7-Day

North Vietnam Motorcycle Tour

7-Day Due North

Hanoi - Thac Ba - Ha Giang - Dong Van - Bao Lac - Ban Gioc - Bac Son - Hanoi

This 7-day North Vietnam motorcycle tour takes you from Hanoi to remote valleys, along the China border, and to highlights like Ban Gioc Waterfall and Nguom Ngao Cave. You’ll tackle mountain passes, explore local markets, and visit historic and cultural sites. A mix of scenic routes and authentic experiences makes this an unforgettable journey.

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi - Thac Ba

Our adventure kicks off with a scenic exit from Hanoi via the quieter dyke road past Nhat Tan Bridge, avoiding the city’s heavy traffic. Riding through the countryside, we’ll pass locals tending buffalo and harvesting rice. After lunch, we stop at the Victory Monument and then wind our way into the tea plantations of the H’mong and Dzao people. The day ends at our homestay in Vu Linh, Thac Ba Lake, where a home-cooked dinner and a taste of the local firewater await—just be careful, it’s stronger than it looks!

Day 2: Thac Ba - Ha Giang

Today we head towards Luc Yen, famous for its gemstone market, riding through scenic valleys, tea fields, forest plantations, and small villages. We finish the day at a hilltop retreat near Ha Giang city, where a delicious barbecue dinner awaits.

Day 3: Ha Giang - Dong Van

Descend the mountain and head through Ha Giang City before diving into stunning karst landscapes. Climb the steep Bac Sum Pass with plenty of photo stops, then visit the unique Fairy Mountains and the scenic Sung La Valley, especially beautiful in November and December when the triangle flowers bloom. After lunch in Yen Minh, we stop at the historic Hmong King’s Palace before reaching Dong Van, where you can enjoy a swim at the hotel pool if the weather permits.

Day 4: Dong Van - Bao Lac

Leave Dong Van on the Happiness Road, before continuing down to the tiny town of Bao Lam then following the Gam River to Bao Lac. Throughout today’s ride we’ll encounter members of many ethnic groups such as the H’mong, Kinh, Tay and Dzao (and even more when we get to the market in Bao Lac).

Day 5: Bao Lac - Ban Gioc

Take the scenic border road, riding alongside views of China most of the way to Ban Gioc Waterfall. The newly rebuilt road is smooth but features sharp curves, especially on the Me Pia Pass. This 2.5 km stretch, with its 14 levels of steep, winding slopes, offers incredible karst limestone scenery and photo opportunities. After lunch, we visit God’s Eye Mountain, followed by Nguom Ngao Cave, where the sound of murmuring streams resembles a tiger’s growl. We end the day at Ban Gioc Waterfall, a magnificent 30-meter-high and 300-meter-wide cascade that’s still largely untouched by mass tourism.

Day 6: Ban Gioc - Bac Son

Ride part of the historic Highway 4 colonial route, where you’ll pass through Dong Khe and That Khe, sites of the Viet Minh’s victory over the French in 1950, before beginning your descent into the beautiful Bac Son Valley. Before settling in for the night at our homestay, we’ll explore a fascinating cave used to store munitions during Vietnam’s struggles in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

Day 7: Bac Son - Hanoi

Moving south, we’ll see workers both in the open paddy and on the hillsides harvesting fruits such as pomelo, custard apple and plums and also working in the pine forests at higher altitudes. Once we hit the main road we make sure to take a detour to a military airbase to peak at the Russion jets. We try to get into the city early so that we can avoid rush hour and have time to wash up before dinner.

Motorcycles

Honda XR 150

$140/day

Honda CRF 300

$180/day

Honda CB 500X

$180/day

BMW GS 1250

$280/day

Inclusions/Extras

7-Day Due North FAQ

What's the best bike for this 7-day North Vietnam motorcycle tour?

The Honda CB500X is the best choice due to its comfort and performance over longer distances. With more mileage on this tour, you’ll appreciate the extra comfort for those extended stretches, and the CB500X offers the power you need to open up.

When is the best time to ride?

The best times to ride the 7-day Ha Giang Loop are during Autumn and Spring. These seasons allow you to avoid the cold of Winter while enjoying stunning landscapes, including vibrant rice terraces that shift from green to golden hues.

What are the highlights of this 7-day North Vietnam motorcycle tour?

The highlights of this 7-day North Vietnam motorcycle tour include exploring a secret munitions dump and riding along the China border. You’ll visit the stunning Ban Gioc Waterfall and Tiger Cave, then experience the iconic Happiness Road and Ma Pi Leng Gorge. The tour wraps up with a visit to Thac Ba Lake as you head back south.

What is the highest point on the route?

The highest point is between 1,300 and 1,600 metres, way up in the mountains. At this altitude it can be cooler, particularly in Winter, so we recommend packing a light jacket, fleece, and long trousers to stay comfortable if the temperature drops.

Should I bring presents for local children?

Bringing small gifts for local children is a thoughtful gesture. However, we recommend avoiding candy. Instead, consider bringing items that are useful and can last, such as crayons, pencils, books, a frisbee, hacky sack, or a deflated football. These items have been well-received by children in ethnic minority communities in the past.

Is my ASEAN issued motorbike driving license valid?

Yes, an ASEAN-issued motorbike driving license is valid for use in other ASEAN countries, including Vietnam. For non-ASEAN license holders, you’ll need your home country license along with an IDP to drive legally in Vietnam.

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Riders:

4 motorcycle riders

Pillion:

0 pillion riders

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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