North Vietnam Motorbike Tours 10D9N: Discover The Hidden Gems

Introduction

North Vietnam motorbike tours showcase different attractions depending on the itinerary you choose. Instead of famous places, we chose another route leading to beautiful, untouched towns. Luckily, the wonderful experiences of exploring nature, cuisine, culture, and history did not disappoint us. Scroll down to see the great things we've been up to!

North Vietnam Motorbike Tours: The Untouched Lands That Awaits

Day 1: Hanoi - Vu Linh (Yen Bai) Motorbike Tour

Northern Vietnam motorbike tours departed to the peaceful countryside on winding roads between vast rice fields. Riding along the Red River, we entered the rustic village of the Dao people in Vu Linh. We instantly fell in love with the local homestay, a house with wooden floors, right from the moment we stepped into the reception desk.

After a short break, we rode to Thac Ba Lake, known as "Ha Long Bay on land." Taking a boat allowed us to reach the hydroelectric plant and surrounding islands. As the west corner of the sky was bleeding into a fiery palette of orange and crimson, we leaped into the embrace of clear water and captured the mesmerizing sunset behind the limestone mountains.

Day 2: Vu Linh Motorcycle Route To Tram Tau (Yen Bai)

We were back on the bumpy road, ready for another great destination. Tea farms stretched on both sides and led us to Nghia Lo. We couldn't help but take countless photos of the terraced fields and Thai girls in colorful costumes.

Our motorbike continued rolling on Highway 32 to Tram Tau, and the first off-road challenges arrived to test our skills. A dirt road of about 25 km slowed our pace, but it only added to the excitement.

We reached the Hmong village only when the sun hid behind the terraced fields, casting a long shadow on the road. It took us by surprise that such a beautiful place didn’t attract many tourists. Believe us, this remote land is worth your effort. A soak in a natural hot spring was a much-needed relief for our weary bodies.

Day 3: Motorbike Route From Tram Tau To Son La

Another winding road between lush rice paddies guided us to the promised land. In contrast to the spontaneous stops two days ago, we scheduled to visit the "Dinosaur Spine" Ta Xua. Even though it was 8 a.m., the stopover point at an altitude of 1,500 meters was still submerged in a sea of fog, making the narrow path between the steep slopes even more challenging.

If you lack riding experience, do not take the risk. For brave souls, the reward was nothing short of extraordinary - the scene of green mountains beneath a clear blue sky illuminated by the warm sun's rays.

Soon, our Vietnam motorbike tours continued along the banks of the Da River. Not long after passing through the town of Bac Yen, a dirt road took us up to high mountains and down into the valley. After the thrilling adventure, we called it a day at Son La prison - a historical site marking the Indochina war.

Day 4: Son La - Dien Bien Phu City Motorbike Route

We woke up quite later than usual, exhausted after days of exhilarating rides. Luckily, today's route went straight to a mysterious cave and an ethnic village hidden among coffee farms. We had a leisurely morning, taking coffee breaks along the way until we reached the entrance of Pha Din Pass.

Dirt roads and back roads signaled the arrival of another offroad challenge. The pass looked like a rope hanging amidst the clouds. It was hard to figure out how the Vietnamese army had endured the barrage of bombs and storms along this solitary road.

Historical stories followed our footsteps to the heroic city of Dien Bien Phu. Through visits to significant historical sites, we delved deeper into a period of strenuous struggle of the Vietnamese people.

Day 5: Dien Bien Phu - Sin Suoi Ho (Lai Chau) Motorbike Trip

Another morning of the motorbike tour North Vietnam started with a short ride to A1 hill, where the final battle of the Dien Bien Phu campaign took place. Our tour guide recounted the resounding victory over the French colonialists, stirring deep emotions within our hearts.

Afterward, we retraced our path towards Lai Chau along a remote track. As we left Muong Chau behind, the towering mountains disappeared, and the tributaries of the Da River came into sight. We traveled along the mighty river for 70 km until we reached Phong Tho.

Following was a 40-kilometer journey through dense forests, but unfortunately, we arrived too late to explore the small waterfall near the Hmong homestay. On the bright side, our bellies were full, hearts were light, and spirits soared thanks to the delicious local feasts and vibrant traditional dances.

