NORTHERN VIETNAM 10-DAY MOTORBIKE LOOP FROM HANOI THROUGH HA GIANG & SAPA

 TOUR DESCRIPTION 

The northern motorbike tour from Hanoi via Ha Giang Loop and return to Hanoi is a captivating adventure through Vietnam’s northernmost landscapes. This route offers a blend of rugged mountain terrain, lush valleys, and rich cultural experiences. Ha Giang Loop is famed for its dramatic limestone peaks, rice terraces, and winding roads that lead through remote ethnic minority villages. Stop by Thac Ba Lake, provides a peaceful contrast with its calm waters and traditional stilt houses. Returning to Hanoi, this journey encapsulates northern Vietnam's breathtaking beauty and cultural diversity, making it an unforgettable northern loop motorbike riding adventure.

DAY 1: HA NOI → BA BE LAKE: 240 KM

This adventure will take you off the path to see the real beauty of nature in the North of Vietnam. You will see the biggest freshwater lake in Vietnam and a charming waterfall to get there by hiking and see the unique Caves with colors and long, tiny stalagmites and stalactites

Ba Be National Park is centered on a vast lake surrounded by chalky karsts and thick tropical jungles. This trip will take you deep into Ba Be National Park and let you float on the waters of Ba Be Lake. On this day tour, you will experience local hospitality from an ethnic minority village, go on a tranquil river trip, and explore the landscape change from rice farms to forests to towering mountains. Getting out off the main road to take a smaller one snaking through the mountains and tea plantations to arrive at the Tay village of Bo Lu.

Over here you can see how people make their living by fishing and rice and corn cultivation and they are renowned for their picturesque stilt houses. Doing the boat trip around the lake to enjoy the biggest natural lake in Vietnam and arriving at our homestay around 5 pm.

Accommodation: Homestay.

DAY 2: BA BE LAKE TO BAN GIOC WATERFALL: 206 KM

Leaving early for a long nice day ride to Ban Gioc waterfall, we will stop at the stunning mountain views and rice paddy fields and visit the Phuc Sen village where local people make their traditional knives or some tools for working on the farm.

Visit Ban Gioc waterfall- It is one of the natural wonders of Vietnam. This enchanting fall unveils a breathtaking spectacle as pristine waters cascade from tier to tier, harmonizing with the lush landscapes. Take a hike to Truc Lam Phat Tich pagoda, this pagoda was the first to be constructed at the Northern border position in Dam Thuy, Trung Khanh, Cao Bang. From this hillside pagoda and temple, you can enjoy great views of the Ban Gioc Waterfall and the entire karst valley.

Accommodation: Homestay at Tay’s village.

DAY 3: BAN GIOC WATERFALL TO BAO LAC: 170 KM

After breakfast, we will visit Nguom Ngao Cave, a must-visit attraction when in the Ban Gioc area. The astonishing cave with stalactites of various shapes is the most famous limestone grotto in the northern mountains. You will be amazed by its beauty.

Keep going on the road lined with beautiful trees and scenic mountain views to join the small heading up to Bao Lac a little town in the mountainous region of northeastern Vietnam.

The area is the home of the Black Lo Lo ethnic group, women here still wear their traditional black dresses put on over their heads, with large sleeves made of bands of cloth in different colors, and a long, full black skirt, tight at the waist and at the knee.

Enjoy more riding through the mountain and stop to rest at some of the breathtaking mountains and arrive at Bao Lac for the night.

Accommodation: Hotel.

DAY 4: BAO LAC TO DONG VAN: 130 KM

Today, you will have one of the best Northern Vietnam motorbike tours. The ride is mostly on small challenging mountain roads but incredibly beautiful on the land of colorful hill tribes. You will be on some of the most beautiful passes in Vietnam such as the Ma Pi Leng pass, and the ‘Heaven Gate’ pass. Here is also a good chance to learn and experience the colorful culture of local tribes. It is inspiring to see how they survive as they manage to live on the rocks. When you reach the town, you will have some extra time to wander the ancient streets lined with H’mong homes of clay bricks and tile roofs built centuries ago.

After that, we will ride to the Nho Que River to take an hour beautiful boat trip around the most spectacular river view. Arrive another 30 km more on the stunning view of Dong Van around 4 pm.

