North-East Vietnam motorcycle tour beginning in Ha Noi (8 Days – 7 Nights/ 1660 km)

Northern Vietnam is a region with untamed and majestic nature, daunting routes, and distinctive cultural traits of ethnic minority communities. As a result, this is a popular destination for motorcycle riders. Enjoy the beauty of mountainous northwestern Vietnam with Motorcycle Adventures. In this motorcycle tour you will ride on wonderful and spectacular routes such as Khau Pha pass and O Quy Ho Pass.                             Gaze with veneration at the fanciful terraced rice fields in Mu Cang Chai or Than Uyen. Prior to Ha Giang's attractive destinations, you will also explore the different tourist attractions like Sapa and Bac Ha. You will also have the opportunity to visit Ba Be National Park to explore the wild beauty of nature here! This is a great mixture of on and off-road riding, and we can adjust it to make riding it easy or harder depending on the riders’ expectation. Our eight great days on this Northern Vietnam motorbike tour are filled with breathtaking scenery, hearty cuisine, and winding roads ideal for two-wheeled riding. 

Highlights:

Sapa / Ha Giang / Spectacular scenery Different Ethnic Minority Groups / Bac Ha / Local Cuisine / Narrow windy roads

Day1: Ha Noi - Phu Yen or Ta Xua ( 170km – 210 km) 

The motorbike tour will start by leaving Hanoi on dirt roads to avoid the heavy traffic and then breaking out of the delta plains. You head out of Hanoi skirting along the Red River to Son Tay and then ride through the peaceful countryside to Phu Yen. The predominant topography in this area is the plateau, with undeveloped hills that are no less attractive.

The tour guide claimed that if we traveled here in November, we would experience the poetic view when the mustard flowers blossom all over the plateau. Here, we rest for one night before starting the trip for the next day.  Great fun right on the first day off-road ride. 

Day 2: Phu Yen to Mu Cang Chai: 210km 

On the second day, we depart Phu Yen and cross the Lung Lo pass, separating Son La's and Yen Bai's provinces. Lung Lo Pass was used by the Vietnamese resistance force to transport weapons, goods, and food during the Dien Bien Phu campaign of 1954. It was eventually heavily bombed by the French in order to sever the front lines from the rear. Lung Lo Pass, situated in the northern province of Yen Bai, was also recognized as a national heritage by the ministry.

This legendary route presents us with a demanding challenge in addition to its spectacular splendor and dangerous curves and twists. The green of the Yen Bai Mountains and woodlands surrounds the major pass. Even if it's your first time visiting, you will want to fall in love with the stunning, gently sloping hills and mountains. This day could be the most scenic motorbike ride in Vietnam, it offers one of the most beautiful views of North Vietnam. The ride is challenging but very rewarding. Overnight in a hotel. 

Day 3: Mu Cang Chai to Sa Pa:/ 180km 

This day we ride around 160 kilometers to Sapa. Then, we cross the incredibly challenging and hazardous O Quy Ho pass.  It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to view the spectacular majesty of Fansipan mountain from the top of the pass, looking toward Lai Chau.  Motorbike into Lao Cai Province at over 2,000 meters, gives views that look out over the main range for miles and miles before you descend to the mountainous Sa Pa valley.

A must-see location on North Vietnam motorbike tours, the mountain town in the mist draws both domestic and international visitors to explore.  Sa Pa is famous both for its fine, rugged scenery and for its rich cultural diversity. In the early decades of the 20th century the French used to consider SaPa as the summer capital of Northern Vietnam. Its naturally gifted beauty keeps attracting more and more people to spend their vacation there. Particularly, the place is the foremost choice for honeymoon couples!

Overnight at Hotel! 

Day 4: Sapa to  Bac Ha (Lao Cai) Motorcycle Tour: 160km 

We visit the Bac Ha Lao Cai district on the fourth day of the tour. When we arrive in Bac Ha town, we will see nature's magnificent scenery bestowed on this land, with terraced fields stretching and majestic mountains beside deep blue abysses. Each ethnic group of Mong, Tay, Dao, etc.,

wearing beautiful brocade clothes, smiles and converses, leading horses carrying various wares to the market. They sell various highland goods in the market, including vegetables, fruits, honey, or even important agricultural equipment like plows, hoes, shovels, and knives. Yet, the most alluring item is still jewelry, and brocade gowns made by the ethnic Bac Ha highland are hand-woven with colorful designs. (We bet these will make good keepsakes for your beloved ones).

