4 great passes in northern Vietnam

Four Great Passes are known as the 4 highest and most dangerous passes in northern Vietnam, including Ma Pi Leng Pass, O Quy Ho Pass, Khau Pha Pass, and Pha Din Pass. All four passes are located in the Northwest mountains of the country and are our favorite "check-in" locations for tourists because of their beautiful and majestic natural scenery. Among them, the highest pass has an altitude of 2,500m.

Let's explore these Four Great Passes to see what's special.

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1. When should you travel to the Four Great Passes?

For each period of the year, Four Great Peaks Passes have a unique beauty. The weather in each season is also very different. However, the most suitable time to visit the Four Great Passes is from September to April of the following year, which is also the dry season in the Northwest. If you come from the Southern provinces, please note this period to book flight tickets to Hanoi accordingly!

Ma Pi Leng pass in Summer day

September - October is a great time to hunt clouds and take photos at the Four Great Passes. In the morning, at the top of the pass, there is often bright yellow sunlight and clouds across the mountainside, making the scene extremely beautiful. The weather is dry, there is no rain, and the road is not slippery or dangerous, so it is very suitable for motorbike riding. However, you still need to check the weather forecast before going backpacking in order to avoid bad weather.

December - January is the time when the Northwest enters winter with cold weather. On the coldest days, the top of the pass will be covered with snow. However, you should be careful when traveling in the snowy season so as to avoid slipping.

February - April is when the Northwest mountains and forests enter spring with peach and plum blossom forests covering the foot of the pass. Visiting the check-in locations of the Four Great Passes at this time, you can take extremely beautiful photos in a poetic and romantic space. Visiting the Northwest with your dear friend during this season will be wonderful.

In the next part, Ama Journey will guide you on how to go to the Four Great Passes.

2. How to go to the Four Great Passes
 

2.1. From Hanoi to O Quy Ho Pass

O Quy Ho Pass is located on Highway 4D, connecting Lai Chau and Lao Cai provinces, 330km from Hanoi city center, taking about 6 hours to travel by car. You can come here by car or motorbike from Hanoi.

By car: You go from Hanoi center to Hanoi - Lao Cai highway. When you reach Lao Cai city center, turn left onto Highway 4D to Sapa Town, and go about 15km to O Quy Ho pass. The travel time from Hanoi to Sapa thanks to the highway is significantly shortened, taking just over 4 hours by car.

By motorbike: You can go from the center of Hanoi along the Hanoi - Son Tay road - the route through the provinces of Phu Tho, Yen Bai, and Lai Chau. At Binh Lu Junction (Lai Chau), you follow Highway 4D to Sa Pa Town.

2.2. From Hanoi to Ma Pi Leng Pass

Ma Pi Leng Pass is located on National Highway 1C, connecting Dong Van Town and Meo Vac District, Ha Giang Province. From Hanoi to get to the check-in location at this Great Pass, you can travel by bus or motorbike. Taking a bus is a safe way for those traveling alone, with little luggage and no travel experience.

By local bus: Departing from My Dinh Bus Station, Bat Giap, Nuoc Ngam, Gia Lam, etc., it takes you about 6 - 8 hours to go from Hanoi to Ha Giang, depending on the route. Here, you can rent a motorbike to continue traveling to Ma Pi Leng Pass.

By motorbike: You can go from Hanoi to Ha Giang with 2 routes:

• Route 1: Hanoi - Son Tay - 21 Co Nhue Street - Trung Ha Bridge - Co Tiet - Phong Chau Bridge - Thao River - Phu Tho Town - Doan Hung - Tuyen Quang - National Highway 2 - Ha Giang - Dong Van - Ma Pi Leng
• Route 2: Hanoi - Thang Long Bridge - Vinh Phuc - Viet Tri - Phu Tho - Tuyen Quang - Ha Giang - Dong Van - Ma Pi Leng

The road from Hanoi to Ha Giang is extremely winding and dangerous. If you have a strong handlebar, you should ride a motorbike.