Accommodation: Hotel.

DAY 5: DONG VAN TO HA GIANG: 140 KM

It is a great time if we come here at the weekend on Sunday morning when the ethnic people sell mostly cattle like goats pigs and cows, and items of clothing, this market is not just for selling goods but is also important for maintaining the social relations of the ethnic people such as Mong, Dao, and Tay.

Riding on the most beautiful breathtaking mountain pass to Bac Sum pass. Check in the Heaven’s Gate Pass then we’ll arrive in Tam Sơn - Quan Ba, a town surrounded by jutting, forested hills. It is a great experience to discover the diversity of ethnic culture by visiting the H’Mong village which will be told by our experienced tour guide. Having lunch in the middle of the beautiful Yen Minh village.

Continuous along the mountain road and stop at Twin Mountain and Can Ty Mountain for great scenery. Visit Tham Ma Pass, which is a highlight of the Ha Giang Loop, it offers stunning views, thrilling rides, and a spectacular panorama of hills, it is a great idea spot for some cooling pictures. At the next stop, we will visit the Vuong’s King palace - The old King of H'mong people in Sa Phin village.

As we approach Ha Giang, we’ll enter Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, a UNESCO Global Geopark. This area is famous for its unique geological formations, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage. Explore the fascinating rock formations and the distinct landscapes that make this area special. Arrive at Ha Giang around 4 pm.

Accommodation: Hotel.

DAY 6: HA GIANG TO SAPA: 220 KM

Sapa itself is a bustling town that sits high in the mountains, offering spectacular views of the surrounding region. The town is a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, drawn by its cool climate and the chance to explore the nearby ethnic minority villages.

After breakfast, you will have a smooth motorbike ride on road number two for about 40 kilometers, and then you will take a turn to a small road to Pho Rang - the road is small and somewhere bumpy but the scenery is completely different from what you saw in days before. The scenery is a wonderful mixture of green mountains, rice fields, and graceful villages of the ethnic people. You will have lunch in Pho Rang and after that, you will have an easy ride to Lao Cai on the winding road with a different view from what you’ve seen.

Before getting into the town center, you will have a short visit to the China and Vietnam border. After a short break in Lao Cai to see the China border, we will have a very beautiful motorbike ride up to Sapa. This motorbike ride is up and up to 1,600 meters above sea level. It offers a great view of mountains with terrace fields and it must be one of the best motorbike rides in North Vietnam. Finish our trip to Sapa at around 4: 00 pm.
Accommodation: Hotel.

DAY 7: SAPA TO MU CANG CHAI: 160 KM

Leaving Sapa for Mu Cang Chai for the breathtaking journey again through the heart of northern Vietnam’s mountain landscapes, terraced rice fields, and ethnic minority villages. This route offers some of the most scenic views in northern Vietnam, making it a favorite for motorbike-riding adventurers and nature lovers.

The climate is still cool and with beautiful terraced rice paddies the road soon ascends into the mountains. Shortly after leaving Sapa, we’ll encounter the O Quy Ho Pass, one of Vietnam’s most famous mountain passes. At over 2,000 meters above sea level, it offers spectacular views of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range and plunging valleys.

Riding toward Mu Cang Chai, the route takes us through traditional villages with sweeping views of terraced fields. A village like Than Uyen is rich in local culture, and its fields create mesmerizing patterns that change with the season.

Arriving in Mu Cang Chai, you’ll find some of the most picturesque terraced rice fields in Vietnam. Recognized as a National Heritage Site, these terraces are particularly stunning during the rice-growing seasons of May to June when fields are lush and green, and September to October are the harvest time when it turns golden. This area is ideal for photography and short hikes to capture the beauty of the landscape.

Throughout the journey, we’ll encounter people from the H'mong and Thai ethnic groups, known for their traditional clothing, distinct dialects, and unique farming methods. Visiting the local markets and interacting with the villagers offers a glimpse into their daily lives and cultural heritage. We arrive at Mu Cang Chai around 4 pm.

