Top 8 North Vietnam Motorbike Routes for Off-road Motorbike Tours in Vietnam

Check out some of our recommendations for the best North Vietnam motorbike routes and have a fun, exciting, and exhilarating off-road Vietnam motorbike tour.

1. North Vietnam Motorbike Route from Hanoi – Moc Chau – Bac Yen – Ta  Xua

A motorbike tour from Hanoi to Moc Chau, Bac Yen and Ta Xua is known as one of the most attractive North Vietnam motorbike routes and top choices for travelers who want to explore northern Vietnam in a short period of time. This North Vietnam motorbike route will offer travelers the chance to experience the scenic routes, beautiful flower farms in Moc Chau and the terrific trek to Ta Xua.

With this journey, you can conquer Pha Luong, known as the rooftop of the  Moc Chau plateau. The challenging slopes, including Kem, Cun or Thung Khe, will give you a memorable experience, while difficult routes and paths, endless flower gardens with an alluring aroma and misty valley all will make this tour a bit more challenging and fulfilling.

Pha Luong

While the winding and tough Cun slope gives you a first impression of and a glimpse into the landscape of the northwestern mountainous region, Mai Chau and Da Trang pass will be a great stopover destination for bikers to admire the gorgeous beauty of misty Mai Chau’s mountainous view in the early morning.

Coming to Moc Chau, which is some 300 km away, visitors will be amazed by the valleys of white plum trees, which begin to bloom in early January and are in full bloom for two to three weeks during January and February. With the beautiful gardens featuring white and pure plum flowers, Moc Chau has been a real magnet for travelers in spring, especially flower fans.

This area is full of blooming flowers all year round, thus well-known as one of the best places for those who want to visit blooming flower farms. It shines in spring when apricot, plum, and peach blossoms are in full bloom, while in winter, the wild sunflowers bloom in yellow all over the vast hills.

This also has a good reputation for its Ban Ang pine forest with a cool climate – known as little Da Lat on a plateau. The vast pine hill  and a large lake in the middle are a perfect background for photo lovers and photographers. The shadows of pine trees are well reflected in the clear water surface, making it an ideal place to relax.

Meanwhile, Hang Doi (Bat Cave) is also a place worth visiting while you are en route to Moc Chau. This cave looks like a magnificent work of art that this region is blessed with. About 6 km northeast of Moc Chau, this 6,000 square meter limestone cave lures visitors with  its mysterious and stupendous beauty and is dubbed ‘the palace of heaven.

Climbing 240 steps to get to the cave, one will find their effort totally worth it when they enjoy the temperate climate and chirping melodies of birds and gushing sound of streams below. A heart-shaped tea hill, the symbol of the  Moc Chau plateau, is also a must-visit destination. The vast tea hill with scenic landscapes and fresh atmosphere makes it an endless inspiration for photographers and bikers. Coming here to learn more about tea growing tradition of the local people, enjoy high-quality tea or rent traditional costumes of local ethnic people is a memorable experience for any tourist.

Moc Chau

Check out:  North Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Moc Chau – 8 days

Before bidding farewell to the scenic Moc Chau plateau, make sure you visit Pha Luong, known as the rooftop of this plateau region. Standing at the height of some 2,000m above sea level, this peak boasts a spectacular and gorgeous view over majestic mountain ranges and picturesque valleys. The North Vietnam motorbike route to Pha Luong features very tough slopes and difficult roads, yet once you put your step at the peak, you will soon forget the fatigue and challenges so as to be fully immersed in the beauty and the grandeur of nature here.

After Moc Chau, the next stop will be the ‘notorious’ Ta Xua’, which offers daring travelers with once-in-a-lifetime experience as they conquer the so-called dinosaur spine on top of Ta Xua. Standing here, trekkers can admire the breathtaking view and the ocean of clouds floating around.

Ta Xua

Bac Yen is the final destination in this off-road Vietnam motorbike tour with exhilarating experiences and unforgettable memories. If Pha Luong is considered the rooftop of  the Moc Chau plateau, then Hang Dong is the top of Bac Yen. Standing at a height of more than 2,000m above sea level, the peak is surrounded by mist almost all year round. This is the place that every traveler should come to experience at least once in their lifetime.

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2. North Vietnam Motorbike Route from Hanoi – Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai

This is another scenic North Vietnam motorbike route that we highly recommend for travelers. This route is even more gorgeous in September and October when rice fields begin to ripe. With this journey, we can conquer Khau Pha, one of the four greatest and most challenging passes of Vietnam. This rugged pass is situated on Highway 32 and stretches nearly 40 km. It lies in the boundaries of Van Chan and Mu Cang Chai districts in Yen Bai province.

