MOTORBIKE TOUR 12 DAYS FROM HA NOI AND RETURN HANOI

Fishing on Ba Be Lake

Leave Vu Linh village and head to the next destination Ba Be National Park which is the biggest natural lake located in the Northern Bac Kan province. This adventure will take you off the path to see the real beauty of nature in the North of Vietnam. You will see the biggest freshwater lake in Vietnam and a charming waterfall to get there by hiking and see the unique Caves with colors and long, tiny stalagmites and stalactites.

Ba Be National Park is centered on a vast lake surrounded by chalky karsts and thick tropical jungles. This trip will take you deep into Ba Be National Park and let you float on the waters of Ba Be Lake. On this day tour, you will experience local hospitality from an ethnic minority village, go on a tranquil river trip, and explore the landscape change from rice farms to forests to towering mountains. Getting out off the main road to take a smaller one snaking through the mountains and tea plantations to arrive at the Tay village of Bo Lu.

Over here you can see how people make their living by fishing and rice and corn cultivation and they are renowned for their picturesque stilt houses. Doing the boat trip around the lake to enjoy the biggest natural lake in Vietnam. Keep riding on the stunning mountain roads to our homestay around 5 pm.

Accommodation: Hotel

Ban Gioc Waterfall, the most beautiful waterfall in Vietnam

Leaving early for a long nice day ride to Ban Gioc waterfall, we will stop at the stunning mountain views and rice paddy fields and visit the Phuc Sen village where local people make their traditional knives or some tools for working on the farm.

Visit Ban Gioc waterfall - It is one of the natural wonders of Vietnam. This enchanting fall unveils a breathtaking spectacle as pristine waters cascade from tier to tier, harmonizing with the lush landscapes. Take a hike to Truc Lam Phat Tich pagoda, this pagoda was the first to be constructed at the Northern border position in Dam Thuy, Trung Khanh, Cao Bang. From this hillside pagoda and temple, you can enjoy great views of the Ban Gioc Waterfall and the entire karst valley.

Accommodation: Homestay at Tay’s village.

Rest stop on the way

After breakfast, we will visit Nguom Ngao Cave, a must-visit attraction when in the Ban Gioc area. The astonishing cave with stalactites of various shapes is the most famous limestone grotto in the northern mountains. You will be amazed by its beauty.

Keep going on the road lined with beautiful trees and scenic mountain views to join the small heading up to Bao Lac a little town in the mountainous region of northeastern Vietnam.

The area is the home of the Black Lo Lo ethnic group, women here still wear their traditional black dresses put on over their heads, with large sleeves made of bands of cloth in different colors, and a long, full black skirt, tight at the waist and at the knee.

Enjoy more riding through the mountains, and stop to rest at some of the breathtaking mountains. Arrive at Bao Lac for the night.

Accommodation: Hotel.

Breathtaking mountain view

Today, you will have one of the best Vietnam motorbike tours. The ride is mostly on small challenging mountain roads but incredibly beautiful on the land of colorful hill tribes. You will be on some of the most beautiful passes in Vietnam such as the Ma Pi Leng, ‘Heaven Gate’ pass. Here is also a good chance to learn and experience the colorful culture of local tribes. It is inspiring to see how they survive as they manage to live on the rocks. When you reach the town, you will have some extra time to wander the ancient streets lined with H’mong homes of clay bricks and tile roofs built centuries ago.

After that, we will ride to the Nho Que River to take an hour-long beautiful boat trip around the most spectacular river view. Riding another 30 km more on the stunning road to Dong Van around 4 pm.

Accommodation: Hotel.

Dong van global karst plateau geopark

It is a great time if we come here at the weekend on Sunday morning when the ethnic people sell mostly cattle like goats pigs and cows, and items of clothing, this market is not just for selling goods but is also important for maintaining the social relations of the ethnic people such as Mong, Dao, and Tay.

Riding on the most beautiful breathtaking mountain pass to Bac Sum pass. Check in the Heaven’s Gate Pass then we’ll arrive in Tam Sơn - Quan Ba, a town surrounded by jutting, forested hills. It is a great experience to discover the diversity of ethnic culture by visiting the H’Mong village which will be told by our experienced tour guide. Having lunch in the middle of the beautiful Yen Minh village.

Continuous along the mountain road and stop at Twin Mountain and Can Ty Mountain for great scenery. Visit Tham Ma Hill, which is a highlight of the Ha Giang Loop, it offers stunning views, thrilling rides, and a spectacular panorama of hills, it is a great idea spot for some cooling pictures. At the next stop, we will visit the Vuong’s King palace - The old King of H'mong people in Sa Phin village.

As we approach Dong Van, we’ll enter Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, a UNESCO Global Geopark. This area is famous for its unique geological formations, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage. Explore the fascinating rock formations and the distinct landscapes that make this area special. Arrive at Dong Van around 4 pm.

Accommodation: Hotel.

Mountain view on the way to Hoang Su Phi

Leaving Ha Giang, we will pass the off-road trails, and pass the high peak that allows you to catch the full view of amazing terraced rice fields in the beautiful valleys.

