12-Day

North Vietnam Motorcycle Tour

Great Loop

Hanoi - That Khe - Quang Uyen - Pac Bo - Dong Van - Ha Giang - Hoang Su Phi - Sapa - Mu Cang Chai - Phu Yen - Pu Luong - Hanoi

A massive tour for those who want to see it all. This is a huge loop through north Vietnam, where you’ll ride the Chinese border through some of Asia’s most stunning landscapes. Cover more than 1,700km on tarmac, dirt, and single track, spending your evenings staying with and getting to know the ethnic highlanders who inhabit this remote region.

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi - That Khe

We obviously need to get out of town today and we do that with minimal hassle but with some traffic. We get off the main highway as quickly as possible and then head for That Khe on the smaller back roads. Along the way, we will pass through small valleys, custard apple groves, and tiny hamlets. There is not much going on in That Khe but that is the charm of the countryside.

Day 2: That Khe - Quang Uyen

Today, we head into Cao Bang Province and take a visit to the Ban Gioc Waterfall before heading back down to our homestay which is tucked away from the madding crowd. Another peaceful night here means we are rested and ready for the next day.

Day 3: Quang Uyen - Pac Bo

We pass through the provincial capital of Cao Bang and head up to the Chinese border to visit Uncle Ho’s Cave (Pac Bo). It is a great drive on small country roads and we stay in a small homestay hear the cave ready to take the tricky road the next day.

Day 4: Pac Bo - Dong Van

We take the cross country route rather than backtrack on roads already travelled and head for Bao Lac. We get great views of China over the border and ride on some very remote roads. We can stop in Bao Lac, Bao Lam, Meo Vac or Dong Van depending on how we do for time. At each of these locations, we have homestays ready to greet us with hot food and warm beds.

Day 5: Dong Van - Ha Giang

We can make the choice to take the inner or outer roads today knowing that there will be more traffic on the outer loop. There are a lot of places to stop and hang out so we need to choose carefully as it may not look far but riding in the mountains takes a little more time. Once in Ha Giang we can rest up at a homestay a little way outside of town, which is more peaceful.

Day 6: Ha Giang - Hoang Su Phi

Today is not a difficult day and it is one of the most scenic. We enter the UNESCO world heritage site of Hoang Su Phi, which is known for its beautiful rice terracing, and can stop to take photos as we ascend the hills. We stay at a hilltop bungalow resort, which looks down on the beautiful valley. It is worth getting up early the next day to witness the sunrise.

Day 7: Hoang Su Phi - Sapa

This is a good long drive that takes us around the Kiou Leou Ti mountain and along the river valley bordering China to Bac Ha and then Sa Pa. There is a lot of good scenery and a few local markets on the route so we will definitely see some interesting things.

Day 8: Exploration Day

After a couple of hard days, it is good to have a rest so we take the opportunity to do so in Sa Pa. We can choose to stay in the main town which is useful if we plan to ascend Fansipan or to head down the valley to stay with the villagers. Either way, we will get some good western food and see some interesting sights.

Day 9: Sapa - Mu Cang Chai

We loop around Fansipan and down the O Quy Ho Pass, which drops down some 17km. We get stunning views of fansipan and the valley ahead and the road is relatively peaceful and easy to drive. After Than Uyen, we turn into the Mu Cang Chai Valley which has beautiful rice terracing and lots of fun places to stop and hang out.

Day 10: Mu Cang Chai - Phu Yen

We need to loop around Ta Xua Nature Reserve today as we can’t go over this mountain and we do that via Nghia Lo. The road is good, as it was yesterday and we can make good time, but we have a long way to go. We will still pass through a whole host of small villages and see lots of ethnic people on the road. However, things will start to get a little busier from now on.

Day 11: Phu Yen - Pu Luong

We head down to the BlacK River and take a ferry to get across before climbing up to the Moc Chau Plateau. We can take a stretch of the old Highway 4, built by the French to get to Dien Bien Phu before heading past Mai Chau and down intothe Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Once we are off the main highway and into the reserve it is plain sailing and we stay in a secluded bungalow away from the hubbub.

Day 12: Pu Luong - Hanoi

This is a journey of two halves. The first is quiet and scenic and we can amble along and really enjoy the ride. The second is busier as we are coming back into Hanoi and need to pay more attention. We can easily make it back to our hotel in time to wash up and be ready for our farewell meal.

Motorcycles

Honda XR 150

$140/day

Honda CRF 300

$180/day

Honda CB 500X

$180/day

BMW GS 1250

$280/day

Inclusions/Extras

Great Loop FAQ

What's the best bike for the Great Loop?

The Honda CB500X is the ideal bike choice. This bike excels on long stretches of road, providing the extra power and comfort needed for the diverse terrain you’ll encounter. Whether you’re covering smooth highways or winding mountain roads, the CB500X offers the perfect balance of performance and comfort.

When is the best time to ride?

The best time to tackle the Great Loop is outside the Summer ‘wet’ season, which typically brings heavy rains, landslides, and flooding.

Late September to early October offers the most stunning views, with the rice fields turning vibrant shades of gold during harvest season. On the other hand, if you’re looking to see fresh, lush paddy fields, March is the perfect time to visit.

