Tourism on the Ha Giang Loop: How to Avoid the Crowds in 2026
- Faye Hilling
- Dec 5
- 6 min read
The Ha Giang Loop has always been one of Vietnam’s most iconic motorbike journeys. But as we head into 2026, travellers planning their trips from home are asking the same question: has it become too touristy?
If you’ve been scrolling TikTok or Instagram, you’ve probably seen the viral shots: long motorbike convoys over Tham Ma Pass, crowded sunset viewpoints, and captions warning that due to increased tourism the Loop is “ruined.”
The truth? While certain spots are busier than ever, most of Ha Giang remains remote, quiet, and breathtakingly untouched.
The difference in 2026 will be in how travellers choose their routes—and that’s where Bong Hostel comes in.
If you follow the viral highlights, you’ll follow the crowds. But with careful planning, you can experience the north differently—on quiet backroads, in authentic villages, and with landscapes that still feel like the Ha Giang of old.
This guide looks ahead to 2026, explaining why parts of the Loop feel crowded and, more importantly, how to plan your journey now to enjoy a more authentic, culture-focused, and crowd-free adventure.
Why the Loop Feels Busier — And What That Means for Ha Giang's Tourism in 2026
The Ha Giang Loop is still magical, but the reality is that some areas have changed.
As you plan your 2026 trip to our corner of North Vietnam, it’s important to understand why certain spots are busier—and how to avoid them.
1. Social media didn’t just promote the Loop—it exploded it.
A single drone shot of Ma Pi Leng Pass can go viral in hours, drawing thousands of travellers to the same viewpoints. If you stick to the hotspots, you’ll find them crowded.
2. Tourism growth outpaces infrastructure.
Roads, viewpoints, and homestays are improving—but nowhere near fast enough to absorb the growing number of travellers.
This creates bottlenecks at:
Tham Ma Pass.
Ma Pi Leng viewpoints.
The Nho Que River boat docks.
Popular coffee shops and bars.
3. Most operators still run the same traditional route.
Nearly every package follows:
Ha Giang → Yen Minh → Dong Van → Meo Vac → Du Gia → Ha Giang (or backwards)
So yes—that route gets congested.
4. Backpacker season is now year-round.
What used to be July–September + December–March is now all twelve months. Villages, viewpoints, and homestays are busy no matter the season.
What this means for your 2026 trip:
Some villages may see 200+ visitors per day.
Popular viewpoints can get backed up with motorbikes.
Homestays may host multiple groups rather than intimate gatherings.
“Hidden gems” from previous years may no longer be hidden.
The key question isn’t whether Ha Giang is touristy—parts of it are. The real question for 2026 travellers planning ahead is:
“How can I ride the Ha Giang Loop without the crowds?”
The answer lies in smart planning and choosing alternative routes that focus on culture, community, and quiet adventure—exactly what Bong Hostel has been offering for years.
Bong Hostel’s Ha Giang Loop Origin Story
Still family-run. Still community-based. Still the OG.
Most hostels start as a business idea. Bong Hostel started as a home.
How It All Began (Back When the Loop didn't have a lot of Tourism)
In 2016, when the Ha Giang Loop was still a whisper shared among adventurous motorbikers, a local family opened the original Bong Hostel in Ha Giang City.
It was tiny, warm, and known for two things:
A cat named Bong.
A family determined to help travelers safely explore the mountains.
At the time, travelers would arrive with:
No motorbike.
No riding experience.
No idea where to go.
No understanding of mountain roads.
A paper map they couldn’t read.
So, the family did something simple but game-changing:
They started pairing travelers with local drivers—they called them Easy Riders.
These were men who had grown up in the mountains, knew every bend of the road, and could spot a landslide faster than a foreigner could say “banh mi.”
It changed everything.
Suddenly, travelers who never would’ve dared try a dangerous mountain pass were safely completing the Loop—smiling, laughing, and recommending Ha Giang to everyone they met.
Growth Without Losing Their Soul
By 2018, Bong Hostel had become a cornerstone of Ha Giang tourism—known for being:
Family-run at its core.
Community-focused.
Dedicated to safety and ethical employment.
Today, Bong Hostel has grown to include:
Bong Ha Giang: the original home base.
Bong Hanoi: the welcome point for travellers starting in Vietnam.
Over 800 staff (Easy Riders included).
The Loop may have changed—but Bong’s values have stayed the same.
Related article: Why You Should Do The Ha Giang Loop With Bong Hostel.
