North Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Thac Ba Lake – 12 days

Heading to the northwest of Hanoi from 9:00 am, we go along Highway 6, passing through the suburban area to Mai Chau. The first day of the trip is not so challenging for those who are not familiar with the bumpy and uneven roads. We can enjoy the beauty of the emerald mountains or the green paddy fields on both sides. On the way, we can stop for a while to inhale the fresh air or trackback the past with the ancient villages of the ethnic tribes. After lunch and some breaks, we keep following the direction to Mai Chau and arrive there around 5:00 pm. This town is illustrious for its traditional stilt house of Thai People. Surely, you cannot keep yourself from curiousness to experience.

Summary: 

Distance: 170 km

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Stilt House

Have a local breakfast and get ready for the next destination to Moc Chau and then Phu Yen. Moc Chau is widely regarded as a tropical paradise in North Vietnam. We take on a ride through the winding roads with breathtaking views of mountains and the different topography. On arrival in Moc Chau, we can check in and enjoy the scenic beauty of the tea plantations and the fruitful gardens. After lunch, we continue our trip, cross the Da River and head to Phu Yen. We could take advantage of the time on the ferry to set free in the peaceful world of the river and the mountain before disembarking at the dock.

Summary: 

Distance: 160 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

Ascending from Phu Yen through Mu Cang Chai to Than Uyen, all riders could be entirely surprised by the amazing wonder of rice terrace fields on both sides. In each season, Mu Cang Chai puts on a new dress. During the summer, the hills are covered with a giant green blanket and turn into a shiny yellow carpet in the autumn, signaling the harvest time coming. If time permits, we can also explore the village of the Black Hmong and learn more about their unique culture. Now, we keep moving to Than Uyen, stay there for one night, and prepare for the next day.

Summary: 

Distance: 210 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

After having a full breakfast, we will depart for our trip to Sapa. Sapa is a small town in Lao Cai province, close to the border with China. Sapa is well known for its fine, rugged scenery and cultural diversity. We will cross O Quy Ho Pass, one of the four most well-known passes in North Vietnam. However, the experience is priceless, as we are able to admire and get a full view of the vast valley at the foot of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range.

After arriving in Sapa and having lunch, you can take a walk or ride on a motorbike to some rustic villages of local tribes, try some local food, learn about the culture or buy some souvenirs for your friends. Overnight at a hotel or homestay.

Summary: 

Distance: 110 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel/ Homestay

From Sapa, we set off to Bac Ha in the morning. We can have an opportunity to visit a wild region with primitive nature. Fortunately, as arrival here at the weekend, we have the chance to participate in the popular love market where you can see how couples date and people find their lovers. It cannot be denied as a unique tradition that has been kept for a long time. We head to Bac Ha at approximately 4:00 p.m. Enjoy a night here before heading to Ha Giang by tomorrow.

Summary: 

Distance: 160 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

Ha Giang, the highest province in northern Vietnam, is a must-visit destination when we take on the ride to the North of Vietnam. On the dirty-hilly roads from Bac Ha to Ha Giang, motorcyclists are supposed to see the different landscapes of North Vietnam. We will have lunch in Xin Man town. After that, we continue riding along the meandering river, taking a panoramic look at the terraced rice fields at Hoang Su Phi. Arrive in Ha Giang in the afternoon and stay here for one night.

Summary: 

Distance: 190 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

From Ha Giang, we head straightaway to Dong Van. Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark is a member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network and Asia Pacific Geoparks Network. This is known for the massive plateaus of rocks and the colorful, vivid life of the local population. We make a brief stop to view the Lung Cu flag tower. Looking beyond the flag tower are the huge extensive views of the mountains and forests and the meandering Nho Que River through the villages. On arrival in Meo Vac, we spend one night in the guest house.

Summary: 

Distance: 170 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Guesthouse

It will be a long journey on the 8th day of the Vietnam motorcycle tour when our team of motorcyclists will travel about 200 km from Dong Van, Ha Giang, to Quang Uyen. This part of the mountainous area of the north is lower compared to other regions. Therefore, you can see the beauty of the mountains of average height, covered with green forests. In other places, you can see ethnic minority villages. After crossing Cao Bang, we approach a small town called Quang Uyen which is on the way to the Ban Gioc waterfall.

Summary: 

Distance: 200 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leaving the Quang Uyen town, we head to the Ban Gioc waterfall. It is a remarkable waterfall that shared the boundary with Vietnam – China. How peaceful you feel on the way riding through the quiet streets and seeing the beautiful landscapes! We can stop on the side of the beautiful terraced rice fields or deepen further into the villages to see the vision of the daily life of the local population in northern Vietnam. We arrive at the Ban Gioc Waterfall at noon and keep riding to Cao Bang in the second half of the tour.

Summary: 

Distance: 180 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s destination is Ba Be Lake. We will follow the paved road to the Ba Be National Park. Ba Be Lake is known as one of the biggest reservoirs in the world, located in the Ba Be National Park. With the special structure, the lake and its surroundings become home to many kinds of animals and plants. When we get there, let’s take a break and have lunch in the village of the Dzao people before joining another part of the tour. It’s time to take a boat tour on a quiet and peaceful lake, enjoy the cool breeze and listen to the voice of jungles. We will spend the night with a Tay family.

Summary: 

Distance: 150 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

In the morning, we will descend down to Lake Thac Ba. The lake was created when the Thac Ba Hydropower Plant was constructed on the Chay River. It is known for its famous historical sites and its diverse ecology. After traveling to Lake Thac Ba, we will spend the night in the family of a Dzao village on the shore of Thac Ba. We can also enjoy a boat trip on this lake to see the impressions of nature and the heritage of human construction.

Summary: 

Distance: 160 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We will leave Thac Ba and return to Hanoi at 8:00 a.m. We had better turn back to Hanoi before rush hour. It is the end of the Northern Vietnam motorbike tour in 12 days from Hanoi to Thac Ba Lake.

Summary: 

Distance: 180 km 

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

End Tour