Introduction
North Vietnam motorbike tours, particularly our engaging trip from Hanoi to Ba Be, will make you feel the mighty beauty of the northwest mountains. I’ll take you to Mai Chau Valley, watching the immense rice paddies and brilliant terraced rice fields. To Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, you’ll admire the extremely beautiful picture in the northernmost part of Vietnam. The 9-day journey promises to bring unforgettable experiences and allows travelers to take great photos to save our trip.ÂNorth Vietnam Motorbike Tours: 9 Memorable Days from Hanoi to Ba Be
Day 1 – Hanoi to Mai Chau Motorcycle Tour
Everyone was at the meeting point on time to discuss the safety details and trip instructions. By 9 am, all are ready to go to Mai Chau – a mountainous district located at the westernmost point of Hoa Binh province. Passing the winding passes in Thung Khe and Thung Nhuoi, we would see the endless beauty of mountains and forests on the way to Mai Chau. It’s about 140 km from the center of Hanoi, conquering tourists with the fragrant sticky rice seasons that are gradually appearing under new sunlight and incredible views. Our journey is expected to last until sunset. We’re very excited to quickly come here and enjoy the Vietnamese food. At night, we and the local people danced around the fire and drank “Ruou Can” – an unforgettable moment.
Day 2 – Mai Chau to Nghia Lo Motorbike Route
The sound of a rooster crowing woke us up. The homestay host prepared us a hearty breakfast with sticky rice and hill chicken, which was delicious. We didn’t have plenty of time to see the sunrise because we had to quickly move to the next destination—a remote area where Hmong people live. Riding a little further, particularly having to cross a mountain pass, we saw a vast tea plantation and immediately thought of a cup of fragrant hot tea. However, to arrive at Nghia Lo – Yen Bai on time, our trip might not stop. This town covers the second largest field in the Northwestern mountainous region: Muong Lo field. We were all stunned by the immense golden rice paddies of the Hmong and Thai people. After a long journey of 230 km, we spent most of the remaining time visiting Muong Lo market – a major commercial activity point of Yen Bai province.
Day 3 – Nghia Lo to Sapa Motorbike Road Trip
The mild weather in Nghia Lo made us forget our tiredness. Thanks to the homestay owner who took us to the alley, the route to conquer Vietnam’s highest mountain peak, Fansipan, was waiting for us. From O Quy Ho Pass (Tram Ton), the highest pass in Vietnam, we watched the picturesque and splendorous landscape like a gate to heaven. Riding along National Highway 4D is a wonderful, unique experience. The towering limestone peaks rise high, plunge down the steep slope, and gradually give way to the northern countryside valleys. Going about 20 or 30 kilometers further on the west of Tram Ton Pass, the winding and undulating road formed the Hoang Lien Son range. The breathtaking scenery along the way would constantly beckon us, so we often wanted to stop our transports aside and take a few photos. Our team arrived in Sapa before 5 pm and had a delicious dinner there.
Day 4 – Off-road Sapa Motorcycle Ride
We spent a day enjoying the chilly air in Sapa. Everybody decided to ride to Muong Hoa valley after breakfast. The most prominent must mention the rolling, winding terraced fields and the mysterious ancient stone beach. After seeing the terraced fields in Sapa, we could understand why people voted them as one of the most beautiful terraced fields in the world. We had free time in the afternoon to walk the local market, Sapa Stone Church, etc. I stayed an extra night in a Lao Chai homestay before beginning tomorrow’s long trip.
Day 5 – Sapa to Ha Giang Motorbike Tour
We rode through the mountain pass when leaving Sapa to go to Lao Cai town. The incredibly picturesque Chinese border appeared before our eyes; Our group took a break for a while and enjoyed coffee on the bank of the blue Nam Thi associated with many memories of people on both sides of the border. The journey continued, and the following destination was Viet Quang, a peaceful city located in Ha Giang, Vietnam. Many popular attractions here, including Quan Thuy Hotel, GYM—ANH CHUNG COFFEE, and May 15 Square, make this place attractive. On the rugged, small roads, we came across red-roofed villages and bustling local markets on both sides. We had a quick lunch in Viet Quang, and we promptly arrived in Ha Giang in the afternoon. The 240km route exhausted us, so we quickly found a comfortable homestay in Ha Giang to relax after dinner.Â
Day 6 – Ha Giang to Dong Van Motorcycle Journey
The northernmost region of Vietnam welcomed us with a rather pleasant climate. Dong Van is 150 km north of Ha Giang. From the city, we traveled along National Highway 4C by motorbike, taking about 5 hours to arrive here. In addition to a variety of cultures and ethnic groups, we were also impressed with the stunning scenery in the Ha Giang loop. Passing the Bac Sum slope, we would reach the Dong Van Stone Plateau—one of the country’s special limestone areas. Next, there is Quan Ba Heaven Gate, which brings majestic natural beauty. We had a great day in Dong Van. Beside the flickering campfire light, those motorcyclists were having a hot dinner, and a long night passed in this peaceful town.Â
Day 7 – Dong Van to Bao Lac Motorbike Adventure
Don’t waste any minutes; we ate a hot bowl of Au Tau porridge and then left Dong Van to go to Bao Lac where many many ethnic groups were living. What a surprise! Ma Pi Leng Pass deserves to be the king of the passes in the Northwest mountains. It curves along the middle of the mountain. We stopped in one corner of the pass to see the beautiful Nho Que River and took a couple of nice photos to show off to our relatives. Then, it continued down the Meo Vac—the dreamy valley at the beginning of the Fatherland. The lunchtime in Meo Vac was delicious, including Bac Me bamboo tube rice, Thang Co, and Ha Giang Sour Pho. At about 4 pm, we reached Bao Lac, Cao Bang province, to have dinner and stay overnight in a good-feeling homestay.
Day 8 – Bao Lac to Ba Be Lake Motorcycle Trip
Crossing the forests, we moved on to small, beautiful trails. The birdsong, blended with the fresh atmosphere, helped us relax and refill our energy quickly. Let’s go! Ba Be Lake, one of the natural wonders, was waiting for us. This is one of 20 special freshwater lakes in the world that need to be protected. The water surface is always clear blue, and majestic rocky mountains and vast tropical forests surround the lake. When we all arrived at Ba Be Lake, we got to experience the natural air conditioner and wonderful greenery. Leaving behind the crude motorbikes, we relaxed on the boats to explore the raw natural beauty. Then, choose a local family to stay overnight to finish the day.
Day 9 – End Motorbike Tour North Vietnam By Coming Back Hanoi
We agreed to follow a special route, rather than moving on the highway, to watch the beauty on both sides of the road. The fragrant rice scent from the golden fields, the old roofs of the pretty fishing villages, and the peaceful life of the indigenous people captivated guests from far away places like us. If everything went as planned, we would arrive in Hanoi around 4 pm.
Summary
North Vietnam motorbike tours never disappoint you because they take you through the most beautiful roads, see the most poetic rice paddies, and let you experience the unique culture of ethnic minorities. These are unforgettable memories that you should try once in your life. Let’s go! What riders have said about PG-1 Adventure Tours on Tripadvisor!Trip Highlights
- Known for its stunning natural landscapes and ethnic culture.
- Passing through scenic mountain passes.
- Famous for its pine forests, hills, and unique ethnic culture.
- Where you’ll encounter terraced rice fields and limestone peaks.
- Known for its cave system and magnificent landscapes.