Day 6: Sin Ho Motorcycle Tour To Sapa

We allowed ourselves to rest after 5 days of challenging riding. We spent the whole morning strolling around the village, enjoying the fresh air and observing local life. If you stop by ethnic villages on the weekend, you can participate in the market where tribes exchange goods, have fun, and even find love.

We then took a short adventure of 90 kilometers to Sapa. Compared to previous overnight destinations, this town is famous for its chilly atmosphere, poetic landscape, and rich entertainment activities. 

But first, we had to conquer O Quy Ho Pass, where every blind corner promised both breathtaking vistas and heart-stopping thrills. The seemingly bottomless abyss yawned open beside us, ready to swallow everything falling down. After a heart-pounding roller-coaster on the edge of the world, we were rewarded with the dreamy and romantic land of Sapa, where time seemed to stand still. A night’s sleep here was enough to chase away our weariness.

Day 7: Sapa - Ha Giang Motorbike Path

We woke up early for the 200-kilometer ride from Sapa to Ha Giang. Our adventure took us towards the Vietnam - Chinese border, where traders crossed back and forth for commerce. It is a good idea to stop by a coffee shop near the border gate to observe the bustling exchange of goods. By chance, our stop was just a stone's throw away from China. Sipping a cup of bold coffee while contemplating an incredible view of both countries was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Afterward, we moved back to Ha Giang - our favorite town on this motorbike tour. Though crowded with traffic, the scenery on both sides was a masterpiece, with Towering mountain ranges intertwining with picturesque valleys. A true eye feast!

Day 8: Ha Giang - Dong Van Motorcycle Trip

No photos can portray the true beauty of Ha Giang. The extraordinary scenery on our motorcycle adventure exceeded our wildest expectations. Emerging from the winding road, we stumbled upon a breathtaking tapestry of emerald rice fields meticulously carved into the flanks of towering limestone giants. Bathed in the sun's golden embrace, the paddies shimmered like a million scattered jewels.

We arrived at Ma Pi Leng Pass in the afternoon. The group leader told us a lot about this legendary route, but the experience overwhelmed us. It is one of our toughest off-road challenges, with off-camber turns and heart-stopping gradients.

The pounding of our hearts echoed loudly within our chests as we navigated the narrow tracks. But all our efforts were worth it. We were treated to a breathtaking view at the peak and interesting places to visit afterward in Dong Van town.

One of the most stunning architectural sites is the Hmong King's Palace - a sturdy house made of wood and stone located in the middle of a deep valley that seems like the dream home for many. It showcases a wonderful blend of Chinese and local culture. 

However, Dong Van's contrasting vibe left the deepest impression on our minds. It was remarkable how the rustic villages nestled within the limestone plateau exuded a vibrant vitality and charming beauty.

Day 9: Dong Van - Ba Be Motorbike Path

We returned to Ma Pi Leng, passing from Dong Van to Meo Vac. Undoubtedly, the route still exhibited stunning scenery that no fancy words could describe.

We then turned onto a dirt road leading to the Nho Que River that looked like a soft silk ribbon winding its way through narrow canyons. Leaving the motorcycle, we boarded a bamboo raft to go down the gentle flow. The jade-colored river took us through jagged limestone cliffs to the Tu San stone canyon adorned with a forest of bright red hibiscus flowers.

As the temperature plummeted later in the day, we finally arrived at Meo Vac. No street lights or bright billboards, the sounds of laughter from the campfire of the ethnic people guided us into the heart of the small village.

Day 10: Ba Be Motorbike Trip To Hanoi

We woke up very early to explore Ba Be Lake. A small wooden raft took us gliding across the clear water to explore a few caves and small islands. Unfortunately, we didn't have much time to discover all the diverse ecosystems there. It was time for us to return to the bustling city.

We passed through rice fields and small villages on a quiet road. The traffic situation got worse as we got closer to the capital. We approached the finish line before the rush hour. Our motorcycle tour was an unforgettable experience filled with moments of awe, joy, and discovery.

Conclusion

We were treated to the fresh air, beautiful landscapes, and tribal cultural values. All of this makes for a thrilling and healing adventure. Whenever you need an escape from the chaos of life, sign up for North Vietnam motorbike tours. Follow our blog for more worthwhile itineraries!

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