The Best Motorbike Route in Vietnam – Over 3000 km from Northeast to Northwest

Set off from Hanoi, enjoy the gorgeous landscapes of Northwest and explore the hidden charm of Northeast Vietnam. It is not easy  to reach these stunning places but it’s paid off once you get there. On two wheels, you can immerse your soul into the fresh air, the blowing wind of the mountainous lands, and the incredible sceneries here.

Lets find out with Vietnammotorbiketoursclub !

It is time to soothe your mind with a remarkable journey in Vietnam!

Best time for the North Vietnam Motorbike Tour of the lifetime

At the beginning of spring (January ” March as a lunar calendar): 

The weather offers a bit chilly for prominent flowers in Northwest Vietnam, for instance, Peach blossoms and Bauhinia Variegata in full bloom. You are also impressed by the Tet holidays, which capture the highland flavor and various impressive spring festivals.

At the end of the fall (September): 

At this time, the north has stopped heavy rains and typhoons. It will be the best time to enjoy immense ripe terraced fields in Mu Cang Chai, Sapa, Lao Cai, Y Ty, etc.

With Northwest ” Northeast route:

October and November are the ideal time for you to explore the ripe harvest (Hoang Su Phi) and buckwheat flowers (Ha Giang) dubbed as the “Queen of flowers†or Ban Gioc Waterfall.

In sum, September to November is a must-visit time for “hunting the ripe rice and blooming flowers†in Northeast and Northwest Vietnam.

Pre-trip preparation

The roads are very beautiful yet pretty tricky. Due to a long ride in a row dealing with mountainous topography of winding passes and towering mountains, the well prepared in advance is a must.

• Vehicle tools: Ensure your bike is in good service and maintained before running. Bring along the needed accessories: a basic set of fixing tools, patches, and inner tubes to self-fix in case of emergent incidents since it’s hard to find repair shops on roads.
• Protective equipment: You’re heading to the long and dangerous motorbike routes in Northern Vietnam. Protective objects are surely set up as the top priority. Fill your package with a qualified helmet, knee pads, reflective jackets, stickers, and a medical box.
• Other stuff:  A tent or sleeping bag might be useful in case of no resting places. Jackets and shawls are necessary as the more height you reach, the colder it is. Besides, personal papers should be kept carefully in your pockets. Last but not least, a camera is indispensable to capture gorgeous moments throughout your trip and GoPro is highly recommended.

3. Best Vietnam Motorbike Route and Itinerary

Vietnam Motorbike Route: Hanoi – Nghia Lo (Yen Bai) – Mu Cang Chai – Dien Bien – Muong Nhe – A Pa Chai – Sapa – Xin Man ” Hoang Su Phi – Ha Giang – Dong Van – Lung Cu – Meo Vac – Ba Be – Ban Gioc Waterfall – Mau Son (Lang Son) – Halong Bay – Hanoi    vietnam motorbike tours

First expedition: Ha Noi – Nghia Lo (Yen Bai)

Depart from Hanoi at 6 pm and go forward Son Tay – Trung Ha – Thanh Son – Thu Cuc – Deo Khe – Nghia Lo. After a nearly 200-kilometer drive, we will spend overnight at Nghia Lo from 10”11 pm to ensure safety.

Day 1: Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai (Yen Bai)

We ride from Nghia Lo Town, cross Tu La and Khau Pha Pass, then arrive at Mu Cang Chai. Stop en route to take photos of splendid rice fields stretching from Tu Le to Mu Cang Chai. Besides, we will conquer Khau Pha Pass – one of 4 famous passes in Northern Vietnam.

We highly recommend some ideal spots around Mu Cang Chai, like La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha, etc., to contemplate the vast rice fields. It is so beautiful that it couldn’t possibly exist in the real world. Take a rest in Mu Cang Chai after a long day exploring the stunning fields.

Day 2: Mu Cang Chai – Dien Bien

The distance from Mu Cang Chai to Dien Bien Phu City is about 250 kilometers. Along Highway 32, you can follow Lai Chau’s direction to Muong Kim T-junction (Than Uyen, Lai Chau), turn right on the shortcut connecting Highway 32 and Highway 279. Keep riding for nearly 10 kilometers. You will see Ban Chat hydropower on Nam Mu River. En route, don’t skip the chance to take pictures at Pa Uon Bridge and Son La lake – one of the biggest hydroelectric lakes in Vietnam.

If you want to drive through Son La city to visit the well-known Son La Prison and cross the majestic Pha Din pass, turn back towards the Khau Pha pass from Mu Cang Chai. Follow Highway 6 to Son La city, cross Pha Din pass, and eventually reach Dien Bien Phu City.

After coming to this city, you can visit some notorious historical sites such as Ham Cat Tunnel, Hill A1, and Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum. To conquer the West Pole of Vietnam – A Pa Chai, you must be approved and licensed by the border guard command of Dien Bien.

​Day 3 and 4: Dien Bien Phu ” Muong Nhe ” A Pa Chai

Early in the morning, leave Dien Bien Phu City to go on your journey to conquering A Pa Chai’s westernmost place. The road from Dien Bien Phu City to Muong Nhe is much longer than your Google Map estimate. On arrival at Muong Nhe, you can get into the border guard station 317 overnight.

Don’t forget to prepare your belongings and food along the way the next day. It will take about 5-6 hours to climb up Milestone Zero. Enjoy lunch, and capture amazing photos on the peak. Climbing down, you will get back to Post 317 at 5-6 pm. Rest here or drive to stay in Muong Nhe if you want.

