Motorcycling Mountains North

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

Motorcycling

Sightseieng en route

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Hotel in Dong Van

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

Motorcycling

Sightseieng en route

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Hotel in Ha Giang

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

Motorcycling

Sightseieng en route

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Hotel in Bac Ha

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

Motorcycling

Sightseieng en route

Breakfast & lunch

Hotel in Sapa

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

Sapa trekking

Breakfast & lunch

O/N train