Highlights of My 9-Day Adventure in Hanoi, Sa Pa, and Ha Giang

Hey fellow travelers, Hivers, and Pinmapple peeps! It's been a while since my last blog—where have your recent adventures taken you? As for me, I just returned from an incredible 9-day journey through Hanoi and the Northernmost gems of Vietnam: Sa Pa and Ha Giang!

I'm thrilled to take you on a virtual tour of the highlights of my trip, from the mouthwatering delights of Hanoi's cuisine with friends to the adrenaline-pumping escapades in Ha Giang, and finally, my solo expedition to Fansipan.

This adventure was three months in the making—all DIY, all first-time, no tour guides or packages, except for the spontaneous ones in Sa Pa that weren't part of the plan. I've compiled comprehensive "How to" documents, detailing every aspect of the trip. If you're intrigued and want to embark on a similar journey, stay tuned for my upcoming blogs where I'll be sharing all the insider tips and tricks!

But for now, let's get you hyped in this adventure!

Day 1: Hanoi

On this trip, our group of four friends from Taiwan and the Philippines gathered at Hanoi - Noi Bai International Airport. The adventure kicked off with a lively exploration of the historic Old Quarter. As night fell, we planned to hop on a local train straight to Ninh Binh. However, with a train scheduled for 7 PM and the clock ticking past 4 PM, our priorities quickly shifted to savoring the local cuisine!

A Quick Food Trip at Old Quarter

1. First things first, Phở Bò!

Of course! When it comes to Vietnam, it's all about Phở! I often enjoy Phở Bò or Beef Phở in Taiwan, especially during winter and I have to admit the taste cannot be compared to the original. I like that in Vietnam, restaurants are very generous in giving fresh mung bean sprouts and basil.

2. Bún đậu mắm on the street

Our second stop is Bún đậu mắm! (OMG! I am drooling while writing this blog). In the Old Quarter, numerous restaurants offer this dish. The most interesting part is that you can experience eating it along the sidewalk, right by the road and we are all for it.

3. Bún chả with Hanoi Beer

Our third stop is for the Bún chả! At this point, we are already full, but can't pass up the opportunity to taste the goodness of local cuisine in Hanoi.

I chose Bún Chả Đắc Kim as it is listed in the Michelin Guide. We didn't mind the half-kilometer walk from our previous location, even with our heavy bags, because we were eager to experience this renowned spot.

Well, for no other reason than helping us to quickly digest the food, we are all drinking buddies. So why not enjoy Bún chả with our very first bottle of Hanoi Beer in Vietnam? Cheers!

4. Egg Coffee

What do you do after drinking? that's right! Sober up! haha! Before we depart the central Hanoi, we stopped by in this another old coffee shop called Cafe Dinh. They are famous for their egg coffee!

We got lost at the wrong train station

Our next stop is Ninh Binh, just a short two-hour train ride from Hanoi. We want to dive into the local vibe, so we're taking the old local train built by the French in the past for this adventure.

Leaving the Old Quarter, we decided to call a cab using the Grab app to take us to the Train Station. Everything went smoothly until we arrived at the station. At first glance, we were perplexed because the station didn't resemble a typical one. Our confusion deepened until we met the station guards, who confirmed that we were not supposed to depart from that station.

We found out that we arrived at a servicing station 10km away from the passenger station. Going back to the main station would make us miss our scheduled train. So, we had to decide whether to take a bus or stay in Hanoi for the night and catch the next morning's train.

To our surprise, the station chief called the train pilot and asked them to stop at our current station to pick us up! We were relieved, surprised, and amazed that the passenger train would halt at an unofficial station just for us. When the train arrived, adrenaline surged as we rushed to pull ourselves up and hop on board.

What a surprising turn of events! Watch the video above and you'll see our reaction on that moment.

Day 2: Day Trip at Ninh Binh

We arrived safely in Ninh Binh after that adventurous train ride. The next day, we still couldn't believe what happened, and we were very excited, knowing that there is more to come. Now, on the second day of our trip, we plan to enjoy the beauty of Ninh Binh for the whole day and head directly to Ha Giang at night.

Đầm sen Hang múa Viewpoint

Early in the morning, we head straight to Hang múa two climb its two view point peaks.

The first peak is in the picture above, marked by a small tower. It offers a panoramic view of the rice fields and the neighboring town of Trang An.

The second peak is where you'll encounter this dragon. Climbing there is quite daring as you have to step through limestone that may potentially break. Additionally, many tourists take their time to cross the dragon and capture memorable pictures.

But reaching the top, you'll be mesmerized by the amazing view of the karst limestone hills! Personally, I looked for a spot to sit and enjoy the view for a few minutes without blocking the way for other tourists.

I took my time enjoying the beautiful view, as shown in the image below. Every time, I love to pause and breathe while relishing a moment like this. It brings to mind what my friend once told me while climbing a stunning mountain in Taiwan: 'It's not an everyday view for us.

Trang Ann Grottoes Boat Tour

After enjoying an amazing lunch in a local restaurant in Trang An, we headed straight to our next adventure: a 3-hour boating tour in Trang An Grottoes. It was a perfect way to spend our remaining time in Ninh Binh before we headed to Ha Giang at 7 PM.

Before boarding the boat, I observed a line of boaters wearing their blue uniforms and traditional hats, patiently waiting for their turn to take passengers on a tour. I couldn't help but notice that the locals, adorned in vividly colored clothing, seemed to perfectly blend with the natural surroundings. They appeared naturally picturesque in my eyes.

We took the tour that will take us to 9 caves and several pagodas accross the karst hills.

Day 3 to 7: The Grand Adventure, Ha Giang Loop!

And now, for the highlight of our Vietnam trip – a 4-day motorcycle ride on the Ha Giang Loop!

Loop Day 1: Ha Giang to Yenh Minh

On day one, we kicked off our adventure at Ha Giang Loop Hostel, where we also rented the motorcycles. The owner was incredibly helpful, assisting us with everything from preparing our documents to helping us attach our bags to the motorcycles.

On this day, our destination is the town of Yenh Minh. A 90km drive from Ha Giang.

It was a very challenging start of the trip where we came accross several huge trucks and groups of motorcyclists like us. Yet the breathtaking views along the way did not let us down.

Loop Day 2: Yenh Minh to Meo Vac

On the second day of the loop, our destination was the town of Meo Vac, with a side trip to the border of Vietnam and China. The total distance covered was 110 km from Yenh Minh.

Along the way we stopped by few markets where we saw Hmongs that are selling their flowers and traditional produce.

Loop Day 2: Side Trip at the China-Vietnam Border

This side trip wasn't just an extra stop; it was another challenging destination. We had to navigate through a few mountains to reach the town of Lũng Cú, where the border is located.

Here, we stumbled upon what seemed to be a castle under construction. Additionally, we reached a massive flag tower where we could enjoy a panoramic view of the town and, more importantly, the border.

Here is a Vietnamese officer pointing the location of the border. And me taking a selfie with the local tourists wearing their flag designed shirts and a monk.

Loop Day 3: Meo Vac to Du Gia

On the 3rd day, we started our journey in a local market in Meo Vac where we enjoyed their local street foods for our breakfast. I really like their sausages.

We have witnessed a very cultural market where mostly occupied by Hmong people.

Our destination on this day is the town of Du Gia, a 90km drive from Meo Vac.

Little did we know that the roads leading to our destination would be very harsh, with 80% of them under construction. On this day, my friend got into a minor accident living a scratch on her face. I'm quite fortunate that I just became very dirty.

Loop Day 4: Du Gia to Ha Giang

On the fourth and last day of our motorcycling trip, we had another 100km ride back to Ha Giang. Unfortunately, the same friend got into another accident, leaving her with more scratches. Despite the setbacks, we all made it back safely.

The roads going back to Ha Giang from Du Gia were even worse than the previous day. They were wet, narrow, and steep.

While driving, I kept thinking "is it worth doing this motorcycle trip again afrter the next 3 to 5 years?"

I just kept my focus to finish the loop safely without another accident and head to our next destination to relax and treat our selves.

Days 8 to 9: Relaxing stay at Sa Pa

Finally, we arrived in Sa Pa to enjoy our remaining days in Vietnam. On the same day we finished the Ha Giang loop, we headed straight to our homestay in Sa Pa. We were thrilled to find that they welcomed us with a family dinner, making our arrival even more special.

Moc Home

We spent our remaining two nights at Moc Home, which translates to 'Simple Home.' Nestled in the middle of rice terraces, 20km away from Sa Pa Center, it proved to be an ideal haven for relaxation and destressing.

There, we met Mimi, a Black Hmong, who gave us a tour of a few Hmong villages around the rice terraces.

She introduced us to a blacksmith and let us try their Happy Tea made of hemp leaves.

Fansipan: Roof of Indochina

Finally, for the last part of my trip, I decided to extend for another day in Sa Pa and part ways with my group to embark on another adventure to the highest peak of Indochina, Fansipan.

As someone who loves climbing mountains, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to reach the highest peak of Indochina when I was just an hour away from it.

But instead of getting there by foot, I opted to enjoy the ride on a cable car, which took me to the peak in just 20 minutes.

There I met new people, as well as these performers wearing their traditional Black Hmong outfits.

Cảm ơn

Cảm ơn - Thank you for reading through the highlights of my 9-day trip in Northern Vietnam. My friends and I truly enjoyed every moment, and it was worth the 3 months of planning. There wasn't a dull moment; everything was full of surprises and breathtaking scenery. I hope you enjoyed reading this blog and that it inspired you to embark on your own adventures soon.

Much love,
krios