Exploring the remote regions of Vietnam on a motorcycle trip is an incredibly exciting adventure. It offers you the freedom to enjoy every bit of the journey. You'll get to see amazing landscapes and ride on roads that might seem difficult but are definitely worth the experience. So, if you've always dreamed of going on an adventurous trip, this motorcycling adventure is perfect for you. Get ready for an adventure of a lifetime as you embark on this loop motorcycling trip—it's going to be unforgettable!
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Brief Itinerary
Brief Itinerary
Day 01: Hanoi - Ba Be (approx 240km) - (Hotel/lodge in Ba Be)
Day 02: Ba Be - Tinh Tuc - Bao Lac (approx 240km) - Hotel in Bao Lac
Day 03: Bao Lac - Meo Vac - Dong Van (approx 100km) - Hotel in Dong Van
Day 04: Dong Van - Yen Minh - Quan Ba - Ha Giang (approx 150km) - Hotel in Ha Giang
Day 05: Ha Giang - Hoang Su Phi - Bac Ha (apporox 200km) - Hotel in Bac Ha
Day 06: Bac Ha - Sapa (approx 120km) - Hotel in Sapa
Day 07: Sapa explore - Night train back Hanoi - O/N train
TRIP MAP
Leave behind the bustling streets of Hanoi and embark on a refreshing journey into Northern Vietnam’s tranquil heartland. Departing at 8:00 AM, your adventure begins with a scenic drive through the lush Red River Delta. Along the way, bamboo groves, moss-covered roofs, and endless rice paddies paint a picture of Vietnam’s peaceful countryside - timeless, gentle, and authentic.
Your first stop is Thai Nguyen, where you’ll visit the Museum of Ethnology. Here, the rich cultural tapestry of Vietnam’s ethnic minority groups - such as the H’Mong, Dao, and Tay - comes to life through traditional artifacts, textiles, and interactive exhibits.
A delicious lunch awaits on your way to Bac Kan, the gateway between lowland and highland regions. From here, the landscape shifts dramatically - winding mountain roads, deep green forests, and hillside villages open up to the raw beauty of Vietnam’s northeast.
By mid-afternoon, you’ll arrive at the breathtaking Ba Be National Park, a hidden gem embraced by limestone mountains. A tranquil boat ride on Ba Bể Lake awaits, where you’ll glide across glassy waters reflecting clouds and forested cliffs. No traffic, no rush - just paddling oars, birdsong, and the serene hush of nature.
As dusk settles, you’ll reach Pac Ngoi Village, nestled along the lake’s edge. Here, the welcoming Tay ethnic community invites you into a traditional stilt house to share a warm, home-cooked dinner. Gather around the fire, listen to local stories, and embrace the stillness of mountain life.
This is not just a place to visit - it’s a place to belong, even if just for a night.
Summary of inclusions
Wake up to the sounds of the untouched mountains - birds singing, wind whispering through the trees, and the soft jingle of buffalo bells echoing through the valley. A warm, locally-inspired breakfast will be ready to energize you for a day of meaningful discovery.
Our journey continues along winding mountain roads, revealing a landscape so intimate it feels like a living painting - terraced fields, crystal-clear streams, and quiet hill villages nestled between forested peaks. Along the way, we’ll pause in ethnic villages where tradition lives on: children laughing along sloped paths, an elderly woman weaving by her stilt house. These raw, unscripted moments offer an authenticity no mass tour can replicate.
For lunch, stop at a charming local eatery to savor simple yet flavorful highland dishes - each bite carrying the taste of the land.
In the afternoon, we venture toward Bao Lac, a serene mountain town nestled beside the Gam River, where time flows slowly and gently.
Unlike big cities, Bao Lac moves to the rhythm of nature and community. It’s a cultural crossroads for ethnic groups like the Lo Lo, H’Mong, and Dao, making it an ideal place to immerse yourself in local life. You’ll check into your hotel by late afternoon, then enjoy free time to explore: wander through humble markets, discover rustic corners, or simply sip coffee and watch the world pass by - a slow-living experience in the heart of the mountains.
Travel distance: ~160km
Summary of inclusions
After breakfast in Bao Lac, you’ll begin one of the most spectacular drives in Northeast Vietnam. As the road winds deeper into the mountains, nature grows wilder - towering limestone peaks rise against the sky, and small villages appear and vanish along rugged hillsides. Today, charge your camera and clear your memory card - every turn reveals a view more breathtaking than the last.
