If you are fortunate to travel to Vietnam, by all means, do not miss Ha Giang. Ha Giang is located in the Northern mountains in Vietnam and is famous for its Ha Giang Loop. This loop is a paradise of windy roads (some paved, some dirt), and the views are breathtaking.
Ride through the rice terraces in Ha Giang Loop, Vietnam
Upon every turn, you view the greenest mountains, rice terraces, ravines with the bluest rivers, and tiny villages that live below.
Villages and agriculture in Ha Giang Vietnam
How to arrive in Ha Giang:
The easiest way to arrive in Ha Giang Vietnam is to fly into Hanoi and then take a bus or shuttle to Ha Giang town.
How to travel the Ha Giang Loop:
The “Loop” is only accessible by motorcycle due to the narrow roads and terrain. Here are a few options:
rent a motorcycle and hit the road;
rent a guide and a motorcycle (this is best as it is difficult to navigate);
hire a driver with a motorcycle and jump on the back.
This last option allows you all the freedom to take in the scenery without having to possess the skill of driving a motorcycle or navigating your way. Try QT Bikes; they have skilled guides, drivers, and will rent you a room when you arrive.
Best way to see Ha Giang Loop is on a motorcycle, hold on tight!
Where to stay along the loop:
After spending the day on the bike, and stopping for lunch in local villages, you will find many homestays available to feed and house you. You will be treated to a most incredible meal cooked by the homestay owner (a local Vietnamese woman), and a mat and a lightweight sheet for your bed on the floor. There is a community shower. It may sound rough, but it is a lovely experience. You will be welcomed as family, (usually with a beer or corn wine – aka “happy wine”).
Comfortable welcoming homestays throughout Ha Giang Vietnam
What to eat in Ha Giang:
Everything! Vietnam has the best food in the world.
A feast!
If you stay at a homestay they will continue to feed you more each time you clear your plate. Prepare for a feast!
Community dinner with the boys in Ha Giang, Vietnam
What to bring on your trip:
If you are on a motorcycle, you can only bring a backpack, so pack light. Sunscreen and bug spray are necessities.
Here are suggestions for the backpack:
a waterproof, lightweight rain jacket;
a change of clothes;
some form of pajamas.
Remember, you are sleeping near other people in the homestays.
Green, green, green in Ha Giang, Vietnam
This experience of riding through the most beautiful landscapes and mountains of Vietnam is often ignored due to the neighboring mountains of Sapa (also in the Northern Mountains). However, Sapa is full of tourists and doesn’t have the experience of “the Loop.” It is quite beautiful, nonetheless.
Tip: If motorcycles are not your thing, definitely head to Sapa to see the unbelievable beauty of Northern Vietnam.
However, if you crave adventure and the freedom to explore the mountains from vantages impossible to see in any other way, definitely rent a motorcycle. Disclaimer: while this is an incredible experience, it is not for the faint of heart. There are many accidents and times when the roads are so narrow you are inches from the cliff.
Breathtaking beauty surrounds you in Ha Giang
The most amazing experience, outside of the sheer beauty you see at every turn, is the small, isolated villages you arrive in (usually to find food and beer). The children line up along the dirt road and “high five” you as you ride by. You experience a completely different way of life and learn how the Vietnamese villagers live sustainable lives by farming (mostly corn).
The people are warm and welcoming, and you will never want to stop eating. I could go on and on about the food. It is insanely delicious!
Lastly, I would recommend visiting Ha Giang after a visit to Hanoi. First, because Hanoi is usually your arrival city when visiting Northern Vietnam. Secondly, Ha Giang is a lovely reprieve of tranquility and nature after the bustling, incessant honking of Hanoi (which is an incredible city to visit).
Enjoy Ha Giang. It’s stunning, it’s an adventure, and it’s unforgettable.
You will save money on flights and hotels if you are willing to travel off-season. It will be less crowded where you are going too. You’ll likely be hanging out with locals instead of other tourists at the cafes and attractions. On the downside, there may be limited hours for restaurants and activities.
Save money on dining out while you travelPhoto by Robert Bye on Unsplash
Do a bit of pre-trip research to figure out what off-season is for the cities you want to visit. “Off-season” might be when the weather isn’t ideal, such as Yosemite in the winter, where you’ll have fewer people and some snow.
Off season can me more beautiful than packed crowdsPhoto by Adam Jaime on Unsplash
When is off-season?
October & November can bring high tides to Venice Italy, so you might wade through the water to get a table at a restaurant, but you’ll likely get the whole place to yourself. In this iconic city, if you are willing to take the chance, the flooding only lasts a few hours, and the areas flooded are typically dry by the next day. What a story that will make at your next cocktail party if you encounter some flooding during your stay!
