were so nice and helpful. Vietnam and it’s people is my favourite of all the South East Asian countries.
There are quite a few checkpoints. I did my tour with jasmine too and I got pulled, luckily the guide was able to come over and negotiated for me and I was let off. Another bonus of going on a tour
Thank you for posting this, very informative. I’m headed to Ha Noi next week to do exactly this with my daughter. She’s 22 & i’m 61 years old. I’m recently been on a motorbike in Oz, doing the oldest rain forest, 3 day trail in Queensland. So hopefully i can manage this.
One of the best days of my life driving the loop. Note… roads now paved. Not gravel. Also I got stopped by police at checkpoint. I had a 1949 not 1968 driving permit. Policeman didn’t spot difference and waved me through. Otherwise a 1.5m dong ($60 fine) not £200 as you mentioned in video.
Amazing isn’t it!! Okay awesome to hear they’ve paved it now, is that the whole way around? My guess is they make up the fine as they go as I’ve heard different experiences with the police but I’m glad you got away with it!
I did the loop last week and the fine is 1.5 million dong. That's £50. Not £200. I did the loop myself and we met people in groups who wished they'd ridden themselves. The groups are fun but riding your own bike is AMAZING!!!! because you can go where you want and when.
Ahh good to know! I was told by another traveler it was £200, it may depend on who pulls you over. Love that you did it self guided, I bet it was amazing!
Truong Son Trail Besides the Ha Giang detour, we also have the equally majestic Truong Son trail. Truong Son Trail is a wonderful transportation system created by the Vietnamese army and people to transport soldiers and supplies during the war.
Nice info dude, I'm heading up to do this loop in a few weeks but didn't really consider a tour, I'm hoping I can just find a way around the checkpoint... sounds a bit sketch
Yeah its a bit sketchy, the guide said it was 10-12KM outside of Ha Giang the town (as you head towards the loop) so I hope that helps! There were plenty of people doing it without tours as well so they must've found a way past!
Very informative video, especially about the checkpoints as many people whom get caught blame it on the police there. Legally, you cannot ride bikes there if you're from the US, Europe, etc., (unless your country signed the 1968 Vienna Convention). Sure, some cops may be more lenient, look the other way, or take bribes, but that doesn't mean you are legally in the right even if you have an international driving permit, which most foreigners are unaware of.
Shared dorms, it’s quite interesting as everyone is in one room! I explain in detail in this video ruclips.net/video/I-wyaTGSdNo/видео.htmlsi=EskueECEJ4iAZNXD
So no I didn't have the A licence doing this. A lot of travellers don't which is why they check ahead for the police checkpoint for you to avoid any issues. It is a 'at your own risk' situation.
Amazing! I've actually just posted a video with all the questions I've been asked about it so that might help! ruclips.net/video/I-wyaTGSdNo/видео.html The short answer however is some of them are yes!
So it depends country to country but here in the UK you get your full bike license (A, same as your M) and then you have to go to a post office to get a IDP (International Driving Permit) there are different classes of IDP for each country. It’ll be worth having a Google regarding what you need to do to ride in Vietnam with a Canadian M, it may be something similar ☺️
Thanks for the information, it was exactly what I was looking for. If you leave your larger suit cases and bags at the hostel, is it secure and locked away? I'm in my 40s going with friends around my age, will we fit in? We want transport from/to Hanoi, how do you book the bus?
Glad I could help! So the hostel I stayed in, they had a dedicated luggage room. It wasn’t locked all the time but it was right next to the reception area - just be sure to lock your bags. I booked the bus with my tour booking all included ☺️
Hi Luke, great video. We are hoping to do the trip in July and have a couple of questions. Did you see any couples on a bike? My wife is not experienced so normally rides pillion. And what size was the bikes? Our travel insurance only covers up to 125cc, but looking at the video they only look small. Cheers, Andy
Hi Andy, thanks for the feedback I'm so glad you enjoyed it 😊 Awesome that you're looking to do this trip, it's amazing! I did see a few couples on bikes with one of them riding pillion! The couples that choose to do this upgrade to the bigger bikes to do so though for the extra power. Don't hold this as gospel as I cannot remember 100% but I'm fairly sure the standard bikes were 150cc and the upgrades were 175cc if not more although as I say, I may be wrong! You can contact them via their website jasminehagiang.com though to find out 😊
Nice helpful video! I see there is something where you can apply for an international license through the Vietnam Government for $6 or something. Has anyone had issues with that?
