The Best Vietnam Motorcycle Routes 2023 You Can’t Miss!

Intro

Let’s explore beautiful Vietnam on wheels in 2023 to get the most memorable travel experience! This article reveals the best Vietnam motorcycle routes 2023 from North to Southern Vietnam to get inside hidden parts of the awesome country, enjoy breathtaking nature, meet local people, and experience different cultures. Can’t wait to know those places?

The Best Vietnam Motorcycle Routes 2023

Ha Giang Loop: Fantastic Motorbike Tour in North Vietnam

For good reasons, if you search for the toughest motorcycle routes in Vietnam, Ha Giang loop is always in the top three. The mountainous loop near the Chinese border is carved into cliffs and through limestone peaks with extensive sharp corners and narrow roads uphill and downhill. Even potholes, landslides, and big construction sites sometimes block your way. Also, look out for the local riders and drivers driving like crazy. Despite such challenges, the route through border crossings is worth it! > View more: Ha Giang Loop Motorbike Tours 2023-2024 The over 300-kilometer loop features various landscapes, from genius mountains, and terraced rice fields, to roads through the clouds and lush valleys. All are almost raw and less touristy, so we bet you can capture beautiful photos at every corner. Moreover, Ha Giang is home to many Vietnamese ethnic groups such as Hmong, Yi, Tay, Giay, etc. Each has a different culture. It is common in a motorcycle tour that you can bunk in homestays and experience the daily life of the locals.

• Best time: March to May or September to October.
• Must-view: Yen Minh town – Dong Van Old Vietnamese Town – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Meo Vac.

QL34 – Cao Bang Province on Motorcycles

From Ha Giang, you can extend your motorcycle route for another day in Cao Bang province by riding along the QL34 to Cao Bang Loop. The road is less tough so that you can enjoy the tourist attraction more leisurely. Either ride to Pac Bo Cave – the famous relic site of Vietnam and explore the historical story of the great Vietnamese revolution. Or, you can get all the way to Bản Giốc Waterfall and Ngườm Ngao limestone karsts to see how spectacular nature treats remote Vietnam. If you have more time, you can explore both places to fulfill your wonderful travel experience and taste Vietnamese food in remote areas.

• Best time: October to April, during the dry season.
• Must-view: Pac Bo cave – Ban Gioc waterfall – Nguom Ngao caves.

O Quy Ho: Mountainous Passes on Motorcycles

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Interestingly enough, O Quy Ho Pass is even higher than Hai Van Pass. It is about 2000 meters above sea level and 50 kilometers long, connecting two provinces. While moving on wheels that high, you can get distinct features: cliff-faced mountainsides on one side and sharp drops into valleys on the other. At the end of the road, it seems to lead to the sky; thus, it is named Cong Troi (Heaven’s Gate.) > View more: Sapa Motorcycle Tours 2023-2024 Weather also varies in two patterns. In the first part of the motorcycle journey through Sapa, you encounter rain and mist. Meanwhile, the weather can be very hot at the peak of the Lai Chau region & province. Keep this in mind when you pack your clothes and prepare travel essentials and a reusable water bottle.

• Best time: All year round.
• Must-view: Thac Bac waterfall – Hoang Lien Son mountain range – Tram Ton forest protection point.

Motorcycle to DT725 – Nam Cat Tien to Da Lat

For beginning motorcyclists, the DT725 through Da Lat – a beautiful destination in South East Asia, is a leisure route to climb through pine forests and mountains in cool winds. Back roads, alleys, and dirt tracks are still available for adventurous riders. Particularly, nature enthusiasts will love to advent Nam Cat Tien National Park on the way. It is a tropical rainforest featuring more than 600 plant varieties and fresh herbs, 240 birds, and 50 species of mammals. Just take note that you should avoid the rainy season. Disadvantageous weather makes the route hard to ride, and there are many dangerous insects.

• Best time: December to May, during the dry months.
• Must-view: Ho Chi Minh city – Highway 1 – Nam Cat Tien national park – Voi waterfall – Buon Ma Thuot – Da Lat highland.

Continue Riding through Southern Vietnam – Da Lat to Nha Trang

You can spend two-day trips in Da Lat before continuing to Nha Trang. This time, we took the road along the DT652. The road conditions are convenient and mostly paved, and without crazy traffic, you can ride with ease. At some points, there are tarmacs following the hill contours where you can switch back through valley floors.  There you have two options to Nha Trang, either along rural villages to the national highways or passing by the lush pastures on the main road. The destination is a major town in Vietnam with an active lifestyle and gorgeous nature. > View more: Ho Chi Minh Trail Motorbike Tours 2023-2024 Keep a low speed to enjoy the scenes on the two sides.

