The Best Packing List – Your Ha Giang Loop Journey
What to pack for the Ha Giang Loop
The Ha Giang Loop in Northern Vietnam is an exhilarating adventure and a must-visit destination for travellers exploring East Asia. Preparing adequately is essential if you plan to embark on this Journey. Having recently completed the Ha Giang Loop myself, I can attest that it offers unforgettable experiences. To ensure you make the most of your trip, it’s advisable to pack light and thoughtfully. Below is a comprehensive Ha Giang Loop packing list designed explicitly for the Ha Giang Loop. The packing list for Ha Giang contains only the necessary items to ensure you have a wonderful experience on your Journey.
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase (at no additional cost to you), I might earn a commission.
How to Pack for the Ha Giang Loop
Take a small backpack with only the clothing and stuff you’ll need for the days on the loop. Pack light, as the bag will travel along on the tour. However, you can take a second bag with a set of clean clothes, which you can leave at the Ha Giang hostel in Ha Giang. After the tour, you’ll end up in Ha Giang City at the same hostel, where you can shower before catching your bus back to Hanoi or Sapa.
If possible, keep your belongings in a waterproof bag. I didn’t, but luckily, my Easy Rider had a large waterproof bag, which he packed our stuff in before securing it at the back of the bike. Therefore, if you don’t have a waterproof pack, I suggest you enquire, although most Ha Giang tour companies know the weather and cater to their clients.
Clothing tips
Layered clothing is recommended as the Ha Giang Loop Weather is unpredictable. It might be warm during the day but it can get extremely cold in the mountains. Regardless of the Season, your Ha Giang Loop Packing List should include items for both hot and cold extremes. During my trip in March, it was springtime, with flowers and fruit trees blooming, but it was freezing.
Shoes for the Ha Giang tour: While long hikes are not part of the itinerary, the tour includes walking up hills to waterfalls, the cave, and villages; therefore, I recommend comfortable sneakers. I didn’t take my hiking shoes, but included all-terrain tekkies in my Ha Giang Loop Packing List. Flip-flops are also great for tired feet after a long day.
Safety on the Loop
When selecting a helmet, it is essential to ensure that it fits snugly and includes a visor. A helmet that is too large causes movement during high-speed riding, which may compromise safety and ensure a secure fit. Mine was too big and shook around while driving fast. Should you not get a helmet with a visor, wear your sunglasses, which helps to protect your eyes against the wind.
Ha Giang Loop packing list
This is my recommendation on what to pack for Ha Giang Loop 4-day trip:
- 1-2 long pants & 1 -2 Short pants.
- 2 T-shirts, 1 long-sleeved shirt.
- Sweater (warm thermal top).
- Underwear & 2-3 Socks.
- Scarf or neck buff.
- Warm Jacket and gloves.
- A rain jacket or a Poncho.
- Swimming gear & Quick-dry towel.
- Flip flops and Sneakers.
- Eye mask and earplugs (crucial for noise at night).
- Sunscreen and Lipbalm.
- Hat to protect you against the intense sun.
- Sunglasses, even if you wear a hat.
- First aid kit and Bug spray.
- Toiletries and hairbrush/comb.
- Hand sanitiser and disposable washcloths or wet wipes.
- Phone, camera, Power bank & chargers.
- Credit cards and cash are needed for snacks and drinks.
- Documents: Tour booking and bus tickets.
- Passport and Copy of Passport
- Travel Insurance documents.
- Water bottle with a filtration system.
- Pen and notebook.
How much Cash to take
One needs cash to buy coffee, snacks, or whatever at Vendors, markets and some stops along the Loop. Most cafes in towns and villages have card machines. Altogether in the evenings for drinks or snacks.
Should you run out of Vietnamese Dong, there are ATMS in Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Meo Vac. You’re not too extravagant with drinks; your Ha Giang packing list budget shouldn’t be more than 800,000 VND for a 4-day Ha Giang trip. This excludes the tour price.
Should you run out of Vietnamese Dong, there are ATMS in Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Meo Vac. Unless you go overboard, your Ha Giang packing list budget shouldn’t be more than 1 million VND on a 4-5 day, or 6-day trip.
I recommend paying the outstanding balance of your Ha Giang tour by card and keeping the money for things you might need along the way. The final settlement for the tour can usually be paid with a credit card. Remember that the Companies charge about 3% extra if you pay by card.
Vietnam is awesome, so please don’t miss out on the beautiful places such as Sapa, and do not miss out on the top things to do in Hanoi. You can check out my Ultimate Travel Guide on Vietnam right here. I’ve explored Vietnam numerous times, and depending on your interests and liking, here are more recommendations and related posts:
