Ha Giang Loop Food: What You Actually Eat Each Day
21/10/2026
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Thúy Kiều (Grace) is a travel blogger and content contributor for Loop Trails Tours Ha Giang. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Tourism from Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and has a strong passion for exploring and promoting responsible travel experiences in Vietnam’s northern highlands.
If you are a UK traveler planning to ride a motorbike in Vietnam, the most important question to answer before you book is not which route to take or how many days to spend: it is whether you have the right documents.
A UK driving licence alone does not allow you to legally ride a motorbike in Vietnam. You need your UK licence plus an International Driving Permit, specifically the 1968 version. The 1949 version, which the UK also issues, is not accepted in Vietnam. Get the wrong one and you cannot legally ride.
This guide explains exactly what UK riders need, how to get the correct IDP before you fly, what happens if you ride without it, and what your options are if you do not hold a motorbike licence at all.
Before going into the detail, here is the document checklist every UK rider should run through before booking a self drive tour in Vietnam:
| Document | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UK photocard driving licence | Yes | Must include a motorcycle category: A, A2, or A1 |
| International Driving Permit 1968 | Yes | NOT the 1949 version: that is not valid in Vietnam |
| Passport | Yes | Required at police checkpoints and homestay check in |
| Travel insurance | Strongly recommended | Must specifically cover motorbike riding in Vietnam |
All four should be on your person every time you ride. Not at the hostel, not in your luggage: on your person.
If any of these is missing or incorrect, you are riding in Vietnam without legal documentation. The consequences range from a roadside fine to having your insurance invalidated for any incident that occurs during that ride.
Not alone.
Vietnam is a signatory to the Convention on Road Traffic, Vienna, 1968. Under this convention, Vietnam accepts International Driving Permits issued by participating countries. A UK driving licence by itself, without an IDP, is not considered valid documentation for riding a motorbike on Vietnamese roads.
Many UK travelers assume their full driving licence is accepted internationally in the same way a passport is. It is not. The UK driving licence is a domestic document. In Vietnam, foreign riders must carry their home licence and an IDP 1968 together at all times when riding. The IDP is not a replacement for your UK licence: it is a certified multilingual translation that works alongside it.
This matters practically at police checkpoints. Ha Giang is a border province and traffic checkpoints are common, particularly on the approach to Dong Van, near Lung Cu, and on the main pass roads. When an officer stops you and asks for documents, they want to see both your UK licence and your IDP 1968 presented together. One without the other is incomplete.
An International Driving Permit is a standardised document issued under an international convention. It translates your driving licence information into the official languages of the convention, allows foreign authorities to verify your licence details without needing to read English, and confirms that your home country has certified your right to drive.
The IDP is issued as a grey passport sized booklet. It contains your photo, name, home country, and the vehicle categories you are licensed to drive. It is valid only when presented together with the original home licence it was issued against. An IDP presented alone, without the matching home licence, is not valid.
Vietnam requires IDPs because it recognises them under the 1968 Convention. Countries that did not sign the 1968 Convention issued IDPs under the earlier 1949 Geneva Convention. Vietnam does not recognise those. The distinction sounds technical but it has very real consequences for any rider who arrives with the wrong version.
This is the single most common documentation mistake made by UK riders visiting Vietnam.
The UK issues two types of IDP:
IDP 1949: Issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. Valid in approximately 93 countries. NOT valid in Vietnam.
IDP 1968: Issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. This is the version Vietnam recognises.
Externally the two documents look nearly identical: same grey booklet format, same passport photo, same vehicle categories listed inside. The difference is on the cover page and on the first internal page. The 1968 version states “Convention on Road Traffic, Vienna, 1968.” The 1949 version states “Convention on Road Traffic, Geneva, 1949.”
There is also a validity difference worth noting. The IDP 1968 is valid for 3 years from the date of issue. The IDP 1949 is valid for only 1 year.
When you go to a Post Office, the AA, or the RAC to apply for your IDP, you must ask specifically for the IDP 1968 version. Do not simply say “I need an IDP for Vietnam.” The staff member may not know which convention Vietnam requires and may issue the 1949 version by default. State it clearly: “I need the IDP 1968, the Vienna 1968 version, for riding a motorbike in Vietnam.”
If you already have an IDP and are reading this before your trip, open the booklet and check the cover page right now. If it says Geneva 1949, you need to apply for a new one before you fly.
The process is straightforward and can be completed in well under an hour if you apply in person.
At a UK Post Office:
Through the AA or RAC:
Both the AA and the RAC issue IDPs directly. The AA offers this service to members and non members alike. The process is similar: current driving licence, passport photos, fee. Check their websites for current options, as availability and processes change.
A few practical points to remember:
Apply in person rather than by post. Postal applications take longer and add unnecessary risk when a trip is approaching. Your UK driving licence must be valid, and not expired, both at the time you apply and throughout your entire riding period in Vietnam. Your IDP is valid for 3 years from the issue date, so there is no need to rush an application if your trip is months away: apply when you have the time and keep the IDP with your travel documents.
The IDP only covers the vehicle categories listed on your underlying UK licence. If your UK licence shows only Category B (car), your IDP will reflect only Category B. You will still not be legally authorised to ride a motorbike in Vietnam: the IDP does not add categories that are not already on your home licence.
Note: IDP fees, application requirements, and issuing locations can change. Check the current process directly with the Post Office or the AA before applying, not from a travel blog that may have been written a year or more ago.
Already sorted your documents and ready to book? Browse the Ha Giang Loop motorbike rental page to see which bikes are available, or head to the self drive tour options to choose your duration.
This section matters more than many UK riders expect. Arriving in Vietnam with the wrong licence category for the bike you want to rent is a problem that cannot be fixed on arrival.
Your IDP reflects the vehicle categories listed on your UK driving licence. In Vietnam, traffic police can check whether the bike you are riding matches the categories on your IDP and home licence. Here is how the main UK motorcycle licence categories map to the bikes typically used on the Ha Giang Loop:
| UK Licence Category | What It Covers | Ha Giang Loop Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| AM (mopeds) | Up to 50cc, max 45 km/h | Only 50cc bikes: not typical loop rental bikes |
| A1 (light motorcycles) | Up to 125cc engine capacity | Check with rental operator: some bikes exceed 125cc |
| A2 (medium motorcycles) | Up to 35kW output, no engine size limit | Covers most Ha Giang Loop rental bikes |
| A (full motorcycle licence) | All motorcycles | Covers everything |
| B (car licence only) | Cars and light vans only | Does not cover motorbikes above 50cc |
The most important row here is Category A1. A1 covers motorcycles up to 125cc engine capacity. Many rental bikes used on the Ha Giang Loop are in the 125cc to 175cc range. If you hold an A1 licence and want to rent a bike above 125cc, confirm with the rental operator whether that specific bike falls within your permitted category before booking self drive. If it does not, you need an A2 or full Category A licence to ride it legally.
Category B (car licence only) does not cover motorbike riding. Holding a full UK car licence is not sufficient. If your UK licence shows Category B only, the self drive motorbike option is not available to you: see the alternatives section below.
If you are not sure which categories are on your UK licence, look at the front of your UK photocard. The categories and their start dates are listed in the table printed on the card.
Vietnam traffic police run checkpoints on the Ha Giang Loop. They are common at provincial border crossings, on the approach to Dong Van, and at certain points on the mountain pass roads. If you are stopped and found to be riding without a valid IDP 1968, or with a licence category that does not match the bike you are riding, you face several practical consequences.
Roadside fines: Riders caught without correct documentation can face fines in the range of 2,000,000 VND to 6,000,000 VND. These are collected at the point of the stop, in cash. There is no online payment system, no appeal process at the roadside, and no way to delay payment until later.
Insurance invalidation: Most travel insurance policies that cover motorbike riding include a condition requiring you to hold a valid licence for the class of vehicle in the country where you are riding. If you are involved in an accident while riding without an IDP 1968, your insurer may use the absence of valid documentation as grounds to decline the claim. In a remote mountain area like the Ha Giang Loop, losing medical cover because of a missing document is a genuinely serious risk.
Tour format change: Loop Trails does not accept self drive bookings from riders who cannot confirm they hold a valid motorcycle licence and an IDP 1968. This is verified at the morning briefing before the tour begins. If you arrive without the correct documents, the self drive format cannot proceed. At that point your options are to switch to easy rider (if availability allows) or to take the Jeep tour. Getting your documents sorted before you fly is significantly easier than navigating any of the above at 08:00 in Ha Giang city.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for anyone riding a motorbike in Vietnam. The Ha Giang Loop involves mountain roads at high elevation, narrow lanes, steep passes, and occasional loose or uneven surfaces. Even careful and experienced riders encounter conditions unlike anything on a UK road.
