Northeast Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Lang Son - 8 Days

Today's first destination is Lao Cai city, but instead of riding a motorbike, we will get there by train. The night before the first day of the trip, you move to Hanoi Railway Station, send your motorbike on the train, and take the Hanoi - Lao Cai railway to catch up with Lao Cai early in the morning. Because our tour covers mainly of bumpy mountain roads, a small note here is that you should choose a strong motorbike line like Honda XR150L or Honda CRF250cc.

Once you come to Lao Cai, Sapa and Bac Ha market are the two most beautiful and famous places that you should not miss. Sapa is well-known for its landscapes of verdant rice fields, rolling hills, majestic mountains, and the trails in the overgrown valley. Meanwhile, the Bac Ha market is one of the largest and most vibrant markets in the highlands where you can find traditional clothes and local products of ethnic minorities.

After getting off the train, we will check into a homestay and enjoy breakfast in Lao Cai city. Then, we officially start our motorbike tour by conquering the winding roads to Sapa town. Immerse yourself in the cool weather, majestic mountain scenery, and have a delicious lunch in this town before heading back to Lao Cai city. From here, we cross Coc Leu Bridge and follow Road NH70 to Bac Ngam intersection, then turn left to Bac Ha. Enjoy dinner and stay overnight at a hotel in Bac Ha to regain energy.

Summary:
Distance: 190 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Homestay

Having breakfast with the locals and then we will hit the road to Ha Giang. The stunning scenery and ethnic color of 22 ethnic minorities make it wonderfully unique and special. Conquering a 70 km long road from the Bac Ha market, we arrive Xin Man. Located on the border between Vietnam and China, Xin Man is known as the farthest place in Ha Giang province nestled among majestic mountains and wild forests. It promises to open an incredible untouched world that can make you fall in love at first sight.

Then, we will follow the road DT178 to reach Hoang Su Phi, which offers some of the most beautiful and impressive terraced fields in Vietnam. The golden terraces covered in white clouds have long been considered as the artworks of the locals’ hard work, no longer just agricultural cultivation. Lunch is served at a beautiful restaurant here. Keep riding through Hoang Su Phi; we will be captivated by the pristine beauty of the wild mountains and authentic culture of local ethnic groups, including Nung, Tay, H’mong, Ha Nhi People, etc. We then join the main road heading up to Ha Giang city, where we stop for dinner and overnight. The second day of the 8-day Northeast Vietnam motorbike tour ends with full of exciting experiences.

Summary:
Distance: 200 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Today, our crew will wake up early to challenge your driving skills on the small mountain roads leading to Dong Van. Although today’s ride is not easy at all, it gives you a great chance to admire breathtaking natural scenery with rugged mountain passes and steep cliffs. Motorcycle head up Ma Pi Leng Pass, which is considered a masterpiece of Mother Nature with cloudy mountains and the romantic Nho Que river winding off in the distance. It is so beautiful that you just pick up the camera, you will definitely have some of the most stunning pictures of Vietnam’s mountainous landscape.

Keep riding on zigzag roads until you reach Vuong Family Residence, 14 km before Dong Van. Known as the King of H'mong people in Dong Van, this mansion looks like a castle among nature, protected by the high canopy of trees. The entire house was built only of wood and stone with typical Chinese architecture. Once we arrive at Dong Van Town, we will take some time to explore the ancient streets and H’mong homes of clay bricks and tile roofs, which was built centuries ago. Enjoy dinner and have a relaxing night at a hotel in the town, ending a fascinating day of sightseeing.

Summary:
Distance: 160 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

It is a short ride yet promises full of new experiences waiting for us ahead. The road to Bao Lac is very bumpy and winding, which takes us a lot of time in spite of a few dozen kilometers. But don’t worry, the landscape is still among the most gorgeous of Vietnam, so the slow tempo is just more appreciable. We once again cross Ma Pi Leng Pass to reach Meo Vac, which shares a border with Dong Van District Of Ha Giang and Bao Lam District of Cao Bang. Meo Vac is home to different ethnic groups, including the Tay, Kinh, Dzao, H’mong, etc. Separated from modern life out there, they still maintain a rural life and a long-standing culture. The peaceful scenery of the villages, the images of ethnic women weaving cloth on the porch, and the friendly faces - all will leave a deep impression on your mind.

Leaving Meo Vac, our motorbike team continues to follow QL4B, then pass through Ly Bon Bridge, turn left onto QL34 and go straight until arriving Bao Lac town in the late afternoon. After checking in and showering, we will drive to the town center for dinner. Finally, we return to the hotel to rest, regain energy for the next part of the trip.

Summary:
Distance: 80 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Today we will have a beautiful motorbike ride down to Cao Bang province. Located in a remote area of ​​Northern Vietnam, Cao Bang is famous for its beautiful geo-cultural sites. 90% of the landscape in Cao Bang is covered by forests that ensure fresh and clean air all year round. The majestic mountain peaks, limestone caves, vast rice fields, spectacular waterfalls, winding roads, and countless small ethnic villages make the incredible beauty of this frontier area. For adventure enthusiasts like us, Cao Bang is truly an ideal destination not to be missed.

Although the road from Bao Lac to Cao Bang is quite easy, there are many blind curves. Hence, you should be very careful and slow down. Along the way, our group can make some stops to have lunch and take stunning photos. After 8 hours of roaming the roads, we end the 5th day on the trip at a good hotel in Cao Bang town, where we can relax and be ready for the next promising day.

Summary:
Distance: 130 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Get out of town, then we head to Ma Phuc Pass. Situated on the road connecting Cao Bang Town and Ban Gioc Waterfall, Ma Phuc is considered one of the most beautiful passes in Vietnam. With its sharp curves and magnificent natural landscape, conquering the pass is a must for adventurous travelers.

From Ma Phuc Pass, it is a short ride to Ban Gioc Waterfall, the largest one in the country. Located on the Vietnam-China border, Ban Gioc boasts an impressive natural landscape with green jade water flowing down the vast lake below. Due to the low number of tourists coming here, the waterfall still retains its pristine beauty. If we have enough time, our team can get closer to the waterfall by riding on bamboo crafts. The cliffs and rocks are covered with green moss, contrasting with clear water to create an incredibly charming scenery

We will have a late lunch at a restaurant near Ban Gioc Waterfall before driving on another road back to Quang Uyen - a peaceful village of Nung An people. Stay with a local family for a night and learn more about their daily lives.

Summary:
Distance: 140 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Today, our motorbike team have a hearty breakfast before preparing the luggage to leave for Lang Son. Besides the magnificent and stunning natural scenery, this land is also famous for its markets. There are many large and small markets offering all kinds of items at a low price, so shopping is a must-do once you visit Lang Son.

From Quang Uyen, we go to QL3 via Phuc Hoa, then follow TL208 to Dong Khe town. Keep riding on Highway 4A to reach Dong Dang Town. About 10 km away from the town, we have a short right and, finally, turn left to the Tan Thanh border gate - a major trading point between China and Vietnam. You can find and buy lots of cute and cheap local products here.

After having a late lunch and take a rest, we run along QL1A to Lang Son city. This road is quite smooth, so it does not take us too much time. Our crew arrives at Lang Son in the afternoon and spends the night in a hotel in this beautiful city. 

Summary:
Distance: 140 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel