Passing the Fairy Mountains, the ride from Quan Ba to Yen Minh marks another step UP into the highland frontier. This 50km stretch winds takes us through Can Ty Pass before descending through the pines into the now bustling tourist town of Yen Minh. It’s quite a switch of scenery from lush valleys into the jagged Karst landscape.
Your enjoyment of this stretch of the Happiness Rd is extremely weather dependent. Make sure to check conditions and to prepare. It could be wet, cold and miserable. You have been warned.
This route blog is part of our Ha Giang Route Planner, so if you are looking for further for ideas on routes and tips to help keep you safe. Check it out.
The BLACK ROUTE runs along the old road and is a good 15km longer as well as higher in elevation. Therefore, it is cooler which can be great in Summer, but not in Winter. There are exposed ridge lines and the Pine forest for atmosphere.
The RED ROUTE takes you on the shortcut that was carved out of the rock. Nowadays, it is the most popular route due to being shorter. It is rockier, more exposed and has more bus and truck traffic, but it is still beautiful.
Yen Minh has grown into a cool little town with plenty of hostels, hotels and restaurants. However, it is really only the beginning of the loop. The journey so far will only inspire you to move further into the northernmost province.
Yen Minh really is the springboard to: Dong Van, Lung Cu and Meo Vac.
Each of these routes are quite different from each other. On the Pine Rd you will need to make sure you are warm and be confident driving in low visibility. On the Rocky Path you will need to be very alert for traffic and also watch out for slippery sections where trucks have spilt oil. There is Never and easy option in Ha Giang 🙂
When you reach the Can Ty Pass, the road splits.
Absolutely. Known as the “Miniature Dalat” of the north, the Yen Minh Pine Forest offers a welcome change from the ubiquitous limestone peaks.
The road winds through towering pine trees, and the temperature usually drops a few degrees here. It’s great for a roadside picnic or to get some alternative drone shots.
The Can Ty Pass is well-paved but can be challenging due to its steep gradients and sharp hairpins. Watch out for gravel on the “Old Road” and be mindful of local trucks on the narrow bends. If it has rained recently, the descent into the Yen Minh valley can be pretty slippery. Take it super slow and use low gears to help stabilize the bike.
While Yen Minh Town has plenty of local eateries serving Phở and Cơm Bình Dân, some of the best stops are the small, family-run cafes at the top of the Can Ty Pass. These offer simple drinks and snacks with incredible views of the limestone valley before you head into the pine forest.
Yes, it is an excellent place to stay.
Yen Minh is the standard Day 1 or Day 2 stop for most 3-day itineraries. It offers a wide range of homestays and hotels. If you prefer a quieter, more authentic experience, look for homestays in the smaller villages about 5km before reaching the main town.
The ride from Quan Ba to Yen Minh is the perfect introduction to the shifting landscapes of the Ha Giang Loop. You begin at the towering Heaven’s Gate, looking down on the legendary Twin Mountains, before diving into the cool, alpine air of the Yen Minh Pine Forest. This leg isn’t just about the destination; it’s about the sensory shift from the jagged “Rock Plateau” to the soft, mist-covered forests that feel more like the Swiss Alps than Southeast Asia.
Whether you took the technical “Old Road” for the views or the smooth “New Road” along the river, arriving in Yen Minh marks your true entry into the high-altitude frontier. Take a moment to breathe in the pine-scented air—the terrain is about to get even more dramatic as you head toward the karst heartland.
Ready for the next climb? Ensure your bike is fueled and your brakes are sharp for the ascent toward Dong Van.
If you prefer to head all the way to the tippy tip of Vietnam then check out our route map to Lung Cu. If you are looking to wind your way through the small concrete paths that cling to the hillside then you should follow our route map to Meo Vac.
Adventure Awaits
Engine Type
air-cooled, single cylinder, SOHC
Displacement
411 cc
Bore X Stroke
78 mm x 86 mm
Ignition
TCI
Fuel System
fuel injection
Compression Ratio
9.5:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
5-speed
Front Suspension
telescopic forks; stanchion diameter 41 mm
Rear Suspension
linkage-type monoshock
Front Brakes
single disc brake, diameter 300 mm, 2-piston floating caliper
Rear Brakes
single disc brake, diameter 240 mm, single-piston floating caliper
Front Tyres
90/90 – 21
Rear Tyres
120/90 – 17
Wheelbase
1465 mm
Seat Height
800 mm
Ground Clearance
220 mm
Kerb Weight
199 kg
Fuel Capacity
15 litres
Dimensions
2190 mm (L) x 840 mm (W) x 1360 mm (H)
Daily
Total
Rider (CRF 300)
$220
Pillion
$120
Damage Waiver
$20
Private Room
$40
Support Vehicle*
$150
* All prices given are in USD and apply per rider except for the support vehicle. The support vehicle is free for groups of 7 or more, otherwise the cost is shared across the group.
