Vietnam Laos Border Crossing Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Vientiane – 15 days

Kick off the first day of the 15-day northern Vietnam motorbike tour to Laos at around 9 a.m. and escape from the heavy traffic in the capital city of Hanoi. Go west to Mai Chau, a fabulous destination for both international and domestic travelers. It’s a rural valley that has lofty cliffs, unique culture and lifestyle of northwest Vietnam. Run along Highway 6 when getting out of Hanoi and you will see the tree-lined roads cutting through the immense paddy fields, punctuated by limestone karst scenery.

After having lunch in Hoa Binh Province, we will head to one of the most beautiful passes in North Vietnam – Thung Khe. With its steep slopes, frequent rocks, and spiral sequences, the pass offers riders a danger yet full of excitement. Then roll down to the mountainous valley settlement of Mai Chau. Enjoy your dinner, rice wine – the special liquors of the region and the locals’ performances. Stay overnight in a stilt house of the Thai people.

Summary:
Distance: 160 km

Accommodation: Homestay

135km from Hanoi, Mai Chau is one of the closet places where you can learn about the real tribal villages. Wake up early in the morning, enjoy a delightful breakfast and stroll around the village to discover the local life here. However, we will leave Mai Chau at about 10 a.m. Make it to Moc Chau for lunch. As the largest and dreamiest plateau of northern Vietnam, Moc Chau attracts tourists with its marvelous traditional villages of Vietnamese minor tribes, beautiful fields of plum flowers and cherry blossoms, and comfortable weather.

Following lunchtime is a ride to Road 43 leading to the Da River. Embark a boat at Van Yen ferry and cross the river. Continue the journey, we will clear a winding road to hit Phu Yen, a district of Son La Province. Check-in at a basic guest-house. Get back your energy for the next day uncovering another northern land.

Summary:
Distance: 140 km

Accommodation: Guest-house

Passing over Road 37, we enter the mountains heavily populated with Black Thai people whose villages peacefully lie beside the zigzagging tracks. Make our way through the hills to reach the field of sugar cane in Son La plateau. Have lunch in the capital of Son La Province – Son La City before getting inside of the old French Prison and Museum, better known as “Hell on earth”, where the French colonialists torture Vietnamese prisoners savagely. The prison was destroyed by the infamous “off-loading” of unused ammunition by US warplanes that were returning to their bases after bombing raids.

Yet, it has been partially restored, including the turrets and watchtowers. The prison has a huge number of traces that still existed as memory keepers for one of the darkest periods in Vietnam’s history. Spend a night in Son La City. Have a full preparation and get ready for the 5^th day.

Summary:
Distance: 160 km

Accommodation: Hotel

Say goodbye to Son La, we will jump in the saddle for a two-wheeled North Vietnam adventure tour through a series of mountain passes and sleepy villages of Black Thai people. Then start conquering the very long and steep Pha Din Pass, one of the most beautiful passes for all adventurous travelers. This 32-km mountain pass in local Thai language means “Heaven and Earth” which connects Son La and Dien Bien Province. Standing on top of Pha Din, you will get the best aerial view over the other side on a very steep sealed road and surrounding mountains.

Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant on the way. Mosey along Dien Bien Phu City to explore some historical regarding the French war such as Muong Thanh Bridge – a link between the present time and Dien Bien Phu Victory; War Museum where keeping many valuable objects and documents related to the historic campaign in Dien Bien Phu; the strategic A1 hill – the most famous battle of Dien Bien Phu site to name a few.

Summary:
Distance: 220 km

Accommodation: Hotel 

Warm-up yourself with a light breakfast to boost up your energy for crossing the total distance of 140km on paved roads today. Arrive in Tay Trang border gate, 31km far from Dien Bien Phu City along National highway no. 279. On completing some legal procedures for entering Laos, keep running along the riverside in Muang Mai down to Muang Khua, a not-to-miss connection for your trip to the North. It’s such a great place for travelers looking for nature and tribal villages in both the Northern parts of Vietnam and Laos.

Though Muang Khua does not have any major attractions, its river setting is unexpectedly picturesque. Spend the amount of time left to discover the market and the nearby riverside roads between the town itself. If the nightlife is not your thing, go to bed early at a local guesthouse for the next ride out.

Summary:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Guesthouse 

Relish the morning meal provided by the guesthouse. Be prepared for a 160km ride today, part of which is 60km off-road. Leave Muang Khua and move to Muang La, a scenic rural alternative to the big city. The charming town is hemmed in the rich tapestry of green forested mountains, rivers, serene farmland, and traditional Khmu villages. The natural hot springs are the main attraction of Muang La, which is free to all tourists.

Stop by several villages to meet up with the indigenous people. Pay a visit to Ban Ano Village, you will have time to get to know the Akha minority group’s culture and traditions; also have a look at how the Akha weaving fabrics by hand. Next, we will set out to Oudomxay (Meuang Xay town) – the capital of the multi-ethnic Province of Oudomxay. It is the multi-ethnic influence that makes the dynamic center of Meuang Xay unique from other towns in the region. Overnight at a local guesthouse in the town.

Summary:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Bid a farewell to Oudomxay, we will proceed on our two-wheeled tour to Nong Khiaw, a wonderful spot to visit if you want to check out more rural areas of the country and get out of the main hubs such as Luang Prabang and Vientiane. Upon your arrival in the town, you will meet the bridge over the Nam Ou river overlooking the breathtaking rocks, mountains, and hills. About 3km from the bridge, it’s scenic and peaceful landscapes. Continue moving to Pa Thok Caves, a stone thrown away from the quaint Nong Khiaw village amid the depth of the mysterious forest. That’s why it was used as hideouts during the Indochina war.

