North Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Mai Chau – 15 days

The tour guide will pick you up at our office at 8 am. We schedule to depart early today to escape from the traffic jam of Hanoi. After picking up the motorbikes and a short instructional speech from the company’s director, we embark on our journey. Ride northeast of Hanoi, along Highway 1A, until we reach Lang Son city. We stop for a lunch break. After lunch, we continue to pass Loc Binh district to reach Mau Son. This stretch of road has steep slopes with harsh twists and turns, so be extra careful.

Arrive at the hotel in Mau Son in the afternoon; you are free to explore the area for its noticeably cooler weather than Hanoi or have a beer party to celebrate the first day of our tour! Mau Son is a mountainous area located in Lang Son province, a northeastern province bordering China. With elevation ranging from 800 to 1000 meters above sea level, the area often has snowfalls and frosts, making it one of the few places in Vietnam where you can experience such a phenomenon.

Summary:

Accommodation: Standard Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 180 km

After a peaceful night in Mau Son, we get ready for a trip to one of the most remote yet beautifully majestic parts of Vietnam – Ban Gioc Waterfall in Cao Bang province. After breakfast, we depart from Mau Son. We will travel on back roads for about 40 kilometers to Dong Dang town in Cao Loc district. Along the way, you will be told stories of the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War. We will take a break in Dong Dang town. Here you can visit the site of the famous Vong Phu rock, which embodies the story of a wife and child turning into rocks while waiting for the husband to return from war. After that, we head out on Highway 4A and turn to Highway 3 towards QuangUyen town.

A lunch break will be taken shortly in Dong Khe town on the way. Then we continue on to Quang Uyen town to get to Ban Gioc Waterfall. You can enjoy a soak at the falls’ foot or go on a raft ride for a closer approach while reaching Ban Gioc Waterfall, located in Dam Thuy Commune, Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province. This is known as the marvelous waterfall in Vietnam, with successive cascades spreading to hundreds of meters. The image of the waterfall rushing overripe golden fields days and nights creates an impressive setting amidst the green space of jungles.

Summary:

Accommodation: Saigon Hotel – Ban Gioc

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Distance: 200 km

The road we will take to get to Cao Bang city has low traffic, so it is easier to enjoy the beautiful scenery with limestone mountains, tunnels, and high passes. We set off for Highway 34 toward Tinh Tuc town. From here, we can take back roads along the highways for more sightseeing. Though this depends on your ability to drive on rough terrain, so the choice is up to you. After arrival at Ba Be National Park in Bac Kan province, we quickly set up our accommodation for the night along the lake’s bank, allowing you an unobstructed view of the lake. Let loose and relax!

Summary:

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Distance: 213 km

In the early morning, we enjoy a Western-style breakfast with fruit cakes and fresh honey by the lakeside. Afterward, we will go boating on Ba Be Lake. We can also visit Dau Dang Waterfall on the Nang River in the North of the lake. If it’s summer, we can boat out to Ba Goa islet and enjoy a swim there. You can also visit various caves in the area as well. In total, we have about 3 hours to explore Ba Be National Park. After that, quickly grab up your baggage and have lunch before we leave.

Say goodbye to our host families and depart. We will drive North through the buffer zone of Ba Be National Park, along small streams and bamboo bridges. The roads are mostly unpaved dirt roads that can prove a bit difficult for beginners. Keep driving until we reach the Bao Lac district in Cao Bang. It has not much time to go sightseeing, so we will check in, have supper and take a deep rest for tomorrow’s explosion.

Summary: 

Accommodation: 3-star Hotel – Thuy Duong 2

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Distance: 150 km

We will head west towards Meo Vac district in Ha Giang province to visit the Khau Vai market. This love market only has one meeting per year, on March 27th of the lunar calendar. On this day, star-crossed lovers who couldn’t be together meet up to talk and reminisce on their youth. We can choose to have a lunch break in the market with some simple local foods. Afterward, we drive out on Highway 4C, also known as the Road of Happiness, towards Ma Pi Leng Pass. The Pass is one of Vietnam’s four great passes and is quite challenging with its twists and turns. In exchange, it also has one of the most scenic views, with the Nho Que River winding below a steep drop.

After 3-hour driving, we arrive at Dong Van town and have a coffee break before continuing on to the northernmost point of Vietnam, Lung Cu. At Lung Cu, you can climb up the flagpole and admire the view of Vietnam’s final frontier. It would be better if you go from October – December, as this is the season when buckwheat flowers bloom, decorating the province in its soft pink shades. After the visit, we come back hotel to check in and blow off steam. You can freely explore the old town of Dong Van.

