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Ha Giang (now Tuyen Quang province) has long been a familiar name on the Vietnamese tourism map. To truly experience the "soul" of this gray rocky plateau, many tourists choose the Ha Giang Loop tour - a personalized, arc-shaped journey offering unique and exciting experiences.
More than just a sightseeing tour, the Ha Giang Loop is designed to be flexible and tailored to each traveler's preferences. Each itinerary goes beyond mere sightseeing, focusing instead on experiencing the local culture and lifestyle of the rocky plateau.
International tourists experience the Ha Giang Loop on the mountain passes of the rocky plateau.
The person who connects the underground cultural currents of the highlands.
Behind these journeys is 23-year-old Luu Thi Thuy, currently living and working in Ha Giang (Tuyen Quang province). Driven by a passion for travel, Thuy chose a quiet approach, putting herself in the shoes of tourists to listen, observe, and design the most suitable itineraries. Instead of following familiar routes, she focuses on groups of tourists who want a deeper experience, seeking out villages that still retain their original way of life. “Each itinerary is always designed flexibly; I prioritize the needs and preferences of each tourist, so that the trip is a truly memorable experience,” Thuy shared.
The Ha Giang Loop takes visitors away from the main roads to explore the highland villages.
The Ha Giang Loop tour operates with a team of local guides and drivers who are knowledgeable about the terrain, accompanying travelers who share a desire to explore Ha Giang in a unique and civilized way. Transportation is primarily by motorbike or other flexible means of transport suitable for the mountainous terrain, combined with experiencing the culture of the villages.
Ms. Luu Thi Thuy (on the right) with a member of the tour group.
The tour's meeting point is at 92Q Nguyen Trai Street, Ha Giang 1 Ward, Tuyen Quang Province. From here, the group leaves the main roads and follows smaller, more unspoiled paths, revealing a less crowded and less-traveled Ha Giang. The journey usually lasts 3 or 4 days. A typical day starts at 8:00 AM and ends at the homestay around 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM, allowing visitors enough time to fully experience the scenery and local culture without being caught up in a packed schedule.
Ms. Thuy guides tourists in speaking Vietnamese with basic greetings.
The group of tourists took a commemorative photo at a destination during the tour.
The tour is designed to allow visitors to experience the pristine beauty of Ha Giang while contributing to sustainable livelihoods for the local people. Visitors can book the tour directly through the app or website; the entire journey is operated according to strict safety procedures, with guidance from a team of local people throughout.
International tourists check in at Tu San Gorge - one of the famous destinations in the rocky plateau region.
Safety goes hand in hand with respect for identity.
On every trip, safety is always the top priority, from route selection and vehicle inspection to speed limits. Alongside this is respect for the local way of life – something Ms. Thuy emphasized from the beginning of the journey. Tourists are encouraged to behave courteously, avoid littering, and prioritize using local services so that the benefits of tourism truly return to the community. In particular, the tour has clear regulations against giving money to children along the way, avoiding long-term negative consequences for children in mountainous areas.
The members of the group took photos together to commemorate the trip.
Looking ahead 5-10 years, Ms. Thuy hopes that the Ha Giang Loop tour will develop in a direction that is "slower but deeper." Instead of chasing quantity, the tour will prioritize the quality of the experience and the depth of connection between people and the land.
The Ha Giang Loop tour is shaping a different approach to highland tourism, prioritizing personalized experiences and respect for local life. Instead of following mass trends, this model focuses on quality experiences, contributing to the preservation of landscapes and culture, and creating sustainable value for local communities. This is also a way for Ha Giang to be approached in accordance with its inherent identity, as an experiential destination rather than a short-term "check-in" destination.