With  the North Vietnam motorbike route from Hanoi – Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai, one will pass by several popular destinations, including La Pan Tan, Tu Le, Che Cu Nha, and Nam Co which are at the height of 1,200 to 1,500 meters above the sea level. Tourists will be mesmerized by the seemingly endless ripe rice terraced fields. Come and admire the beauty of the scenery and feel the fresh atmosphere of this mountainous area.

Check out:  Northwest Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Nghia Lo – 5 days

If you are not in a rush, then spend some time exploring Y Ty. Travelers who are not tight with time can try the extended route of Hanoi – Yen Bai – Lao Cai – Sapa – Mu Cang Chai – Hanoi so they can explore most destinations in a trip. Unlike the delta region, with several crops a year, local people in the mountainous areas have only one rice crop annually. Visitors can come on two occasions to see the best terraced rice fields here. One is when locals pour water, normally in May and the other is harvest season from late September to October.

3. North Vietnam Motorbike Route from Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu – A Pa Chai

Route for an off-road motorbike tour in northwestern Vietnam has been some of the most sought-after searches of both local and international travelers.

With a great location, the North Vietnam motorbike route from Hanoi – Dien Bien Phu – A Pa Chai will offer bikers a thrilling and memorable travel experience. Dien Bien has been very famous among local travelers with its A Pa Chai.  The best time to visit A Pa Chai is in the dry season which falls from November to April, when the roads are not damaged by rain and thus are easier to manage. Dien Bien is about 500 km from Hanoi city, so it will take a whole day to travel between the two destinations.

From Dien Bien, travelers can take the route of Muong Cha, Muong Nhe, Chung Chia 405 Leng Su Sien Border Guard Station, Ta Kho Khu and 317 A Pa Chai Border Guard Station. With this route stretching some 280km, bikers will drive past  roads of rocks and dirt, greenish hills with seemingly vertical slopes, and dense jungles with damp forest canopy and vast thorns.  After a challenging ride that may cause a bit of fatigue, bikers make it to the landmark of A Pa Chai with a burst of joy and a great sense of fulfillment while on the milestone of the country. The landmark located in Sin Thau commune, Muong Nhe district of Dien Bien Province, is the crossroad between Vietnam, Laos, and China.

Without strong will and an adventurous mind, riders will easily be defeated by the cold of the mountainous area in northwestern Vietnam and the fatigue caused by long hours of trekking and driving. One of the tips from the experienced drivers is to try water which can be found in streams along the way. The freshness and purity of the water will help to keep us fresh and cool down the cuts of trees and the falls while we are traveling on seemingly vertical slopes. The vibrancy, aromatic scent of the wildflowers, and the green color of the dense forest will also make this trip worthwhile for one’s efforts and memorable for bikers.

This journey to A Pa Chai, the westernmost point of Vietnam, is many travelers’ dream. Embrace your opportunity, prepare yourself with good health, strong will and perseverance to conquer one of the four toughest passes of Vietnam and you will finally be treated to a thrilling, fun and memorable experience.

4. North Vietnam Motorbike Route from Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hoang Su Phi

Talking of off-road motorbike tours, one shouldn’t miss Lao Cai and Hoang Su Phi in Ha Giang.  Hoang Su Phi is home to some of the best rice terraced fields in Vietnam and boasts many rice fields. Autumn is the favorite season for Vietnamese travelers because this is the best time to visit Hoang Su Phi, so if you are adventurous tourists and have long dreamed of a challenging yet fun and memorable motorbike tour, this is the place to go.

It is estimated that there are more than 1,300 terraced fields in 11 communes in Hoang Su Phi District of Ha Giang province. In harvest season, the whole area is blanketed by yellow rice fields. The terraced fields have become a signature sight of this mountainous area and such a treasure for local people and tourists that it has been recognized as a national heritage to behold.

Every year, travelers thronged to this area to enjoy the breathtaking view of the fields and experience the unique culture of the local people.  The rugged and long road from Hanoi to Hoang Su Phi with some malicious sections, will make this journey even more worthwhile and rewarding for travelers.

Most communes in Hoang Su Phi district have terraced rice fields, but the villages of Ban Luoc, Ban Phung, Thong Nguyen, Ho Thau, Nam Ty, and San Sa Ho have the most with a total area of nearly 765ha.

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Coming to this land, travelers will be mesmerized by the picturesque rice fields, the grandeur of mountain ranges, the tranquility of the ethnic villages and the thrilling experience while riding on the mountain roads.

This is one of the most selected routes in northwestern Vietnam, with which you can put your step on the rooftop of Indochina, Fansipan, also the highest mountain peak of Vietnam, standing at over 3,000 meters above sea level.

Conquering Tram Ton Pass (O Quy Ho Pass), one of the four toughest passes in Vietnam, is also a worthwhile experience. This pass  stretching some 50km runs through the spectacular Hoang Lien Son range that connects Lai Chau and Lao Cai provinces. The pass blanketed with cloud all year round is a perfect spot for one to admire the impressive panoramic view of Fansipan mountain.