​Day 5 and 6: A Pa Chai (Muong Nhe) ” Sapa

The fifth day is quite tired because you have to ride at a distance of 400 km from A Pa Chai to Sapa. Wake up early and drive from A Pa Chai (Muong Nhe) to Muong Cha ” Muong Lay ” Sin Ho, and continue on Highway 12 toward Phong Tho. Here you will conquer the third pass of North’s Four Great Passes: O Quy Ho Pass, then finally reach the beautiful Sapa town.

Spend one day wandering and exploring Sapa. During the ripe rice season, you will feast your eyes with golden rice terraced fields at Ta Van, Lao Chai, and Ta Phin. Arrive at Cat Cat commune, go around this small tranquil town and enjoy the cool weather.

​Ngày 7: Sapa ” Xin Man ” Hoang Su Phi – Ha Giang

What a wonderful motorbike route! After returning to Lao Cai from Sapa, go straight to Bac Ha and follow Bac Ha ” Xi Man ” Hoang Su Phi ” Ha Giang route for nearly 200 kilometers. You will have a chance to admire immense rice terraced fields at Hoang Su Phi or vibrant buckwheat flowers in Ha Giang. Stay one night in Ha Giang City to boost your energy for the next Karst Plateau journey.

​Day 8: Ha Giang ” Dong Van

Depart for Ha Giang City early in the morning to explore the beautiful frontier land. To reach Dong Van, we will pass by: Quan Ba, Yen Minh, Pho Bang, Sung La. Quan Ba is famous for Heaven Gate and Twin Mountain. Stop for a rest, see the fabulous landscapes and take photos for a while, then keep running to Yen Minh and have lunch here.

From Yen Minh to Pho Bang, you can contemplate the magnificent and wonderful scenery of Dong Van Karst Plateau. Leave Pho Bang, get back to Dong Van junction, and you will reach Sung La village, the illustrious filming place of “Pao’s story†film. Sung La is also known for buckwheat flowers if you are in flower season.

End up your day in Dong Van, the last destination. Take a rest, have dinner and visit the ancient town on the high mountain.

Day 9: Dong Van – Lung Cu – Meo Vac

Kick off our new day with a hearty breakfast in Dong Van, then conquer the North Pole. The distance from Dong Van to Lung Cu is only 30 kilometers, not long yet extremely impressive with high cliffs and craggy abysses. The road you go through is marvelous yet daunting with narrow, winding twists and turns, asking for your high attention.

In the sacred North Pole, the Lung Cu flagpole is towering and haughty, provoking the national pride of the Vietnamese. It will be a great proud moment when you settle your footprint onto the top of the flagpole and capture wonderful pictures of surrounding iconic views.

Keep going to Meo Vac from Dong Van in the afternoon, and you will have the chance to explore Ma Pi Leng Pass. Cross the pass and contemplate the poetic beauty of Nho Que River undulating around the  foot of the mountain pass  with crystal emerald-green water. That refreshing feeling will dispel the nervousness of long riding hours.

Day 10: Meo Vac – Ba Be

We clear a 200-kilometer distance to Ba Be from Meo Vac. Run along Niem Son road to Bao Lac, toward Tinh Tuc, and we turn to the right at the T-junction to Phan Thanh, Nguyen Binh district (Cao Bang). Eventually, we arrive at Ba Be, where we can stroll around the national park, rent a boat and rest for supper on the lake.

Day 11: Ba Be ” Ban Gioc Waterfall

After a wonderful day in Ba Be, we continue to move further 200 km to Trung Khanh, Cao Bang, which is blessed with one of the must-visit attractions ” Ban Gioc Waterfall. Apart from the four greatest passes you have gone through, you shouldn’t skip two other amazing passes: Gio Pass and Ma Phuc Pass.

Sitting at an elevation of 53 meters with 3 layers, Ban Gioc Waterfall is the most stunning fall in Vietnam and the largest in Southeast Asia.  After visiting, we will find a place near the fall or in Trung Khanh to rest and eat dinner.

Day 12: Ban Gioc Waterfall – Mau Son (Lang Son)

The Northeast Vietnam  motorbike route is nearly closed, with some more destinations left. One of them is Mau Son, which we will uncover today. Run-on wheels with a 200-kilometer distance on a winding but accessible road. Mau Son is likened to “a gentle princess sleeping in the jungle†with a tranquil and peaceful space, appropriate for you to rest after hard driving days with your “iron horseâ€.

Day 13+14 Mau Son – Ha Long

Surely you have been satisfied with the scenic mountainous landscapes explored in previous days. Today, Mau Son ” Ha Long motorbike route will bring you to the “salty taste†of the sea. To completely discover Halong Bay ” The Natural Wonder of the world, you should spend a whole day blowing off steam, cruising to the bays and islands to admire the beautiful beaches in Quang Ninh province.

Day 15: Ha Long – Ha Noi

You have gone through the entire legendary Northeast and Northwest  Vietnammotorbike route. It’s time to wrap up the tour and come back to Hanoi.

Notes: 

• Though the schedule may simplify with a short distance in your imagination, you must run through the majority of horrified pass roads. Occasionally, a 200 ” kilometer segment will take you a whole day to ride as it is extremely craggy and rugged with twisting and risky bends, not as flat as routes in Southern Vietnam.
• Don’t forget to fill up your “companion†at petrol stations as the distance of riding through the most breathtaking attractions in the North is very long.
• Ride with a high sense of responsibility, be careful and remember that safety is the top priority
• The 3000 ” kilometer journey on the most scenic North Vietnam motorbike route  is undoubtedly the most memorable experience of your lifetime. Well ” prepare good health, thoughtful equipment, and a passionate heart to conquer this amazing motorbike route. Have a safe and enjoyable trip.

If you love to have a motorbike tour via this stunning 3000-km motorbike route, please  CONTACT US  to get the best price and support.  Thank you!

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