Here is the checklist to work through with your travel insurer before you travel:
Does your policy include Vietnam? Some UK travel policies exclude certain countries or regions. Check that Vietnam is explicitly named as a covered destination in your policy documents.
Does your policy cover motorbike riding? Standard travel insurance frequently excludes motorised vehicles. You need a policy that specifically includes motorbike riding. This may be included as standard or available as an add on depending on the insurer and the plan level.
What is the cc limit? Many policies that cover motorbike riding set an engine displacement limit: commonly 125cc or 250cc. Check the exact limit in your policy wording. If the bike you plan to rent exceeds that limit, you may need a different plan or a specialist adventure travel policy.
Does the policy require a valid local licence? Most policies covering motorbike riding require you to hold a valid licence for the class of vehicle in the country where you are riding. A UK driving licence combined with an IDP 1968 satisfies this requirement in Vietnam. Confirm that your specific insurer agrees with this interpretation before you travel, not after an incident.
What is actually covered? At a minimum your policy should cover: emergency medical treatment and evacuation (this is the most critical item, as serious injuries in remote mountain areas can require helicopter evacuation and extended hospital stays), personal accident benefit, and repatriation if required. Third party liability is also worth checking, as it covers damage or injury caused to others.
UK travel insurers commonly used by adventure travelers in Vietnam include World Nomads, True Traveller, and Battleface, among others. Specific policies change and premiums vary. Do not rely on reports from travel forums about what someone else’s policy covered on their trip: read the actual policy wording for your own plan before you travel.
If your current travel insurance does not cover motorbike riding, or sets a cc limit below the bike you plan to rent, a specialist adventure travel policy can usually be purchased. The cost is modest compared to a medical bill in Ha Giang without coverage.
Not having a motorcycle licence does not close the door on the Ha Giang Loop. The landscape, the homestays, the passes, the villages: all of it is accessible through three strong alternatives.
On an easy rider tour you travel as a passenger on the back of the bike. A professional local rider and guide drives while you sit behind, take in the views, stop at the same passes and villages, eat the same food, and stay at the same homestays. The experience of the landscape is identical to self drive. What changes is that your hands are free for your camera and your eyes are on the mountains rather than the road.
Easy rider is available for all tour durations: 2 days 1 night, 3 days 2 nights, 4 days 3 nights, and the combined routes to Cao Bang. No licence required, no IDP, no insurance checks: just your passport and the tour booking.
Prices start from 3,490,000 VND per person for the 2 day 1 night option. Full pricing for all durations is on the Ha Giang Loop tours page.
The Jeep tour covers the same core route in a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, stopping at all the key viewpoints and villages. It is the best option for families, groups where some members do not ride, couples who prefer to be in the same vehicle, or anyone who wants the comfort of four wheels on mountain roads.
No licence required. No IDP required. Everyone in the vehicle travels on one booking, which makes the logistics simpler and the cost per person lower as group size increases.
Jeep tour prices start from 12,990,000 VND for one person for the 2 day 1 night option. The price per person drops significantly with two, three, or four passengers. Full jeep tour pricing is on the Ha Giang Loop tours page.
In Vietnam, motorbikes under 50cc do not require a driving licence. If you want to ride under your own control but do not hold a motorcycle licence, a 50cc scooter is available.
One honest note on this option: the Ha Giang Loop involves steep mountain passes, high elevation, and extended riding distances each day. A 50cc scooter manages flat sections and gentle roads, but the major passes on the loop are challenging on a small engine. If you have no motorcycle riding experience, the 50cc option on this route will be difficult. Easy rider or Jeep will give you a more enjoyable and more comfortable experience of the same landscape.
Not sure which option fits your group? Message Loop Trails on WhatsApp with your group size and licence situation. The team can recommend the right format for your documents and help you confirm everything is in order before you book.
When you leave the UK for a self drive tour of the Ha Giang Loop, here is the complete documents checklist:
Physical documents to carry on your person at all times when riding:
Digital backups to keep on your phone:
A few practical notes:
Store a second digital copy in cloud storage so you can access documents even if your phone is lost or damaged. Arrive at Loop Trails Hostel the evening before your tour starts: the morning briefing begins at 08:00 and if there is any question about your documents, the team can check them with you before you ride. If your IDP 1968 is close to expiring, apply for a new one before you leave the UK. The IDP is valid for 3 years from issue, so expiry during a trip is unlikely unless the document is old, but it is worth checking.