Strategic preplanning helps you save money traveling to ANY destination.Photo by Milana Jovanov on Unsplash
November through March is usually low or off-season in Europe due to the weather. Consider going just at the tail end of the off-season, so you get the discounts but also get advantages of the activities in season.
June through August is winter-time for Australia, and the beaches are less crowded, but the weather rarely drops below 75 degrees in the North.
January and February are typically the least crowded at Disney parks after the holiday’s when families are broke, and the kids are back in school. Some attractions might be closed for renovation during these months.
Destinations want travelers and are motivated to provide deals.Photo by Travis Gergen on Unsplash
Pre-plan where you want to go and what you want to see. Once you have a rough plan, consider booking a hotel within walking distance of most of the attractions, or near the train or metro station to avoid car rental expense. This Hilton hotel in Stockholm is just a ten minute walk to old town but not IN old town so it’s less crowded and less expensive then staying right in old town.
Take a look at the hotel where tour companies book their groups. They are typically vetted by the tour companies as above-average places to stay yet affordable. Better yet, take a tour as they getting discounted volume rates. https://www.go-today.com/
Stay near but not in tourist areas, live like a local
Consider staying in residential areas or a neighborhood just near the attractions you want to see but not right in the center of the busy tourist areas. You’ll find better deals on hotels and affordable restaurants where the locals go.
In Venice, stay in academic residential neighborhood of Dorsoduro instead of in the tourist neighborhood of San Marco.
In Rome, stay in Piazza Barberini, walking distance to Trevi fountain and other sites but just off the tourist areas.
Stay in an apartment, live like a local
Airbnb and Booking.com offer apartment lodging. Something to consider if you have a larger family or group going of 6+ people. A three-bedroom apartment in a residential area will make you feel like a local and most likely be less expensive than a few hotel rooms. Try this for stays longer than three nights stay because there are one-time fees like cleaning fees that make this option not ideal for one-night stays.
Paris Perfect specializes in luxury apartment rentals in Paris and other European cities.
Be sure to check the fine print before booking – what they offer (towels, sheets) and what do you need to bring. Take note of the added fees as these costs can add up.
Sometimes the owners of Airbnb’s will greet you upon arrival and offer local tips for the area, and sometimes you’ll have a code or key and detailed instructions on how to reach them if you have questions. Don’t expect there to be a valet to park the car, bell boy to take your bags to your room, or room service other than local pizza delivery. The cleaning fee is usually not during your stay, but for after your visit and before their next guest arrives. You might need to restock the toilet paper, paper towels, and dish soap – just like at home.
One advantage of an apartment is that you can cook your meals in your kitchen. To the person who does all the cooking at home, this may not be an advantage. To the person wanting to save money on the dining out during the vacation, this will be an advantage. You could have breakfast in the room, pack a lunch, and eat dinner out and save a significant amount of money. For those with special diets, you’ll have control over the ingredients and get the fun of shopping at a local grocery store.
Find the dining deals, dine like a local
Happy hours can offer great discounts on dining. Some provide discounts on menu items beyond pub food or appetizers. Perhaps have a bigger lunch and a lighter meal at happy hour in the bar area of a fancy restaurant. Morton Steakhouse a fine dining Manhattan restaurant in New York City. The Happy hour menu includes $10 Filet Mignon Trio (sliders) and Short Rib Tacos for $9. Specially priced Monday-Friday: 4pm-6:30pm, 9pm-close; Sunday: 5pm-close
dine like a local, save like a local, happy hours at fine restaurants offer great food at good pricesPhoto by K8 on Unsplash
Finding the restaurants where the locals go that are not written up in every guidebook are typically affordable and authentic. This local blogger highlights such places in Rome, Italy. Visit Copenhagen offers suggestions on where the locals go in their city.
While many cities offer taco Tuesday specials, the locals in the village of Carlsbad, CA, know they can get 2-4-1 burgers at Hennessey’s tavern. They offer promotions almost every night. Many cities have city pass cards, like the Copenhagen Card that gives you free entrance to many attractions and museums, and also savings on dining.
In Europe, one can get a delicious grab and go sandwich at the train station for 2 euros or less. You don’t have to be taking the train to partake in this deal. Department stores in major European cities like Geneva Switzerland’s Manor have the ground floor as a grocery store typically, where you can find food hall with hot or cold ready to eat local foods. These are great places to pick up local souvenirs too.
Stay in an apartment and you can cook some of your mealsPhoto by nrd on Unsplash
Save on currency exchange fees
Currency exchange fees can be high at airports, so check with your bank a few weeks before you go if they do currency exchange. The banks will likely charge less but may have to order it. It’s good to have some cash on you upon arrival for taxi, snacks at airport, or tips. Get a credit card that doesn’t charge international exchange fees like the Capital One Venture Card. You’ll get cash back for your purchases too.