How Bong Hostel Solves the Problem of Increased Tourism
Instead of pretending the Loop is still “undiscovered,” Bong Hostel acknowledged reality and designed three alternative routes to give travelers control over the type of experience they want:
The Culture Tour: Immersive, crowd-free, and community-focused.
The Secret Tour: Remote, off-grid, rarely visited by tourists.
The Cao Bang Loop: Untouched landscapes beyond Ha Giang.
Each route allows travellers planning for 2026 to experience the north authentically, avoiding the crowded hotspots while still seeing the iconic scenery.
Let’s break them down.
1️. The All-New Bong Hostel Culture Tour
Perfect for travellers seeking authenticity without missing the iconic scenery.
Why the Culture Tour Exists:
The classic Loop has become crowded, but the backroads remain peaceful.
The Culture Tour prioritises:
Smaller ethnic minority villages.
Quiet mountain passes.
Dodging the busiest roads.
Family-run homestays.
Meaningful cultural experiences.
Skipping overrun viewpoints, focussing on people and place.
Related article: Ha Giang Loop Culture Tour: Bong Hostel’s New Route Guide.
What You’ll Experience:
Hidden Tay and H’Mong Villages.
Rice terraces untouched by mass tourism.
Traditional workshops (silver, weaving, woodwork).
Authentic homestay experiences (hello riverside camping).
Roads with almost no traffic.
You won’t just see Ha Giang—you’ll learn about it.
Who It’s For:
Culture lovers.
Slow travellers.
Photographers seeking rare scenes.
Couples or families.
Anyone who wants Ha Giang without the tourist circuit.
Click to book the Bong Hostel Culture Tour today: Mototbike culture tour | Bong Ha Giang hostel.
2️. The Bong Hostel Secret Tour (The One Nobody Else Offers)
This isn’t marketing hype: There is no other hostel running this route.
What Makes It Secret?
The Bong Hostel Secret Tour connects remote parts of Ha Giang and Cao Bang through hidden backroads, villages with no tourism, and remote mountain passes.
Even experienced Easy Riders say this route is unlike anything else in the region.
Why It Matters in 2026:
Travel is changing. Social media has flattened destinations encouraging everyone to go to the same spots.
The Secret Tour is the antidote; restoring a sense of discovery with:
Empty mountain roads.
Families rarely encountering travellers.
Traditional lifestyles unaffected by tourism.
Landscapes that feel pre-tourism.
Who It’s For:
Travellers who want something truly different.
Those avoiding the crowds of tourists.
Anyone craving undiscovered corners of Northern Vietnam.
Dates are released sporadically on Bong Hostel’s Instagram and fill quickly.
3️. Bong Hostel’s Cao Bang Loop Tours
Maybe you still want a proper motorbike adventure, just… with fewer people. Cao Bang is the answer.
What makes Cao Bang special?
Imagine:
Roads almost entirely to yourself.
Borderland scenery untouched by mass tourism.
Homestays where you’re the only foreign guest.
Waterfalls, caves, and mountains that feel otherworldly.
A pace that lets you breathe.
Cao Bang is quieter, more reflective, and just as dramatic—if not more.
Highlights of the 5-Day Route:
Ban Gioc Waterfall: The most powerful waterfall in Vietnam.
Nguom Ngao Cave: Giant, cathedral-like limestone chambers.
Eye of God Mountain: Surreal natural rock arch.
Me Pia Pass: 14 iconic switchbacks.
Nho Que River (eastern section): Calm jade-green waters.
It’s a deeper journey—fewer parties, more nature.
Who It’s For:
Nature lovers.
Self-riders (with the correct international license of course).
Photographers.
Travellers avoiding tourist hotspots.
People who have already done the Ha Giang Loop.
Anyone seeking a slower, more introspective journey.
And why not extend onto the 7-day Cao Bang Loop, which includes a hop over to Ba Be Lake before returning to Ha Giang City.
Final Thoughts: Is the Ha Giang Loop Still Worth It in 2026?
Absolutely—but only if you ride intentionally.
Tourism is growing in North Vietnam and while social media has made some spots busy; the magic isn’t gone—it’s just shifting.
The key is choosing the right route:
Culture Tour: For immersive local experiences.
Secret Tour: For off-grid discovery.
Cao Bang Route: For quiet adventure in untouched landscapes.
Classic Ha Giang Loop: For social, vibrant, unforgettable energy.
No matter your preference, the Loop remains a bucket-list journey. The difference in 2026 is that you now have options to avoid the crowds.
Book with Bong Hostel today to experience the same warmth, care, and family-run energy we’ve been known for since 2016.