
The best way from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake is to take this route. The total distance is around 200km and the total drive time is around 6 hrs. The road surface is mainly tarmac, which is in good condition (there is construction on some roads) and there is little to stop and see on route. However, plenty to do when you get there.
This map shows the full route from Hanoi to Ba Be Lake. There is also an alternative route. You will see there are important locations like cafes, fuel stops and lunch places marked along the way.
Morning: Hanoi to Ba Be Lake / 80km – 2 – 2.5 hrs
Hanoi to Ba Be Lake AM
Afternoon: Hanoi to Ba Be Lake / 120km – 3 – 3.5 hrs
Hanoi to Ba Be Lake PM
Afternoon (alternative): Hanoi to Ba Be Lake / 130km – 4 – 4.5 hrs
Hanoi to Ba Be Lake PM (alternative)
Getting out from Hanoi is the hardest part of this morning’s ride, but leaving from our shop around 9am leaves enough time to get to destination and also means most of the rush hour traffic is gone.
You’ll head over Nhat Tan Bridge and then follow the QL3. The route is quite busy with traffic and urban. It is very much a hump day.
You can choose to have lunch just after Thai Nguyen if you are running late or keep on going up to Yen Do if you are making good time. Both locations have small roadside eateries.
The map link shows you starting off from just after Thai Nguyen but you may well have gone up to Yen Do. Not a problem.
It is at Yen Do that you turn onto the smaller road but still be aware as there are large trucks on this route. The road is a small winding provincial road that is quite good tarmac and somewhat scenic.
You continue along the DT254 and head all the way to the lake. There are some nice views as you come over the hills through Khau Tham, Khuoi Phi and Pieng Luong.
If you wish to take a little longer, or you have some spare time in hand, you might like to take the detour from Bang Lung through Na Pai. This route is a little longer and there is some major construction on it, but it will pass through some very scenic hills and then bring you to Ba Be Lake past Hua Ma Cave.
In Ba Be Lake we like to stay in any of these places:
Ba Be Lake is the kind of place that you need to get to and there is not too much on the way to stop off and see. If you take the alternative route you can stop off at Hua Ma Cave and Tat Ma Waterfall.
Once you are at the lake and settled you can take a boat trip for a swim and visit Ba Goa Island, Fairy Grotto, or even Puong Cave.
From Ba Be you have a few options to choose from. You can head over to Cao Bang or Quang Uyen and then on to thefalls at Ban Gioc. It is possible to make it to the falls in 1 day, if you wish.
You could head North to Bao Lac, Meo Vac or even Dong Van, though that is quite far.
The other option is to head towards Hoang Su Phi, but this is mainly a dull ride on the 279 so not really recommended.
If you are taking the direct route, then any of our bikes (except the Honda Cub) would be fine. The route is quite flat and the road is in good condition. I would simply say that if you use an automatic bike, it would be best to let it have a breather every hour or so.
For anyone thinking of taking the alternative route at the moment, I would suggest the XR150, or the CRF300, expecially if it is wet or has been raining for a few days. This is due to the current construction and the fact that there is a lot of mud on the road.
Overall, it is a long haul to get up to Ba Be Lake. However, the last section of the road is scenic and good to drive on and you get into the heart of the countryside by doing this. From then on, you are far away from the city and it is very easy to get onto quiet roads.
It is well worth it at the end of the day.
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
© 2025 Rentabike Vietnam. This site is subject to copyright. No unauthorised reproduction is permitted.
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)