Explore the best time to join Ma Pi Leng Pass Tours

Ma Pi Leng pass, located in Ha Giang province is just one of thousands mountain passes in Vietnam but it’s really a must see for any motorcycle riders and adventure lovers. It becomes now more and more famous for its majestic beauty and history. Ma Pi Leng Pass has a spectacular view of the limestone mountain ranges and breathtaking roads that please every motorcycle lover. Check out the best time to join Ma Pi Leng Pass Tours below.

Ma Pi Leng Pass: A Special Name for an Amazing Mountain Pass!

In North Vietnam motorcycle tours, the Ma Pi Leng Pass derives its name from the Hmong people, an ethnic minority group residing in Ha Giang Province. “Ma Pi Leng,” which translates to “A long breath from a horse’s nose,” vividly describes the pass’s steep and narrow terrain that even challenges horses to climb. Despite its rugged nature, the pass remains a beloved destination for motorbike enthusiasts, offering breathtaking mountain panoramas and scenic views of the Nho Que River winding through the landscape.

Read more: Conquering the “Heaven’s Gate” With Ma Pi Leng Pass Travel Tips

How is the weather in Ma Pi Leng

The weather in Ma Pi Leng is affected by the subtropical climate of Vietnam, which means it has two clear seasons: a rainy season from May to September and a dry season from October to April, which is considered the best time to join Ma Pi Leng Pass Motorbike Tours. The temperature is quite changeable from 4 C to 35 C depending on which months you will come and tour, with the highest temperatures occurring in the summer months and the lowest temperatures in the winter months. The rainy season occurs in July and August, the roads are more slippery and hard to ride than other seasons.

Ma Pi Leng’s temperature is around 78°F, which is about 26°C at night and is up to 96°F (36°C) during the day. The air quality is also great for outdoor activities.

How are the roads to Ma Pi Leng Pass

The road to the Ma Pi Leng Pass shows extraordinary views of the limestone mountains, the Tu San Canyon, and the Nho Que River below the pass. You can also see the terraced fields, the rustic houses, and the rare plants along the way. At the top of the Ma Pi Leng Pass, there is road construction which is a stone stele that records the history, and a 40-foot stone statue. 

The Ma Pi Leng Pass roads are quite steep and narrow. If you riding here for the first time, you have to be very careful or you can join our Vietnam Motorbike Tour Expert to have a safe and unforgettable memories trip.

When is the best time to join Ma Pi Leng Pass motorbike tours?

The best time to join Ma Pi Leng Pass Motorbike Tours is during the dry season when the weather and the roads are easier to ride beside the scenery of various flowers blooming. However, you can join Ha Giang Motorbike Tours in different seasons all year to fully enjoy every moment of nature through each season.

Spring Festival – January to March

This is a very beautiful and ideal time for you to explore the beauty of Ma Pi Leng Pass (Ha Giang). Aside from immense cool weather, riders can join many traditional festivals of Vietnamese ethnic minorities, and see spring flowers in full bloom such as plum blossom, peach blossom, rice flower, and pear blossom… You can admire the majestic views of Lung Xa Valley, Lung Cu Flag Tower,… Moreover, when you come to Ma Pi Leng Pass at this time, you’ll have a chance to participate in these famous festivals:

Tay person’s Long Tong festival

This is a festival to wish for a property, full, warm, and happy year. The festival is held in January and brings many cultural nuances of other ethnic groups such as Nung, Dao, and San Chi… together. You can immerse in unique musical performances by boys and girls with “hát then”, and “hát cọi” – a type of religious folk songs of the Zhuang, Tay, and Nung ethnic groups of Vietnam. Plus, you can also experience many folk games such as tug of war, pushing sticks, and throwing balls… In particular, the throwing game also represents luck, fullness, and prosperity for all people. This is the best time to join Ma Pi Leng Pass Motorbike Tours if you want to join the North Vietnam festival,

Khau Vai Love Market

Khau Vai Love Market is held on the 27th day of the third lunar month every Vietnamese New Year in Khau Vai commune, Meo Vac District. This is an extremely unique and romantic festival in Ha Giang, where lovers meet up and also a chance for those who are not in a relationship due to situations or family disapproval. They will come here to share memories and exchange love languages with each other. Riders who come to Ma Pi Leng Pass can participate in the festival to listen to sad love stories, Quan Ho songs, or the melodies of lovers over here. 

