Southwest Loop – Amazing 4 Day Itinerary

fun wee road in Mai Chau

Table of Contents

Following the Rivers

In many ways, this 4 day itinerary is a beginner’s ride. The length is short. It is close to Hanoi. The roads are good. However, there is quite a lot of traffic in some areas and so caution is advised. You will get into the countryside quite quickly and it can seem as though you are much further away from Hanoi than you really are. You will follow the Black River (a gorgeous place, and the focus of our 3 day Black River Loop motorcycle tour) and then the Red River and have the chance to get high up into the mountains. It really has something for everyone.

This loop can be extended and shortened in many ways but it is best to set aside a minimum of 4 days for this. 4 -5 would be better.

South West Loop Map

4 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau (140km, 4-5hrs)

This is an easy first days ride that gets you out of town and into the countryside. You will head out on some main roads for speed and to make the distance. Then, you will be in quieter areas with less traffic and more interesting scenery. If you wish to stop at the Hoa Binh Dam it can be a good lunch spot and then it is over two mountain passes before coming down into the Mai Chau Valley. Here you will stay in a traditional stilt house and eat local food. There may be a chance to see traditional dancing and there will definitely be the chance to drink rice wine.

Honda XR 150 handlebars and a Mai Chau dirt road
Honda XR 150 handlebars and a Mai Chau dirt road

Day 2: Mai Chau - Phu Yen (150km, 5-6hrs)

Now, the long days begin. You can take the direct highway routes and there is some busy main road and some quieter. Alternatively, you can take the old highway 6 and maybe a detour. This will add some distance and quite a lot of time to the journey. If so, leave early.

You will pass through the Black River Valley, down one side and up the other to the mountains around Ta Xua. The QL43 is easy to drive and you will get to see real Vietnamese life in progress on the sides of the road.

Day 3: Phu Yen - Vu Linh (140km 4-5hrs)

On this route, you will have to pass over several main roads but you will mostly be on the smaller main road. These roads are fairly quiet and pleasant to drive. They will take you over to Yen Bai, where, from then on, you will follow a much quieter road. Vu Linh is a little tricky to find so it is a good idea to have your host come out to meet you.

You will pass between the two nature reserves of Ta Xua and Xuan Son and then move over to the lake area. This is home to a lot of Dao people.

the bridge over the little river in Xuan Son
the bridge over the little river in Xuan Son

Day 4: Vu Linh - Hanoi (160km, 4-5hrs)

The road back to Hanoi can be split into roughly two sections: the nice half and the horrible half. You will have to backtrack along the shores of Thac Ba Lake and then head for Tuyen Quang. Taking the QL2C is the quieter and slightly slower option and it will be quite pleasant until you get to Phuc Yen. From then on the traffic gets heavier and heavier as you come into Hanoi. You should leave early to avoid having to drive in rush hour traffic on the entry to Hanoi.

Hanoi Skyline
Hanoi Skyline

Information on the Destinations

Mai Chau

This is a mountainous rural district of Hoa Binh Province just to the South West of Hanoi. The local people are of Thai ethnicity and have ancestors from the White Thai and the Black Thai groups. The houses are a predominantly stilted house (pile dwellings) and are made of timber and bamboo. The stilts help to prevent damage from flooding and provide shelter for animals. The main concerns in the area are deforestation, littering and the pressure on resources from increased tourism.

a pretty rice field in Mai Chau
a pretty rice field in Mai Chau

Phu Yen

It is quite a small place with only a couple of hotels. Although larger than Bac Yen, it still does not offer much. After a fairly long day of driving and a little tricky road, if you took the detours, it still has all you need. You will see plenty of Hmong women in the streets either shopping or hawking goods on the sidewalk.

Vu Linh

It is set on the shores of Thac Ba Lake and in the local Dzao community. It is a haven for those wishing to get out of Hanoi. Again, this influx of tourism and the locals’ eagerness to profit wreak havoc on the local environment.

