North Vietnam Motorbike Tour With Ha Giang Loop Tour – Good Morning, Vietnam!
13 Days of Riding Pleasure in the North of Vietnam
Riding in North Vietnam is a fantastic experience. Explore the beauty of the country on perfectly selected country roads and discover the cultural diversity of the mountain tribes—especially in the far north at the border with China, where many old tracks have been paved and new roads built in recent years. Here, entirely new opportunities have arisen, and on our current routing, you can enjoy the most beautiful riding pleasure Vietnam has to offer.
In Vietnam, we now have two motorcycles to choose from, either the Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 or the Honda CB 500 X. This makes Vietnam even more enjoyable!
Our adventure begins in the capital, Hanoi. After a day of sightseeing packed with all the must-see attractions, we waste no time and jump on our motorcycles—it’s off to the high north. On the tour, you will experience the expansive rice terraces near Sapa, as well as the legendary Ha Giang Loop, the impressive Ban Gioc waterfall, the mountain tribes in Bac Ha, and the iconic rock landscapes and rice terraces that characterize the entire north—all on the most winding panoramic mountain roads with little traffic.
AT A GLANCE
AT A GLANCE
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17.11. – 29.11.2024 | ||||||||
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13 days / 12 nights / 10 riding days | ||||||||
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Overnight stays in mid-range hotels and guesthouses. |
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06.04. – 18.04.2025 16.11. – 28.11.2025 |
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13 days / 12 nights / 10 riding days | ||||||||
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Overnight stays in mid-range hotels and guesthouses. |
Highlights of North Vietnam
- Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Buddhist One Pillar Pagoda, the picturesque Temple of Literature, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake & markets
- The fascinating terraced rice landscapes of Sapa with numerous viewpoints and Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest mountain
- The mountain tribes at Bac Ha with their unique culture and way of life
- The legendary Ha Giang Loop with the “Gate of Heaven,” the landmark of North Vietnam
- Overnight stays with friends: Stay stylishly in converted farmhouses & homestays with locals to gain unique insights into their way of life
- Don’t forget your swimsuit: The impressive Ban Gioc waterfall & Ba Be Lake await
- And of course, the most beautiful curvy mountain passes & roads in the north—no road stays straight
95/5 The roads on this trip are well paved in addition to the isolated potholes typical of the country.
Most of the route is on good, paved roads. Two-lane roads alternate with narrow, single-lane mountain roads. Riders should be comfortable with hairpin bends and narrow, winding roads. Rough surfaces, potholes and the occasional unpaved road shouldn’t be a problem.
At least one place of interest per day.
With short breaks and photo stops, not counting breaks for lunch, which last about an hour. Average figures: 5-7 hours per day
Media Library
German Press Article
Vietnam Motorcycle Tour – Media Library
Motorbike Tour in North Vietnam – Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi
Pick-up service from the airport and transfer to the hotel. Tour guide and participants get to know each other during dinner with Vietnamese specialties in the heart of the metropolis Hanoi. Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is known for its centuries-old architecture and rich culture with Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences. At its heart is the chaotic old town, with narrow streets lined with vendors selling a variety of goods, groceries and local dishes.
Day 2: Hanoi
Immerse yourself in Hanoi’s fascinating history and culture while visiting its most famous historical sites. In the morning our private tour of this fascinating city begins. Our local guide will give us unique insight and a local perspective as we visit the main attractions as well as some lesser known spots. Our motorcycle trip through Vietnam begins with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum followed by Ho Chi Minh’s Former Residence. Next on the itinerary is the One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple of historical and cultural importance. We then visit the picturesque Temple of Literature. The temple was built in 1070 and is known as Vietnam’s first university.
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The tour will continue with a leisurely little stroll in the old town where we will visit the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake and the famous Ngoc Son Temple. Of course, we also get to know the lively old quarter of the city with its bars – perfect for a beer in the evening to relax.
