11 Days North Vietnam Motorbike Tour on Tarmac & Backroads

Being famous for imposing mountain passes, beautiful rice terrace fields, amazing rocky mountains and colorfully attired friendly minorities, North Vietnam is a great destination for motorcyclists and nature lovers.

This unique 11 day motorbike ride across North Vietnam have been carefully planned to ride across tarmac and backroads, suitable for those riders want to focus on quieter roads rather than wet and off-road trails, the tour includes Mai Chau valley, Mu Cang Chai, Sapa, Ha Giang, Dong Van Rock Plateau, Thac Ba lake and Ba Be lake. Check out our North Vietnam motorbike tours for more itinerary ideas.

11 Days North Vietnam Motorbike Tour for riders of all levels

Day 1: Hanoi to Mai Chau Valley (170 km / 105 miles)

The ride to Mai Chau starts at about 8:00, heading southwest of Hanoi to escape the busy capital before entering the mountains where the tour begins properly. The route follows countryside roads through green landscapes and local villages. After lunch in Hoa Binh, the ride continues on mountain backroads along the Da riverbank before descending into Mai Chau valley.

Arrival in Mai Chau is around 5:00 pm.

Day 2: Mai Chau – Phu Yen (150 km / 93 miles)

After breakfast, the route continues toward Phu Yen with many opportunities for landscape photography and visits to local hill tribe villages.

Before climbing the Moc Chau plateau, riders can choose a short off-road section through rustic villages or continue on the quiet old French road with mountain views. After lunch in Moc Chau, the ride follows the Da river to a ferry crossing before continuing beside the river toward Phu Yen town.

Arrival in Phu Yen is around 4:30 pm.

Day 3: Phu Yen – Mu Cang Chai – Than Uyen (210 km / 130 miles)

This 210 km ride from Phu Yen to Than Uyen includes terraced rice fields, winding mountain passes and local hill tribe villages. The route gives riders the chance to experience some of the roads and scenery that make North Vietnam famous for motorcycle touring.

Arrival in Than Uyen is around 5:00 pm.

Day 4: Than Uyen to Sapa (110 km / 68 miles)

After breakfast, the route heads toward Sapa and O Quy Ho pass, one of the longest and most beautiful mountain passes in North Vietnam.

The first part of the ride passes villages and tea farms on smooth roads. The final section climbs toward Heaven Gate at around 2,000 meters above sea level. Arrival in Sapa is at lunch time. The afternoon is free to explore Sapa by motorbike or on foot.

Day 5: Sapa – Bac Ha (160 km / 100 miles)

The ride leaves Sapa and heads northeast toward Bac Ha. The road descends along the Hoang Lien mountain range with views across farmland and terraced rice fields. Most of the day follows sealed roads before continuing along the Chinese border through small villages toward Bac Ha.

Arrival in Bac Ha is around 4:00 pm.

Day 6: Bac Ha – Ha Giang: Off-road ride (190 km / 118 miles)

Today’s ride to Ha Giang includes off-road sections and mountain scenery through Xin Man and Hoang Su Phi. After lunch in a rustic local restaurant, the route follows winding roads beside rivers and rice terraces before reaching Ha Giang in the late afternoon.

Day 7: Ha Giang – Dong Van (150 km / 93 miles)

Ha Giang is known for rocky plateaus, mountain roads and colorful local hill tribe communities. The ride toward Dong Van includes many stops for photography and visits to local villages inside the Dong Van Global Geo-park.

Arrival in Dong Van is around 5:00 pm.

Day 8: Dong Van – Bao Lac (160 km / 100 miles)

After breakfast, riders can explore Dong Van ancient town or nearby hills before continuing the route toward Bao Lac. The ride crosses Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of the most famous mountain passes in Vietnam, surrounded by the rocky landscape of the Dong Van Global Geo-Park.

Day 9: Bao Lac – Ba Be lake (150 km / 93 miles)

The route follows the Gam river through hill tribe villages before continuing onto one of the most famous off-road routes in Vietnam. The ride includes bamboo bridge crossings, remote villages and mountain tracks before arriving at Ba Be lake. The day ends with a boat trip on Ba Be lake and an overnight stay with a Tay minority family homestay.

Day 10: Ba Be lake – Thac Ba lake (160 km / 100 miles)

The route continues toward Thac Ba lake through ATK Dinh Hoa with stops at historical sites and the French-era tunnel. The ride finishes at a quiet Dzao village beside Thac Ba lake before another boat trip across the lake.

Day 11: Thac Ba lake – Hanoi (180 km / 110 miles)

The final day follows quiet and safe roads back to Hanoi with optional off-road sections before returning to the capital. Arrival in Hanoi is before rush hour.