Summary:

Accommodation: 4-star Hotel – Hoa Cuong

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Distance: 140 km

After breakfast, we depart from Dong Van town. For day 6, we will be visiting various tourist spots in Ha Giang province. The first stop today is the Hmong Royal Palace (or Manor of the Vuong family). An architectural marvel, the 150-billion-dong palace was built atop a mound shaped like that of a turtle shell, in a fusion of 3 different styles: Chinese, French, and Hmong. Passing Pho Cao commune, we will reach Tham Ma slope. Not only a challenge for drivers but the twists and turns of Tham Ma also give it a look akin to a giant python winding itself around limestone mountains, making it a popular check-in place.

We will enjoy lunch in Yen Minh town and keep driving about 40 kilometers on a dirt path to be to Lung Tam village. The village is known for its hemp production and is where you can observe the hand-weaving process. A way from Lung Tam is Quan Ba Heaven’s Gate, the beauty of which you must witness at least once in life. Arrive at Ha Giang city at sunset downtime, just relax after a long day of driving and enjoy a beer or two. You deserve it!

Summary: 

Accommodation: Truong Xuan resort.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Distance: 180 km

Finish breakfast, and we hit the road. Then we head along Highway 2 to Vi Xuyen district, where we can stop at the Vat market to resupply for the stretch ahead. Lunch break in Vinh Quang town, Hoang Su Phi district. We resume driving. If you’re tired, we can go straight to Coc Pai town. Otherwise, we opt for a detour on back roads. After a 30-kilometer stretch through a small but treacherous pass, we reach Ban Phung commune. Nestled in-between high mountains, the commune has some of the highest terraced rice fields in the country. The fields cling to the mountainside, climbing all the way to the top. And the view there, wisps of clouds floating idly by a lush green sea, is more than enough to charm even the most cynical hearts. Take provincial road 178 to Coc Pai town, Xin Man district. We rest here for the evening.

Summary:

Accommodation: Standard Hotel

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Distance: 180 km

We set off Bac Ha town in Lao Cai province after breakfast. The 60-kilometer stretch takes us 2 hours to complete. In Bac Ha town has a coffee break and visits a traditional Hmong village called Pho with beautiful scenery and their famed specialty of corn wine. After the break, we continue 17 kilometers down the valley of Trung Do village.

We follow the provincial road out, passing Xuan Giao commune and Pho Lu town. The street is wide so large trucks do sometimes zip by, be careful and don’t get distracted by the scenery. We will also pass by the serene villages of Lao Chai Ta Van and Y Linh Ho, with terraced fields lining as far as the eyes could see. Late in the afternoon, we could also spend time at Sau Chua, a remote and poor village yet has something homely and warm about its beauty. We reach Sapa town and check-in at the hotel. Since Sapa is tourist-heavy, it can be easier to find bars and pubs for your nightly fun.

Summary:

Accommodation: Standard Hotel

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Distance: 180 km 

It may not come as a surprise to you that our rest day is reserved for Sapa. After all, the land’s beauty is regarded as heavenly by many who visited. One major thing Sapa is known for is the Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest mountain at 3,143 meters above sea level. The mountain belongs to the Hoang Lien Mountains, which, in turn, is the easternmost part of the Himalayas. Being the last major peak of the Himalayas, Mt. Fansipan has always posed a challenge for those who dare to conquer it.

Sapa’s culture, a fusion of many ethnic minorities, is also a point of attraction. Just by walking around town, you can easily come across locals wearing intricate traditional garments, as well as children able to speak multiple languages. Sapa’s cuisine is also filled with hearty dishes made from salmon, sturgeon, free-range chicken, and pig, as well as horse intestines and fresh vegetables.

If you want to visit some touristy spots in Sapa, there’s Sapa Lake in the center of town. Three kilometers from the town is Cat Cat village, an old Hmong village with charming wooden houses and giant bamboo water wheels. Overnight in Cat Cat View.

Summary: 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Cat Cat View Hotel.

After breakfast, we hit the road. If you haven’t gone to Cat Cat village the day before, now is your chance. We can also visit the nearby Sin Chai village, only a couple of kilometers away. Back on Highway 4D, we drive onwards to Y Ty commune. We will pay a short visit to Y Ty commune. This commune is at an altitude of 2000 meters and is the best place if you want to photograph clouds.

Away from the commune is the Silver Waterfall, one of the most beautiful falls in Lao Cai, situated at the foot of O Quy Ho pass. Being one of the four legendary passes, O Quy Ho is sometimes dubbed Heaven’s Gate and is very popular with tourists for the majestic beauty one can only witness atop the pass. We traverse the impressive 50 kilometers of O Quy Ho pass. Finish a lunch break in Tam Duong town. Continue on Highway 4D to Lai Chau city. Drive out of Lai Chau city on provincial road 128 for about 60 kilometers, and we will reach Sin Ho district.

