Vietnam Dirt Bike Tour: 10 Days To Ride Off-The-Beaten Paths

Introduction

Have you ever wanted to marvel at Vietnam's natural heritage? With a Vietnam dirt bike tour, you'll be driving through the breathtaking Northern mountains and see how Mother Nature created this wonderful place.

300 km from Hanoi lies a province in Northern Vietnam, Ha Giang. The land is home to more than 20 ethnic minorities, each with a different language and culture.

My companion and I have decided to take on a 10-day ride from Hanoi to Ha Giang and Ba Be in search of the most authentic experience and opportunities to engage with locals in Northern Vietnam. Let’s follow us!

Vietnam Dirt Bike Tour Itinerary

We decided to visit Northern Vietnam after Christmas Eve. This is the dry season in Vietnam, which is also the peak tourist season for travelers to visit the country. During this time, the country is generally more pleasant, with lesser humidity and rainfall, especially with no adverse weather conditions.

This time, I tried something new: a motorcycle ride, which I thought was a great way to get to know the country on its cultural transportation. Also, it allows me to explore and relax in a fresh environment, in addition to nature and long-distance riding. Let's follow us on road tracks to North Vietnam.

Day 1: Ha Noi To Yen Bai Motorcycle Tour - 200km

Rise and shine at 9 a.m., after breakfast at the hotel; we learned about our itinerary after Mr. Hung, our tour guide, shared it. 

Starting in Ha Noi, we hopped into a taxi and drove to a location on the city's outskirts, where our dirt bikes awaited. From there, we planned to get to Yen Bai Province before sunset.

According to Mr. Hung, Yen Bai Province is surrounded by peaceful pastoral scenery and vast golden paddy fields. The tracks for Yen Bai were very outstanding. 

Both sides of the road were lined with massive, towering limestone mountains, adding to the breezing morning atmosphere. I could even smell the saltiness of the waterfalls and rivers along the roadways.

We arrived at Yen Bai around 8 p.m., weary but exhilarated. Our home for the night was the Red River Hotel, which was called after a symbol of northern Vietnam's rivers. 

Our hotel's dinner with Vietnamese food catered exactly to my appetite. We fell asleep afterward to refuel for the following riding day.

Day 2: Motorcycle Tours From Yen Bai – Nghia Lo – Tu Le To Mu Cang Chai - 200km

We shrugged off exhaustion and drove into the mountains to visit the H'Mong people and their homeland. The first time I heard their language, it felt as if they were singing. 

Our brilliant tour guide could easily chat with these amazing people while sharing some of their day-to-day stories with us.

Later, we fled to hike through the valleys beneath Khau Pha and Tu Le Pass. I suddenly draw a drop while standing in front of a long rice field. But that is not all. 

As soon as we set foot on Mu Cang Chai after crossing the Khau Pha Pass, I was captivated by how the locals transformed basic farming into renowned spectacular rice terraces. What stunning scenery!

After a hard day, we arrive at the heart of Dream Spring, also known as Suoi Mo. The city's name was inspired by the harmony of streams and waterfalls in the cityscape.

Day 3: Mu Cang Chai – Than Uyen – Sapa Motorbike Ride - 150km

The next day's journey started on National Route 32, where we were about to feast our eyes on the majestic Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range. As the dirt trails got higher, impenetrable woodlands popped out of view, with overhead bobbing and fluffing clouds.

Not to mention O Quy Pass, the longest and most perilous area at 2000 meters above sea level. We reached the base of the Pass about midday. As we rode up, the air became crisper, and the stunning views shimmered out of the misty veil. 

The moment we approached the summit of O Quy Pass, the air grew thin, and the temperature dropped, reminding me of the altitude. Then breathtaking sights hit us, leaving me with a sense of achievement as I shifted my eyes down to see the lush valleys and steep mountain peaks stretching out in all directions.

We returned to the Hoang Long Hotel in the evening for dinner and some sleep.

Day 4: Motorbike Tour From Sapa – Bac Ha – Pho Rang - 150km

The last stop on the Northern off-road motorbike tour is the Pho Rang vestige site. To the northwest of Ha Noi, Pho Rang represents the politics, economy, and culture of the Bao Yen District in Lao Cai Province.

