Northern Vietnam is a fantastic place for Vietnam motorcycle tour. Many people will have heard of the Ha Giang Loop and make a bee line for this northernmost region. Unfortunately, this has caused the whole place to become over developed and it is no longer the pristine wilderness it once was. Enter, Cao Bang Loop, which (at the time of writing) is still a somewhat quiet and peaceful area, which also has stunning scenery, great diversity of riding and amazing culture.
Yes, you heard it here first, ‘Cao Bang is where the cool kids hang out.’
We think that the best way to see Cao Bang is by motorbike and it is quite easy to make the journey from Hanoi to Ban Gioc Waterfall and back. It is possible to do this in 3 – 4 days but we recommend an easy 6 days to make the loop or even more if you really want to see all that the loop has to offer.
This is your slog day and it involves getting out of Hanoi. You need to head up to Thai Nguyen and then Yen Do. It is only then that you can really turn off the main road and start to get on the smaller roads. From here on there are a few small detours that are easy to find. The road is tarmac, narrow and winding and great fun to drive. Just watch out for the odd truck. The best way to get to Ba Be Lake is past Hua Ma Cave. You will arrive directly in Pac Ngoi Village where there are lots and lots of homestays.
Today is a much nicer day with a lot of great scenery. You head out of the National Park and then cross the suspension bridge past Puong Cave. From there you nee dto go overt several huge mountains and past small towns nestled in the valleys to get up to the Ql34 at Bac Me. This road is good and fast and bit like a speed track and is great to drive. At Ly Bon Bridge you hed for Bao Lac, which is a very small, quiet market town. There are only a few small hotels in this place so try to book ahead.
We have another great day today with plenty of small road and villages for your enjoyment. You head out of Bao Lac, past the market, and your first stop is the 14 storey pass. You will skirt the border with China and catch glimpses of the ‘fence’. The road is winding and small and offer som really great views before you head down towards Pac Bo Cave, where Uncle Ho lived for a short time. Near here is a good place to stop for lunch and then move on along the border past Trung Khanh (take a detour to Angel Eye Mountain if you have time) and finally up to Ban Gioc Waterfall.
This is quite an easy day, which is probably welcome, and we take the back road along the river and through the hills down to Cao Bang. You will see a few knife making villages along the way and a lot of small blacksmith’s shops on the roadside. A shorter day means that we can spend a little time in Ban Gioc, maybe at the waterfall or Tiger Cave. You could also get to Cao Bang early and have a look around the town.
We follow the main road today down to That Khe and then Bac Son. This takes us through some beautiful countryside and villages and we can see a lot of different things happening such as: drying crops, harvesting lumber, making noodles and more. If the weather is dry there are a couple of smll detours that can be taken, too. However, the highlight is the cave in Binh Gia which is great fun to drive through.
Our last day and unfortunately one that sees us back on to the main road. We begin by taking the small road through the villages in the Bac Son Valley. We will see plenty of fruit farms and lumber yards as the locals go about their business. After around half way we will get back on to the main road and then speed back to Hanoi. We try to get back early so as to miss the traffic.
The Cao Bang Loop will show you the rural Vietnam that has been largely untouched by tourism and you will not see crowds of people in vests and flip flops. There are a few great markets to visit and some of the best riding in the country.
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)