9 Day Northern Vietnam Highlights Guided Motorcycle Tour

Overview

Have you always wanted to see beautiful North Vietnam by motorcycle but never had the time to be away for three weeks? If so, this is your chance! Numerous mountain people inhabit the mountains of North Vietnam. Each has its own traditions, languages, and traditional costumes. You'll encounter different tribes, and visit colorful markets via stunning mountain roads.

Highlights

• Starts and ends in Hanoi
• Encounter Dao, H'mong, and Nung people
• Ride through a spectacular region studded with jagged rocks
• Take your bike to one of the most beautiful rice terrace regions of Vietnam
• Enjoy the views en route to the famous Sa Pa
• 8 nights' accommodation

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

   Arrive at Hanoi Airport (HAN) either in the morning or in the afternoon, depending on the airline. It’s a half-hour drive to the hotel in the center of the old town. Depending on your time schedule and jet lag, you can explore Hanoi. During the colonial era, Hanoi was the capital of French Indochina. French history is still plainly visible, for example, in the wide boulevards and the old villas. You can stroll around the old quarter, meandering through its small streets and busy shops, or visit museums and pagodas. In the evening, you can enjoy delicious Vietnamese cuisine at the welcome dinne

2. Day 2: Hanoi - Nghia Lo (200 kilometers / 124 miles)

   Ride out of the bustling capital to the north. The first part is still busy with traffic, mostly trucks. Once on the narrow roads along the Red River, however, it is quiet and there is much to see. Nghia Lo is a nice little town where you will encounter Dao and Hmong people. You will spend the night here. In addition to the charming restaurant at the hotel, there are also many other small restaurants and snack bars in the center where you can eat.

3. Day 3: Nghia Lo - Sa Pa (235 kilometers / 146 miles)

   Ride further north. The landscape is very beautiful here. On both sides of the roads, there are green rice terraces built against the mountainsides. Ride through the mountains here, crossing over a few high passes. There are more Dao people in this area. Stop for lunch in the town of Than Uyen, after which it is another 60-kilometer ride to Sa Pa. This is the highest pass of this trip. The views en route to the famous Sa Pa Pass are fantastic and the road has been improved recently. Sa Pa is the most touristy place you'll visit on this trip. However, since you'll avoid visiting during the week

4. Day 4: Sa Pa - Bac Ha (165 kilometers / 103 miles)

   First, you will head to Lao Cai to take a look at the Chinese border. The Red River separates the two countries here and a railway bridge connects them again. Across the river, one can see the tall buildings of the relatively speaking much richer China. Follow the highway for only a few kilometers before joining a small country road that slaloms eastwards along the Chinese border. Your journey is with hilly curves, rice terraces, and river views. You will end in Bac Ha, a typical Northern Vietnamese village located in a valley with vibrant people.

5. Day 5: Bac Ha - Ha Giang (195 kilometers / 121 miles)

   Just north of Bac Ha, turn right onto a dirt road. Tourists never use this route nor is the road suitable for big traffic. The rocky highland between the two places gives rise to a very special landscape. Ride through a spectacular region studded with jagged rocks. The small Hmong villages along the way do not see many passersby. After a beautiful descent, you will arrive in Xin Man and stop here for lunch. Just outside of Xin Man, cross the bridge and turn right. Follow the river to the village of Huang Su Phi. There are many Nung people here. Furthermore, there are many Nung villages en rout

6. Day 6: Ha Giang - Meo Vac (165 kilometers / 103 miles)

   Leave not too early for your ride through an exceptionally beautiful and unique karst mountain region. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, ‘Kart Plateau Geopark’ locally known as ‘Dong Van - Meo Vac', after the two largest villages.  Immediately after Ha Giang, the road narrows and you'll climb over a beautiful ridge. Take your time to experience and absorb the breathtaking landscape and the hardworking hill tribes that are able to grow maize in apparently impossible places. There are still real communist strongholds found in the remote areas of the province. Meo Vac is such a stronghold. All

7. Day 7: Meo Vac - Ba Be (195 kilometers / 121 miles)

   Rise early today in preparation for a long adventurous day. In the morning, ride from Meo Vac to Bao Lac. This is a wonderful peaceful route through a rolling landscape covered with rice terraces. After lunch, ride along narrow inland roads to Ba Be Lake which is located in the eponymous National Park. This lake is the largest in the country. It is about seven kilometers long and one kilometer wide. The lake area is surrounded by unusual jagged karst. Within the park boundaries, there are also a number of villages with ethnic minorities, such as the Tay, Red Dao, and Witte H'mong.

8. Day 8: Ba Be - Hanoi (220 kilometers / 137 miles)

   This is a long day’s ride back to the capital. In the morning the roads are quiet, but after Than Nguyen, it gets busier. It is the last stage of the trip but perhaps the most special one. For many participants, riding into the city in the massive traffic is a fantastic end to the trip.

9. Day 9: Hanoi - Departure

   If you have not booked the extension for Ha Long Bay, then you will leave early in the morning to go to Hanoi Airport (HAN) for the flight back home.

Ride Details

Terrain

mix of asphalt and 10% off-road

Bike

rental bike (Kawasaki KLX 150cc or Honda XR 150cc) or CRF 150CC), motorbike upgrade: XR250CC, CRF250CC

Mileage

1,400 kilometers / 869 miles

Daily rides

165 - 235 kilometers / 103 - 146 miles

Riding gear

not included: helmet, motorcycle jacket with protection, gloves, a good hard-wearing pair of (motorcycle) trousers with protection, and solid high (mountain) boots

Meals

some breakfasts

Accommodation

You will spend one night at a homestay with locals and the rest of the nights will be at several accommodations chosen by Motor Trails. During this tour, you'll stay in a mix of accommodations from semi-luxurious to simple homestays.

Food

Some breakfasts are included.

Getting There

The mountains of Northern Vietnam are inhabited by numerous ethnic groups. Each group has its own traditions, language, and dress. You will encounter different people and visit colorful markets via stunning mountain roads. [+](https://www.tripaneer.com/motor-trails/9-day-northern-vietnam-highlights-guided-motorcycle-tour# "Zoom in") [−](https://www.tripaneer.com/motor-trails/9-day-northern-vietnam