Introduce
Vietnam Dakar 2025 – 10-Day Off-Road Expedition is not just a tour—it’s a rally-inspired adventure deep into the wild north of Vietnam. Designed for seasoned riders and off-road enthusiasts, this journey takes you through towering mountains, jungle trails, river crossings, and ethnic highland villages. Blending the spirit of the legendary Dakar Rally with Vietnam’s untamed beauty, this expedition challenges your skills, fuels your passion for exploration, and immerses you in the raw, authentic landscapes of one of Asia’s most breathtaking regions.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi to Mai Chau valley
Route: Hanoi → Luong Son → Hoa Binh Lake → Mai Chau
Distance: ~160 km | Terrain: Asphalt & light off-road | Ride Time: 5–6 hours
Description:
Your Dakar-inspired journey kicks off from the bustling capital of Hanoi, escaping the city traffic and diving into winding mountain roads by late morning. Ride past limestone karsts, tea hills, and along the serene banks of Hoa Binh Lake. As you ascend into the Mai Chau Valley, the air cools and the landscape opens to rice terraces and traditional stilt houses of the Thai ethnic minority.
Highlights:
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Scenic backroads through Luong Son & Hoa Binh province
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Panoramic lake views and rural mountain passes
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Cultural immersion in Mai Chau’s ethnic village
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Local homestay with traditional dinner and dance (optional)
Mood: Warm-up day—smooth riding with hints of adventure, setting the tone for the rugged trails ahead.
Day 2: Mai Chau – Ta Xua Peak ( Ta Xua Dinosaur Spine )
Route: Mai Chau → Moc Chau Plateau → Bac Yen → Tà Xùa Peak
Distance: ~180 km | Terrain: Mixed asphalt, mountain dirt tracks, steep climbs
Ride Time: 6–7 hours
Description:
Today the real adventure begins. Departing Mai Chau, you ascend into the cool highlands of Moc Chau, famous for tea plantations and rugged plateaus. From here, the road gets wilder—expect narrow mountain paths, loose gravel, and stunning switchbacks as you climb toward Tà Xùa, one of Vietnam’s hidden gems. The final stretch to the Dinosaur Spine—a narrow ridge with jaw-dropping drops on both sides—is a technical and visual highlight.
Highlights:
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Off-road sections through forest trails and hill tribe areas
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Scenic lunch stop in Moc Chau with views over green valleys
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Challenge ride to the Tà Xùa Dinosaur Spine ridge
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Sunset above the clouds at 2,000m elevation
Mood: A full-throttle rally day—testing your skills with thrilling climbs, raw terrain, and unforgettable views.
Day 3: Ta Xua – Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai
Route: Tà Xùa → Tram Tau → Nghĩa Lộ → Khau Pha Pass → Mù Cang Chải
Distance: ~190 km | Terrain: Mountain roads, rocky off-road trails, steep passes
Ride Time: 7–8 hours
Description:
Brace yourself for one of the most dynamic riding days. Descend from cloud-covered Tà Xùa into the remote valleys of Tram Tau, home to isolated Hmong communities and untamed dirt trails. After a local lunch in Nghĩa Lộ, climb toward the legendary Khau Pha Pass—one of Vietnam’s most dangerous and breathtaking mountain passes. End the day in Mù Cang Chải, surrounded by UNESCO-recognized rice terraces that glow gold during harvest season.
Highlights:
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Off-road detours through Tram Tau’s wild terrain
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Cultural encounters in ethnic villages
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Ride across Khau Pha Pass with sweeping alpine vistas
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Arrival in Mù Cang Chải’s stunning terraced landscape
Mood: A high-adrenaline, high-altitude day—packed with rugged beauty, remote charm, and legendary riding challenges.
Day 4: Mu Cang Chai – Than Uyen – Sapa
Route: Mù Cang Chải → Than Uyên → O Quy Hồ Pass → Sapa
Distance: ~170 km | Terrain: Winding mountain roads, gravel tracks, high passes
Ride Time: 6–7 hours
Description:
Start the day riding through the misty morning terraces of Mù Cang Chải before heading north toward Than Uyên, where the landscape flattens briefly into lush valley plains. As you approach O Quy Hồ Pass—Vietnam’s longest and one of the most iconic mountain passes—the terrain becomes steep and dramatic. Climbing above 2,000 meters, you’ll enter the cloud kingdom of Sapa, a famous highland retreat surrounded by Fansipan and Hmong villages.