Accommodation: Local homestay/ Hotel
DAY 8: MU CANG CHAI  → PHU YEN: 187 KM

The motorbike journey today from Mu Cang Chai to Phu Yen will take us through some of Vietnam’s most scenic and unspoiled landscapes in the northwest. Mu Cang Chai is renowned for its stunning terraced rice fields, which are especially breathtaking during the harvest season. The winding roads offer spectacular views of lush valleys, dramatic mountains, and ethnic minority villages.
On our way towards Phu yen, we’ll traverse quiet mountain passes and rural roads, passing through untouched countryside. Phu Yen is a peaceful town and less traveler destination that offers natural beauty and cultural experiences. While it is not as well-known as other areas, it has several attractions that make it worth a visit, particularly for those seeking tranquility and a glimpse into local life.
Keep riding our bike on the stunning mountain and valley, we will visit tea plantations, and the fields spread across the hills, offering a peaceful landscape for a scenic ride or walk. You can visit some of the local tea farms, learn about the tea-making process, and enjoy a cup of fresh tea. We arrive at our hotel at 5 pm.

Accommodation: Hotel.

DAY 9: PHU YEN  → MAI CHAU: 170 KM

It is a very enjoyable motorbike ride today to Mai Chau Valley. It offers some different views from the days before with different hill tribe villages. Leaving Phu Yen town, we will have a great ride along the Da River on the winding road between the river lake and the mountains. It is likely a motorcycle tour on the coastline in central Vietnam. After crossing the Da River by ferry, we will motorcycle up and up to the Moc Chau plateau where we stop for lunch, then after lunch, we’ll make a turn to the quiet mountain road named Hua Tat, it’s built by the French during wartime and nowadays. We will arrive in Mai Chau Valley in the late afternoon, Mai Chau is known for its peaceful valley, lush green rice fields, and traditional Thai stilt houses. This charming town is a popular retreat for travelers looking to experience rural Vietnamese life. You can unwind in the valley, and explore local markets. The beauty of Mai Chau’s landscape, combined with the hospitality of the local people, makes it a perfect end to your ride. Continue riding along the way, we’ll pass through Moc Chau, a region famous for its tea plantations and dairy farms in the north of Vietnam. This area is often shrouded in mist, adding an ethereal quality to the ride. Keep riding toward Mai Chau at 5 pm.

Accommodation: Thai's village Homestay.

DAY 10: MAI CHAU RETURNS TO HA NOI: 140 KM

Today, we will have a short ride around 140 km toward Hanoi after a 10-day ride on the motorbike, we will make some stops and enjoy as much as possible of our last ride on the stunning mountains before going down to the busy road of Ha Noi.
As we leave Mai Chau and head toward Hanoi, we will visit the massive Hoa Binh Lake, it’s a great spot for a quick stop where you can enjoy the view of the limestone karsts and islands dotting the lake. We also visit Hoa Binh Hydro Power Plant, one of the largest in Southeast Asia, while not the most scenic spot, it’s an interesting landmark that showcases Vietnam’s push toward energy development.
Stop at Cun Pass for a cup of coffee and enjoy the panoramic views of the valleys below. After resting, we will take the last countryside ride with stretches of road lined by green hills and arrive at Ha Noi before peak times to avoid traffic jams and finish our motorbike journey together.

√ What's included

  • Motorbike driver

  • Hotel pick up/drop off 

  • English-speaking tour guides

  • Sightseeing tickets

  • Accommodation: Double or twin shared rooms at hotel/ homestay: 2 guests/ room

  • Motorcycle protective gear (Helmet, Elbows & Knees)

  • Raincoat.

√ What's not included

  • Personal expenses

  • Meals & drinks

  • Medical insurance

  • Bike damages (For self-riding)

  • Tips.

√ Important Notes

  • Pick up time: 8:30 am at your hotel or requested area in Ha Noi city 

  • We can tailor a tour to your preferences and desired dates

  • During the trip, we provide private rooms at the homestay or local hotel. If you want to upgrade to a higher hotel standard, please request it which incurs an extra charge

  •  For group tours, if a guest requests a private room, an additional surcharge will apply

  • The tour price does not include a support vehicle, or airport pick-up/drop-off, but we can arrange these services for an additional cost if needed

  • The tour cost can be changed depending on the low/high tourist season or other special requests, please contact us to get the right price for your tour

  • Passengers sitting behind self-riding partners will be charged 70% of the $1,000 USD fee.

AN ADDITIONAL FEE APPLIES FOR SELF-RIDING