I got my hands on local apricot, mango, lychee, jackfruit, etc. Although alcohol is not my favorite, the town's particular distilled kind was top-notch. 

Perfectly aligned with sticky rice covered in seven-leaf layers or cooked bamboo rice tubes during meals. We ended up spending the night at the locals' homes.

Day 5: Pho Rang To Ha Giang Motorbike Trip - 150km

In the morning, we decided to stop for a while before continuing on our ride. We spent the morning with the locals, eating breakfast. Even though we did not speak the same language, Vietnamese people's easygoing and lively characters brought us joy.

We went on our journey to Viet Quang town for lunch, and the meal around the corner has become my go-to food. After winding up a 150-km challenging ride, we quickly got to sleep at night to replenish our energy.

Day 6: Ha Giang Motorbike Tour To Dong Van - 150km

Next up was Dong Van, the pinnacle of the motorcycle ride. This location was highly recommended by tourists due to its numerous attractions, which included Vuong Palace, the Rock Plateau, and, most notably, Heaven's Gate.

The names were already outlandish. Aside from the stunning surroundings, Dong Van is a foodie nirvana, with several specialties such as mint honey, filled pancakes, and Shan Tuyet tea.

A taste of pancakes under scalding hot water in the cold was the perfect complement to a sip of Shan Tuyet tea, grown naturally by locals. Also, don't give up on Ha Giang mint honey. The sweetness and mildness will leave you feeling refreshed.

Records suggest that they could make skin faultless and prevent respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. We spent the night at a hotel in town.

Day 7: Motorcycle Tour From Dong Van To Meo Vac - 120km

The party rode out of Dong Van and arrived in Meo Vac, a province with distinctive cultural color of ethnic minorities. We followed local advice and set out for the Nho Que River, Ha Giang's truly stunning blue water river. 

The twisting river was flanked by a limestone mountain on one side and a vast valley on the other. I was glad for the opportunity to view this wonder. Late at night, we rested and enjoyed one of my favorite Vietnamese foods, Bun bo (beef noodle soup), at the Hoa Cuong Hotel.

Day 8: Motorbike Ride From Meo Vac To Cao Bang - 200km

There were only three days until the tour ended. On the eighth day, we set off to see the villages of Tay and Dao on Cao Bang. One of the joys of the trip for me was the ability to meet with local minority groups. One of the villagers took us to Bao Lac, the local market, where we could look for local products and crafts.

He took us to Nguom Ngao Cave, a stunning limestone cave with magnificent stalactites and stalagmites. The cave's inside is a mix of shapes and sizes, producing a bizarre and otherworldly environment. We returned to Thanh Loan Hotel for refreshments after a long day.

Day 9: Cao Bang Motorcycle Tour To Ba Be Lake - 150km

Farewell to Cao Bang, and keep up our journey toward Ba Be, the largest freshwater lake in Northeast Vietnam. Our next destination was the renowned Ba Be National Park, a natural wonder comprising a vast lake, dense jungles, native villages, and picturesque lake banks. 

Here, we took on a soothing cruise and took a leisurely stroll into the heart of the jungle. The day concluded with a restful night at Tay people's welcoming homestay.

Day 10: Ba Be – Hanoi Motorcycle Tour - 250km

As the concluding day unfolded, we ran back to Hanoi along the captivating landscapes of the Red River delta. Still, those expansive terraced rice fields, charming fishing villages, and traditional handicrafts in action, I'm never bored each time seeing them.

Approaching the downtown area, the city bustled with activity, marking our return to Ha Noi, luckily without any bike damage. Our 10-day Vietnam motorbike tour concluded with a gathering at 5 a.m. after saying goodbye to all the crew members.

Conclusion

The Vietnam dirt bike tour from Hanoi left us with emotional memories and experiences that filled out our travel diary. 

The day the incredible adventure reached its finale, we felt so much gratitude for ourselves, knowing that we had conquered Vietnam's craziest paths and witnessed so much beautiful scenery of this S-shaped country.

And for those who love the thrill of the trail, it's your turn to take the opportunity for Vietnam motorbike tours. Let's pack things and turn the throttle!

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