Summertime – April to June

Come to Ma Pi Leng Pass in summer, motorbike enthusiasm can get pleasure with many outstanding and unique natural landscapes. Summer in Ha Giang has many interesting and attractive things for riders, as follows:

Buckwheat flowers off-season viewing

The buckwheat flower usually blooms in winter. However, in the summer, which is the off-season of buckwheat, you can also admire pink buckwheat flowers on the edges of the terraces and the sides of small roads. The light pink color of buckwheat flowers in the summer sun makes Ha Giang more vibrant and colorful.

Enjoy sightseeing the Trau flower

Trau flower (Trẩu flower) is one of the must-see flowers when riders come to Ma Pi Leng Pass. This flower creates a romantic and adorable scene on the rocky plateau with its pure white color. If you want to see Trau flowers, you can come to some areas called Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Dong Van, and Meo Vac. If you are a flower lover, this is the best time to join Ma Pi Leng Pass Motor Tours to see flowers blooming. 

Conquer the bumpy and challenging roads 

The way to Ma Pi Leng Pass has many windy roads through high mountains and rivers. You can ride a motorbike on these roads to discover all the stunning landscapes and conquer all those bumpy and challenging roads also yourself. If this is the first time that you ride here, make sure of your safety or join our Northern Vietnam Motorbike Tours to admire the majestic and captivating landscapes. 

The Fall Season – July to September

Autumn is the best time to join Ma Pi Leng Pass Tours because riders will be admired by the picturesque scenery of mountains, golden rice fields, and buckwheat coming in season. Besides, exploring the unique culture and outstanding views, some places you can visit when going to Ha Giang in autumn are:

Nho Que River

Nho Que River has many bends that create spectacular landscapes as you can go to the top of Ma Pi Leng to fully enjoy the river from the top. Nho Que River in autumn is jade green, it is the best time for kayaking on the river.

Admiring the Hoang Su Phi golden rice field

Hoang Su Phi Golden Rice Field is one of the most famous motorcycle lovers’ attractions to have the best picture and experience. It has a large area of rice fields which turn golden yellow in Autumn. The rice is planted on high hillsides that create a brilliant and peaceful scene. 

The Winter Season – October to December

Coming to Ma Pi Leng in winter will bring you the best experiences that you never had before, Besides the cold atmosphere, you can do the following activities to have the best trip to Ha Giang in the winter. 

Hunting clouds

Winter is the best season to hunt clouds when you come to Ma Pi Leng Pass – Ha Ginag, as the weather is cold and foggy. You can see the clouds floating over the mountains, valleys, and rivers, creating a dreamy and romantic scenery that seems like you are lost in a fairy tale. Some of the best places to hunt clouds beside Ma Pi Leng Pass are Tay Con Linh Peak, Chieu Lau Thi Peak,… To those who love hunting clouds, the best time to join Ma Pi Leng Pass Tours is dry season. 

Try mint honey

Winter is also a great time to harvest mint honey on the rocky plateau. Along National Highway 4C to Quan Ba, Dong Van, and Meo Vac districts, riders can easily meet beekeeping shacks and the way the locals get honey from the hive. Mint honey has a lemon-yellow color with a strong aroma, sweet and bland like mint.

Is it possible to join the Ma Pi Leng Pass Tour in the rainy season?