Here is a quick guide based on your UK licence situation:
You have a full UK Category A motorcycle licence and an IDP 1968: You are set for self drive. Confirm your travel insurance covers motorbike riding in Vietnam at the cc of the bike you plan to rent. Then book a self drive tour for your preferred duration and arrive in Ha Giang ready to ride.
You have a UK Category A2 licence: This covers most Ha Giang Loop rental bikes. Confirm with Loop Trails which bikes fall within your permitted category before booking, and make sure your IDP 1968 reflects the A2 category.
You have a UK Category A1 licence (125cc limit): Confirm with the rental operator which bikes fall within 125cc. Some standard rental bikes on the Ha Giang Loop are above 125cc. If the bikes available exceed your A1 limit, you will need to go easy rider or Jeep for this trip.
You have a UK car licence only (Category B): The self drive motorbike option is not available. Your options are easy rider (all durations, all routes) or the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon tour. Both cover the same landscape and the same stops.
You have no driving licence at all: Easy rider or Jeep. The Ha Giang Loop is one of the most spectacular routes in Southeast Asia however you travel it. Not riding the bike yourself does not diminish the experience of the landscape, the homestays, the passes, or the people you meet along the way.
You want maximum flexibility with minimum paperwork: The Jeep tour requires nothing beyond a passport. It is the simplest documentation situation for any group.
Ready to book your Ha Giang Loop tour? Browse all tour options on the tours page, or contact Loop Trails directly for help choosing the right format for your group and licence situation.
Yes. A UK driving licence alone is not sufficient in Vietnam. You need both your UK driving licence and an IDP 1968 presented together at all times when riding. One without the other is incomplete documentation and puts you in violation of Vietnamese traffic law.
Only the IDP 1968, issued under the Convention on Road Traffic, Vienna, 1968, is recognised in Vietnam. The IDP 1949, issued under the Geneva Convention, is explicitly not recognised. Check the cover of your IDP before you travel: it should state “Vienna, 1968” not “Geneva, 1949.”
At most UK Post Office branches that offer travel services, and through the AA and the RAC. Apply in person to receive it the same day. Bring your current driving licence, two passport sized photographs, and ask specifically for the IDP 1968 for riding in Vietnam
Fees are set by the issuing organisation and change periodically. Check the current fee directly on the Post Office website or with the AA before applying. As of the time this article was written, the fee was under £15, but verify the current amount yourself before your trip.
Three years from the date of issue. The IDP 1949 is valid for only one year, which is another reason to confirm you have the 1968 version before you arrive
No. A Category B licence covers cars and light vans only. To legally ride a motorbike above 50cc in Vietnam, you need a motorcycle category (A1, A2, or A) on your UK licence. A car licence combined with an IDP 1968 does not add motorbike riding rights: the IDP only reflects what your home licence already permits
Riders caught without correct documentation face roadside fines in the range of 2,000,000 VND to 6,000,000 VND, collected in cash at the point of the stop. There is no appeal process and no option to pay later
It depends on your specific policy. Standard travel insurance frequently excludes motorised vehicles. You need a policy that explicitly covers motorbike riding in Vietnam, with a cc limit that covers the bike you plan to rent. Read your own policy wording directly and confirm coverage before you travel
No. IDPs are issued only by authorised organisations in your home country. You cannot obtain a UK IDP while you are in Vietnam. Apply before you leave the UK: there is no workaround once you have arrived
If you arrive without an IDP 1968 and have a self drive booking, Loop Trails cannot proceed with the self drive format. Your options at that point are to switch to easy rider (subject to availability) or to take the Jeep tour. Contact the team as early as possible if you have any concern about your documents: the morning briefing is not the ideal moment to discover a problem
Contact information for Loop Trails
Website: Loop Trails Official Website
Email: looptrailshostel@gmail.com
Hotline & WhatSapp:
+84862379288
+84938988593
Social Media:
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Office Address: 54A Tran Phu, Ha Giang 2, Tuyen Quang
Address: 54A Tran Phu, Ha Giang 2, Tuyen Quang
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