North Vietnam Motorbike Tour With Ha Giang Loop

Ride through Northern Vietnam on a 12-day motorbike adventure from Hanoi to the legendary Ha Giang Loop and Sapa. Experience breathtaking landscapes, vibrant mountain culture, and the freedom of the open road.

Imagine the cool mountain air brushing against your face as you lean into each curve, the scent of pine forests and fresh rice fields filling the air. Every stop becomes a moment to sip hot tea with locals, share smiles despite language barriers, and watch the golden sun set behind jagged limestone peaks. This isn’t just a ride—it’s a journey where the road, the culture, and the people leave a lasting imprint on your heart.

12 days: North Vietnam Motorbike Tour With Ha Giang Loop

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

We’ll pick you up from the airport and transfer you straight to your hotel. In the evening, your tour guide meets you for a welcome dinner with authentic Vietnamese specialties in the lively heart of Hanoi.

Hanoi, Vietnam’s bustling capital, blends centuries-old architecture with rich cultural influences from Southeast Asia, China, and France. The city’s famous Old Quarter invites you to wander its maze of narrow streets, where vendors sell everything from fresh groceries to steaming bowls of local dishes.

Day 2: Hanoi – Pu Luong (180 km / 110 Miles)

After breakfast, pick up our motorbikes. A quick briefing on the bikes, safety, and today’s ride sets us off on our northern Vietnam adventure.

We leave Hanoi’s busy streets behind and follow quiet country roads into the mountains. Along the way, we pass terraced rice fields, stilt houses, and bamboo waterwheels. By late afternoon, we roll into Pu Luong, where a peaceful valley village welcomes us for the night.

Day 3: Pu Luong – Moc Chau (160km / 95 Miles)

We ride through Mai Chau’s lush valleys and join National Road 6 toward the Moc Chau Plateau. Along the way, we stop at the Tat Nang Waterfall before climbing into a landscape unlike anywhere else in Vietnam.

Moc Chau greets us with rolling hills, stone walls, fruit orchards, and surreal rocky fields that feel almost lunar. Before reaching our stop for the night, we detour through local villages to explore tea plantations and watch daily life unfold.

Day 4: Mu Cang Chai (220km / 135 Miles)

We ride north through villages, tea fields, and corn plantations on winding mountain roads. Ride next to the Da River following toward the Phu Yen. The ride continues over hills and mountain passes, with sweeping views of valleys filled with tea plantations, orange groves, and endless rice fields.

From Ba Khe, we head to Mu Cang Chai—famous for its spectacular rice terraces, often called the “Photographers’ Route.” Riding across passes above 1,500 meters, we stop for breathtaking panoramas and countless photo opportunities. By evening, we arrive in a small village to spend the night surrounded by terraced landscapes.

Day 5: Sapa (170km / 105 Miles)

Today we ride north toward Sapa, Indochina’s highest peak at 3,147m. Along the way, we pass through valleys and villages home to Hmong, Thai, Lao, Dzay, and Dao ethnic tribes.

Crossing the Hoang Lien mountain range, we climb Tram Ton Pass, Vietnam’s highest at 1,900m, and stop at the impressive 100m-high Silver Waterfall. Depending on the weather, we may ride the Fansipan cable car for sweeping views from the summit. Arrive, check in and relax, and, explore Sapa center.

Day 6: Bac Ha (180km /110Miles)

We leave Sapa early and ride through the Muong Hoa Valley, passing riverside villages of the Hmong, Zay, and Red Dao. Rice paddies line the way, perfect for photos.

By afternoon, we reach Bac Ha and explore its vibrant market—one of the most authentic in northern Vietnam. Here, Flower Hmong, Dao, Tay, Nung, and Phu La gather to trade fabrics, handicrafts, livestock, and share rice liquor over steaming bowls of soup.

If time allows, we trek to Flower Hmong villages before ending the day with dinner in a traditional Tay stilt house, a warm dive into local culture.

Day 7: Nam Dam (200km /124Miles)

We ride deeper into the northern mountains toward Xin Man and Hoang Su Phi, following a scenic trail along the Sino-Vietnamese border—China lies just a few kilometers away. Quiet mountain roads reveal stunning views before we descend to the Lo River and briefly join Highway 2.

By afternoon, we arrive in Nam Dam, a peaceful village surrounded by nature, where our mountain lodge offers the perfect retreat after the ride.

Day 8: Bao Lac & Ha Giang Loop (210km / 130Miles)

We ride through Ha Giang to Lung Tam, a village known for traditional weaving that support sustainable development. From there, the road leads us toward Dong Van and the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass, where dramatic karst peaks tower over the Nho River valley.

This stage of the Ha Giang Loop delivers some of Vietnam’s most breathtaking scenery—deep valleys, terraced fields, and remote villages. By evening, we settle into a small mountain village, surrounded by one of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful landscapes.

• Check out Ha Giang motorbike tours

Day 9: Ban Gioc Waterfall (200km / 124Miles)

We ride northeast toward the Chinese border, crossing mountain passes, terraced rice fields, and limestone peaks that define Vietnam’s northern landscapes. The winding roads and dramatic scenery make this a dream ride for motorbike travelers.

By late afternoon, we reach Ban Gioc Waterfall, one of Vietnam’s most stunning natural wonders. Boats glide across the border river, offering views from both Vietnam and China. We end the day at a peaceful guesthouse nearby.

Day 10: Ba Be Lake (200km /124Miles)

Gear up and ride south toward Ba Be, stopping in Bao Lac to visit Coc Xa, a Lolo Noir village made famous by French rugby player Frédéric Michalak. A short walk lets us experience local life before continuing into Ba Be National Park.

Surrounded by towering karst peaks and lush jungle, Ba Be Lake is home to Tay, Dao, and Hmong communities who live off fishing and farming. We end the day with dinner and an overnight stay in a Tay stilt house in Pac Ngoi village.

Day 11: Hanoi (230km /142Miles)

We start with a boat trip on Ba Be Lake, the largest natural lake in northern Vietnam, perfect for photos. Then we ride 230 km back to Hanoi, passing tea plantations near Thai Nguyen and rice fields along the way. After checking into the hotel, we gather for a farewell dinner.

Day 12: Departure

Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or extend your trip another part of the Vietnam