Highlights:
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Early ride through golden rice terraces of Mù Cang Chải
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Smooth yet scenic stretch through Than Uyên Valley
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Thrilling ascent of O Quy Hồ Pass with panoramic mountain views
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Arrival in Sapa with time to explore the town or nearby villages
Mood: A scenic and soulful ride—balancing adventure and altitude, with a spectacular finish in the misty charm of Sapa.
Day 5: Sapa – Lao Cai – China Border Gate – Bac Ha
Route: Sapa → Lao Cai City → Ha Khau Border Gate → Bac Ha
Distance: ~130 km | Terrain: Mountain descent, riverside roads, local dirt trails
Ride Time: 5–6 hours
Description:
Depart the cool heights of Sapa with a downhill ride through misty mountain roads toward Lao Cai City, Vietnam’s northernmost urban hub bordering China. Stop at the Ha Khau Border Gate, a symbolic checkpoint connecting Vietnam and China, before turning northeast into the highlands of Bac Ha. The route weaves through ethnic minority villages and less-traveled trails, ending in the heart of Bac Ha, known for its vibrant culture and famous weekend market.
Highlights:
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Scenic descent from Sapa with epic valley views
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Visit to the Hekou Border Gate – a unique cultural crossroads
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Off-the-beaten-path ride through Red Dao and Hmong villages
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Evening arrival in Bac Ha, with a chance to explore its rustic charm
Mood: A day of contrast—international borders, shifting landscapes, and a gateway into deeper cultural experiences.
Day 6: Bac Ha – Xin Man – Hoang Su Phi – Ha Giang
Route: Bac Ha → Xín Mần → Hoàng Su Phì → Hà Giang City
Distance: ~160 km | Terrain: Remote mountain tracks, river crossings, steep ascents
Ride Time: 7–8 hours
Description:
Today’s ride dives deep into Northern Vietnam’s most untouched regions. Depart Bac Ha and enter the wild frontier of Xín Mần, riding along rocky trails that hug mountainsides and cross streams. Push onward into Hoàng Su Phì, where towering rice terraces cascade down remote slopes in jaw-dropping formations. The final stretch to Ha Giang brings a mix of smoother roads and hidden gravel paths as you approach the gateway to Vietnam’s far north.
Highlights:
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Remote off-road riding through Xín Mần’s rugged beauty
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Incredible photo ops in Hoàng Su Phì’s terraced valleys
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Cross multiple small rivers and jungle trails
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Arrival in Hà Giang City to prep for the legendary loop ahead
Mood: A raw and rewarding day—remote, rugged, and rich with natural and cultural wonder. This is Vietnam at its wildest.
Day 7: Ha Giang – Dong Van – Ma Pi Leng Pass
Route: Hà Giang City → Quan Ba → Yen Minh → Dong Van → Mã Pí Lèng Pass
Distance: ~160 km | Terrain: Mountain twisties, limestone cliffs, technical sections
Ride Time: 6–7 hours
Description:
Welcome to the crown jewel of Northern Vietnam motorbiking. Leaving Hà Giang City, you ascend the Quan Bạ Heaven’s Gate, entering a surreal karst landscape. Ride through pine-covered valleys and ethnic Hmong settlements as you make your way to Đồng Văn, a highland town steeped in culture and history. The grand finale of the day is the legendary Mã Pí Lèng Pass—a dizzying road carved into the cliffs above the Nho Quế River, offering one of Southeast Asia’s most jaw-dropping views.
Highlights:
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Climb over Quan Bạ’s twin mountains and scenic highland passes
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Cultural stops in Hmong villages and old Đồng Văn town
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Conquer the iconic Mã Pí Lèng Pass, “King of Mountain Passes”
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Optional boat trip on the emerald Nho Quế River (time permitting)
Mood: Epic and unforgettable—a highland symphony of riding precision, cultural depth, and natural grandeur.