The journey to Dong Van unfolds like a living documentary. You’ll stop for lunch in Meo Vac, a vibrant yet humble border town nestled in the mountains. Then, the real adventure begins as you cross the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass - one of Vietnam’s "Four Great Passes."
This is more than just a mountain road - it’s a path suspended between sky and cliff. Pause for even a moment and you’ll be spellbound by the emerald ribbon of the Nho Que River, winding gracefully through the canyon far below like silk flowing between stones.
Along the way, you’ll encounter small ethnic villages, home to the resilient H’Mong and Dao people, who live in harmony with nature and carry on traditions untouched by time.
As the sun begins to set, you’ll arrive in Dong Van, a tranquil ancient town nestled in the heart of the stone plateau. Stroll through narrow lanes lined with centuries-old earthen houses and yin-yang tiled roofs, glowing under warm lantern light - it’s a journey not just through space, but back in time.
Travel distance: ~100km
Summary of inclusions
After days immersed in clouds and stone, today you begin your return journey from Dong Van to Ha Giang. But don’t mistake this for a simple transfer - every bend in the road, every stop along the way, holds a story and a view that may just take your breath away.
Leaving the ancient town of Dong Van, your first stop is the Vuong Family Palace in Ta Phin commune - a striking architectural gem once home to the most powerful H’Mong leader in Northern Vietnam. A fusion of European and Chinese styles, this “mountain palace” whispers of a bygone era where elegance met tribal pride.
Continuing through the dreamlike mountain roads of Quan Ba, you’ll be treated to scenes of poetic beauty. If your visit falls on a Sunday, you’re in for a vibrant cultural immersion at the Quan Ba weekly market. Here, ethnic groups like the Dao, H’Mong, and Tay gather to trade handmade textiles, local produce, and share stories - a colorful mosaic of highland life, alive with music, laughter, and tradition.
By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Ha Giang city. As the lights reflect gently on the Lo River, they seem to echo your journey - not just across miles, but through culture, time, and connection.
Travel distance: ~150km
Summary of inclusions
Departing early from Ha Giang, your journey today takes you through winding mountain roads, above seas of clouds and cascading rice terraces. Along the way, you’ll stop in Hoang Su Phi – known as the “sanctuary of rice terraces.” These awe-inspiring, wave-like fields curve around the mountainsides like natural sculptures, earning recognition as a national heritage site. During harvest season, the golden glow of ripened rice transforms the entire landscape into a radiant tapestry beneath the sky.
The adventure continues through Xin Man, a remote and untouched region where ethnic villages of the H’Mong, La Chi, and Nung nestle against forested slopes. Dense jungles, quiet trails, and the welcoming smiles of locals create a sense of wonder that replaces all fatigue with curiosity and awe.
By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Bac Ha, a dreamy highland town famed for its colorful Sunday market. Here, traditional white-walled houses with simple tiled roofs rest peacefully in a misty valley, as if lifted straight from a painting. After checking in at your hotel, take time to wander this charming town, rich with highland atmosphere and cultural soul.
Summary of inclusions
After breakfast, you’ll depart Bac Ha, descending gently along winding mountain passes toward Lao Cai city. Though today’s road is less demanding, the scenery remains spellbinding – majestic forests, hidden ethnic villages, and tiny houses tucked into the lush landscape like brushstrokes in a watercolor painting.
From Lao Cai, your journey climbs again - this time toward Sapa, the legendary highland town perched at 1,500 meters above sea level, right at the foot of Fansipan, the “Roof of Indochina.” As you ascend, the air cools, the hills ripple with rice terraces, and valleys stretch out in a vibrant green embrace. Locals in colorful traditional dress dot the roadsides, adding a rich cultural hue to the wild beauty that surrounds you.
Sapa welcomes you with a perfect blend of nature and history: misty pine forests, French colonial villas nestled in the hills, the iconic stone church, cozy cafés, and the buzzing central market where highland life comes alive. This charming town retains its vintage soul while inviting you to explore its highland heartbeat.
After hotel check-in, the rest of your day is yours to enjoy - whether it’s sampling local dishes, strolling through the misty streets, or sipping a hot coffee as clouds drift through the mountain air.
Travel distance: ~120km
Summary of inclusions
Today is yours to enjoy in Sapa, with the freedom to choose your own adventure. You may opt for a scenic motorbike or car ride along the mountain slopes, visiting nearby ethnic villages and soaking in the rhythm of highland life. Alternatively, follow your guide on one of several flexible activities tailored to your interests - whether it’s a cultural encounter, a short trek, or simply savoring the town’s relaxed charm.
