10-Day

North Vietnam Motorcycle Tour

10-Day Due North

Hanoi - Ba Be - Meo Vac - Ha Giang - Bac Ha - Sapa - Mu Cang Chai - Phu Yen - Mai Chau - Hanoi

Explore the rugged landscapes, vibrant ethnic cultures, and breathtaking mountain vistas of northern Vietnam. This 10-day North Vietnam motorcycle tour takes you on a journey from the lowland delta all the way up to the stunning mountain region of Ha Giang near the Chinese border. From towering karst cliffs and rice terraces to remote villages and historic sites, this trip offers an unforgettable blend of nature, history, and local culture.

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi - Ba Be

Leave the hustle of Hanoi behind and begin heading north into the rural heart of Vietnam. The scenery changes from city streets to winding country roads, as you pass through charming villages nestled between hills and rice paddies. We spend the night at Ba Be Lake, Vietnam’s largest natural lake, surrounded by limestone cliffs, caves, and waterfalls,in a traditional stilt house.

Day 2: Ba Be - Meo Vac

As you ride awesome mountain roads surrounded by stunning landscapes of endless limestone peaks and idyllic scenery. If you’re lucky, you may catch the sunrise lighting up the mountain tops. We end the day in Meo Vac, where we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and stay at a local hotel.

Day 3: Meo Vac - Ha Giang

Today’s ride is one of the most remarkable stretches of the tour. We’ll tackle the stunning Ma Pi Leng Pass, a road that hugs the edge of towering limestone mountains, offering incredible views of the Nho Que River far below. After passing through this dramatic landscape, we’ll arrive in Dong Van, located in the heart of the Dong Van Rock Plateau, a UNESCO Global Geo-Park. If time allows, we’ll take a short walk through the ancient streets of the town, lined with traditional Hmong clay-brick houses.

Day 4: Ha Giang - Bac Ha

After breakfast, we head west to Xin Man, a mountainous district in Ha Giang. Known for its terraced rice fields, Xin Man is home to several ethnic minority groups who rely on agriculture for their livelihood. The region is particularly stunning during the harvest season (September to October), when the terraces are a brilliant gold. As we ride through communes like Nam Dan, Nan Ma, and Then Phang, we’ll witness the beauty of the countryside and get a glimpse of local life.

Day 5: Bac Ha - Sapa

Today’s journey takes you through some of Vietnam’s most pristine landscapes. We’ll climb over 2,000 meters above sea level all the way up to the old French hill station of Sapa. In the afternoon, we’ll take a short motorcycle tour along the Muong Hoa Valley, a popular spot for hiking and visiting ethnic villages. The valley is also famous for its stunning terraced rice fields, perfect for a few more photos.

Day 6: Exploration Day

Today is all about exploring the beauty of Sapa, known as the “town of clouds.” You’ll be captivated by the stunning terraced rice fields, lush valleys, and the emerald mountains that surround the town. There are plenty of ways to spend your day, whether you choose to take an optional ride to nearby villages or simply relax and enjoy the cool climate. For those feeling adventurous, you can take the cable car to the top of Fansipan Mountain, the highest peak in Indochina at 3,143 meters, where you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

Day 7: Sapa - Mu Cang Chai

After spending six days in Northern Vietnam, we head south towards our next destination, Than Uyen. This is the shortest leg of the journey, just 100km, but there are some steep downhills along the way that are actually pretty challenging.

Day 8: Mu Cang Chai - Phu Yen

Continue south, riding through stunning landscapes dotted with mountains and endless rice terraces. A major highlight is the Mu Cang Chai Rice Terraces, which span across 2,200 hectares of mountainside, recognised as one of Vietnam’s most unique landscapes. Along the way, we’ll encounter various ethnic groups, including the Thai, Tay, Man, and Hmong. After a day of riding through beautiful scenery, we’ll arrive in Ta Xua, where we’ll rest and stay overnight at a hotel.

Day 9: Phu Yen - Mai Chau

We begin early in the morning, riding along the winding roads that lead us through mountains and alongside the Da River (Black River). The Da River is one of the most significant tributaries of the Red River, stretching nearly 910 km. We follow the river, enjoying the views before reaching the scenic Moc Chau Plateau. As we continue, we take a detour to Hua Tat Pass, an old French-built road with breathtaking mountain views. By 4:00 pm, we’ll arrive in Mai Chau.

Day 10: Mai Chau - Hanoi

The final day of our journey is a more relaxed one. After breakfast we take a peaceful tour through the countryside, exploring the daily life of the Thai people in the region.

Motorcycles

Honda XR 150

$140/day

Honda CRF 300

$180/day

Honda CB 500X

$180/day

BMW GS 1250

$280/day

Inclusions/Extras

10-Day Due North FAQ

What's the best bike for this 10-day North Vietnam Motorcycle Tour?