Summary:

Accommodation: Thanh Binh Hotels

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner 

Distance: 170km

After breakfast, we depart on provincial road 128 and drive for about 30 kilometers. There is also a backroad option if you prefer traveling that way. Coffee break in Chan Nua commune. Then we will take backroads along the Da River (also known as Black River), passing Pu Dao commune. Lunch break at Lai Chau’s Lan Anh Hotel. Continue on to Dien Bien Phu city in Dien Bien province via backroads. Here you can visit A1 Hill at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu Monuments and listen to stories of that decisive battle many years ago. You can also visit the Victory Museum in the same area, as well as try out battle simulations and be taken back in time. Check-in at the hotel. Feel free to explore the city on your own in the evening.

Summary:

Accommodation: 4-star Hotel – Muong Thanh

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Distance: 150 km

Our destination of the day is Pha Din Pass, one of the four legendary passes of the Northwest region. To get there, we have two options. One is to take Highway 279 and Highway 6, and two is an entirely different set of backroads we have planned out. The choice is yours. Pha Din Pass played a crucial role in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu as it was one of the main supply lines for Viet Minh’s troops. At mid-pass, you can see the endless verdant shades of Muong Quai valley and some small villages in Tuan Giao district. Though, once you near the top, the houses all but disappear, leaving only the green of the earth and the blue of heaven. As beautiful as it is, the Pass is also very dangerous, with high mountains on one side and the abyss on the other. The road is prone to erosion and filled with high slopes and abrupt turns. Lunch break. Afterward, we can visit Son La prison in Son La city. This was built by the French to detain Vietnamese revolutionaries at the time.

Summary:

Accommodation: 4-star Hotel – Hanoi-Dien Bien 

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Distance: 160 km

Take Highway 6 and provincial road 110 to avoid large vehicles. Lunch in ChiengHac commune. After lunch, we set off for our next 60-kilometer stretch. This stretch could easily eat up 4-5 hours, especially during the rainy season. Eventually, we reach Moc Chau Plateau, one of the most beautiful highlands in the North. Here you can visit numerous attractions such as Doi Cave (or Son Moc Huong Cave), Dai Yem Waterfall, the pine forests, rows upon rows of tea plants in Moc Chau Tea Hills, and most famous of all, Pha Luong Peak.

Best known for its appearance in the poem Tay Tien by poet Quang Dung, Mt. Pha Luong is 2000 meters above sea level and infamous for its high and slippery slopes. A tough nut to crack with an average climbing time of 3-4 hours, the view atop Pha Luong Peak is more than enough to revitalize you.

Summary:

Accommodation: 4-star Hotel – Muong Thanh

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Route: 140 km

We depart after breakfast. However, it should be noted that we ought to bring lunch along the way as there won’t be any restaurants along the way. For the penultimate day, we will be exploring the breathtaking S-line. Being true to its name, the stretch curves languidly in an S-shape with no rough turns or steep slopes, making it a favorite for young backpackers.

At the end of the S-line, however, is the abandoned Hua Tat Pass. After the new Highway 6 is opened for traffic, the old Highway 6, along with Hua Tat Pass, are all but forgotten. Due to its abandoned state, the Pass can be tough to travel. Though it’s worth it, as the haunting beauty of Hua Tat Pass can only be rivaled by none. Past the stretch, we can have late lunch at a local restaurant in CunPheo commune if you haven’t brought any.

At around 5.10, we stop at Mai Chau city in Hoa Binh province. Let loose and explore the city at your own pace. Here you can visit and buy various trinkets at stalls of the ethnic people. You can also enjoy traditional music and local specialty wine.

Summary:

Accommodation: Homestay / Resort

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Distance: 100 km

We backtrack on Highway 6 in Son La’s direction. At Bai Chao crossroad, we then turn to the old Highway 6 and drive along the Black River, through majestic mountain ranges sometimes dubbed the Ha Long Bay of Hoa Binh. Nestled in the mountains here is Ba Khan Lake, a lake seemingly untouched by rampant tourism.

We pass through the Cao Phong district, famous for its sprawling orange orchards. Afterward, we embark on a 20-kilometer-long backroads stretch that doesn’t even exist on Google Map. We stop by Luong Son market for some drinks and souvenirs. We then continue on to Quoc Oai district and into Hanoi through Thang Long Avenue.

At 4.30 pm is arrival at the office of BM Travel. Our tour is officially wrapped up. We hope you’ve had a wonderful time, and thank you for choosing our service.

Summary:

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch

Distance: 180 km

Tour Ends.