This is well known as “the gate to Sapa heaven†that looks over the gorgeous valleys below and mountain ranges. Standing at the height of 2,000 meters, one can catch the sight of the oceans of clouds on a sunny day in Tram Ton Pass.

5. North Vietnam Motorbike Route from Yen Minh ” Lung Cu ” Dong Van ” Meo Vac ” Ha Giang

Ha Giang motorbike loop has been a dream come true for adventure travelers who expect a daring loop tour with breathtaking sceneries. Ha Giang never fails to amaze danger-loving tourists and hardcore drivers with freaky tracks and jaw-dropping landscapes.

This northernmost province boasts some of the most astounding sceneries with rough trails, rugged mountainscapes and the authentic hospitality of local ethnic people. Wild and serene, Ha Giang is among the hidden gems of Vietnam that are well intact and unspoiled by mass tourism.

An off-road motorbike tour around Ha Giang will leave tourists with experiences and memories that they can’t find anywhere else in the world.

Conquering mountain peaks, trekkers are offered a panoramic view over various picturesque spots. It is a majestic and untouched Lao Chai valley, which appears like a work of art ” a wild and vast mountainscape that gives one a great sense of freedom. It is the panoramic views of the scenic and tranquil Lo River or the jaw-dropping sight of the Yen Minh pine forest.

After driving on some upright mountain roads with dizzying hairpin turns, we reach Dong Van Karst Plateau, then Meo Vac town with rock and corn, pristine natural wonder, and the architectural masterpiece of Mong ethnic people ” the Vuong family’s legendary mansion.

6. North Vietnam Motorbike Route from Hanoi ” Ba Be Lake ” Ban Gioc Waterfall

With this route from Hanoi – Ba Be Lake – Ban Gioc Waterfall, travelers have a venture into the gorgeous nature of Cao Bang province. Ban Gioc Waterfall, located some 340 km from Hanoi city, is truly heaven on earth for its majestic natural beauty. The best time for a Ban Gioc Waterfall Tour is from June to October, especially in September and October, as there is a higher volume of water during that time.

Located in Dam Thuy commune of Trung Khanh district, the waterfall complex is some 70 meters high and 208 meters wide, making it the world’s fourth-largest waterfall that forms a border.

Check out off-road motorbike tours via Ba Be Lake and Ban Gioc Waterfall:

7. Explore Bac Son valley during the rice harvest season 

Bac Son valley in the northern border province of Lang Son is blanketed with a golden thread of rice fields gently mixed with the blue sky in June and July. To fully enjoy the beauty of Bac Son, travelers are recommended to trek to Nui Na Lay mountain, which stands at the height of 600 meters above sea level in order to get a panoramic view of the valley.

Once you visit Bac Son, you will definitely want to come back to this amazing land.

8. North Vietnam Motorbike Route from Ha Noi ” Binh Lieu ” Binh Lap

Binh Lieu route has become an emerging route that draws a throng of passionate travelers. This is said to be one of the most beautiful North Vietnam Motorbike routes you must try for your memorable Vietnam enduro tours.  This mountainous border district lies in the northeast of Quang Ninh province and is only 130 km from the world heritage Ha Long Bay. This area boasts a cool climate and a plethora of stunning sights.

During autumn and early winter, the road leading to Binh Lieu will be covered with white grass flowers thus, this is often the high season for travel here. Bordering China, Binh Lieu offers several border markers that are located on the mountain road. Such markers as 1300, 1302, 1305 and 1327 are all worth visiting as these points provide stunning panoramic views of the whole district.

Though it is not as tough as such trekking routes as Ta Nang Phan Dung in the south, it requires trekkers to overcome a mountain range nicknamed dinosaur spine while trekking from mark 1302 to 1305. Reaching the top of the mountain and contemplating the impressive landscape is a truly worthwhile experience for tourists.  Travelers should also try Cao Ly, Quang Nam Chau, and Cao Xiem mountain peaks, which are surrounded by the ocean of clouds.

In Binh Lieu, one should also visit the rice terraced fields and ethnic villages where local people still well preserved traditional customs and practices with unique culture or Khe Van and Khe Tien waterfalls. Besides hiking, trekking, and visits to tribal villages, one can also experience camping in Binh Lieu. Nothing is better than waking up early to the wonderful nature around and simply enjoying the dawn slowly breaking from the cloud.

Motorbiking has always been a perfect option for daring and adventurous travelers to fully explore a country, especially Vietnam. It’s also becoming increasingly popular, and we hope that our recommendations above for the best North Vietnam motorbike routes will add more options to your bucket list of North Vietnam motorbike tours and help you gain a lot more exciting and authentic journeys.