We're 2 girls who are looking for a bit off-the-beaten-path experience when travelling to Vietnam. After reading some good reviews, we've decided to to a motorbike trip to Ha Giang. I have some questions to ask those who have been there before: 1) Are the roads very difficult to ride? My friend can ride a motorcycle, but then she'll have to carry me as well which, I think, makes the ride even harder. 2) Can we rent motorbikes in Hanoi for a 4-day trip to Ha Giang? Do we need to leave our passports at the rental shop? 3) We're also considering taking a tour, as we're afraid of getting lost and of our bikes being broken down. Is there any cheap tour for group of only 2 people?

Are the roads very difficult to ride? - Yes - very difficult and dangerous.

My friend can ride a motorcycle - can she? Really? How much experience does she have? I have ridden motor cycles for 30 years plus back home in the UK and would still think twice about riding in anywhere in the Far East.

she'll have to carry me as well which, I think, makes the ride even harder - absolutely right, it does make it much harder and how much do you trust your friend's riding skill?.

Can we rent motorbikes in Hanoi for a 4-day trip to Ha Giang? You can rent anything in Hanoi. Bear in mind it is a 7-10 ride to ha Giang from Hanoi much I'd which will be on mountain roads. Not the best place test your riding skills!

Do we need to leave our passports at the rental shop? - they will probably ask you to do so, but how will you check into a hotel? Passports are compulsory when checking in. It is sheer madness to let your passport out of your sight even for a second!

We're also considering taking a tour, as we're afraid of getting lost and of our bikes being broken down - a much better idea!

Is there any cheap tour for group of only 2 people? Define cheap. You could probably get a group tour for $400 pp if you negotiate and are flexible on dates.

Sorry if this sound unduly negative but I am only concerned for your safety.

I agree with crellston, to do this trip as you describe is madness. The leading cause of death among both locals and tourists is motorcycle accidents.

Join a group tour or negotiate a private tour for the two of you.

There are many tours to that area from Hanoi now. Search for "Four nights five days Ha Giang" similar.
From my obsessive online research, four nights/five days seems pretty tightly- packed, but you, like me, may not have the biggest luxury gift of all: time!!! Again, from obsessive research only (I won't actually be there until end of next month)please heed the above experienced Fodor folks-- avoid motorcycle travel there!!
There are lots of cheap "rustic" homestays (look for Crellston's comments on previous threads) and inns (look for "Nha Nghi" on the signs) so you won't have to pay much for accommodations.
Have you investigated daytime (not night) bus travel?

Thank you very much everyone for your advice! I'm looking at some tour options eventually and most of them do not quote the price directly, but it seems it might cost around $100 per day. Do you know if pricing really matches up to quality of the tour? For example, the vietnammotortour.com has sent me a quote of $495 for a 5-day tour, and these guys at nacotravel.com has a 4-day Ha Giang tour with only $260 (but they have veyr good reviews). Or maybe it's because big bikes are charged much higher?