3 days vs. 4 days – How long do I need?
If you are trying to decide whether the 4 days on the loop is worth the extra time and cost, or maybe you are worried about missing out if you only do the 3-day tour – keep reading and we will break down the differences between the two tours!
TLDR: The most popular Ha Giang Loop tours are the 3 and 4 day tours. Day 1, 3 and 4 of the 4-Day tour option are essentially the same as the 3 day option. Day 2 on the 4-Day option takes you to: Lo Lo Chai Village, the China/Vietnam Border, Lung Cu Flag Tower and Lung Khuy Caves. The 4-day tour tends to be slower paced with more stops and chances to get off the bike, as well as less people in the groups.
Both of these options will give you fabulous memories of the region so you really can’t go wrong!
First off, you really can’t go wrong! Both tours are amazing and you are guaranteed to make memories that will last a lifetime!
Beyond the obvious factors of the 4-day tour being more time and money than the 3-day tour, what are the differences?
Group sizes
The 3-day tour tends to be the most popular choice across all of the companies, simply because it is cheaper and takes less time. This means that on average, the 4-day tour groups tend to be slightly smaller. For example, during peak season the group sizes range between 8-10 people for the 3-day tour, while the 4-day tour groups range between 5-7 people. That being said, if you choose to go with a large company, they are likely running full groups for both tours.
Activities/viewpoints
Day 1, 3 and 4 of the 4-day tour mirror the 3-day tour so the differentiation comes on Day 2. On this day, you will visit the China/Vietnam border, which consists of a large mountain pass where you can see the border towers and fences separating the two countries. You will also visit Lo Lo Chai Village, a small village with traditional clay houses. You will climb Lung Cu Flag Tower, which is an iconic landmark in the Northern-most point of Vietnam. With the extra time, your drivers will take you to visit Lung Khuy Caves, discovered in 2015. You will also make additional stops off-the-beaten path in various rice and corn fields.
Pace
The 4-day tour tends to move at a slower pace because there is less time crunch. This means that you get to visit more stops throughout the days, whether it’s mountain viewpoints or rice field coffee stops, it allows you to get a bit of extra time off the bike. Regardless of the number of stops, the reality is that you will be spending more time on the bike with the 4-day tour and your butt will be SORE.
In summary, both tours are a great experience – you should pick the one that works within your budget and timeframe! If you’re only here once and have the time, we would recommend doing it all on the 4-day tour!
If you are planning on tackling the Ha Giang Loop as part of your trip to Vietnam, check out these other articles that will help prep you for your trip!
