Motorcycle Road Trip from Hanoi to Ba Be – 7 days

On the first day of the adventurous northeastern Motorcycle Tours in 7 days, we leave Hanoi as early as possible to avoid the rush hours. Our off-road crew first follows the Red River Delta road to get out of busy Hanoi, then join the large national roads accompanied by some off-road routes, and finally arrives at the peak of Mau Son mountain, the final destination on our first day of the tour after five hours.

As we ride northeast to Mau Son, we can’t help admiring the great natural clusters of limes. The road that leads to the top of Mau Son is 15 km long and is the most challenging, with continuous bends. Many sections have only one-way traffic due to the narrow road. Yet it’s worth all our effort when we put our first step in Mau Son peak, visiting many old mansions dating from the French colonial period, which are still well-preserved today.

Summary:

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

Distance: 180 km

After having breakfast, our crew leaves Mau Son to Cao Bang to continue our journey to the northeast area. We have a direct ride to the north, then pass Dong Dang, where the Vietnam – China border or so-called ‘Friendship Gate’ locates. We keep riding to join highway No. 4. This legendary one will give tourists the most appealing moments, yet the 200km off-road ride may also make some tourists a bit tired and exhausted. On Day 2, we stay at a hotel in Cao Bang province. Day 3 will be joyful as we spend the whole day discovering scenic Cao Bang.

Summary:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

Distance: 200 km

For every tourist joining our Adventure northeast Motorcycle Tours- for seven days, Day 3 is always their favorite. They get the chance to gain new experiences and explore many fascinating things in Cao Bang. The first place the Vietnam Motorbike Tours team recommends tourists visit is the wonderful region to the northeast of Cao Bang, which is home to majestic limestone karst.

With diverse limestone mountains, Cao Bang owns unique beauty from high altitudes with natural landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural characteristics of various ethnic groups. Take the western direction to the mountains, and we see many mountains which are from 600 – 2,000 m high above sea levels, such as Phja Den, Phja Oac, Phja Da, or Phnom Mon at Bao Lam at the height of over 1,000 m.

Standing on these mountains, we feel like the cloud is so close to us that there is hardly any boundary between the mountain and the sky. We can see, touch, and feel the cloud surrounding us. The higher we go, the denser layers of cloud get. After each layer of clouds, there is sunshine in each long wave running through so that you can see the scene below your feet and watch each strip of white clouds floating on each other.

This heavenly region was proud to be recognized as a Global geopark rock plateau in April 2018 by UNESCO. Apart from this, Cao Bang has a lot to offer tourists. Ride deep inside a single track of rock plateau to get to Ban Gioc Waterfall, the most spectacular and beautiful waterfall in Vietnam, located in Dam Thuy commune, Trung Khanh district, Cao Bang.

We can hear the typical rushing waterfall long before we get there. From over 30m, large blocks of water pour down through many steps of limestone. In the middle of the waterfall is a large stone tissue covered with trees, which splits the water into three streams like three white silk strips. The waterfall keeps pouring on the flat rocks all year round to bounce off countless white dust particles that blur a large area.

On sunny days, steam also creates a sparkling rainbow. At the foot of Ban Gioc waterfall is a wide, flat river that surfaces like a mirror. On the two sides are grass and green forest flap. A trip to this majestic waterfall is one of the highlights of this tour, so tourists shouldn’t miss it.

Summary:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

Distance: 120 km

We will spend the morning of Day 4 of the Vietnam Motorbike Tour to Northeast Vietnam- 7 days visiting the special relic of Pac Bo Cave, about 50 km from Cao Bang city. Here, we can admire the streams of Lenin, the cool green Marx mountains, or visit Coc Bo cave, where Uncle Ho rested and worked while he was here.

We also suggest not to miss the “check-in” milestone No. 108, where Uncle Ho set his first footsteps after 30 years of working aboard to find ways and rescue the Vietnamese from the colonial regime. For the rest of this fourth day, we take the time to enjoy delicious food in Cao Bang, explore the city or buy some souvenirs before finishing your 7-day Vietnam North Motorbike Tour.

On this trip, one of our favorite dishes is local sticky rice, a dish believed to bring luck and goodness to the people. Local chefs color the dish with all-natural ingredients and serve it with sesame salt or pork meat.

Summary:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

Distance: 120 km

After two days of discovering and exploring Cao Bang, our Vietnam Motorcycle Tours team will say goodbye to this lovely city and move southwest to reach Ba Be in Bac Kan province. The route to Ba Be is challenging as we have to overcome quite a few blending pass roads. The typical one might be Cao Bac pass, located on Highway No. 3, connecting Cao Bang and Bac Kan provinces. The pass is more than 10 km long and at a height of over 1,000mabove sea level. The road passe is dangerous and winding as we have to squeeze through the mountains of ancient or pristine old forest covered with fog. Drivers should turn on yellow lights should they pass here in the early morning and late afternoon onwards. Though it is a tough route, this is the longest and most beautiful pass of Cao Bang. Our off-road Vietnam motorbike team reaches Ba Be in the afternoon and spends the night at a stilt house hosted by Tay family near Ba Be lake.

Summary:

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

Distance: 180 km

The best way to fully explore Ba Be Lake is by boat. While taking a boat around Ba Be Lake, we will immerse ourselves in the charming scenery and the calmness of nature. The biggest freshwater lake in Vietnam is 500 hectares wide at an average depth of 17- 23 m. Located on limestone mountains with diverse biological ecosystems both on land and underwater, Ba Be Lake is known as a “green jewel” among the mountains of northeastern Vietnam.

It is also interesting to witness the changes and mix of Ba Be lake watercolor at different times of the day. It is green when covered by the shadows of mountains. It turns blue when the sun rises and is blended with the brilliant yellow of the ball trees and pure white colors of clouds to create a sparkling Ba Be Lake.

Summary:

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

On the last day of the adventurous northeastern Vietnam motorbike tour with the Vietnam Motorcycle Tours team, we say goodbye to this beautifully sparkling lake and return to Hanoi. Like how we get there, we stay away from the main roads and follow the Red River Delta to get back to Hanoi. Our way back is packed with new images of the Ba Be lake and tasty food we try on the 7-day Northeast Vietnam Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi to Ba Be.

Summary:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Distance: 240 km

END OF TOUR