By mid-afternoon, it’s time to descend the mountains once again, heading back toward Lao Cai city. Here, the river flows steady and the railway awaits - ready to carry you gently homeward. Before boarding the night train to Hanoi, you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, reflecting on the unforgettable days just past.
As the train departs, let the soft rhythm of the rails lull you into rest. Outside, the mountains fade into shadows. By around 5:00 AM the next morning, you’ll arrive back in Hanoi, either wrapping up your journey at your hotel or stepping into your next adventure - because with Travel Authentic Asia, the road never truly ends.
Summary of inclusions
Tour itinerary:This tour itinerary is designed based on local travel conditions, logistics and availabilitis of transportation between visited destinations. It is for you to see how the trip should go, what you can do, see and enjoy during the trip. The itinerary can be tailored by adding more of desired visitng destinations, activities or removing any you do not like to meet your travel time frame, style, budget and expectation the best.
Tour price:Travel Authentic Asia focus on quality and affordable package prices with the best value. The price is based on number of traveler taking the trip, the accommodation category you wish to stay, the mode of transportation, meals provided….
To book for this pre-arranged tour:If you wish to take this pre-arranged itinerary with all the terms of services that clearly stated in the program, you just need click the booking button to send us an enquiry form with some necessary information. Our travel consultant will get back to you within a working day for confirmation.
Tailor your itinerary base on this trip:If you wish to tailor your own itinerary with your favorite destinations, activities, accommodations and so on, you can do it right away by clicking the button "Tailor this trip" and send us an enquiry with as much as detail possible. Our travel consultants with their extensive knowledge and experience will answer all of your questions, offer suggestions and give knowledgeable advice, helping you to make a pleasant-enjoyable-worry free trip of best possible value that perfectly suits your travel needs. Please keep in mind this is your private tour so feel free to ask your travel consultant to make any changes you wish to make, at any time!
Requirement for information and help:Either before or during the trip, if you wish to contact us for any query or info, you can use one of the following methods:
- Call or chat Whatsapp our 24/24 hotline: +84 912 221 442, +84 903 432 999 - Or email us at: [email protected] - Contact us via our live chat window that available on our website
Payment:A deposit of 30% of total price is needed to initiate the tour booking after the itinerary is finalized. The balance for the trip is due 15 days prior to your arrival.
Arrival and departure flights:You are advised to make your own booking for international flights from/back your home country. This allows you to determine better the travel time frame, budget and to deal with insurance claim when needed. Travel Authentic Asia team will base on your flight schedule to work out the best itinerary for you or/and to modify the itinerary to get it matches.
Travel documents:You must carry a valid passport and have obtained all of the appropriate visas, permits and certificates for the countries in which you will visit during your trip. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the duration of the trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas, permits and certificates for your trip. Travel Authentic Asia accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the failure of clients to obtain appropriate documentation.
Travel insurance:It is your responsibility to get your own international travel insurance and read the insurance policy before you travel and ensure that the insurance scheme provides with the requisite level of cover. Insurance should cover personal accident and medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, baggage loss, and cancellation or curtailment of vacation. In some cases, travelers may have pre-existing medical conditions which their travel insurance company will not cover.
Other than local travel insurance(s) included in sightseeing tickets at sites, Travel Authentic Asia does not provide any kind of travel insurance on the trip except required and paid separately from the tour price.
Weather: The weather in this part of Southeast Asia is varied depening on the region and season. In the winter time from Nov to Feb, the temperature in some area such as North Vietnam, especially mountainous areas can be as low as 2-4 Degree Celsius (35 Degree Fahrenheit) and pretty cold. Other parts can be warm with temperature up to 36 Degree Celsius or more (96 Degree Fahrenheit). So, to know the weather condition of destination you visit, please consult our travel consultant or you can check it here on our website
What to take: What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking you should pack as lightly as possible. It is advisable to have your backpack or suitcase with wheels. An overnight bag with a shoulder strap or little backpacks is convenient to carry water and a camera etc for day trips. Warm clothes and light jacket are needed for the North Vietnam and northern Lao during the winter time from November to March. Sunblock, swimsuits and a light raincoat is advised all year round.
Tour length: 10 days
Start from: Hanoi
End in: Hanoi
Price from: Upon request
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Price from: Upon request
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End in: Siam Reap
Price from: Upon request
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