Hey! So I can’t in good conscience say go for it because the roads are tough, especially at some points. I’ve got a few vlogs of my experience doing it which show you what they’re like. If you can get some experience on a bike I’d highly recommend it. Just to get a bit of road confidence. A lot of the roads are perfectly fine but when it gets tough, it really kicks up a gear. Also the confidence is key when the unexpected happens, you spend a lot of it riding along cliff edges with wild dogs, kids and animals around that could easily run out.
Hey mate! They can indeed, it does make it tough though as where you would normally strap your stuff to the bike someone is now sat there so I saw couples upgrading to the bigger bike option and the pillion passenger was wearing a big backpack with all their gear!
I found it easy to pick up but I’d be riding automatic scooters for the 4 months prior to this around Asia so I just had to get used to the gear changes. I didn’t have a bike license..
There are plenty of stops along the way and I never felt rushed! There were some places I wanted to stop independently and take photos as I thought it made a great frame, so I just did 😂 in my day 1 vlog you see I drive off like twice just to go get photos ahah!
Because you can’t get international licenses for motorbikes unless you already hold a full bike license. CBT’s and lower bike training don’t count unfortunately
EVERYTHING ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW: ruclips.net/video/I-wyaTGSdNo/видео.html
We did this area on our own in ‘79, wasn’t a cop in sight and any we did come across were so nice and helpful. Vietnam and it’s people is my favourite of all the South East Asian countries.
That sounds honestly amazing!
There are quite a few checkpoints. I did my tour with jasmine too and I got pulled, luckily the guide was able to come over and negotiated for me and I was let off. Another bonus of going on a tour
Great information thank you! I didn’t realise there was more than one!
Hi Luke… thanks for the video. Do you have the link to book the jasmine tour? Thanks
Thank you for posting this, very informative. I’m headed to Ha Noi next week to do exactly this with my daughter. She’s 22 & i’m 61 years old. I’m recently been on a motorbike in Oz, doing the oldest rain forest, 3 day trail in Queensland. So hopefully i can manage this.
That is AMAZING to hear 👏 actual goals! Have the best time both of you!
This is brilliant. Would love to know how you got on?
One of the best days of my life driving the loop. Note… roads now paved. Not gravel.
Also I got stopped by police at checkpoint. I had a 1949 not 1968 driving permit. Policeman didn’t spot difference and waved me through. Otherwise a 1.5m dong ($60 fine) not £200 as you mentioned in video.
Amazing isn’t it!!
Okay awesome to hear they’ve paved it now, is that the whole way around?
My guess is they make up the fine as they go as I’ve heard different experiences with the police but I’m glad you got away with it!
That so great Luke. Thank you so much for your video and we hope to see you again in Ha Giang
You’ll no doubt see me again, what a tour!!
@@lukepalms_ great! 🥹🥹🥹
I did the loop last week and the fine is 1.5 million dong. That's £50. Not £200. I did the loop myself and we met people in groups who wished they'd ridden themselves. The groups are fun but riding your own bike is AMAZING!!!! because you can go where you want and when.
Do they give a paper or somenthing after payer your fine ao you can show at other police stop if you get pull over again ?
Ahh good to know! I was told by another traveler it was £200, it may depend on who pulls you over. Love that you did it self guided, I bet it was amazing!
My daughter has just set off on this tour and I am massively reassured have seen your video. Many thanks for posting
Thats amazing to hear! How did she get on??
@@lukepalms_ Thoroughly enjoyed herself. Felt very safe with the moderate speeds. Incredible scenery. 👍
Truong Son Trail
Besides the Ha Giang detour, we also have the equally majestic Truong Son trail. Truong Son Trail is a wonderful transportation system created by the Vietnamese army and people to transport soldiers and supplies during the war.
