9 Stunning North Vietnam Motorbike Loops for any Thrill-seeker

It is occasionally unintelligible why backpackers are pretty fascinated with North Vietnam motorbike loops, despite being warned about the “potential” dangers while crossing such sloping passes in the various articles. The tougher North Vietnam motorbike loops are, the more explorers have been enchanted. Those loops evoke the initiative to move and the curiosity to explore the audacious riders. This article reviews some travel tips for the top notorious North Vietnam motorbike loops in this article. 

1. Lao Cai – O Quy Ho pass – Lai Chau

O Quy Ho Pass is one of the longest, most daunting, yet stunning passes in Northwest Vietnam. Located on 4D Highway, cutting through the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, O Quy Ho connects the border of Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces. Tourists have to wow in front of the beautiful beauty of nature, inspiring photo hunters with amazing shots. The point is that the top of the pass is often hidden in the clouds all year round, even under the sun. That’s why the second name, “Cloud Pass,” is derived. 

The Lao Cai – O Quy Ho pass – Lai Chau is one of the most challenging yet stunning North Vietnam motorbike loops

Passing O Quy Ho at any time also leaves you with “heart-pounding” experiences, with the fog covering every entrance in the wet season or the slope changing suddenly with risky bends in the dry season. With the length of nearly 50 km, the altitude above sea level, and the ruggedness, this pass is deserved to be dubbed “King of the Northwest Passes”. The route from Lao Cai to Lai Chau, crossing through the O Quy Ho Pass, is considered one of the most challenging yet stunning North Vietnam motorbike loops that any adventure lover should try at least once in their life! 

Suggested tour for the North Vietnam Motorbike Loop from Lao Cai – O Quy Ho pass – Lai Chau:

Off-road Sapa Motorbike Tour via Lai Chau and Sin Ho – 2 days

Motorbike Route: Sapa → Binh Lu Junction → Lai Chau city → Phong Tho town → Chan Nua Junction → Sin Ho town→ Lai Chau city → Binh Lu Junction → Sapa town

Sapa and Sin Ho are two small towns of Lao Cai Province high up on the slopes of the Hoang Lien Son range. They are connected by majestic mountain passes which offer spectacular views on a scale not found anywhere else in Vietnam. Riding on the stunning roads leading to Sin Ho, you will have the chance to admire the breathtaking natural scenery of rocky mountains and old forests and discover the unique customs of Vietnamese ethnic minorities. With lots of good experiences, our motorbike tour will never let you down!

2. Dong Van – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Meo Vac

North Vietnam motorbike loop from Dong Van – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Meo Vac is a must-try for any biker once visiting Ha Giang. 

Ma Pi Leng Pass is one of Ha Giang’s most abrupt and harsh pass routes, even for experienced riders. With a length of 20 kilometers, the pass is located on the Hanh Phuc Road, belonging to the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, spreading over three communes of Pai Lung, Pa Vi, and Xin Cai (Meo Vac district). Like the Hmong’s definition, Ma Pi Leng means “Nose of the house”. The name already shows the ruggedness of the mountain peak. It is described that even a strong horse will also be exhausted when crossing such a high pass slope. 

You may like to read: Ha Giang Motorbike Loop – Memories of a Lifetime for Daring Travelers

Ma Pi Leng Pass is likened to “King” of Vietnam Pass. Despite not being too long, it is named in the list of most dangerous passes of the Northwest due to its abrupt twists and turns and slippery slopes, which easily cause incidents, especially on rainy, windy, and misty days. However, here is blessed with an amazing masterpiece of nature, regarded as the “gazebo” in Ha Giang motorbike tours. For all the incredible features above, the North Vietnam motorbike loop from Dong Van – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Meo Vac is a must-try for any biker once visiting Ha Giang. 

Suggested tour for the North Vietnam Motorbike Loop from Dong Van – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Meo Vac:

Ha Giang Motorbike Loop to Ma Pi Leng Pass and Bao Lac – 5 days

Motorbike Route: Ha Giang → Yen Minh → Dong Van → Meo Vac → Ma Pi Leng Pass → Du Gia → Ha Giang → Bao Lac

If you are an adventure lover, the 5-day off-road Ha Giang Motorbike Loopwill be a must-do on your bucket list. This mysterious and far-most mountainous land of the country lining the Chinese border is blessed with the most exhilarating roads and marvelous views of flowers blooming around the year that I bet you have never laid your eyes on. Besides such lush landscapes, the exotic local cuisine blending with the particular cultural identity of each destination where we go is worth exploring and experiencing. So what are you waiting for? Let’s join us and hit the road. 