• Best time: All year round.
• Must-view: Bidoup Nui Ba national park – Khanh Le Pass – Nha Trang city.

The Best Beach Routes from Nha Trang or Quy Nhon

Do you know this: Best coasts in Vietnam, in particular, and in Southeast Asia, generally, are between Nha Trang and Mui Ne, passing through the coastline along the QL1A road? From Nha Trang or Quy Nhon, do not miss the chance to ride the above beach routes to open your eyes to beautiful beaches and stunning scenery. You can drop by the tiny finishing villages to escape the busy life to total tranquility. Particularly, motorcycle bikes to the beaches are preferred by couples to spend relaxing day trips together.

• Best time: March to August, particularly in summer.
• Must-view: Phan Rang coast – Mui Ne beach – Quy Nhon beaches – Nha Trang beaches.

Khe Sanh – Phong Nha: Vietnam Motorbike Tour

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It usually takes six to eight hours to ride from Khe Sanh to Phong Nha Ke Bang, without any fuel stations in between. Thus, you had better stock extra fuel. This is our very first piece of advice. The trail is mostly one-way through valleys, rivers, mountains, and waterfalls. Then, you need to follow the road and let the side scenery wash over. Once you reach Phong Nha, do not forget to visit the caves there. Over thousands of years, the water and limestone karsts have formed otherworldly shapes and formations.

• Best time: All year round.
• Must-view: Ho Chi Minh road – Khe Sanh Combat base – Phong Nha Ke Bang caves.

Ma River Motorcycle Route

While in Phong Nha caves, you can continue exploring the North of Vietnam by motorcycling along the Mã River route to Ninh Binh region & province. The route is almost undisturbed by crowds. You will get a typical sight of the peaceful Vietnamese countryside. Then, your destination is Ninh Binh – a famous backpacker spot known as “Ha Long Bay on Land” due to its rich features from mountains, rice paddies, rivers, and caves.

• Best time: All year round.
• Must-view: Ho Chi Minh national highways – QL217 – Ta dike – Sam Son beach – Ninh Binh region & province.

Kon Tum – Quang Ngai – Hoi An: Extensive Motorbike Tour to Central Vietnam

Southern Vietnam has another uncrowded route, similar to the Ma River route. It is the QL24 – 170 kilometers to Kon Tum, another 30 kilometers to Quảng Ngãi, and an easy 115 kilometers to Hoi An. It takes at least three days to complete the route, yet fortunately, the road is wide and well-paved. Since you have plenty of time, drop a visit to tourist attractions on the way and spend the night at a local homestay rather than beds in hostels. This is a valuable opportunity to immerse yourselves in the rich cultures of the center of Vietnam. > View more: Hoian Motorbike Tours 2023-2024

• Best time: All year round.
• Must-view: Ho Chi Minh trail – Kham Duc town – Thien An mountain – Hoi An ancient town.

Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An – Hai Van Pass

If you have an opportunity to visit Hue, Da Nang, or Hoi An, you should spend one or two extra days on the Hai Van Pass motorcycle tour ( Top Gear Vietnam Special ). The Pass is the “Ocean Cloud Pass” over 500 meters above sea level, where white clouds cover its top throughout the year. Hai Van is the longest mountain road in Vietnam, having many twists, steep slopes, hairpin bends, and turns into jungles. Such a motorcycle route attracts experienced riders who desire to conquer challenging off-road landscapes while taking stunning pictures of untouched nature.

• Best time: April to September, on sunny and dry days.
• Must-view: Coconut Palm Cham – The Old French Bunker – Lap An Lagoon – Chan May Road.

It’s Time for The Best Motorbike Routes in Vietnam

Of all the best Vietnam motorcycle routes 2023 above, where do you want to explore first? You can plan the routes from the North to Southern Vietnam or vice versa, yet, do not hesitate any longer and get direct flights to this beautiful and safe country. Travel experiences with beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and delicious cuisine will not turn you down! Follow our site for more adrenaline-filled Vietnam motorbike tours! What riders have said about us Vietnam Motorcycle Tours on Tripadvisor!