3-Day
Hanoi Motorcycle Tour
Black River Loop
Hanoi - Da Bac - Pu Luong - Hanoi
- Hanoi
- 310 km
- 3 days, 2 nights
- pillion riders welcome
- Hoa Binh Lake; Black River lakeside road; Go Lao Waterfall; ferry crossing
Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi - Da Bac
- 140 km
- 5 hours
- homestay
- Hoa Binh Dam; Black River lakeside road; ethnic village
Day 2: Da Bac - Pu Luong
- 70 km
- 4 hours
- homestay
- boat ride across Hoa Binh Lake; Go Lao waterfall; Mu waterfall; Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Day 3: Pu Luong - Hanoi
- 140 km
- 5 hours
- ATK routes; Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Motorcycles
Inclusions/Extras
- Motorcycle Hire
- Fuel
- Professional Guide
- Food + Drink
- Accommodation
- Tickets and Permits
-
Support Vehicle
(free for groups of 7+) - Damage Waiver
- Private Accommodation
Black River Loop FAQ
What's the best bike for the Black River Loop?
The route is primarily tarmac with sections of easy dirt so the versatile, cost-effective Honda XR150 is a popular choice. It handles both paved roads and light off-road conditions well, especially in fair weather.
For added comfort, the Honda CB500X tourer is ideal. If you’re looking to do as much offroad as possible, though, we recommend the CRF300. It’s a dual-sport and is designed to handle even the most challenging terrain.
When is the best time to ride?
The best time for this Hanoi motorcycle tour is between October and April. This period offers cooler, drier weather. The harvest months of October and April in particular are ideal as that’s when you can see the golden rice fields north Vietnam is famous for.
What are the highlights of this 3-day Vietnam motorcycle tour?
The Black River Loop is one of the quickest ways to escape the hustle of Hanoi and explore the serene Vietnamese countryside. You’ll encounter vibrant ethnic communities, including the Dao and Thai people, and get an insight into their unique agricultural practices.
Key highlights include awesome natural and cultural landmarks such as the Go Lao Waterfall, White Rock Pass, Mai Chau Valley, Hoa Binh Lake, and the verdant Pu Luong Nature Reserve.
Will I get out into nature?
Absolutely! Just a few kilometres out of Hanoi you’ll be riding along the scenic Red River dyke road.
From there, you’ll ride towards Ba Vi National Park along increasingly small, winding roads before reaching the shores of Hoa Binh Lake. This motorcycle tour offers an authentic experience of Vietnam’s countryside without the long highway drives, immersing you in lush greenery and serene, natural surroundings.
What ethnic groups live on this route?
The Black River Loop route takes you through culturally rich areas inhabited by several ethnic communities.
As we travel along the northern shore of Hoa Binh Lake—a path rarely explored by foreigners—you’ll have the opportunity to visit villages of the Dao, Muong, and Tay people. Continuing into the breathtaking Pu Luong Nature Reserve, you’ll encounter these communities amid some stunning mountains and rice terraces.
What is the Black River?
The Black River flows from Vietnam’s northwest border with China all the way south to Hanoi.
Along its path, the river is held back by the Hoa Binh Hydroelectric Power Dam, a remarkable structure featuring a massive dam wall and a hilltop statue of Ho Chi Minh. The reservoir created by this dam is used for fish farming and adds to the natural beauty of the region. On day two of this Hanoi motorcycle tour you’ll cross Hoa Binh Lake by ferry, on your way south to the hills and valleys of Mai Chau and Pu Luong.
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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!
We also needed to use the assistance line for repairs and translation, and the service was really quick and efficient.
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