3. Xin Man – Hoang Su Phi 

The name “Xin Man” may be strange to many tourists, especially those from far distance areas, but that awakens not only the curiosity of the backpackers but also evokes the passion for discovery and experience of many people. Besides Xin Man, Hoang Su Phi is another interesting destination known as a mountainous border district of Ha Giang province. Coming to Hoang Su Phi, you must pass the hard roads with the zigzag, small and remote mountains. However, it is worth exploring this new national borderland to have memorable experiences.

Suggested tour for the North Vietnam Motorbike Loop from Xin Man – Hoang Su Phi:

Off-road Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Sapa to Ha Giang – 4 Days

Motorbike Route: Sapa → Muong Khuong → Si Ma Cai → Bac Ha → Xin Man → Hoang Su Phi → Ha Giang

Sapa and Ha Giang are considered the most favorite attractions in the North. The riding distance is only about 200 kilometers, but it requires a great deal of time and a huge effort from adventure bikers. On this tour, you can explore plenty of rolling mountainous roads stretching along massive rice terraced fields or immense featured circuit buckwheat fields of the Northwestern area. What could be better than riding on the constantly winding roads throughout stunning canyons and dangerous mountains? The challenge for riders will double when traversing through a thick blanket of fog in the early morning or late afternoon. Along the roads, we are sometimes emotional with innocent mountainous children with a positive attitude in life which is reflected obviously via their shining smiles, despite the lack of life deprivation. Now, let’s hit the road!

4. Nghia Lo – Khau Pha Pass – Mu Cang Chai

With the length of 40 km stretching over rugged terrain and a great altitude above sea level (1200m – 1500m), the pass crosses the peak of the Khau Pha mountain – the highest mountain in Mu Cang Chai. The name of this peak in the language of the Thai people means “Horn of Heaven”.

Due to the high potential of danger, it is recommended that the Khau Pha pass should not be chosen as the first destination for backpacking. Its road has two-thirds of aggregate road that is bumpy with gravel and rock. Several dozen risky bends appear during the length of the pass. Especially on dense foggy days, this Northwest backpacking road is extremely dangerous because there is no barrier or warning sign.

Suggested tour for the North Vietnam Motorbike Loop from Nghia Lo – Khau Pha Pass – Mu Cang Chai:

Ha Giang Motorbike Loop from Hanoi to Ba Be – 10 days

Motorbike Route: Hanoi → Yen Bai → Nghia Lo → Tu Le → Mu Cang Chai → Than Uyen → Sa Pa → Bac Ha → Pho Rang → Ha Giang → Dong Van → Meo Vac → Cao Bang → Ba Be → Hanoi

For adventure junkies, joining a two-wheeled tour to Ha Giang will be the best way to get a feel for the area. Within ten days, riders can fully explore the natural beauty of the Northern mountains. 300 km from Hanoi, Ha Giang is a province in the Northeast region of Vietnam. It borders four other provinces, including Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, and a part of China. Over 20 ethnic minorities with unique languages have considered Ha Giang their home. 

On the way to have the best Northern Vietnam adventure of the lifetime, backpackers will have a chance to feast their eyes on the elegance of Mother Nature and earn more life-enrich experiences. Vietnam Motorcycle Tours is without dispute to provide motorcyclists the greatest riding trip to the North of Vietnam. Don’t hesitate! Put your backpack on and get on two wheels starting Sapa – Ha Giang riding track.

5. Pa Tan – Muong Te

Pa Tan and Muong Te are the destinations in Lai Chau province. Lai Chau is featured by bold, wild, majestic scenery covered with big green, which contributes to its peaceful and gentle beauty. However, there is a notorious Northwest Vietnam motorbike route that makes many backpackers scared of and discouraged, and what makes this road scariest than ever are the shock, potholes, and especially serious landslides. Backpackers even often whisper to each other that “I’m not afraid of conquering Muong Te, I just need hard steering with an iron spirit!”

