Use this map for general planning. You will see there are hotels, cafes, lunch stops and interesting sights labelled. You can easily find more info about them by clicking on their Google Map pins.
This is the most direct route from HANOI to THAC BA is to take this route. The total distance is around 170km and the total drive time is around 5 hrs. The road surface is tarmac, which is in good condition, but there is a LOT of traffic on this main highway. There are some sights but they lie off this main route.
This is content and will show you the alternative ways to get to Thac Ba. It should be very useful and help you to have a great trip. Hanoi to Thac Ba by Motorbike + Detours
This is the quickest, but also one of the most congested ways out of town. You will be heading for the QL32, which starts around Cau Giay area. Then, you follow this for a good 50km until you go over Trung Ha Bridge. It is probably about here that is a good place to stop for a rest.
A few kilometres further on you can take the left fork and get onto the ‘Duong HCM’ which is a large and fast road. You can keep on this all the way North up to Doan Hung. This is where you turn off and head for Thac Ba on the smaller ‘Duong 78’ or ‘AH14’
You turn onto the 170 which hs been rebuilt and is in good condition. It is quite fast and not a bad ride. This will take you up to Vu Linh where there are two ways to get in to the village. The first left turn has a little mud and might not be a good choice in the wet. The second turning is much easier to take.
You will need to look out for signposts to your chosen accomodation because the village is full of small tracks.
All of these places are family-run with the large dorm rooms typical of a stilt house and also private rooms both with and without connected bathrooms. They are all recommended by us.
All of the homestays are connected to the lake in some way and it is very easy to arrange a boat trip and go for a swim. You can also ask your homestay owner to show you around the area either on a trek or a fun motorbike tour on the muddy trails.
From Thac Ba is is usual for people to head North towards Ha Giang City. This is the standard option. However, you should consider Bac Ha or Hoang Su Phi.
You can of course go over to Nghia Lo or Ba Be Lake, but generally speaking the roads to get to these places are fairly dull.
You can use any of our bikes, except the Honda Cub, for this trip as the route is quite good and tarmac all the way. It is an easy, flat drive and not challenging other than the traffic. We definitely recommend using either the Honda XR150 or the Honda CB500x
This route is a busy one but it does get you out of the city quickly. From the second day you will be on smaller routes with less traffic so it is more fun.
Vu Linh is a cool area to stay in and make sure to take a boat trip on the lake and have a swim.
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)