It is possible to join the Ma Pi Leng Pass Motorbike Tour in the rainy season, but it is not a good choice. The rainy season in Ha Giang province usually lasts from June to August, and it can cause many difficulties and dangers for motorbike riders. The best time to join Ma Pi Leng Pass Tour still during the dry season.

Not only the road conditions are worse in the rainy season, as dirt roads can become muddy, slippery, and flooded but also the visibility is also reduced due to fog and rain. This is not the best time to join Ma Pi Leng Pass Motorbike Tours as it increases the risk of accidents and injuries, especially on the steep and winding sections of the Ma Pi Leng Pass.

Activities when joining Ma Pi Leng Pass Tours

Besides enjoying the most scenic and challenging roads in Vietnam, as well as the culture and nature of Ma Pi Leng Pass, here are some of the activities that you can enjoy when joining Ma Pi Leng Pass Motorbike Tours. 

Kayaking on the Nho Que River

Kayaking on the Nho Que River is a great way to experience all the charm of the river, as riders can row through the waterfalls, caves, and rocks. You can also admire the incredible views of the mountains and clouds above your head. Moreover, it is a chance for you to see the colorful flowers that bloom in different seasons, such as the light pink color of buckwheat, and the gold yellow of the rice field. 

Go trekking

Ma Pi Leng is one of the places for trekking in Ha Giang, which contains high rocks, eye-catching long slopes, and warm sunlight bouncing down on your head during the trip. It is a chance for you and your partner to conquer this road in the clouds that will make you feel like you have overcome yourself.

The best time to join Ma Pi Leng Pass Motorbike Tours and go trekking is from September to October when the rice is ripe and has a golden color with the fragrant smell of sticky rice. Moreover, the weather is dry, cool, and sunny at this time so it is suitable for outdoor walking.

Go to Dong Van Plateau

Riders can immerse in the beauty of spectacular limestone formations, winding roads, and deep canyons in different seasons. You can admire the peach blossoms and plum flowers that cover the hills and valleys as well as the green fields and forests that contrast with the gray rocks and then witness the blooming of buckwheat flowers.

In addition, you can learn about the history of different ethnic groups such as Hmong, Dao, and Tay that live in Dong Van Plateau and visit their villages, fairs, and houses, to learn more about their heritage and lifestyle.

Must try foods when joining Ma Pi Leng Pass Tours

Not only enjoy the thrill of riding on Ma Pi Leng Pass, which is one of the most dreamy and challenging roads in Vietnam, but riders also have the chance to taste some of the unique foods in Ha Giang province. 

Thang Co

Thang Co (Thắng Cố) is a traditional dish imbued with the traditional culture of the Hmong people, which is known as a famous delicious dish that is a favorite food of motorbike lovers. It is usually made of the meat, bones, and offal of horses (most common) or cows, pigs, or buffalos and some vegetables such as cabbage, lemongrass, and chili leaves. This dish has created a special impression on riders when they enjoy this delicious dish.

Au Tau porridge

Au Tau porridge (known as Cháo Ấu Tẩu in Vietnamese), is made from upland glutinous rice, pig’s feet, and Au Tau tubers. The Au Tau tubers are washed, soaked in water to wash rice for one night, then simmered for about 4 hours to soften and loosen. The meat is then mixed with rice and cooked in broth from pork feet. It helps anti-arthritic riders after a long ride.

Com Lam Bac Me 

Com Lam Bac Me now become a typical specialty of the Tay ethnic group. When enjoying, Lam rice has a complex aroma mixed with banana leaves and grilled pipes, eating it with sesame salt or with grilled stream fish will be interesting. This is a must-try dish for riders when coming to Ma Pi Leng Pass. 

The articles above provide you with all the information about the best time to join Ma Pi Leng Pass Tours for riders. Ma Pi Leng and Ha Giang have many outstanding scenes and delicious food that will give you an unforgettable experience.

For more detail: 6 Best Restaurants near Ma Pi Leng With Rave Reviews for Taste