The Honda CB500X. It’s perfect for covering the long distances comfortably, and its handling makes it well-suited for the twists and turns of the route. With its balance of power and comfort, it’s a great choice for this extended tour.

When is the best time to ride?

The best time to ride is from late October to early November. During this period, the weather is cooler and clearer, with little rain, making it ideal for a comfortable and scenic ride.

What are the highlights of this 10-day Vietnam motorcycle tour?

You’ll explore Thac Ba Lake, a picturesque man-made reservoir, as well as the stunning Ba Be Lake. Ride the famous Happiness Road, arguably Ha Giang’s best, and experience the breathtaking Ma Pi Leng Gorge and the stunning Mu Cang Chai rice terraces.. The tour also takes you up to Sapa, where you’ll visit Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak.

Are pillions welcome?

Yes, pillions are welcome! If you’re bringing a passenger, we recommend using the Honda CB500X, as smaller dual-sport bikes like the Honda XR and CRF are less suited for carrying passengers comfortably.

Do I need to take waterproofs?

Yes, definitely. The mountain climate means rain can occur unexpectedly, so it’s essential to have waterproofs on hand. Make sure they’re easily accessible, so you can quickly put them on if needed.

Should I bring my own riding gear?

Yes, we recommend bringing your own riding gear, especially a comfortable helmet. However, if you’re unable to bring one or lose it during travel, we have a few helmets available at the shop for you to use.

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Join a tour or schedule a tour yourself? *

Riders:

4 motorcycle riders

Pillion:

0 pillion riders

Upgrade to private accommodation? *

Shared accommodation provided as standard. Upgrade to private for $40/day per person.

Jiri Skoumal 4 weeks ago

A group of friends completed the 12-Day North Vietnam Motorcycle Tour and it was nothing short of incredible. From start to finish, this was an adventure of a lifetime, all thanks to the professionalism and dedication of Danny, our guide and the owner of the company. His attention to detail, incredible personality and deep local knowledge made the journey seamless and truly immersive.

The route, known as the Great Loop Tour, took us through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in North Vietnam. Every day brought a new highlight, from winding mountain passes to serene villages, giving us a real taste of Vietnamese culture and natural beauty. Danny made sure the journey was both exciting and safe; he provided us with well-maintained Honda CB 500X bikes, which were a dream to ride. Reliable and comfortable, these bikes handled everything the terrain threw at us with ease.

One of the things that stood out to me was the quality of the accommodations and meals. We stayed in clean, comfortable lodgings that gave us a chance to rest well every night, and the food was absolutely delicious, showcasing the best of Vietnamese cuisine. Danny clearly puts a lot of effort into choosing quality stops that reflect local culture and hospitality, ensuring that we were always well cared for.

The level of care Danny showed for his group was outstanding. His professionalism and expertise kept us feeling safe and looked after, whether it was a minor bike adjustment, guiding us through tricky terrains, or sharing insights into the local culture and history.
The major complaint here is that there was nothing to complain about. I would really believe Danny even organized the weather for our tour as we had no rain in 12 days ;)
If you’re looking for an authentic, exhilarating experience through North Vietnam with a trustworthy and passionate guide, I can’t recommend this tour enough!

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Bob McGarry 5 months ago

I have rented from Rentabike Vietnam every year for the past 8 years. Why? They have very well maintained, reliable bikes and super friendly staff. I highly recommend them.

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Dominic Lostitch 7 months ago

I would recommend Rentabike Vietnam to anyone visiting/living in Hà Nội. Over the course of the 2 years that I used their services, I rented a Janus, Vision, Airblade, and a Honda Winner (I only changed bikes so much because I was a complete beginner when I moved here and I wanted to upgrade slowly so that I could be confident on a manual). In that time, I had no mechanical issues with any of the bikes that were provided. The main mechanic is one of the best and most efficient I have come across in the country, the staff are friendly, welcoming, and speak great English. Furthermore, the owner Danny is a top guy that speaks incredible Vietnamese and knows the country and his bikes inside out. It is with a heavy heart that I have moved on from renting here, but it is only because I have just purchased a Honda Winner. I hope to return here in the future to rent an adventure bike like the CB500 or XR if I am going on a long journey (which I also used for one day and had no issues with). For me, no other rental place in Hà Nội compares to here. 5 stars, it has been an absolute pleasure and I can’t speak highly enough of this business.

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Suna posta 8 months ago

I highly recommend renting from this company! Reasonable prices, no hidden costs. Friendly staff, well serviced engines, ready to go!

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Karl TV 8 months ago

I want to thank the owner Dany for all the advices and recommendations he gave us during our motorcycle rentals. He told us which places to visit and routes to take for scenic views.
We also needed to use the assistance line for repairs and translation, and the service was really quick and efficient.

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Itachi Uchiha 9 months ago