Where abouts in Vietnam is this? Sounds like something I must do next time!!
You’re amazing for making this, hope you’re not missing it too much! Thanks so much for helping out ;)
Thank you for the kind words! I’m so happy to help ☺️ I miss it so much!
Cintaku mangsa jiwa hari beberapa kerja kepadanya
Great Video mate! Thanks :)
Thanks for watching!
Nice info dude, I'm heading up to do this loop in a few weeks but didn't really consider a tour, I'm hoping I can just find a way around the checkpoint... sounds a bit sketch
Yeah its a bit sketchy, the guide said it was 10-12KM outside of Ha Giang the town (as you head towards the loop) so I hope that helps! There were plenty of people doing it without tours as well so they must've found a way past!
Very informative video, especially about the checkpoints as many people whom get caught blame it on the police there. Legally, you cannot ride bikes there if you're from the US, Europe, etc., (unless your country signed the 1968 Vienna Convention). Sure, some cops may be more lenient, look the other way, or take bribes, but that doesn't mean you are legally in the right even if you have an international driving permit, which most foreigners are unaware of.
Absolutely, ride at your own risk!
Cintaku sulaiman tahun baru berapa katanya
what are the sleeping arrangements like? is it shared dorms or twin share etc
Shared dorms, it’s quite interesting as everyone is in one room! I explain in detail in this video
ruclips.net/video/I-wyaTGSdNo/видео.htmlsi=EskueECEJ4iAZNXD
Hey Luke, thank you for your video. About to do the loop In the summer is it worth bringing a coat?
I think it's always worth carrying some sort of lightweight coat in SEA but you should be OK without :)
@@lukepalms_just finished it the loop today crazy coincidence that you responded to me today it was fantastic
Beautiful ! Thank you for sharing !
Thank you for the comment ☺️
thank you for this video my friend now I got finaly some information :D
You’re so welcome 😊🙏🏼
i have no licence whatsoever but i would feel totally fine riding my own bike, does the tour let me do that?
Yeah they're let you ride! I answer this question in detail and more in this video - ruclips.net/video/I-wyaTGSdNo/видео.html hope it helps!
Would you do this tour??
yes❤
Hi Luke, thanks for the video, very informative - did you do the self drive one or the east ride?
you all had an A Licence ? I am wondering, bcs. my friend and i wanne drive this at November 2023
So no I didn't have the A licence doing this. A lot of travellers don't which is why they check ahead for the police checkpoint for you to avoid any issues. It is a 'at your own risk' situation.
what month did you do this? trying to plan to go for clear views and warm weather!
I did it in September and we were lucky! I’d say June-August ☺️
that seems to be the concensus based on my research now haha. thank you so much for the rep;ly!! @@lukepalms_
Nice video! I am planning to do the ha Giang loop in august. Are the roads extremely dangerous?
Amazing! I've actually just posted a video with all the questions I've been asked about it so that might help!
ruclips.net/video/I-wyaTGSdNo/видео.html
The short answer however is some of them are yes!
Sry, but i cant find the LInk to the Tour Booking. Could you share it with me?
Sure thing, here it is :)
jasminehagiang.com/
Nice guide to a tour I literally just found out about on tiktok. I am definitely allover this now plus I've been to Vietnam and loved it. Great work.
It’s so so worth it! Thank you 🙏🏼
What’s does an international license me. I ride sports bike and have my M in Canada, the highest class here, will this license work
So it depends country to country but here in the UK you get your full bike license (A, same as your M) and then you have to go to a post office to get a IDP (International Driving Permit) there are different classes of IDP for each country.
It’ll be worth having a Google regarding what you need to do to ride in Vietnam with a Canadian M, it may be something similar ☺️
Thanks for the information, it was exactly what I was looking for.
If you leave your larger suit cases and bags at the hostel, is it secure and locked away?
I'm in my 40s going with friends around my age, will we fit in?
We want transport from/to Hanoi, how do you book the bus?
Glad I could help! So the hostel I stayed in, they had a dedicated luggage room. It wasn’t locked all the time but it was right next to the reception area - just be sure to lock your bags.
