10-Day Northern Vietnam Offroad Motorcycle Tour

This 10-day Northern Vietnam Offroad Motorcycle Tour is a rider’s favorite from the hidden jungles of Ba Be to the border routes of Ban Gioc Waterfall and the infamous Ha Giang.

Lot’s of twists and curve, remote ethnic villages, terraced valleys, scenic tarmac, dirt tracks, rough sections, and muddy roads awaiting you.

Destination includes: : Hanoi – Ba Be – Ban Gioc – Bao Lac – Dong Van – Ha Giang – Sapa – Mu Cang Chai – Ta Xua – Mai Chau

Northern Vietnam Off-road Motorcycle Tour in 10 days

Day 1: Hanoi to Ba Be national park (220km / 135 miles)

Your adventure ride starts through Red River Delta backroads, continue to arrive in Ba Be Lake, hidden inside a protected karst and rainforest ecosystem, home to Tay ethnic minorities with stilt houses.

Day 2: Ban Gioc waterfall (200km / 125 miles)

Ride from Ba Be into Cao Bang province on scenic mountain roads and occasional gravel. In Cao Bang, we visit God eye’s oasis for some offroad fun. In the afternoon arrive at Ban Gioc, right at the border with China. This is one of Southeast Asia’s largest cascades, If time permits, we take a visit to nearby Nguom Ngao Cave.

Day 3: Bao Lac via Me Pia Pass (180km / 110 miles)

Leave Ban Gioc and ride along the border line toward Bao Lac, crossing the legendary Me Pia Pass, a tight sequence of 15 switchbacks stacked up a steep mountainside. The route passes remote Tay, Nung, and Hmong villages where corn dries on wooden racks and a tea stop means a plastic chair and a tiny cup by the road. Arrive Bao Lac by late afternoon, check in at a local home-stay.

Day 4: Dong Van via Meo Vac (120km / 75 miles)

Leave Bao Lac and push toward Meo Vac, crossing Ma Pi Leng Pass, known as Vietnam’s King of Passes, where the Nho Que River cuts through the canyon far below in a ribbon of green-blue. If time permits, a short boat ride on the river is a rare contrast after hours on the cliffs. Overnight in Dong Van old quarter.

• Check out Ha Giang Motorbike Tours

Day 5: Yen Minh – Ha Gang town (150km / 95 miles)

Ride out of Dong Van through rocky plateau villages toward Yen Minh, passing constant winding roads through pine forests and terraced valleys. Stop at Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate for wide panoramas over misty karst fields before the terrain softens down toward Ha Giang city. Overnight in Ha Giang, a basecamp stop for bike checks and rest before tomorrow’s long push to Sapa.

Day 6: Sapa (250km / 155 miles)

An early start out of Ha Giang into the Northwest highlands, where the road alternates between fast river plains and tight climbing bends. Arrive Sapa by afternoon, with time for a short ride into Muong Hoa Valley to catch the terraced rice fields before a cold mountain evening.

• Check out Northwest motorbike tours

Day 7: Mu Cang Chai (245km / 90 miles)

Ride out of Sapa over Tram Ton Pass, where clouds drift across the asphalt and temperatures drop near the top. The road opens into rolling valleys as you descend toward Mu Cang Chai, arriving in time for afternoon viewpoints over the terrace systems at La Pan Tan.

Day 8: Ta Xua – Ride up to famous dinosaur spine (180km / 110 miles)

The ride from Mu Cang Chai to Ta Xua starts on main roads for narrow ridgelines, rough concrete, and occasional dirt tracks through remote highland villages. Arrive at Ta Xua’s Dinosaur’s spine ridge in time for sunset above the cloud sea.

Day 9: Mai Chau (170km / 105 miles)

Drop from Ta Xua’s ridges toward warmer valley air, riding a mix of smooth winding roads and narrow village lanes before Mai Chau opens up flat and green below limestone hills. Afternoon free to cycle around Lac Village. Overnight in a valley homestay.

Day 10: Hanoi – end of the 10 day north Vietnam off-road tour (160km / 100 miles)

Morning mist over Mai Chau rice fields before climbing out of the valley on a final stretch of sharp curves and scenic viewpoints. The road gradually flattens into Hanoi’s lowlands, ending a loop through Ban Gioc, Ma Pi Leng, Tram Ton, and Ta Xua.