How to Get From Sapa to Ha Giang
Bus · Van · Private Transfer
%2Cpin-s-b%2B8B4513(104.97716879090909%2C22.809869309090907)%2F104.41363010910953%2C22.574884325637008%2C7%2F560x280%402x%3Faccess_token%3Dpk.eyJ1IjoiZ2Vja29yb3V0ZXMiLCJhIjoiY2plc2p0NmQ4MHh1cDJ4bXI3aWlraGh3YyJ9.ftb9bE1kUJiddMRbmZblQQ&w=3840&q=75)
In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 235 kilometre (146 miles) distance from Sapa to Ha Giang. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly how to get there — whether you want to travel on a budget, reach Ha Giang as fast as possible, or enjoy the ride in comfort. We base our information on verified schedules, ticket prices, and on-the-ground insights from recent travellers.
What are the 3 ways to travel from Sapa to Ha Giang?
There are three ways to travel the 235 km distance from Sapa to Ha Giang. You can choose between the bus, minivan, and private.
The journey takes between 5h 50m–6h and the quickest way is by bus (5h 50m). If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by minivan with tickets starting at 291,000 VND ($11).
5h 50m - 6h 40m
300,000 VND ($11)
5h 50m - 6h
291,000 VND ($11)
6h
3,395,000 VND ($130)
Already in Ha Giang?
Onward from Ha Giang
Once you're in Ha Giang, here's where to next — 1 researched onward route to pick from.
Sapa to Ha Giang by Bus
The bus is an affordable way to get from Sapa to Ha Giang. Bus fares start from 300,000 VND ($11) and the journey takes around 5h 50m - 6h 40m.
Sapa Grouptour offers 3 daily trips from Sapa to Ha Giang. All of these buses depart in the evening and arrive past midnight — not exactly the best time to arrive if it’s your first time in Ha Giang.
You will take a sleeper bus with basic bunk beds. Sapa Grouptour is known for its comfortable buses, although its drivers sometimes drive too fast.
Ticket fares start from 300,000 VND ($11). Travel time is around 5h 50m - 6h 40m, but like the minivan, there have been complaints of buses arriving late.
Departure and arrival station
Sapa Grouptour departs from its Sapa office, just 3 blocks north of Sapa Lake. The bus arrives at Ha Giang Hostel in the town centre.
Bus schedule from Sapa to Ha Giang
Sapa to Ha Giang by Van
Sapa Ethnic Travel and Quang Giang operate minivan trips from Sapa to Ha Giang daily. These are luxury minivans with reclining seats, unlike the bunk beds offered on sleeper buses.
The advertised travel time is 5h 50m - 6h, although a few passengers have complained that the journey actually takes 7-8 hours because the minivans make a lot of stops.
Still, we recommend taking a minivan over the bus for this route. With a minivan, you can travel during the day, enjoy the scenic landscape along the way, and arrive in Ha Giang in the afternoon. With a bus, you will arrive in Ha Giang in the middle of the night.
Minivan ticket prices from Sapa to Ha Giang start from 291,000 VND ($11).
Departure and arrival station
Quang Giang departs from its office in Sapa town centre. The minivan drops you off at your hotel’s doorstep as long as it’s within Ha Giang town centre.
Sapa Grouptour departs from its headquarters in Sapa town centre and arrives at Ha Giang Hostel in the town centre.
Van schedule from Sapa to Ha Giang
Sapa to Ha Giang by Private Transfer
Private transfers are also available for the journey that takes 6h from Sapa to Ha Giang.
Rates start from 3,395,000 VND ($130) for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about 1,132,000 VND ($43) per person.
Book your private transfer through BookAway so you can expect a nice car that comes with trusted drivers.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Sapa to Ha Giang. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance from Sapa to Ha Giang is 235 km.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Ha Giang?
The journey from Hanoi to Ha Giang is as beautiful as the destination, and Ha Giang is home to some of the most amazing landscapes in Vietnam. There are not too many travellers going to this side of northern Vietnam but it's gradually becoming more well-known.
Ha Giang offers a beautiful green scenery close to the Chinese border. The town is characterized by winding roads, limestone mountains, and lush hills. If you want to reach Heaven's Gate, Ha Giang is the place to be.
How We Research
Every route on Gecko Routes is independently researched and regularly verified.
500+
ROUTES RESEARCHED
Every route is personally travelled and documented by our team, covering Southeast Asia's most popular and off-the-beaten-path connections.
Monthly
UPDATES
Routes are reviewed on a regular cycle to catch schedule changes, new operators, and price updates. Every guide shows when it was last verified.
Verified
BY TRAVELLERS
Tips and corrections from our community of travellers help keep routes accurate between team visits. Your experience makes this guide better for everyone.
About the Authors
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep Gecko Routes free and up to date.
Reader Comments
4 commentsLeave a Comment