
Ba Vi National Park is only 60 km away from Hanoi and is a great place to escape the oppressive heat of the city. In fact, we love it so much that a good few of our motorcycle tours pass through it. You can drive out and back in one day and still have time to explore. You also have the option to stay overnight and experience everything the park has to offer as well as Ba Vi itself.
Originally built by the French in the colonial era as a hill station, it spans the Ba Vi mountain range and has three peaks: Vua Peak, Tan Vien Peak and Ngoc Hoa Peak at 1,296m, 1,226m and 1,120m respectively. It is home to both tropical and subtropical plants and animals. Clouds often surround the three peaks, which makes the climb charmingly mysterious. There might be some clouds at the top during certain times of the year so if you are interested in the view of the Red River Valley, it is best to visit between April and December.
The main attraction in Ba Vi National Park is the temple to the Mountain God, a 30min climb on Tan Vien Peak. There is an orchid garden and a bird garden as well as several resorts. You can swim in resort pools or in natural streams, camp, visit farm animals, or hike the trails. There really is something for everyone.
You can easily reach the park in two hours but for safety reasons we suggest taking an extra hour by driving slowly, stopping more and enjoy the drive out to Ba Vi. Our route map offers two different routes, which you can easily combine to make a loop and avoid repetition of the route. When you arrive in Ba Vi, your homestay or hotel will have a brochure and map of the area.
We have created the routes in google maps for you already. You just have to choose between routes 1 or 2 and click navigate. We advise you to read our suggestions on each route below to make a decision on which route will be better suited for you. We have also added some important stops and things to see on your drive. Click Below!
This route is slightly shorter than the second route in distance but takes a little more time. It takes you along the busy QL32, which is not for the faint-hearted, nor the beginner driver.
Head north out of Hanoi and under the Nhat Tan and Thang Long bridges as you wind along the red riverside – Drive on to QL32 as you head for Son Tay – From then on, the road is a little quieter and you have around 15 km to go until you hit the Ba Vi National Park gates.
It is worth stopping off at Son Tay and having a rest in one of the cafes around the old fortress. It is not as exciting as Ba Vi National Park but it is just a little something you can tick off that box.
This route is also easier to follow. and longer, however, it is our preferred route as we feel it is less hectic and you are separated from trucks and cars along the Hoa Lac Highway. This makes up around half of the distance and we feel it is a bit safer. Don’t forget always be cautious. The dangers of driving on this route are still very real.
From our shop you can follow the road around West Lake until you meet the junction with Van Cao St. Then you turn right and head South West. You keep straight on Van Cao, then drive on to Nguyen Chi Thanh St until you meet the Hoa Lac Highway (CT08). At this point you will see that motorbikes are not allowed on this road and you will be signposted to bear right and onto the side road away from the cars.
Head for Hoa Lac and you will go past Chua Thay. Chua Thay is a good place to stop for an hour or two and explore. As you get to Hoa Lac you will see that you can join the highway (CT08) again and take the bridge over the QL21. This is also a good place to stop as there are lots of cafes and restaurants.
You will see the road bear North and in about two kilometers there is a left turn onto the new Hoa Lac Hoa Binh Highway. Do not take this, keep on this road until the T-Junction with the DT87. After only 500m on the DT87 you will see the left turn to take you to Ba Vi National Park.
The beautiful Ba Vi Annam garden is a great place to stay
The park and surrounding area are very popular with tourists and locals, especially in the summer months. Therefore, we suggest calling ahead to make sure there is room for your group.
Ba Vi Annam Garden is a great place to stay as it has a swimming pool a wide range of great rooms and different sized bungalows, along with a great restaurant.
There are several resorts within Ba Vi National Park that you can stay at. These cater for couples or wealthier Vietnamese people. If you want to stay somewhere on a budget you might choose Thien Son resort which has a great pool. For a more kid-friendly place, you can choose Ba Vi homestead which offers a range of farm and camping activities for kids.
86B Đ. Trần Phú, Phường 4, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam (appointment only)
Tax Code: 0105306316
International Tour Operator License: 01-2010/2022/TCDL-GP LHQT
15a Ng. 12 Đ. Đặng Thai Mai, Quảng An, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam
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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)
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)
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)
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
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)