Contact us for the tailor-made motorbike tour from Pa Tan – Muong Te! 

6. Pac Ma – Muong Te – A Pa Chai

Let’s try to challenge ourselves. At least once in a lifetime, you are proud of checking in the remote Northwest backpacking road and immerse yourself in the pristine nature where mostly no footprint appears. The North Vietnam motorbike loop from Pac Ma to Muong Te is considered the most difficult road from Lai Chau to the West pole in Dien Bien. To pass this road, the vehicle and backpackers will be “served” a meal of splinter, mud, slopes, potholes, etc. Indeed, the region’s thorns and dangers are not exaggerated.

7. Muong Nhe – Dien Bien

Muong Nhe belongs to the West pole district of Vietnam. The trip from Muong Nhe to Dien Bien is quite peaceful and not too hard, but it will make you lose the concept of the time when it is 7 pm but still as bright as 5 pm. The heroic atmosphere still lurking throughout the mountains of this historical land is waiting for the real backpackers to discover.

8. Dien Bien – Pha Din Pass – Son La

The name of Pha Din pass originated from the Thai language” Pha Din”, in which “Pha” means “heaven”, “Din” is “land” that already shows its special location- the junction between heaven and land. Pha Din is one of the four greatest pass peaks with a length of 32km and an altitude above sea level (1000km). Only through that information is it not difficult to recognize how tough the mountain pass of this North Vietnam motorbike loop is. Coming to Pha Din, you will not only experience the winding, folding bend with deep chasm but also admire the poetic scenery of the clouds, the beauty of the majestic mountains and forests, and the villages’ loop from a far distance. 

9. Son La – Mai Chau – Hoa Binh

While Son La possesses Moc Chau, covered by the big tea hills and the white color of blossoming flower season, Hoa Binh has a sweet and peaceful valley called Mai Chau with picturesque villages. Although the length of this road is up to 250 km, it is easier to pass because it is not too bumpy and doesn’t have “dead” terrain like other places mentioned above.

Suggested tour for the North Vietnam Motorbike Loop from Son La – Mai Chau – Hoa Binh: 

Off-road Vietnam Dirt Bike Tour from Hanoi to Vu Linh – 8 days

Motorbike Route: Hanoi → Mai Chau → Moc Chau → Sơn La → Mu Cang Chai → Tu Le → Vu Linh → Hanoi

Off-road biking in Vietnam is accentuated by steep, dangerous small roads that take you across listless rivers and rushing streams, rocky mountains, and peaceful valleys in return for breathtaking views and untapped emotions. You will witness incredible scenery of towering mountains, pristine forests, lingering herds of the cloud: the stuff of dreams and fantasies that we took years of passion and pain, blood, mud-trudging sweat and tears, years of exploration, of getting lost and nasty falls to accumulate.

All these bring you an authentic, unforgettable experience about Vietnam for you to have and hold. Our off-road Vietnam dirt bike tour from Hanoi to Vu Linh – 8 days is one-of-a-kind patented-exclusive, custom-made from our own experience and preference. We promise an off-road motorbike tour of your life that you won’t find anywhere else!

Notes before having a trip via North Vietnam motorbike loop

• Plan and arrange a convenient schedule to experience as many stunning destinations in North Vietnam as possible. If you don’t have much time, you should divide the schedule into smaller parts to gradually conquer those North Vietnam motorbike loops in different seasons. 
• Prepare personal items such as clothes, medicine, toothpaste, and raincoat. Bring wind pants and windbreakers due to the cold weather in some Northern regions. 
• Do not bring cumbersome clothes or high heels (for girls) because they can cause difficulties in moving. 
• Cope with vertical slopes or rocky roads when having a North Vietnam motorbike tour, so the maintenance and replacement of tires, headlights, horns, and brakes of the “companion” is extremely necessary. Remember to bring a repair kit in case the vehicles break on the road.
• Prepare snacks such as cakes, potato cans, and water to prevent hunger.
• To avoid loss and ensure safety, you only should bring enough money for petrol, accommodation, and grocery shopping northVietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Halong Bay – 10 days.