Travel for an hour upriver from gateway town, we will find Muang Ngoi. This is a gorgeous, sleepy village that we can only access by boat, where there is no electricity let alone Internet connection or ATM. Settle down in a local guesthouse amidst the best-kept secret of Southeast Asia, we are sure you will feel extremely unusual.

Summary:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Weave through the indigenous villages surrounding Muang Ngoi before riding at a distance of 138km on paved roads to Vieng Thong. The town’s original name is Muang Hiam which means “watch out” since it is home to a number of endangered species including tiger – the gateway for the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area.

Abounding in guesthouse and food stalls, Vieng Thong is a nice enough town that breaks up your journey. However, none of the guesthouses has an online booking facility and most of them are located in the main street. Anyway, it’s totally worth your arrival with the dazzling green rice fields around. Despite being narrow and winding, the roads are surprisingly in good condition for such a remote area. The views are always splendid and spectacular.

Summary:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Appease your appetite with a hearty breakfast then cross Hinting to hit Muang Kham, a quiet town situated to the northeast of Phonsavan. Get on Route 5 and head toward Nam Nguen then turn left 3 km from Muang Kham; the paved roads end at the Tham Piew Cave. The cave is a solemn monument to 400 innocent villagers killed in 1968 by US missile attack.  It’s one of the tragedies of the so-called Secret War. Still, it shows signs of smoke damage while the floor is littered with small, simple memorial cairns.

Inside the cave, the native people burn incense to pay tribute to the dead. When escaping from the cave, we will depart to a Hot spring for a relaxation. Finally, return to Muang Kham town. Have a tight sleep at a local guesthouse. End of an emotional day of journeying over 213km.

Summary:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Guesthouse

Get as far as the mountains to Xieng Khouang, most commonly known for the intriguing Plain of Jars. Stop by some villages to eye-witness the locals’ rural life, comprising ethnic minorities like the Hmong people. Roll into Phonsavanh and make a visit to the UXO office before going on to the Plains of Jars whose true origin remains a mystery as a huge archaeological complex littered with cryptic 2000-year-old stone jars.

Set our foot on 3 sites of the place: Thong Hai Hin – the biggest site, Hai Hin on Phou Salator, and Hai Hin Lat Khai – the most impressive one with over 150 jars. Take a half-day trip to Muang Khoun in the afternoon. Not only an old provincial capital, but it’s also home to the unique sitting giant Buddha as well of some old pagodas. Back to Xieng Khouang and find a hotel for your sleep.

Summary:

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

The distance we have to finish today is the longest stretch of the whole tour. So, forget not to feed yourself with a full breakfast before discovering the site and some neighbored villages inhabited by the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people. In spite of their poverty, their culture is vibrant along with a great history. Exit Xieng Khouang for a sightseeing motorbike tour to Luang Prabang – the former capital of Laos and now a UNESCO World Heritage city. The city’s name means “city of the Golden Buddha Phra Bang”. Yet, it’s often dubbed as the Jewel in Laos Crown. As a tourist, you cannot be helped but stunned by the tidiness and cleanliness of perhaps the most appealing city in all of Southeast Asia. Out of Luang Prabang’s center, you can uncover the luxuriant jungles, limestone caves, and attractive waterfalls. In the late afternoon, check-in at a hotel in town.

Summary:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

Say bye to Luang Prabang, we will go south to the elephant camp. Try your hand at sitting on the back of an elephant, it’s going to be very exciting. Cross along Mekong River, at the same time, you can behold the fantastic mountain scenery and the unsophisticated rural lifestyles. Go boating upstream on the Mekong River, we will reach the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves (Tham Ting and Tham Phoum) crammed with myriad Buddha images. Drifting on the current, do not forget to enjoy the halcyon view of the placid countryside.  Land up at the ferry and go back to town.

On your arrival at the Kuang Si falls, relish main waterfalls with majestic settings and surrounding of orchids inside the park and falls cascade over many calcified tiers, down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools where you can go swimming. End up at Ban Paksi village. Stay overnight in a local residence. Be noted that the accommodation does not have an en-suite bathroom and hot water.

Summary:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Guesthouse

To meet Paklay, we must clear the Sayaboury Province, a northwestern province sharing a border with Thailand and nesting the Nam Phui Natural National Protected Area. The province has a very rugged spectacle with forested mountains, and it is known for the production of cotton, rice, maize, peanuts, oranges, and sesame. These are the main agricultural products that the locals have been living on.

The most enjoyable thing is that the Malabri, one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer groups in Southeast Asia, inhabit the forests in the western part of the province. Actually, there are few tourists who make a tour there, but those with an adventurous spirit are ensured an intimate and out-of-earth experience. Arrive in Paklay and our accommodation today is a local guesthouse.

Summary:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Guesthouse

As usual, savor your breakfast first. Then, cross the river to hit Vientiane – the capital and largest city of Laos offering a laid-back atmosphere and slow pace of life with a tranquil, relaxed vibe. The following destinations are Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and Wat Prakeo – the original home of the famous Emerald Buddha who now is living in Bangkok. Explore the Pha That Luang or “Great Stupa”, the most important Buddhist monument in the nation. That Luang’s official name is Pha Chedi Lokajulamani, meaning “World Precious Sacred Stupa.” Believed to enshrine a breast bone of the Buddha, this golden monument is respected by all Lao citizens. Eventually, check-in a hotel. Get a complete rest for the last day of the sensational motorbike tour from northern Vietnam to Laos.

Summary:

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel

Savor your last morning meal. Have fun with your free time until our transfer to the airport for a departure flight back home. Tour Ends.