How Much Does the Ha Giang Loop Cost & Should You Book a Tour? | Day 3 🇻🇳

[@longgowhereto]

Old biker here - you did well - no boring passages and no stupid movies or AI blend ins. You are way wiser than the crowd of today. You could tell your height as I ride a 1200cc bike and it is small under me (wish I was kidding) - I rode many "Honda Dreams" in Thailand. Thank you son and yes I subscriped and liked!

[@RyanLeeBanks]

I appreciate the comment! It's a coincidence you'd say that today actually, since riding the loop a couple of years ago I've gotten my full license and I'm about to ride it again in two weeks on a CB500x!

[@longgowhereto]

@@RyanLeeBanks I envy you! I made my first bike license in 1980, lived in many places and riding was always, what made me more "touchable", esp when I had our dog in the tankpack. Tipps: In Thailand I sunburned my hands and lower arms (as wind pushed shirt up). I had old socks - get my hands in and cut a hole for the thumb (which is under the steering in the shadow). Consider a rain-combi. I used it f.e. to cross the Andes in rain and no rain. It keeps the cold out and is not that much luggage. And son, become a biker - not a car driver on bike. Ever heard of horizons-unlimited? (HUBB, regional, SE Asia) - see you in a next video.

[@ryuhayabaker]

Just completed a 4 day with Jasmine Tours. As a solo traveller with no bike experience, getting an easy rider and sharing the experience with a good group of people is the way for me to do it. However if I had 2 or 3 mates, some bike experience and more time than I think going alone would be good. But if you’re in the area - everyone should do it regardless of tours/solo/with friends. It’s just incredible - pictures and videos don’t give 25% of the justice to the physical eye.

[@ryuhayabaker]

Also one benefit to the tour is the riders scale out the police checkpoints so it’s unlikely you will be stopped and fined without a licence. Two poor guys got caught in our tour group and got fined 1,000,000 VND each.

[@RyanLeeBanks]

I’m completely agree with everything you said! There’s definitely pros and cons to both tours and independently! As a person that likes to plan my own trips and destinations going independently is much better! But back when I was in my early 20’s a tour probably would have been better for me! Also this how needed a license police check thing has happened since I did my trip! But no people just gotta make sure they have the right license haha

[@conallmccafferty2181]

​@@ryuhayabakerdid they get to continue on the trip after getting fined, I want to do the trip solo and don't mind just paying the fine and taking the risk, I'm sure if you leave early in the morning you can avoid the checkpoints ?

[@BriKinsella]

Thank you Ryan, some excellent tips! 🤗 As a biker I would definitely not do a tour as, like you say, the freedom to go at your own pace etc 👍🏼

[@mmnds264]

Great info. Thanks! Did you need an international driver permit to rent? And did you come upon any police checkpoints?

[@elenascaglia6344]

Great video with beautiful shots and above all beautiful places. Very attractive

[@RyanLeeBanks]

Thank you! It’s absolutely beautiful 😍

[@datgal2u]

I think going with a private tour is the way to go (like "Adventures of A+K" did). It's more expensive, but if you've never ridden before or are not familiar with the Vietnamese culture, they can help take care of the ride so you can enjoy the views which many whom ride it themselves say they miss. The guides will find better food options (many Westerners aren't familiar with Vietnamese food and don't know how to find, much less how to eat it properly, which is why I ALWAYS recommend doing a food tour in any Vietnamese city that offers it), better hotel stays, handle the language barriers/scams, get you away from the other Westerners whom are clogging up the loop, find you hidden gems that others riding the loops may not even know about, etc.

[@RyanLeeBanks]

This is all true! But you can also do all of this riding independently too 😁

[@UnclePhillyMyAss]

@@RyanLeeBanks I heard you need an International Drivers liscence?

[@theNicoleRyan]

This is sooo informational! Love it. Good to know on the scams! Also, Definitely going in the summer 😅😅

[@RyanLeeBanks]

Gotta say it wasn’t something I was expecting at 3am after a 8 hour bus journey 😂

[@joyoushapes]

This was soo useful and exciting! I hope to go one day and see it myself 😍

[@RyanLeeBanks]

Don’t worry, I’ll take you there!

[@datgal2u]

Next time you go, hit up the Ba Be Lake area. Saw a mother and daughter do an amazing tour in that area.

[@RyanLeeBanks]

That’s awesome, will bear that in mind for if I go back!

[@halfwaytonowhere5693]

How were the police check points? As an american I have no chance of riding legally. But I feel its with the fines

[@tobit3729]

Great Video! Thank you

[@ChopChopRecipes]

Your video is very good. Useful information. Keep it up. Very well done. We are heading there in Aug. But I do not think we will be biking tho. Too dangerous for retirees. :D

[@RyanLeeBanks]

I hope you enjoy your trip! 😁

[@evangelosstampolis2804]

Great video, nice quality and very informative. I am a photographer and i want to do the Ha Giang loop by my self. My biggest concern is what to do in case of a flat tire or a mechanical failure of the bike. Did you face anything like that?

[@RyanLeeBanks]

Luckily we didn’t have any issues like that, but I’d like to think someone would be kind enough to pull over and help 😊

[@nl7002]

may i ask which month did you do it? helps to understand what I can expect for the weather.

[@RyanLeeBanks]

Heya! I did this in early December! But I don’t think the weather in North Vietnam changes all that much through the year, there’s always a chance of rain and fog because of the alititude

[@nl7002]

@@RyanLeeBanks Yeah indeed. I'll be there mid sept, let's see how it goes!

[@subtitlingwithclaudia]

I hope I'll get to go too!

[@RyanLeeBanks]

You’ll get to go I reckon!

[@nameerashraf2431]

Hi, Which hostel provide the cheapest loop package?

[@alimills148]

what time of year did you do the Ha Giang Loop?

[@RyanLeeBanks]

Yo dude, it was December last year!

[@infrarouge75]

Hello, when you Saïd is cold, how much? 10 degrés? Less?

[@RyanLeeBanks]

Oh it was way less than that haha, maybe like 3-5, it was really really cold haha

[@sharetime0920]

@@RyanLeeBanks when did you do the ride?

[@priyajain6390]

I have heard post from tour companies about getting caught by cops!! Is that a real problem or exaggerated version to sell the tours. How was your experience?

[@RyanLeeBanks]

I believe the situations changed since I was there in December. There’s been a couple of tourist accidents so apparently now you need to have an international driving license to ride independently and if you don’t you’ll get stopped by the police. So it may be better to go with a guide

[@Twinide]

YES

[@RyanLeeBanks]

♥️♥️♥️

[@houseoflashesandbeauty847]

What time of year is this??

[@RyanLeeBanks]

Early December!

[@TrongTran_1998]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@leendewaardt8937]

What kind of bike did you get? How many cc?