I booked the bus with my tour booking all included ☺️
Hi Luke, great video. We are hoping to do the trip in July and have a couple of questions. Did you see any couples on a bike? My wife is not experienced so normally rides pillion. And what size was the bikes? Our travel insurance only covers up to 125cc, but looking at the video they only look small. Cheers, Andy
Hi Andy, thanks for the feedback I'm so glad you enjoyed it 😊
Awesome that you're looking to do this trip, it's amazing! I did see a few couples on bikes with one of them riding pillion! The couples that choose to do this upgrade to the bigger bikes to do so though for the extra power. Don't hold this as gospel as I cannot remember 100% but I'm fairly sure the standard bikes were 150cc and the upgrades were 175cc if not more although as I say, I may be wrong! You can contact them via their website jasminehagiang.com though to find out 😊
@@lukepalms_ Thanks Luke
Did you book the Tour in the Internet or did you book it in Vietnam?
If you book it in the Internet can you Post the Link?
Thank you very much ❤
I booked it in Hanoi in person but you can contact them via their website - jasminehagiang.com/
@@lukepalms_ thanks man 😄
Nice helpful video! I see there is something where you can apply for an international license through the Vietnam Government for $6 or something. Has anyone had issues with that?
Not something I have heard of but that would definitely be helpful if you can!
thoughts on doing it on a 50cc bike?
I think 50cc would struggle with the conditions, I believe thats why the tour operators use bigger bikes!
@@lukepalms_ aight thanks:) do u think its difficult to find a proper bike without a license?
I missed which month did you go?
September!
Great video, strait to the point.
What's the link for the company you went with?
Thank you! 🙏🏼
The link is: hagiangloop.jasminehagiang.com
Is this ride achievable if I have minimal experience on a scooter/motorbike?
Hey! So I can’t in good conscience say go for it because the roads are tough, especially at some points. I’ve got a few vlogs of my experience doing it which show you what they’re like.
If you can get some experience on a bike I’d highly recommend it. Just to get a bit of road confidence. A lot of the roads are perfectly fine but when it gets tough, it really kicks up a gear. Also the confidence is key when the unexpected happens, you spend a lot of it riding along cliff edges with wild dogs, kids and animals around that could easily run out.
Hey man, can 2 ppl do the tour on the same bike?
Hey mate! They can indeed, it does make it tough though as where you would normally strap your stuff to the bike someone is now sat there so I saw couples upgrading to the bigger bike option and the pillion passenger was wearing a big backpack with all their gear!
Was there alot of tourists doing the loop? I hope it wasn't crowded?
No it wasn’t too bad during my trip!
was riding the motorcycle hard? do you need to have any experience riding a bike like that is a driver's license enough?
I found it easy to pick up but I’d be riding automatic scooters for the 4 months prior to this around Asia so I just had to get used to the gear changes. I didn’t have a bike license..
@@lukepalms_did the bikes have a clutch or was it just a manual switch?
U da man brother
👊
Can you give me the location of the usual police checkpoint?
I dont know the exact location but they said it was 10KM outside of Ha Giang!
@@lukepalms_ which road?
@@mikengo8725dude doesn’t even live or work there, what’s the point of such mindless questions lol
do you book in advance on website or once you’re in hanoi you book via hostels
I booked in Hanoi, Jasmine Tours have a office in Old Town Backpacker Hostel!
@@lukepalms_ How many days in advance did you book the trip?
Great info!! Did you ever feel rushed on the tour (stopping to take vids/photos along the way)? Thanks man!
There are plenty of stops along the way and I never felt rushed! There were some places I wanted to stop independently and take photos as I thought it made a great frame, so I just did 😂 in my day 1 vlog you see I drive off like twice just to go get photos ahah!
Why dont you just get an international driving license from the post office for 5.5
Because you can’t get international licenses for motorbikes unless you already hold a full bike license. CBT’s and lower bike training don’t count unfortunately
@@lukepalms_ ah, but uk licenses included motorbikes I think
Can we ride with a pillion ??
If you want to yes but they advise upgrading to the bigger bike for this