The Great Loop
Ha Noi - That Khe - Quang Uyen - Pac Bo - Dong Van - Ha Giang - Hoang Su Phi - Sa Pa x2 - Mu Cang Chai - Phu Yen - Pu Luong - Ha Noi
The Great Loop: 12 Day Motorcycle Tour
Ha Noi - That Khe - Quang Uyen - Pac Bo - Dong Van - Ha Giang - Hoang Su Phi - Sa Pa x2 - Mu Cang Chai - Phu Yen - Pu Luong - Ha Noi

Tour Info
- 12 Days, 11 Nights
- 1,700km
- 8 homestays, 3 hotels (standard) / 4 homestays, 6 hotels, 1 eco-lodge (VIP)
This is a massive tour for those who want to see it all. As the name suggests we take a huge loop over the north of Vietnam from East to West. We ride along the China border and through some of the most picturesque locations taking in the daily lives of the ethnic highlanders. We cover over 1,500km on tarmac, dirt, and single track and each day presents its own challenges. A lot of distance is covered each day so only those who are comfortable in the saddle need apply. We can also extend this further if we wish to visit the war sites of Dien Bien Phu.
(This map’s just to give you an idea: your tour guide will take you on all sorts of roads you can’t find on the map!)
Highlights
- home-cooked food in family-run homestays
- a mixture of dirt and tarmac riding conditions
- boating on Ban Gioc Waterfall
- karst limestone scenery of Cao Bang
- visit Uncle Ho’s Cave retreat (Pac Bo)
- the spectacular views and sights of Ha Giang Province
- views of Kiou Liou Ti and Fansipan mountains
- ethnic markets in full swing
- UNESCO world heritage site, Hoang Su Phi
- skirt the border with China
- stay in Sa Pa hill station
- take the cable car up Fansipan
- beautiful rice terracing in Mu Cang Chai
- staying in Pu Luong Nature Reserve
- final evening farewell meal and drinks









Bike Choices

Honda XR
150cc Dual Sport

Honda Future
125cc Semi-Auto
Day 1: Ha Noi – That Khe
We obviously need to get out of town today and we do that with minimal hassle but with some traffic. We get off the main highway as quickly as possible and then head for That Khe on the smaller back roads. Along the way, we will pass through small valleys, custard apple groves, and tiny hamlets. There is not much going on in That Khe but that is the charm of the countryside.
Day 2: That Khe – Quang Uyen
Today, we head into Cao Bang Province and take a visit to the Ban Gioc Waterfall before heading back down to our homestay which is tucked away from the madding crowd. Another peaceful night here means we are rested and ready for the next day.
Day 3: Quang Uyen – Pac Bo
We pass through the provincial capital of Cao Bang and head up to the chinese border to visit Uncle Ho’s Cave (Pac Bo). It is a great drive on small country roads and we stay in a small homestay hear the cave ready to take the tricky road the next day.
Day 4: Cao Bang – Dong Van
We take the cross country route rather than backtrack on roads already travelled and head for Bao Lac. We get great views of China over the border and ride on some very remote roads. We can stop in Bao Lac, Bao Lam, Meo Vac or Dong Van depending on how we do for time. At each of these locations, we have homestays ready to greet us with hot food and warm beds.
Day 5: Dong Van – Ha Giang
We can make the choice to take the inner or outer roads today knowing that there will be more traffic on the outer loop. There are a lot of places to stop and hang out so we need to choose carefully as it may not look far but riding in the mountains takes a little more time. Once in Ha Giang we can rest up at a homestay a little way outside of town, which is more peaceful.
Day 6: Ha Giang – Hoang Su Phi
Today is not a difficult day and it is one of the most scenic. We enter the UNESCO world heritage site of Hoang Su Phi, which is known for its beautiful rice terracing, and can stop to take photos as we ascend the hills. We stay at a hilltop bungalow resort, which looks down on the beautiful valley. It is worth getting up early the next day to witness the sunrise.
Day 7: Hoang Su Phi – Sa Pa
This is a good long drive that takes us around the Kiou Leou Ti mountain and along the river valley bordering China to Bac Ha and then Sa Pa. There is a lot of good scenery and a few local markets on the route so we will definitely see some interesting things.
Day 8: Sa Pa (rest day)
After a couple of hard days, it is good to have a rest so we take the opportunity to do so in Sa Pa. We can choose to stay in the main town which is useful if we plan to ascend Fansipan or to head down the valley to stay with the villagers. Either way, we will get some good western food and see some interesting sights.
Day 9: Sa Pa – Mu Cang Chai
We loop around Fansipan and down the O Quy Ho Pass, which drops down some 17km. We get stunning views of fansipan and the valley ahead and the road is relatively peaceful and easy to drive. After Than Uyen, we turn into the Mu Cang Chai Valley which has beautiful rice terracing and lots of fun places to stop and hang out.
Day 10: Mu Cang Chai – Phu Yen
We need to loop around Ta Xua Nature Reserve today as we can’t go over this mountain and we do that via Nghia Lo. The road is good, as it was yesterday and we can make good time, but we have a long way to go. We will still pass through a whole host of small villages and see lots of ethnic people on the road. However, things will start to get a little busier from now on.
Day 11: Phu Yen – Pu Luong
We head down to the BlacK River and take a ferry to get across before climbing up to the Moc Chau Plateau. We can take a stretch of the old Highway 4, built by the French to get to Dien Bien Phu before heading past Mai Chau and down intothe Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Once we are off the main highway and into the reserve it is plain sailing and we stay in a secluded bungalow away from the hubbub.
Day 12: Pu Luong – Ha Noi
This is a journey of two halves. The first is quiet and scenic and we can amble along and really enjoy the ride. The second is busier as we are coming back into Hanoi and need to pay more attention. We can easily make it back to our hotel in time to wash up and be ready for our farewell meal.
- personalised tour page hosted on our site
- Visa On Arrival Invitation Letter
- Airport Pick up / Car to hotel
- Motorbike, fuel and repairs
- English Speaking Guide
- Mechanic ride partner
- All meals, water and soft drinks
- Helmet and waterproof cape/poncho
- Saddle bags, gear bags
- Motorbike Jacket (armoured)
- Bungees/ tie downs
- Permits, tolls, entrance fees
- Bike shipping, train tickets VIP Buses (where needed)
- Souvenir T Shirt / Key Ring
- Airport drop (if required)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Support vehicle (for less than 8 riders)
- Accident / Health Insurance
- Spending money
- Tips
Gallery
Specifications
Displacement | 149 cc |
Starter | electric/kick |
Dry Weight | 129 kg |
Seat Height | 825 mm |
Transmission | manual (5 speed) |
Fuel Capacity | 12 litres |
Fuel System | carburettor |
Front Brake | disc |
Rear Brake | drum |
*Please bear in mind that, because we stock a few different models of each bike, your model’s specifications may differ slightly from those shown above.
Gallery
Specifications
Displacement | 124.9 cc |
Starter | electric/kick |
Dry Weight | 106 kg |
Seat Height | 756 mm |
Transmission | semi-automatic (4 speed) |
Fuel Capacity | 4.6 litres |
Fuel System | fuel injection |
Front Brake | disc |
Rear Brake | drum |
*Please bear in mind that, because we stock a few different models of each bike, your model’s specifications may differ slightly from those shown above.