One of Bac Ha's main industries is the manufacture of alcoholic home brews (rice wine, cassava wine, and corn liquor). The corn hooch produced by the Flower H'mong is so potent it can ignite! Bac Ha is the only place in Vietnam where you'll find this particular moonshine; there's an entire area devoted to it at the Sunday market.

Overnight in Bac Ha. 

Day 5: Bac Ha to Ha Giang City Motorbike Tour: 200km 

After breakfast, you take a motor ride on the track to Xin Man and Hoang Su Phi on many of the small and scenic mountain views back roads.

Xin Man is right on the border between Vietnam and China. It is, as of this writing, well-hidden and surrounded by wild mountains and forests. There's a single road from Xin Man to Hoang Su Phi. Hoang Su Phi is among the most untouched areas of Ha Giang Province of Vietnam. The area was separated from mainstream society until very recently. Passing Hoang Su Phi, you will be charmed by the pristine beauty of the wild mountains and the authentic culture of the local ethnic groups which include: the Nung, the Flower H'mong, the Tay, and the Ha Nhi People.

After stopping for lunch in the village of Xin Man, our group will travel to Hoang Su Phi to take pictures before arriving in the city of Ha Giang. The Ha Giang roads are intrinsically difficult due to their winding and rocky terrain, but as we zoom in, we get to gaze on the majesty of the plateau. It is another highlight of Ha Giang Motorbike Touring.  

Day 6: Ha Giang to Dong Van 170km

We will ride on small challenging mountain roads with incredibly beautiful land of colourful mountain hill tribes. We stop at Quan Ba to watch the vast pine forests and winding slopes.

Ride on a zig-zag track until we reach Vuong Family's Residence, 14 km from Dong Van. Vuong’s Family was considered the King of the Hmong People in Dong Van, Ha Giang. Their residence was built in the scenic valley of Sa Phin with Chinese architecture. The whole house was built out of wood and rock only. The rocks for the buildings were imported from China. Vuong’s Family Residence is a masterpiece. It is in the valley of the heavenly beauty of Sa Phin.

This is a remote area, and you can meet the hard-working local people here. It is inspiring to see how they survive as they manage to live in the rocks. When you reach Dong Van town, you will have some extra time to wander the ancient streets lined with H'mong homes of clay bricks and tiles roofs-built centuries ago.

Day 7: Dong Van - Ba Be / 270km

After enjoying breakfast, you ride your motorcycle up the Ma Pi Leng Pass. Here is yet another amazing place, with cloudy mountain ranges and the poetic Nho Que River winding off in the distance.

It is difficult to find the exact words to describe Ma Pi Leng Pass, located between Dong Van and Meo Vac, near the northernmost tip of Vietnam, as a painting of astonishing beauty and magnificence that captures the eyes of all viewers and nature lovers. The landscape is among the most beautiful scenery of Vietnam, and the slow tempo is only more appreciable. You ride your motorcycle across the wild regions of the mythical province of Ha Giang, (Meo Vac) is included. 

It is inhabited by different ethnic minorities including the H'mong, the King, Tay, and Dzao. Most ethnic groups have maintained their culture untouched by the outside world. Then you have a beautiful motor ride down to Bac Kan Province in the afternoon. Take a local boat-ride on the reservoir of Na Hang Hydro Power Factory to a village nearby Dau Dang waterfall in Ba Be National Park for homestay.

Day 8: Ba Be National Park to Hanoi, 260 km

We say farewell to Ba Ba Lake with stunning vistas of lakes, limestone summits, deep evergreen woods, and quiet rivers. Our eight-day motorcycle trip through North Vietnam ends as we ride back to Hanoi. One of the best travel decisions was to take an 8-day motorcycle tour Northern Vietnam.

It was a memorable experience to wind through treacherous passes with breathtaking views while enjoying delicious food and discovering the local culture. What are you waiting for? Let's hit the road with your best friends and start exploring!

• Experienced English Speaking Guide
• Motorbike for self-riding (licence required)
• Fuel
• 7 x Breakfast, 8 x Lunch, 7 x Dinner
• 7 Nights’ Accommodation in twin share room (single rooms available at surcharge)
• Entry Fees and Ferry Crossings
• International Safety Standard Helmet
• Drinking Water on the Road
• Saddle Bags, Gloves & Rain Ponchos (if needed)
• If more than 6 riders there will also be a tour mechanic coming
• If more than 10 riders there will also be a 2nd guide and support van for luggage coming along

• Alcohol / Minibar Drinks
• Drinks (after travel time on the road / during dinner)
• Personal & Motorbike Insurance (for motorcycle accident)
• Personal Expenses / Laundry / Tips
• Damages to Motorcycle/ Tour Equipment