If you’re confused about choosing between doing the Ha Giang loop solo by self-driving or opting for an easy rider, you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to help you make the right choice.
Having experienced the Ha Giang loop firsthand, we understand the excitement and challenges that come with each option. You may prefer the freedom of riding solo or the comfort of having a local guide, but there’s a lot to consider.
So, what exactly is an easy rider? Is it the right choice for you? Let’s dive in and answer all your questions to help you plan the adventure of a lifetime.
Table of Contents
What is Ha Giang Loop Easy Rider?
Easy Riders are experienced motorcycle drivers who can be hired to drive you along the Ha Giang loop. You get to enjoy the landscape and relax by riding along in the backseat of the motorcycle while the easy rider takes care of driving. Easy Rider is for you if you’re not confident driving on mountain roads. You will also be directly supporting the community by opting for their services.
Where to Hire an Easy Rider for the Ha Giang Loop?
Easy Riders can be hired from hostels or hotels in Ha Giang City. All the hostels and most hotels in the city are tied up with Easy Riders. Here are a few hostels where you can find easy riders,
All these hostels provide bike rental options for self-driving to their guests and outsiders.
Recommended Ha Giang Easy Rider Tours
Are Easy Riders Fast?
Easy riders are experienced riders who are also very familiar with the route. They drive fast but are also very careful. They are well aware of the sharp turns and road conditions. Nonetheless, hold on to your seat for safety at all times.
Easy Rider Price
Below is a pricing list from Ha Giang Safari Hostel for your reference.
| EASY RIDE TOUR PACKAGES | PRICE In VND (for one person) | TOUR INCLUDES |
| Easy rider tour 2D1N | 2,800,000 | Viet local guide or English guideMotorbike/ motorbike with easy riderGasoline + insurance for motorbikeBreakfast, lunch, and dinner + happy waterAccommodationDrinking water throughout the tripAll tickets to attractionsBoat tour (for the tour 3D2N up to)Ha Giang Loop finisher T-shirtComplementary shower at the hostel when you finish the loop.Raincoat, shoe cover, bag cover, and helmet. |
| Easy rider tour 3D2N | 3,800,000 | |
| Easy rider tour 4D3N | 4,700,000 |
Ha Giang Bike Rental Price (for Self-Drive)
| SELF DRIVE TOUR PACKAGES | PRICE In VND (for one person) | TOUR INCLUDES |
| Self-driving 3D2N (1people/1bike) | 3,000,000 | Complementary shower at the hostel when you finish the loop.Raincoat, shoe cover, bag cover, and helmet. |
| Self-driving 4D3N (1people/1bike) | 3,900,000 | |
| Self-driving 3D2N (2 people/bike) | 2,500,000 | |
| Self-driving 4D3N (2 people/bike) | 3,500,000 |
Twin’s Tip: The rental cost of the bikes is cheaper if you rent from Hanoi. But the road conditions aren’t good between Hanoi and Ha Giang.
Advantages of Hiring an Easy Rider
- A more comfortable option if you are not confident enough to drive on mountainous roads.
- You can click a lot of pictures while riding the bike.
- A ready-made itinerary that includes accommodation and restaurants is prepared for you. You do not require any planning from your end.
- Since accommodation options are mostly the same for everyone opting for an easy rider, you get to meet people worldwide.
- Every night is a karaoke night with happy water or local rice wine.
- Hiring drivers is a good way to boost the local economy.
Disadvantages of Hiring an Easy Rider
- Only limited stops are permitted. Stopping to enjoy the scenery is not entertained.
- It is more expensive than doing it all by yourself.
- It is not a very flexible option. If you want to slow down or stay in a place for a longer time, you cannot ride with an Easy Rider. They are time-bound.
- There will not be as much interaction with the locals. We drank with the locals, while with easy riders, you’ll most likely be drinking with the other foreigners on the trip.
- Easy Riders will strictly follow the itinerary. You cannot explore offbeat places even if you want to.
- You do not get a say in your choice of accommodation or restaurants – you go to the same places as they say, usually at the center of the town or village.
- More people in the group. We have seen 12-15 bikes riding as a group.
- The Easy Rider itinerary is almost the same for all the group tours. They reach different destinations on the same day, making the attractions more crowded.
Self Drive Ha Giang Loop (Solo)
Self-riding the Ha Giang loop eliminates all the disadvantages listed above. If traveling with crowds is not your thing, riding solo is your best option. You can start early, choose your own route, make multiple stops, drink rice wine with the locals, go offbeat, be flexible, extend your ride, and many more. The pros are endless when you ride solo.
Pillion Rider Vs Single
The next question is whether to ride with a pillion or not.
We recommend you ride the Ha Giang loop solo (without a pillion), as the slopes are very steep in many places. The semi-automatic bikes which are commonly used have around 110 CC. Opt for a pillion rider only if you’re experienced in riding motorcycles in the mountainous regions beforehand.
The main advantage of having a pillion rider is that bike rentals and fuel costs are cut by 50%. The pillion riders can also help you with directions while driving, or you can take turns driving.
Which one to choose – Easy Rider or Self Drive?
If you are confident and have prior experience driving on mountainous terrain, do the Ha Giang loop solo without an Easy Rider. If you don’t know how to drive in the mountains, an easy rider is for you.
We experienced the Ha Giang Loop by self-driving and would definitely choose to ride by ourselves if we had an opportunity to do it again.
If you find this helpful or have any queries, drop them in the comments section below. We’ll do our best and answer them for you.
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