Day 8: Dong Van Plateau – Bao Lac
Route: Đồng Văn → Meo Vac → Khau Vai → Bảo Lạc
Distance: ~120 km | Terrain: Cliffside roads, gravel tracks, river valleys
Ride Time: 5–6 hours
Description:
Your journey continues across the majestic Đồng Văn Karst Plateau, a UNESCO Global Geopark filled with towering limestone formations and timeless Hmong villages. Ride from Đồng Văn to Mèo Vạc, hugging the mountainsides with sweeping views of the Nho Quế River far below. Then take a lesser-known route through Khau Vai, famous for its “Love Market” and remote charm. As you descend into Bảo Lạc, the terrain softens into lush river valleys and bamboo forests.
Highlights:
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Cruise through the heart of the Đồng Văn Karst Plateau
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Technical descent into Mèo Vạc’s dramatic canyon roads
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Visit Khau Vai village, rich with cultural legend and serenity
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Arrival in Bảo Lạc – peaceful riverside retreat
Mood: A day of reflection and raw beauty—remote, scenic, and deeply connected to Vietnam’s highland soul.
Day 9: Bao Lac – Ba Be Lake ( Boat Ride and Off-road Adventure )
Route: Bảo Lạc → Tĩnh Túc → Phủ Thông → Ba Bể National Park
Distance: ~150 km | Terrain: Mixed asphalt, jungle tracks, riverside trails
Ride Time: 6–7 hours
Description:
On Day 9, your adventure shifts from rugged peaks to the lush, jungle-clad lowlands of Ba Bể National Park. Depart Bảo Lạc and ride through winding mountain roads and remote off-road sections that challenge your control and focus. Upon reaching Ba Bể, reward yourself with a peaceful boat ride on the lake, gliding across emerald waters surrounded by limestone cliffs and thick rainforest.
Highlights:
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Off-road riding through remote northern jungle tracks
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Cultural encounters in Tay and Nung minority villages
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Scenic descent into Ba Bể Valley
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Boat cruise on Ba Bể Lake – Vietnam’s largest natural freshwater lake
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Optional cave visit or swim in crystal-clear waters
Mood: A perfect blend of thrill and tranquility—one last taste of raw off-road action followed by a serene glide through nature’s masterpiece.
Day 10: Ba Be lake – Ride Back To Hanoi
Route: Ba Bể → Cho Don → Thai Nguyen → Hanoi
Distance: ~230 km | Terrain: Winding backroads, rolling hills, light traffic roads
Ride Time: 6–7 hours
Description:
Your final day kicks off with a peaceful farewell to Ba Bể Lake, then transitions into a full-day ride back to the capital. Cruise through the verdant countryside of Bắc Kạn and Thái Nguyên provinces, passing tea plantations, rural villages, and gentle hills. The route offers a relaxed but scenic finish—perfect for reflecting on the incredible journey you’ve conquered. By late afternoon, you roll into Hanoi, closing the loop on this epic 10-day off-road expedition.
Highlights:
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Morning ride through Ba Bể’s quiet forested roads
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Smooth return via less-traveled provincial routes
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Rural landscapes and cultural snapshots along the way
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Arrival in Hanoi with a triumphant sense of completion
Mood: A reflective finale—celebrating endurance, adventure, and the unforgettable spirit of Vietnam Dakar 2025.
🏁 Conclusion: Vietnam Dakar 2025 – 10-Day Off-Road Expedition
Vietnam Dakar 2025 wasn’t just a motorbike tour—it was a test of grit, skill, and spirit. Over 10 unforgettable days, riders conquered jungle trails, high-altitude passes, remote ethnic villages, and some of Vietnam’s wildest, most breathtaking terrain. From the misty peaks of Tà Xùa and the legendary curves of Mã Pí Lèng Pass to the serene waters of Ba Bể Lake, this rally-style journey delivered raw adventure and deep cultural connection.
For those who crave more than just a ride—who seek a challenge, a story, and a bond with the land—Vietnam Dakar 2025 will remain a legend on two wheels. Until the next throttle twist… keep riding brave.
>>> Sign up Vietnam Dakar 2025 today!
