12-Day

Ha Giang Motorcycle Tour

Eastern Tearaway

Hanoi - Bac Son - Ban Gioc - Cao Bang - Bao Lac - Dong Van - Du Gia - Hoang Su Phi - Bac Ha - Sapa - Hanoi

This is a huge loop of the eastern territories. Experience Bang Gioc Waterfall and Ha Giang, the north’s most famous riding destination. Pass through several geographic and ethnic regions, stop at local markets and visit significant historical sites, including Uncle Ho’s Cave (Pac Bo) and the H’Mong King’s Palace, before heading up to Fansipan, the highest peak in Southeast Asia.

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi - Bac Son

Breakfast in the hotel, up to the shop to collect bikes. Then over Nhat Tan bridge and out of Hanoi as quickly as possible. We need to take the highway for the first half of the day and then stop for lunch. After lunch we turn off onto the smaller road and wind through villages. We take a small detour to a lake to look around and then head for QUinh Son, we stay in a family run homestay in a private room. If time we can climb the hill to look a the view.

Day 2: Bac Son - Ban Gioc

Out of the village and over the pass to gia binh, then we go thru the cave. Take pics in the cave. We take the back road up to van mich but prob not the dirt road, so we get back on tarmac for that. We head to that khe or dong khe and have lunch there in a local restaurant. We now turn off onto the smaller roads and head for the ban gioc waterfall. There is a lot of karst scenery here and we go through a lot of small villages. We see the fence with china and can take a pic by the border post markers. If time we cna look at the falls and take a boat trip but probably tomorrow morning as it is a shorter day tomorrow.

Day 3: Ban Gioc - Cao Bang

We go to the falls if we haven’t already of we look at Tiger cave and then head out to Evil Eye mountain. We have lunch in a homestay there and then head over to cao bang on easy road where we stay in a boutique hotel and have dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 4: Cao Bang - Bao Lac

We head to Bao Lac and can take two routes. The road past the 14 story pass is being repaired so we go to the secret communist cave and then through Lung Pan bamboo forest and back up the main highway, or we could take the highway and then go through the forest. Lunch is tricky on this stretch so maybe we try to picnic somewhere.
We stay in a small family run hotel near the market and eat closeby in a local restaurant.

Day 5: Bao Lac - Dong Van

Again two choices we can take the tricky off road that allows us to go on the bamboo ferry or we can take the easy high way which gives us time to get to Meo Vac for lunch and then visit the ma pi leng pass and the harder route also allows this so long as nothing bad happens
We are moving from lowland karst hills to grand mountain and karst scenery as we ascend on to the karst plateau we stay in the best hotel in town.
We have dinner in a local restaurant near the old market.

Day 6: Exploration Day

Exploration day. We get to take a short ride around to see don cao fortress, the border with china and whatever else riders want. Or to chill in the same hotel.
We have dinner in a western or an italian restaurant

Day 7: Dong Van - Du Gia

We have an easy day winding along the smaller roads inside the loop and stopping at will. There are small goat trails that we can follow. We can visit the waterfall and relax in our resort hotel.

Day 8: Du Gia - Hoang Su Phi

A small stretch of bad road where there is road works but then we go on good road to get to ha giang. We can have lunch there. Then we take the highway and a few side roads to get to hoang su phi and look at the unesco world heritage site and its rice terracing.

Day 9: Hoang Su Phi - Bac Ha

We take small roads through the hills. Lots of rice terracing, locals and few foreigners in this area. We end up in Bac Ha, hopefully on a saturday night because market is sunday. If not we can visit another market tomorrow there is one every day in thearea. We stay in a boutique homestay.

Day 10: Bac Ha - Sapa

Visit a market if close and then take the back roads to Sa pa. We stay of the highway and come front he south up the valley throught the rock geopark up to sa pa
We stay in a hotel and we have an exploration day next day, they can visit Ham Rong, the church, fansipan, take a ride to bat xat or silver waterfall. Or chill in the hotel.

Day 11: Exploration Day

There is plenty to see in and about the town silver waterfall, rock church, ham rong viewpoint and we can go to visit a few of the small villages. We can also take the cable car to the top of fansipan. Generally we hang out in the hotel and have a rest after riding so far.

Day 12: Sapa - Hanoi

We ride down in the morning to Lao Cai and then we have lunch and get on out 6hr vip minibus to hanoi. Go to the hotel for a night. Evening meal and then leave the next day.

Motorcycles

Honda XR 150

$140/day

Honda CRF 300

$180/day

Honda CB 500X

$180/day

BMW GS 1250

$280/day

Inclusions/Extras

Eastern Tearaway FAQ

What's the best bike for Eastern Tearaway?

If you’re planning to stick to the roads, the Honda CB500X is a fantastic option, offering comfort and stability for long stretches of paved roads. However, if you’re looking to explore off-road terrain and rugged trails, the Honda CRF300 is perfect for handling the more challenging paths.

We can customise any tour to fit your preferred style, whether you’re focusing on scenic roads or adventurous off-road trails.

When is the best time to ride?

The best time to ride this Ha Giang Motorcycle Tour is definitely October and November, when the weather is cooler and drier, providing ideal conditions for a comfortable and enjoyable ride. During other months, it can be either too hot or too foggy, which may make the journey less pleasant.

What are the highlights of this 12-day Vietnam motorcycle tour?

The Eastern Tearaway tour provides two dedicated exploration days where you can visit iconic sites like the Lung Cu Flagpole, Vietnam’s northernmost point, and Fansipan Mountain, the highest peak in Southeast Asia.

The route takes you through lesser-visited destinations like Hoang Su Phi and Bac Ha, allowing you to experience the stunning rice terraces and a vibrant mix of ethnic communities that define Northern Vietnam.

How long does the bus journey from Sa Pa to Hanoi take?

The bus journey from Sa Pa to Hanoi is now a quick and comfortable ride, taking around 4-5 hours in a VIP bus. We like to start the day with a scenic ride down the mountain in the morning, followed by a lunch stop in Lao Cai. Afterward, we load up and take the bus, ensuring that you’ll be back in Hanoi well before dinner time.

What's special about Ban Gioc Waterfall?

Ban Gioc Waterfall is a natural wonder and one of Vietnam’s most stunning sights, being the 4th largest waterfall on a land border in the world. Located in the Northeast region, it offers breathtaking views and a unique setting along the border with China. The waterfall is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and other notable attractions, such as Tiger Cave and Truc Lam Pagoda.

You’ll also have the opportunity to get a close-up view of the border with China, including the large fence that now marks the boundary between the two countries.

What's the local culture like?

The landscape on this Ha Giang Motorcycle Tour is incredibly diverse, as we pass through vast areas inhabited by various ethnic groups who have migrated to the region over centuries. This cultural richness is most evident at the local markets, where you’ll see people from different ethnic backgrounds mingling and trading, offering a vibrant glimpse into the region’s traditions.

Along the route, you’ll travel through areas that are predominantly home to ethnic minorities, with Kinh (ethnic Vietnamese) communities being rare. The architecture and clothing worn by the locals also reflect this cultural diversity, creating a unique and fascinating experience.

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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 7 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