What are the highlights of this 12-day Vietnam motorcycle tour?

This North Vietnam Motorcycle Tour takes you through some of the most breathtaking and culturally rich areas of Vietnam, including Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Sa Pa, and Mu Cang Chai. These regions are renowned for their stunning landscapes, from lush rice terraces to dramatic mountain passes, and their diverse ethnic cultures.

Riding the Great Loop, gives you a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and cultural diversity of North Vietnam, all while riding through some of the country’s most picturesque and remote locations.

Does this tour include the Ha Giang Loop?

Yes, most of it. The tour takes you along the famous Happiness Road, passing through scenic spots like Mau Due, Duong Thuong, and Lung Tam as we make our way to Ha Giang city. We prioritize smaller, less touristy roads to ensure a more authentic experience.

Will we ride the 14 level pass?

Yes, this 12-day Vietnam motorcycle tour will take you on Deo Khau Coc Tra, one of the famous 14-level passes.

In addition to this, you’ll also ride other incredible passes like Deo Na Tenh, a hidden gem offering a thrilling ride, Deo O Quy Ho, which provides stunning views of Fansipan (the highest peak in Southeast Asia), and Deo Khau Pha, where you might even spot paragliders landing in the rice fields below.

What is the terrain like on this tour?

The Great Loop offers a stunning variety of terrain as we travel from the lowlands to the highlands and back. You’ll experience everything Northern Vietnam has to offer, from the fertile rice fields of the lowland delta to dense, forested hills and mountains.

As you ride further north, you’ll encounter the sparse mountains and barren plateaus of Ha Giang and Moc Chau, as well as the unique Karst hills of Cao Bang. The tour also takes you through the breathtaking rice terraces of Hoang Su Phi and Mu Cang Chai. Expect to cover large distances each day, with dramatic shifts in landscape that keep the ride varied and fascinating.

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Riders:

4 motorcycle riders

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Shared accommodation provided as standard. Upgrade to private for $40/day per person.

Jiri Skoumal 4 weeks ago

A group of friends completed the 12-Day North Vietnam Motorcycle Tour and it was nothing short of incredible. From start to finish, this was an adventure of a lifetime, all thanks to the professionalism and dedication of Danny, our guide and the owner of the company. His attention to detail, incredible personality and deep local knowledge made the journey seamless and truly immersive.

The route, known as the Great Loop Tour, took us through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in North Vietnam. Every day brought a new highlight, from winding mountain passes to serene villages, giving us a real taste of Vietnamese culture and natural beauty. Danny made sure the journey was both exciting and safe; he provided us with well-maintained Honda CB 500X bikes, which were a dream to ride. Reliable and comfortable, these bikes handled everything the terrain threw at us with ease.

One of the things that stood out to me was the quality of the accommodations and meals. We stayed in clean, comfortable lodgings that gave us a chance to rest well every night, and the food was absolutely delicious, showcasing the best of Vietnamese cuisine. Danny clearly puts a lot of effort into choosing quality stops that reflect local culture and hospitality, ensuring that we were always well cared for.

The level of care Danny showed for his group was outstanding. His professionalism and expertise kept us feeling safe and looked after, whether it was a minor bike adjustment, guiding us through tricky terrains, or sharing insights into the local culture and history.
The major complaint here is that there was nothing to complain about. I would really believe Danny even organized the weather for our tour as we had no rain in 12 days ;)
If you’re looking for an authentic, exhilarating experience through North Vietnam with a trustworthy and passionate guide, I can’t recommend this tour enough!

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Bob McGarry 5 months ago

I have rented from Rentabike Vietnam every year for the past 8 years. Why? They have very well maintained, reliable bikes and super friendly staff. I highly recommend them.

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Dominic Lostitch 7 months ago

I would recommend Rentabike Vietnam to anyone visiting/living in Hà Nội. Over the course of the 2 years that I used their services, I rented a Janus, Vision, Airblade, and a Honda Winner (I only changed bikes so much because I was a complete beginner when I moved here and I wanted to upgrade slowly so that I could be confident on a manual). In that time, I had no mechanical issues with any of the bikes that were provided. The main mechanic is one of the best and most efficient I have come across in the country, the staff are friendly, welcoming, and speak great English. Furthermore, the owner Danny is a top guy that speaks incredible Vietnamese and knows the country and his bikes inside out. It is with a heavy heart that I have moved on from renting here, but it is only because I have just purchased a Honda Winner. I hope to return here in the future to rent an adventure bike like the CB500 or XR if I am going on a long journey (which I also used for one day and had no issues with). For me, no other rental place in Hà Nội compares to here. 5 stars, it has been an absolute pleasure and I can’t speak highly enough of this business.

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Suna posta 8 months ago

I highly recommend renting from this company! Reasonable prices, no hidden costs. Friendly staff, well serviced engines, ready to go!

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Karl TV 8 months ago

I want to thank the owner Dany for all the advices and recommendations he gave us during our motorcycle rentals. He told us which places to visit and routes to take for scenic views.
We also needed to use the assistance line for repairs and translation, and the service was really quick and efficient.

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Itachi Uchiha 9 months ago