Daily
Total
Rider (XR 150)
Rider (CRF 300)
Rider (CB 500X)
Rider (Himalayan 400)
$220
Rider (GS 1250)
Pillion
$120
Damage Waiver
$20
Private Room
$40
Support Vehicle*
$150
* All prices given are in USD and apply per rider except for the support vehicle. The support vehicle is free for groups of 7 or more, otherwise the cost is shared across the group.
Daily
Total
Jeep (1 PAX)
$210
Jeep (2 PAX)
$120
Jeep (3 PAX)
$90
Jeep (4+ PAX)
$80
Rider (Easy Rider)
$115
Rider (Self-Drive)
$105
Private Room
$15
* Our jeep tour prices operate on a sliding scale. The larger your group, the less each person pays—each member of your group will pay the lowest daily rate shown. For example, if you have a group of 4 or more, you will each only pay $80/day. All prices are given in USD.
Engine Type
air-liquid cooled, twin cylinder, DOHC, boxer engine
Displacement
1255 cc
Bore X Stroke
102.5 mm x 76 mm
Ignition
FI
Fuel System
fuel injection
Compression Ratio
12.5:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
6-speed
Front Suspension
BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 37 mm
Rear Suspension
single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever
Front Brakes
dual disc brake, floating brake discs, diameter 305 mm, 4-piston radial calipers
Rear Brakes
single disc brake, diameter 276 mm, double-piston floating caliper
Front Tyres
120/70 R19
Rear Tyres
170/60 R17
Wheelbase
1514 mm
Seat Height
850 mm
Ground Clearance
790 mm
Kerb Weight
249 kg
Fuel Capacity
20 litres
Dimensions
2207 mm (L) x 952.5mm (W) x 1430 mm (H)
Engine Type
air cooled, OHC, single cylinder
Displacement
149 cc
Bore X Stroke
57.3 mm x 57.8 mm
Ignition
CDI
Fuel System
20 mm piston valve carburettor
Compression Ratio
9.5:1
Starter
electric with kick starter backup
Gearbox
5-speed
Front Suspension
telescopic fork, 180 mm axle travel
Rear Suspension
single shock swing arm, 150 mm axle travel
Front Brakes
dual piston caliper, 240 mm disc
Rear Brakes
mechanical drum
Front Tyres
90/90 19
Rear Tyres
110/90 17
Wheelbase
1362 mm
Seat Height
825 mm
Ground Clearance
243 mm
Kerb Weight
129 kg
Fuel Capacity
12 litres
Dimensions
2091 mm (L) x 811 mm (W) x 1125 mm (H)
Engine Type
liquid cooled parallel-twin four stroke
Displacement
470 cc
Bore X Stroke
67 mm x 66.8 mm
Ignition
PGMI – FI
Fuel System
fuel injection
Compression Ratio
10.7:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
6-speed
Front Suspension
41 mm SFF-BP USD Forks
Rear Suspension
Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster
Front Brakes
dual 296 mm discs with 4 piston calipers; ABS
Rear Brakes
240 mm disc; ABS
Front Tyres
110/80R19M/C (59H)
Rear Tyres
160/60R17M/C
Wheelbase
1445 mm
Seat Height
830 mm
Ground Clearance
180 mm
Kerb Weight
199 kg
Fuel Capacity
17.7 litres
Dimensions
2,155 mm (L) x 830 mm (W) x 1,410 mm (H)
Engine Type
single cylinder, DOHC, liquid cooled
Displacement
286 cc
Bore X Stroke
76 mm x 63 mm
Ignition
Full Transistor Digital
Fuel System
PGM-FI electronic fuel injection
Compression Ratio
10.7:1
Starter
electric
Gearbox
5-speed
Front Suspension
43 mm telescopic upside down
Rear Suspension
Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster
Front Brakes
Rear Brakes
220 mm disc, single piston caliper
Front Tyres
80/100 21
Rear Tyres
120/80 18
Wheelbase
1455 mm
Seat Height
880 mm
Ground Clearance
285 mm
Kerb Weight
142 kg
Fuel Capacity
7.8 litres
Dimensions
2230 mm (L) x 820 mm (W) x 1200 mm (H)