Day 3: Pu Luong
Pick up at the hotel lobby and transfer by private vehicle to the meeting point (outside the city) where the motorbikes will be waiting for us. After a brief introduction to our Royal Enfield Himalayan, local driving habits, safety and today’s itinerary, our unforgettable journey into the North of Vietnam begins. We leave Hanoi and its rather crowded suburbs this morning for Pu Luong Nature Reserve, our destination for the day. After a short time we reach a peaceful country road. The first mountainous landscapes await us and offer interesting panoramas of terraced rice fields, stilt houses and bamboo water wheels. Our last kilometers lead us through a wide valley to Pu Luong, a village where we spend the night.
Distance covered: approx. 180 km
Day 4: Moc Chao
Today we cross the nature reserve through the green valleys of Mai Chau to reach National Road 6 that leads to the Moc Chau Plateau. On the way we pass Tat Nang Waterfall. The landscape of the Moc Chau plateau is unique, sometimes reminiscent of the landscape of northern Europe, with its small stone walls and fruit trees. There are also patches of large rocks that give the area a moon-like. Small detour to the villages a few kilometers before the end of our stage to discover tea plantations and the daily activities of the local people.
Distance covered: approx. 160 km
Day 5: Mu Cang Chai
We continue our journey north through villages, tea plantation and corn fields on a winding road. We climb a pass and then ride down to the Da River, which forms a lake. Continue along the lake to Phu Yen, over hills and mountains, some passes offer amazing views of valleys full of tea plantations, orange groves and endless paddy fields. In Ba Khe we take the road towards Mu Cang Chaï, a region famous for its cascading rice terraces. Because of its beauty, the area is known as the “Photographers’ Route”.
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We cross passes at over 1500m altitude. The panorama is simply beautiful. There will be countless opportunities for unforgettable photos. At the end of the day we reach a small village, where we will spend the night.
Distance covered: approx. 220 km
Day 6: Sapa
Today we continue north to the town of Sapa, from where we can admire Mount Fansipan, the highest mountain in Indochina (3147m). The valleys and villages are populated by the Hmong and Thai ethnic minorities, the largest in the region. We ride across several passes belonging to the mountains of the Hoang Lien chain. It is an opportunity to meet the Blue Hmong, the Black Hmong but also the Lao, Lu, Dzay and other Dao people in these small mountain villages.
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We cross Vietnam’s highest pass, Tram Ton, which rises to 1900 meters above sea level And descend to Sapa town. On the way we stop at the Silver Waterfall, which is impressive with its 100 meters high. Depending on the weather conditions, we can take the Fansipan cable car to reach the top of the mountain (optional). We arrive in Sapa where we have enough time to discover the place on our own.
Distance covered: approx. 170 km
Day 7: Bac Ha
Early departure from Sapa. This morning we drive through the wide valley of Muong Hoa towards Bac Ha. Along the river crossing the valley, we ride through Hmong, Zay and Red Dao ethnic villages. It’s an opportunity to see beautiful rice paddies that provide wonderful photo opportunities. Upon arrival if we still have time, we will trek through the villages of the Hmong flowers, one of the most important ethnic minorities in the region. During dinner we delve a little deeper into the local culture and are guests in a traditional stilt house with a Tay family. In the early afternoon we have the opportunity to visit one of the most authentic markets in the region. The Bac Ha market is an important event for various ethnic minorities living in the region.
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It can be considered an ethnic gathering: Hmong Flower, Dao Blacks, Phu La, Tay, Nung, are on site and selling! The market creates the social connection between all these minorities around a hot soup or a glass of rice liquor. We will find fabrics, local handicrafts, tobacco, utensils, and animals of all kinds.
Distance covered: approx. 180 km
Day 8: Nam Dam
We ride deeper into the mountains of Vietnam and on the way to Xin Man and Hoang Su Phi. We take this “trail” which is both a shortcut and a unique opportunity to admire the mountain range that forms the natural Sino-Vietnamese border. China is only a few kilometers away from here. After another 30 kilometers on a quiet mountain road, we reach National Highway number 2 near the Lo River. The traffic gets a little heavier, also because the road is used by some trucks. Fortunately, this is only the case for a few kilometers, because in the afternoon we reach Nam Dam, where our lodge in the middle of nature awaits us.
