How to get from Ha Giang to Ha Long Bay: A complete and detailed guide

The route from Ha Giang, located in the majestic limestone highlands, to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, is one of the most popular choices for both domestic and international travelers who want to combine mountain and forest exploration with a coastal experience in a single trip. However, the journey is quite long and offers multiple travel options. In this article, Valor Ha Giang Loop provides a detailed, comprehensive, clear, and easy-to-understand guide on how to get from Ha Giang to Ha Long Bay, helping every traveler choose the most suitable route, save time, and optimize their experience.

Exploring Ha Giang’s limestone plateau to Ha Long Bay

Ha Giang, located in the far north of Vietnam, captivates visitors with the grandeur of its limestone peaks, lush green valleys, and terraced fields. It is also home to the unique cultural life of ethnic minority communities, where each village tells its own story through customs, language, and traditional attire. Ha Giang offers a raw, rustic beauty that is both simple and enchanting.

In contrast to the ruggedness of Ha Giang’s mountains, Ha Long Bay impresses with the soft and magical beauty of the Northeast’s sea and sky. This UNESCO-recognized World Natural Heritage site features thousands of limestone islands rising from jade-green waters, creating a vivid landscape reminiscent of a traditional ink painting. Visitors can drift on a cruise, explore caves by kayak, swim, or visit floating fishing villages—experiences that are both relaxing and adventurous.

The winding mountain passes of Ha Giang weaving through limestone peaks and lush green valleys

Some bus companies traveling from Ha Giang to Ha Long Bay

If travelers want to get from Ha Giang to Ha Long Bay by bus, here are some reputable companies with flexible schedules and reasonable prices that Valor Ha Giang Loop has compiled as the most popular options for visitors.

• New Way Bus is a popular choice due to its frequent departures and flexible timings. The company runs four trips daily, with the earliest at 11:00 a.m. and the latest at 4:30 p.m. The journey takes about 7.5 hours, with tickets starting from 680,000 VND, suitable for those who want to reach Ha Long quickly and conveniently.
• Daiichi Travel Bus is ideal for travelers who want to save time by traveling overnight. The bus departs at 11:00 p.m., offering both seats and sleeper beds, with a travel time of around 10 hours. Tickets cost only 500,000 VND per person, and the service includes pick-up from Ha Giang hotels and drop-off at Tuan Chau Port hotels.
• Thuan Thuc Bus is also a reliable option, with two daily departures at 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. The journey takes about 9.7 hours, with average tickets around 400,000 VND, featuring comfortable interiors and stable service.
• For an affordable yet quality option, Cuong Lan Bus is suitable. It departs at 3:30 p.m. from Ha Giang, runs for about 10 hours, and costs only 300,000 VND. The staff speaks English, making it convenient for international travelers.
• Duc Duong Sleeper Bus stands out for comfort and easy booking. Prices range from 500,000–600,000 VND, departing from Ha Giang Guesthouse and arriving at Bai Chay Bus Station. Foreign visitors can book seats via WhatsApp.
• Finally, for a premium experience, Grouptour is worth trying. The sleeper bus departs around 6:30–6:45 p.m., arriving in Ha Long at approximately 2:00 a.m. the next day. Tickets start from 560,000 VND, offering luxury, modern amenities, and a comfortable journey for travelers who want to arrive early and rest well before starting their itinerary.

Sleeper buses traveling from Ha Giang to Ha Long Bay along the national highway

Stopover points on the journey from Ha Giang to Ha Long Bay

The journey from Ha Giang’s limestone plateau to the coastal heritage area of Ha Long Bay is a route that encompasses mountains, forests, valleys, and rivers. Each stop along the way offers its own unique charm, making your trip richer and full of diverse experiences.

Bac Son Valley

Bac Son Valley (Lang Son) appears like a lush green painting, with rice fields, conical mountains, and peaceful Tay–Nung villages. The colors change with the seasons, creating a captivating landscape, perfect for photography or cycling along the fields. This is a free stop, yet it offers a very rewarding experience.

Bac Son rice fields winding through the majestic limestone mountains

Dong Van Old Quarter – Ha Giang Limestone Plateau

Dong Van Old Quarter impresses visitors with its ancient stone houses, yin-yang tiled roofs, and simple highland lifestyle. The colorful weekend markets and local culture give a full sense of the limestone plateau’s spirit. From here, travelers can also visit the Vuong Family Mansion and conquer Lung Cu Flag Tower.

Ancient houses in Dong Van preserving traditional limestone mountain architecture

Ma Pi Leng Pass – Nho Que River – Tu San Gorge

Ma Pi Leng Pass is one of the most beautiful and challenging routes in Vietnam, offering a view down to Tu San Gorge—the deepest gorge in Southeast Asia. At the foot of the mountains, the Nho Que River appears in stunning jade-green, perfect for kayaking or small boat cruises. This is an essential stop on any Ha Giang journey.

The jade-green Nho Que River flowing beneath the deep Tu San Gorge

Cao Bang

Cao Bang is a region that combines cultural significance with striking natural beauty. Pac Bo Cave is where President Ho Chi Minh once lived and carried out revolutionary activities, located next to the clear Lenin Stream. Ban Gioc Waterfall is a spectacular symbol of the Northeast, featuring multiple cascading tiers and a majestic setting among limestone mountains.

The majestic Ban Gioc Waterfall amidst Cao Bang’s limestone mountains

Ba Be National Park

If you have time, you can detour to Ba Be National Park (Bac Kan). Ba Be Lake features calm waters surrounded by limestone mountains, ideal for boat cruises, cave exploration, or easy forest hikes. It is a wonderful stop for travelers who enjoy peaceful natural settings.

Ba Be Lake, calm and serene amid limestone mountains and pristine green forests

Vinh Ha Long

At the end of the journey, you will arrive at Ha Long Bay—a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, famous for its thousands of limestone islands rising from emerald waters. Visitors can choose a day cruise to explore caves, rocky islets, and fishing villages, or spend a night on a boat to fully enjoy the bay’s beauty. This is the perfect conclusion to a journey from the mountains of Ha Giang to the islands of Ha Long.

Sung Sot Cave with its dazzling stalactite formations inside

Experience the full Ha Giang – Ha Long route with Valor Ha Giang Loop

The journey from Ha Giang to Ha Long Bay is not merely a transfer between two destinations, but a tour through some of the most stunning landscapes in northern Vietnam. From the majestic limestone plateau, impressive mountain passes, and culturally rich villages of Ha Giang, to the world-renowned natural wonders of Ha Long Bay, each segment of the route tells its own story and evokes unique emotions.

With diverse travel options—from buses and sleeper buses to premium services—travelers can easily choose the option that suits their budget and schedule. Combining stops at places like Dong Van, Ma Pi Leng, Cao Bang, Ba Be, and more will enrich the journey with memorable experiences before reaching the enchanting beauty of Ha Long Bay.

Valor Ha Giang Loop hopes this detailed guide will help you plan smoothly, optimize costs, and make the most of your experience. Whether you are an adventure seeker, a nature lover, or simply looking for a relaxing trip, the Ha Giang – Ha Long route is sure to offer a journey worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime.

Experience kayaking and cruising in Ha Long Bay on a full-package tour

This article on Valor Ha Giang Loop provides you with the most comprehensive perspective on traveling from Ha Giang to Ha Long Bay, covering transport options, itineraries, reputable bus companies, and the most scenic stops along the journey. As a dedicated companion for Ha Giang exploration tours and long-distance Northern Vietnam experiences, Valor Ha Giang Loop aims to offer travelers practical, easy-to-understand, and suitable guidance to ensure that every trip is a complete and memorable experience.