About this activity

The Ma Pi Leng pass is the most impressive mountain pass in Vietnam at an altitude of 1,500 meters. It is located between Dong Van and Meo Vac, two cities in the far north of Vietnam in Ha Giang province, close to the border with China. It is the most amazing mountain road in all of Vietnam.

It lies along the asphalted national road 4C with the nickname “The Happiness Road”. The road was built in the 60s by a lot of workers, mainly ethnic minorities from the area. It took 11 years to finish the whole road.

It is known as the King of Vietnamese mountain passes. There are cliffs and abysses almost everywhere along the route and enough hairpin bends to get dizzy. The road along the mountainside has a romantic, breathtaking landscape that is ideal for motorcycling. The road to the top, considered “the Great Wall of Vietnam”, feels like a scene from a fairy tale.

Practical information
Location
The Ma Pi Leng mountain pass is located in Ha Giang province, on the highway QL4C between Dong Van and Meo Vac in northeastern Vietnam near the Chinese border. (location on Google Maps)

Is Ma Pi Leng pass dangerous?
The road over this pass is seen as one of most dangerous roads in Ha Giang. Some parts of the road are not well protected. However, the road itself is in very good condition. In very rainy or foggy weather conditions you need to be extra careful.

Best travel time and weather
The best travel time for Ma Pi Leng Pass is during the dry season from October to February. However, this is also winter, so it can be very cold. You can expect rain and fog all year round because you are higher up in the mountains. Try to avoid these days if you have the time, because it is less safe and you have a chance that you will not see anything.

What to bring
There are a few places where you can get food and drink, but it is wise to bring enough drink yourself for the day. Since the road is high in the mountains, it is handy to put on some warm clothes and coat against the rain and wind.

What to expect
Just before and after the mountain pass there are a number of villages of ethnic minorities, who live as a kind of mountain tribe. Women who wear busy clothing in their traditional clothes and men who tend the cattle. But the biggest reason why Ma Pi Leng Pass is the most beautiful mountain pass in Vietnam is the impressive views of steep cliffs, high mountains, carved roads and the beautiful Nho Que river all the way down in the valley.

There are a number of viewpoints where you can stop to view the amazing view and take photos. You can also stop at other places to take a photo, but when you stop on the road you have to watch out for other traffic, because this mountain pass is also the main connection between the cities of Dong Van and Meo Vac. Almost no tourist sights and facilities have been built such as temples and hotels, so this rugged landscape still looks very natural.

By motorbike over the Ma Pi Leng Pass
From Dong Van to Meo Vac over the Ma Pi Leng pass is approximately 25 km. The best way is to drive the motorcycle over the pass, but this is not for everyone because the roads are dangerous. Certainly if you have no experience or are unsure it is not advisable to drive yourself. A good alternative is to fall behind . If you want to drive yourself, you can rent a motorbike in Ha Giang to do the entire Ha Giang loop or you can also rent a motorbike in Dong Van. Read more about driving a motorcycle in Vietnam here.

Alternative transportation
You cannot officially drive in Vietnam without a valid Vietnamese driver’s license and it may also be better to take an alternative for safety reasons. Because a motorcycle is the best option, you can choose to be on the back of a motorbike of an experience guide. The big advantage of this is that you don’t have to pay attention to the road and you have all the time to enjoy the view. Other alternatives are a car or luxury minibus with driver. There are options to go with a group as a kind of tour, but it is not recommended.