2.3. From Hanoi to Khau Pha Pass

Khau Pha Pass is the boundary dividing Van Chan and Mu Cang Chai districts, 280km from Hanoi, about 5 hours by car.
If you go from Hanoi and want to visit Khau Pha Pass, you can go by bus or motorbike.

By local bus: You can go from My Dinh Bus Station to Nghia Lo. Then, you rent a motorbike here and drive along Highway 32 about 50km to Khau Pha Pass.

By motorbike: You can ride a motorbike from Hanoi to Khau Pha following this route:
From the center of the Hanoi capital - Cau Dien - Ho Tung Mau - turn onto Highway 32 - run straight through Phu Tho province - Tan Son Phu commune - Van Can district. Here, go towards Nghia Lo Town and continue up Khau Pha Pass.

2.4. From Hanoi to Pha Din Pass

Pha Din Pass is about 100km from Dien Bien Phu City, 360km from Hanoi, a 7-hour drive. You can go to Dien Bien by bus or motorbike.

Pha Dinh Pass in Dien Bien Phu

You can go from Hanoi to Dien Bien following the route: Hanoi Center - CT08 Road towards Hoa Binh - turn to AH13 - Follow Highway 6 to Son La - Pha Din Pass (or Thang Long Avenue – Hoa Binh Expressway – Hoa Lac – Hoa Binh City – National Highway 6 – Son La City – Pha Din Pass – Tuan Giao – Dien Bien Phu).

3. Check-in locations at the Four Great Passes

3.1. Peak of O Quy Ho Pass

The top of O Quy Ho Pass is called "Heaven's Gate", a beautiful cloud hunting spot among the Four Great Passes. Looking from the top of O Quy Ho pass, 2000m high, you can take in your eyes the entire winding road of the pass and the misty valleys.

Check in O Quy Ho pass for great panorama view

On the way to the top of O Quy Ho pass, you will meet many cafes halfway up the pass, which are super nice "Instagrammable" spots for young people who like to travel and take photos.

Besides, you should stop at restaurants along the way to the pass to enjoy Sapa specialties, such as “Cap nach” pork, dried buffalo meat, Sapa hill chicken, etc. You can book a hotel in Sapa in advance for convenience and discover many other beautiful scenes here!

3.2. Ma Pi Leng Pass and majestic roads

Ma Pi Leng Pass is one of the most popular tourist locations in Ha Giang, surrounded by high, majestic cliffs and dangerous, winding bends.
On the way to the top of Ma Pi Leng, there will be a stop for you to enjoy the scenery and check-in. At an altitude of more than 1,200m, you will be able to see the blue, winding Nho Que river or extremely beautiful terraced fields.

3.3. Pha Din Pass tourist area

Pha Din Pass tourist area is about 50 hectares wide, a resting and stopping point for tourists traveling to Pha Din Pass. This is also a check-in point not to be missed when you go to Pha Din Pass. There’s a big "Pha Din Pass" sign on the top of the pass, and then, you can enjoy beautiful gardens of buckwheat flowers, white mustard flowers, yellow chrysanthemums, etc, or pinwheel hills, pinwheel bamboo bridges, or romantic swings. From the top of Pha Din Pass, you can also see the beautiful Muong Quai Valley.

3.4. Peak of Khau Pha Pass

The top of Khau Pha pass is like a "heavenly horn" rising high, and stands tall above the Northwest mountains and forests, mesmerizing everyone with its majestic beauty, and is a favorite place for young people who are passionate about backpacking.

A great check in point at Khau Pha pass - Also a place for paragliding

Khau Pha is the most beautiful at sunrise and sunset, creating a scene as beautiful as a painting. Here, you can relax in the cool and fresh air, enjoying the wonderful feeling of walking through the clouds.

The tourist attractions at the Four Great Passes promise to be challenging trekking routes for you if you are a lover of adventure. But, the feeling of conquering the majestic, craggy mountain passes will be something you will never forget.

Hopefully, this article has brought you great suggestions to explore the Northwest mountainous region of Vietnam.

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