Northwest Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Sapa – 6 Days

In the early morning, we will depart from Hanoi and follow the route: Hanoi – Xuan Mai – Highway 6 – Thung Khe Pass – Tong Dau – Mai Chau because it is the shortest, fastest, and most beautiful way to Mai Chau. Despite being not as challenging as the roads in Ha Giang or Yen Bai, the Mai Chau route also has steep and dangerous areas, so you need to pay attention to keep safe. From Luong Son Market, we will turn inside a single track that doesn’t exist on the map with rugged and mud off-road routes to experience more exciting adventures. 

After having a local lunch, we will continue our amazing Sapa Motorbike tours to Cao Phong, well-known for oranges and sugar cane fields. Then, ride along National Highway 6, heading to Thung Khe Pass. From here, we get two options which are either riding up the top of the Thung Khe pass to admire the panoramic view of Mai Chau valley and snapshots or running along the famous Black River with fabulous views of crystal–water lakes and limestone mountain ranges dubbed as Ha Long Bay on land. 

You can walk or bike to explore Mai Chau valley, which is appealing with a patchwork of rice fields dotted by tiny Thai villages where visitors slack off for the night in traditional stilt houses and wake up to a rural soundtrack defined by gurgling irrigation streams and birdsong.

Summary:

Distance: 200 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

Waking up early to enjoy the dawn and start a perfect new day is a really enjoyable experience. From Mai Chau, we start the second day of the tour by running a further 60 km to reach Moc Chau in Son La province. Moc Chau is the widest and dreamiest plateau of the Northern mountainous region. It melts visitors’ hearts with brilliantly-colored flowers, lush green tea hills, pine forests, spectacular waterfalls, and its chilly atmosphere. 

After lunch in Moc Chau, we drive to Pha Din Pass- the boundary between the two provinces of Son La and Dien Bien. In the local language, Pha Din means “heaven and earth”. It is one of the most beautiful passes for all adventurous travelers. The terrain is harsh with dangerous curved bends. One side is the cliffs, and the other covers the deep abyss. It is a challenge given by nature for people to get the beauty that is hard to resist on the top of the pass. We will also drop by Son La prison, located in the center of Son La city, 45 km south of Laos. The French colonialists built it in 1908.

Summary:

Distance: 200 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

Today, without a doubt, is one of the most interesting days of the tour as we cross various beautiful single tracks. Our crew starts going from Son La to Tuan Giao town in the morning. There is a fork in the road; turn left at 279 Dien Bien Phu via Tang Quai pass, Ta Con slope, and then Dien Bien Phu back to Muong Lay. For a long time, Muong Lay has earned the nickname of “Jewel of Northwest” because of its fascinating sceneries. Coming to Muong Lay, you not only can admire the majestic and poetic natural landscapes but also get the opportunity to learn about the culture of upland ethnic people. 

On the way, we drive throughout Hang Tom Bridge, the largest cable-stayed bridge in Indochina. This work is associated with the majestic Son La hydroelectric power connecting the banks of Lai Chau and Dien Bien. At night, we will stay in a local homestay in Muong Lay.

Summary:

Distance: 200 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

Leaving Muong Lay, we drive northwards the highway no 12. On the way, we visit Pu Dao-a highland commune in Nam Nhun district. To reach Pu Dao, we must cross the Lai Ha bridge across a tributary of the Da River. From the bridge, you can see the Thai houses hidden under the coconut trees with smoke rising from the roof, wading through the foliage, and scattering into the mist on the other side. That scenery is so peaceful and poetic.

At noon, we will have time to get a glimpse of the resident’s traditional lifestyle and immerse ourselves in the culture of ethnic people. After that, our crews will go to Nam Be, turn right to Sin Ho / DT128, and then Ma Quai Thang to Lai Chau. Here, you can admire the breathtaking and pristine landscapes of the Northwest mountains and enjoy delicious specialties. That will be an amazing experience for all of us.

Summary:

Distance: 200 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

In the morning, our experienced North Vietnam Motorcycle crew is ready to enter Tam Duong market – a typical mountainous market. The market is located along the National Highway, about 5km from Lai Chau city (Lai Chau). It’s a trading place and a meeting venue for ethnic minority people. The market sells a diversity of locally-made products, from agricultural to animals, and reflects the local culture in the colorful costumes of the market-goers and locally-made musical instruments like flutes and pipes. At noon, say goodbye to Tam Duong, and we move to Sapa. The distance is quite short, but the surroundings are so beautiful. It ends the fifth day with a rest in Ta Van village, near Muong Hoa valley. 

Summary:

Distance: 125 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

On the last day, we will drop by Cat Cat Village. Nestled in a stunning valley about three kilometers from Sapa Town, Cat Cat village mesmerizes tourists worldwide with its distinctive customs and practices. This place preserves many traditional handicrafts such as cotton, linen, and weaving. Cat Cat is also well-known for its indigo dyeing technique that you can observe as you walk around.

Then we visit Muong Hoa Valley – Sa Pa’s ancient stone beach. You will come to Muong Hoa valley from Sa Pa town, passing a mountain pass (4 USD / person). Muong Hoa valley is located in Hau Thao commune, 8 km from Sa Pa town in the Southeast. It is the largest farmland for rice growing in SaPa. The special things in this valley are the ancient rock with various mysterious carvings interlaced between the grass and the terraced fields of the ethnic minority, which made Muong Hoa valley one of the most famous destinations for breathtaking scenery. In the afternoon, we will find a way to the train station. We will set our foot in Hanoi and end the 8-day Northern Vietnam motorbike tour from Hanoi to Sapa.

Summary:

Distance: 125 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

END OF TOUR