After Passing this site, we will stop over in Xin Man town for lunch then we keep riding to visit Bac Ha market in Lao Cai province. Every Sunday, this is the biggest market in Northwestern Viet Nam, painted by the colorful costumes of many ethnic minorities like Hmong, Dao, Tay, and Nung from its neighbors. If you love Vietnamese culture, do not miss this chance to join this occasion.

Accommodation: Hotel

Stunning road to Sapa

Leaving the beautiful town of Bac Ha to Sa Pa, we continue riding along the small roads, over the fertile terraced field adored by the green of corn and rice to discover Ta Van village. This is home to the Giay ethnic minority.

The Giay communities often reside together at the bottom of mountains, the valleys, and along streams. Growing rice is the major profession of the Giay people, besides, they also produce instruments and engraved silver. They have quite various cultures with fairy tales, poetry, proverbs, and riddles. 

We will have lunch in Pho Rang town and after that, we will have an easy ride to Lao Cai on the winding road with a different view from what you’ve seen. Before getting into the town center, you will have a short visit to the China and Vietnam border. After a short break in Lao Cai to see the China border, we will have a very beautiful motorbike ride up to Sapa. This motorbike ride is up and up to 1,600 meters above sea level. It offers a great view of mountains with terrace fields and it must be one of the best motorbike rides in North Vietnam. Finish our trip to Sapa at around 4: 00 pm.

Accommodation: Hotel

Rice terraces in Mu Cang Chai

Leaving Sapa for Mu Cang Chai for the breathtaking journey again through the heart of northern Vietnam’s mountain landscapes, terraced rice fields, and ethnic minority villages. This route offers some of the most scenic views in northern Vietnam, making it a favorite for motorbike-riding adventurers and nature lovers.

The climate is still cool and with beautiful terraced rice paddies the road soon ascends into the mountains. Shortly after leaving Sapa, we’ll encounter the O Quy Ho Pass, one of Vietnam’s most famous mountain passes. At over 2,000 meters above sea level, it offers spectacular views of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range and plunging valleys.

Riding toward Mu Cang Chai, the route takes us through traditional villages with sweeping views of terraced fields. A village like Than Uyen is rich in local culture, and its fields create mesmerizing patterns that change with the season.

Arriving in Mu Cang Chai, you’ll find some of the most picturesque terraced rice fields in Vietnam. Recognized as a National Heritage Site, these terraces are particularly stunning during the rice-growing seasons of May to June when fields are lush and green, and September to October are the harvest time when it turns golden. This area is ideal for photography and short hikes to capture the beauty of the landscape.

Throughout the journey, we’ll encounter people from the H'mong and Thai ethnic groups, known for their traditional clothing, distinct dialects, and unique farming methods. Visiting the local markets and interacting with the villagers offers a glimpse into their daily lives and cultural heritage. We arrive at Mu Cang Chai around 4 pm.

Accommodation:  Local homestay/ Hotel

Smoothy and quiet road

The motorbike journey today from Mu Cang Chai to Phu Yen will take us through some of Vietnam’s most scenic and unspoiled landscapes in the northwest. Mu Cang Chai is renowned for its stunning terraced rice fields, which are especially breathtaking during the harvest season. The winding roads offer spectacular views of lush valleys, dramatic mountains, and ethnic minority villages.
On our way towards Phu yen, we’ll traverse quiet mountain passes and rural roads, passing through untouched countryside. Phu Yen is a peaceful town and less traveler destination that offers natural beauty and cultural experiences. While it is not as well-known as other areas, it has several attractions that make it worth a visit, particularly for those seeking tranquility and a glimpse into local life.
Keep riding our bike on the stunning mountain and valley, we will visit tea plantations, and the fields spread across the hills, offering a peaceful landscape for a scenic ride or walk. You can visit some of the local tea farms, learn about the tea-making process, and enjoy a cup of fresh tea. We arrive at our hotel at 5 pm.

Accommodation:  Hotel.

Rice fields along the mountain road

It is a very enjoyable motorbike ride today to Mai Chau Valley. It offers some different views from the days before with different hill tribe villages. Leaving Phu Yen town, we will have a great ride along the Da River on the winding road between the river lake and the mountains. It is likely a motorcycle tour on the coastline in central Vietnam. After crossing the Da River by ferry, we will motorcycle up and up to the Moc Chau plateau where we stop for lunch, then after lunch, we’ll make a turn to the quiet mountain road named Hua Tat, it’s built by the French during wartime and nowadays. We will arrive in Mai Chau Valley in the late afternoon, Mai Chau is known for its peaceful valley, lush green rice fields, and traditional Thai stilt houses. This charming town is a popular retreat for travelers looking to experience rural Vietnamese life. You can unwind in the valley, and explore local markets. The beauty of Mai Chau’s landscape, combined with the hospitality of the local people, makes it a perfect end to your ride. Continue riding along the way, we’ll pass through Moc Chau, a region famous for its tea plantations and dairy farms in the north of Vietnam. This area is often shrouded in mist, adding an ethereal quality to the ride. Keep riding toward Mai Chau at 5 pm.

Accommodation: Thai's village Homestay.