The Take-Away of the South West Loop

This loop gets you out into the countryside in a low-pressure way. You will have a great experience and will see the diverse culture present in Vietnam. If you are new to riding, then get in touch to discuss what this involves. If this is definitely the thing for you then, get in touch to book right away.

Quick Connect

BMW 1250 GS

Engine Type

air-liquid cooled, twin cylinder, DOHC, boxer engine

Displacement

1255 cc

Bore X Stroke

102.5 mm x 76 mm

Ignition

FI

Fuel System

fuel injection

Compression Ratio

12.5:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

6-speed

Front Suspension

BMW Motorrad Telelever; stanchion diameter 37 mm

Rear Suspension

single-sided swing arm with BMW Motorrad Paralever

Front Brakes

dual disc brake, floating brake discs, diameter 305 mm, 4-piston radial calipers

Rear Brakes

single disc brake, diameter 276 mm, double-piston floating caliper

Front Tyres

120/70 R19

Rear Tyres

170/60 R17

Wheelbase

1514 mm

Seat Height

850 mm

Ground Clearance

790 mm

Kerb Weight

249 kg

Fuel Capacity

20 litres

Dimensions

2207 mm (L) x 952.5mm (W) x 1430 mm (H)

Honda XR 150 motorcycle rental

Engine Type

air cooled, OHC, single cylinder

Displacement

149 cc

Bore X Stroke

57.3 mm x 57.8 mm

Ignition

CDI

Fuel System

20 mm piston valve carburettor

Compression Ratio

9.5:1

Starter

electric with kick starter backup

Gearbox

5-speed

Front Suspension

telescopic fork, 180 mm axle travel

Rear Suspension

single shock swing arm, 150 mm axle travel

Front Brakes

dual piston caliper, 240 mm disc

Rear Brakes

mechanical drum

Front Tyres

90/90 19

Rear Tyres

110/90 17

Wheelbase

1362 mm

Seat Height

825 mm

Ground Clearance

243 mm

Kerb Weight

129 kg

Fuel Capacity

12 litres

Dimensions

2091 mm (L) x 811 mm (W) x 1125 mm (H)

Honda CB 500X motorcycle rental

Engine Type

liquid cooled parallel-twin four stroke

Displacement

470 cc

Bore X Stroke

67 mm x 66.8 mm

Ignition

PGMI – FI

Fuel System

fuel injection

Compression Ratio

10.7:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

6-speed

Front Suspension

41 mm SFF-BP USD Forks

Rear Suspension

Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster

Front Brakes

dual 296 mm discs with 4 piston calipers; ABS

Rear Brakes

240 mm disc; ABS

Front Tyres

110/80R19M/C (59H)

Rear Tyres

160/60R17M/C

Wheelbase

1445 mm

Seat Height

830 mm

Ground Clearance

180 mm

Kerb Weight

199 kg

Fuel Capacity

17.7 litres

Dimensions

2,155 mm (L) x 830 mm (W) x 1,410 mm (H)

Honda CRF 300 motorcycle rental

Engine Type

single cylinder, DOHC, liquid cooled

Displacement

286 cc

Bore X Stroke

76 mm x 63 mm

Ignition

Full Transistor Digital

Fuel System

PGM-FI electronic fuel injection

Compression Ratio

10.7:1

Starter

electric

Gearbox

5-speed

Front Suspension

43 mm telescopic upside down

Rear Suspension

Prolink Mono with 5 stage pre load adjuster

Front Brakes

256 mm disc, 2 piston caliper

Rear Brakes

220 mm disc, single piston caliper

Front Tyres

80/100 21

Rear Tyres

120/80 18

Wheelbase

1455 mm

Seat Height

880 mm

Ground Clearance

285 mm

Kerb Weight

142 kg

Fuel Capacity

7.8 litres

Dimensions

2230 mm (L) x 820 mm (W) x 1200 mm (H)

Tourist

One-Way

Expat

Pricing

N/A

N/A

Damage Waiver

$0/day

N/A

N/A

Security Deposit

N/A

N/A

Required Docs

passport

N/A

N/A

Mileage Limit

unlimited

N/A

N/A

Touring

N/A

N/A