Distance covered: approx. 200 km
Day 9: Bao Lac and Ha Giang Loop Motorbike Tour
In the morning we pass through Ha Giang, the provincial capital, and then take a mountain road to Lung Tam village. Handicraft weaving is an important activity for local women there. Organized in cooperatives, supported by NGOs, it not only allows the transmission of a cultural heritage, but also fully enters the philosophy of sustainable development. Support for these types of projects is vital. We ride on to Dong Van City, which has always been an important trading center. Depending on the weather and driving ability, we will make a detour via a small concrete road to the edge of the Nho River.
The Ma Pi Leng Pass, which is reached through an exceptional karst mountain landscape, offers us, among other things, a breathtaking view of the valley with magnificent mountain landscapes. One of the most beautiful stages of the journey awaits us! When we reach Quan Ba District, we will be amazed by successive deep valleys and breathtaking landscapes. From here we take a small concrete road through some rice and corn fields towards a small village. We can observe the residents going about their daily chores in an exceptional natural setting. It is also traditionally one of the poorest regions in the entire country, and efforts are being made to help minorities diversify their incomes.
Today is the start of the legendary Ha Giang Loop into one of the most beautiful areas of Southeast Asia!
Distance covered: approx. 210 km
Day 10: Ban Gioc
Today’s fantastic route takes us to the north-easternmost tip of Vietnam directly to the Chinese border. The fantastic route leads over several passes and through landscapes that could not be more iconic for Vietnam. Rice fields, Bundt cake mountains, small valleys and mountain passes with hairpin bends alternate throughout the day and make every biker’s heart beat faster. At the end of the day, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam awaits us, and an idyllic guest house.
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The waterfall, with boats navigating the lake, marks the border with China, from where the waterfall can also be seen. A perfect day that couldn’t end better.
Distance covered: approx. 200 km
Day 11: BaBe
Early departure for our first leg south to Ba Be Lake. Arriving in the town of Bao Lac, we stop at the village of Coc Xa, a small village of the Lolo Noir minority. They became famous through the French rugby player Frédéric Michalak. He spent two weeks sharing local people’s daily life, which was recorded for a TV show.
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A walk gives us the opportunity to get in touch with the daily life of this small community. Later we arrive at Ba Be National Park and its sister lake, surrounded by gigantic karst peaks covered by dense jungle. The Tay, Dao and other H’mong live here from fishing and rice cultivation. We spend the night and dinner together in a stilt guest house of a Tay family from the village of Pac Ngoi.
Distance covered: approx. 200 km
Day 12: Hanoi
With the motor boat we discover the Ba Be lake. It is the largest natural water reserve in northern Vietnam. The light here is unique and photo enthusiasts will be delighted. After that we ride towards «Return to Civilization», 230 km with impressive landscapes, tea plantations around Thai Nguyen and rice fields along the way. After a well-deserved break at the hotel in Hanoi, we meet again for a farewell dinner.
Distance covered: approx. 230 km
Day 13: Departure day
Departure day: Individual departure and transfer to the airport or individual extension, for example on one of the many beautiful beaches in Vietnam.
Don’t Miss Out On a Wonderful Experience
Book your Vietnam Motorbike Tour Now – Good Morning Vietnam
Since our tours get filled up fast, please book our Vietnam Motorcycle Tour now to avoid disappointment.
Our Next available tours are as follows:
2024
17.11. – 29.11.
2025
06.04. – 18.04.
16.11. – 28.11.
Included Services
- Royal Enfield Himalayan incl. petrol
- English-speaking tour guide on your own motorbike
- 12 nights in middle class hotels with breakfast
- 12x dinner
- Motorbike mechanic (with spare motorbike)
- Comfortable escort vehicle for luggage and co-driver
- All entrance fees to places of interest during the tour
- Wear parts, lubricants, oil etc.
- Partially comprehensive insurance with a deductible of €500
Not included services
- Lunch, drinks
- Cable Car to Fansipan Mountain in Sapa (Optional)
Tour Concept by RC Hendrik
