Ride North Vietnam: 8 Best Tour Routes

the view out towards China from Dong Van Ha Giang

Table of Contents

Best Tour Routes: The North is the Place to Ride

No matter what anyone says, the North has the best tour routes in Vietnam. Everyone can take part as there are routes for all levels and you can mix and match these routes and see the places you want to see as well as drive on the type of road that you want to.

There are the well-worn routes that have everything you need and there are newer areas for the more adventurous travel. Places like Ha Giang, which was very hard to tour until only a few years ago, have opened up beyond belief. Some would say it is a little too much, too soon. Now, with the help of Google Maps and Earth people are finding a lot of new routes and are able to keep ahead of the ever encroaching concrete and tarmac roads. However, there are still places off the beaten track that the adventurous can find, with or without a guide. So, whatever your skill level and tolerance for hardship, there is something for you.

crossing the Cau River, just north of Hanoi
crossing the Cau River, just north of Hanoi

Planning Your Tour

Guided Tour

Finding the really out or the way places are quite tricky and best done with a guide. Even if you can find these places with Google Maps, you won’t know where to stay or eat. In this case, it is best to take a guide along so that a large portion of that stress can be removed and you are then left to enjoy your trip. If you take a look at our ‘Tours’ page you will see what we can offer in the way of tours. 

If you are looking for a larger bike, then we can wholeheartedly recommend Explore Indochina as they are the best of the best, when it comes to this and also Cuong’s Motorbike Adventures. Both of these firms have been in the game a long time, and really know their stuff. 

Self Guided Tour

If you do choose to self-guide then you would be well advised to use the map below. At the very least, jot down the names of the daily destinations IN VIETNAMESE so that you can show this when asking for directions. You are also well-advised to ASK TWO OR MORE PEOPLE when asking for directions. This is just to be sure you don’t go the wrong way.

wee Mai Chau mountain pass
wee Mai Chau mountain pass

The Best Tour Routes in North Vietnam

This map shows the main routes in the North and a few alternative routes that are also quite easy to take. Use them to make a basic plan.

North West Loop

A classic loop fitting in the historical sites Dien Bien Phu and some fantastic mountain passes. Then up to Sa Pa and Fansipan before heading downstream to Hanoi. It is best to take a minimum of 6 days for this 10-12 to make it very leisurely.

Ha Giang Loop

Many agree that this is the Vietnamese ‘Mecca’ for touring and with good reason. Stunning roads, beautiful passes, and a rich cultural heritage all make this the premier destination in Vietnam. It takes a day to get up and one to get back. Add this to you needing 3-4 days in Ha Giang and you have your 5-6 day minimum requirement for the tour.

North East Loop

Excellent routes through amazing Karst Scenery. There is a rich diversity of ethnic people here in addition to the waterfalls and thrilling routes. Another added bonus is that tourism is still underdeveloped here.  Allow a minimum of 6 days for this route.

Central North Loop

This is a full-on route that is going to see your head from the lowlands to the highlands and back. On the way, you will see about everything the North can offer in terms of diversity of people and the environment. It is not for the beginner and you should allow at least 10 days for something like this.

South West Loop

In some ways, this is a beginner’s ride. However, you are quickly out into the countryside and smelling wood smoke. It passes through the Da River Valley with wonderful views and lakeside roads. You can also reach great heights and take some particularly treacherous roads if you wish. You will need to set aside a minimum of 3 days for this. But, 4-5 would be better.

Southern Run

This run will take you down through the Red River Delta and onwards to the Ho Chi Minh. It is the beginning of your route to either Danang or Saigon. You will move up into the hills and out of the rice paddy to be encircled by thick virgin forest. We keep you off the main roads and take the smaller roads that skirt the border with Laos. Some of these areas are extremely remote, therefore, some preparation is needed. Fuel and breakdowns are the biggest enemies of the motorbike tourer on this tour but these risks can be managed well. South to Danang should take a minimum of 6 days and on to Saigon will take another 8 to 10 days.

Laos Loop

This is a 4-day loop that will take you very close to the border with Laos. Ask us and we will tell you where the secret border point is. You will head out of Hanoi and over to the hills of Mai Chau, Hoa Binh for your first night. After this, you will head westwards towards Laos on good tarmac roads that are not well-worn at all. Once by the border, you will be the talk of the town as very few foreigners are ever seen out this way. On the way back to Hanoi, you will pass through the Pu Luong Nature Reserve and some more very quiet and scenic roads. Then, it is back into the city and the mayhem. You will wish you had taken a longer trip. 

Ocean Run

The easiest way to get out to the sea and the beach from Hanoi is to get over to the beautiful Cat Ba in Ha Long Bay. This route is not the most beautiful route in Vietnam but it will get you to one of the most scenic beauty spots in all of Vietnam. Ha Long Bay is a world heritage site that is registered with UNESCO. There are some beautiful roads through the Ca Ba National Park and plenty of sites to see and things to do. Our blog on Cat Ba Island outlines all the things you can see and do.

Make your own plan (with us!)

Think about how much time you can spend in-country and then consider your skill level. Take a look at the Vietnam tour routes above and see which one of these areas appeals to you the most.

Combining all these factors often means that we need to mix and match at least two of these routes. By doing so, you will end up with a great route that will be best suited to you and your group.

To get the most out of your time in country, it is definitely the best idea to take one of our tours. You can see these on our page that lists all of our motorbike tours of Vietnam

Honda XRs parked up at the enduro trail in Soc Son
Honda XRs parked up at the enduro trail in Soc Son
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)