Northern Vietnam Loop 12 Days 11 Nights
Vietnam loop tour along the border with China, from Ba Be Lake, explore the hill-tribe areas of Ha Giang up to the border with China
Ride Vietnam’s northern off-road loop in 12 days—Ba Be Lake, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Ma Pi Leng Pass, Sapa, Mu Cang Chai & Pu Luong. A challenging motorbike adventure for experienced riders.
Short headline
This 12-day Northern Vietnam Off-road Motorbike Tour is designed for experienced riders seeking remote trails, river crossings, and high mountain passes. The route winds from Hanoi through Ba Be Lake, Ban Gioc, and Ha Giang, before climbing to Sapa and Mu Cang Chai. Expect rugged terrain, authentic encounters with hill-tribe communities, and jaw-dropping landscapes you won’t find on the main roads.
Days On Tour
12 Days 11 Nights
Terrain
Best for: Skilled riders seeking a challenging off-road experience.
Difficulty
4/5
Hours Riding Per Day
6 hr.
Destinations
Hanoi • Ba Be Lake • Khuoi Khon village • Dong Van • Ha Giang • Thong Nguyen • Xin Man • Sapa • Mu Cang Chai • Tram Tau • Moc Chau • Mai Chau • Hanoi
Tour Cost:
| Motorbike | Motorbike | Motorbike |
|---|---|---|
| Honda CRF 250L | Honda CRF 300L | Honda CB500X |
| 1730$ USD | 1860$ USD | 2000$ USD |
Pillion Passenger: 1127$ USD
All-inclusive: Tour prices are in $USD, All inclusive and based on per person on tour. Twin Share private bathrooms with hot water and AC, Homestay shared accomidation in large room with fans and shared toilets, Overnight soft sleeper train tickets Lao Cai – Hanoi.
Support vehicle available on request at an additional cost per group including fuel and driver.
Optional extras:
- Single Room Upgrade 20$ per night ( Come on, you want that privacy, your mates snore)
- Support Vehicle: 110$ USD per day including driver, petrol & expenses
- 3Rd party liability coverage 30$ Per day
- Comprehensive damage insurance Honda CRF 30$ USD Per Day, Honda CB500X 40$ USD Per Day
- Airport Pickup 15$ per group per way
Far North Rides
Day 1: Hanoi – Ba Be Lake National Park
Depart Hanoi and ride north toward Ba Be Lake. Cruise through scenic backroads, crossing tea plantations and rice paddies before reaching the emerald waters of Ba Be National Park. Evening homestay with Tay ethnic families.
Highlights: Ba Be Lake boat ride, Tay stilt-house hospitality, lakeside dinner
Day 2: Ba Be – Ban Gioc Waterfall – Khuoi Khon Village
Ride northeast along challenging roads to reach the spectacular Ban Gioc Waterfall on the China–Vietnam border. Continue to the remote Khuoi Khon Village of the Black Lo Lo people.
Highlights: Ban Gioc Waterfall, ethnic minority homestay, border landscapes
Day 3: Khuoi Khon – Cao Bang – Bao Lac
Tackle winding mountain passes and dirt tracks as you head west to Bao Lac. Enjoy sweeping views of limestone karsts and terraced fields. Overnight in a local guesthouse.
Highlights: Off-road trails, mountain landscapes, Bao Lac market
Day 4: Bao Lac – Ma Pi Leng Pass – Dong Van (Ha Giang)
One of the trip’s most breathtaking days. Ride over the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass, nicknamed “the King of Passes,” with jaw-dropping views of the Nho Que River canyon. Arrive in Dong Van, an ancient town with stone houses.
Highlights: Ma Pi Leng Pass, Dong Van Karst Plateau, historic old quarter
Day 5: Dong Van – Lung Cu – Meo Vac – Thong Nguyen
Climb to Lung Cu Flag Tower, the northernmost point of Vietnam, then ride twisting off-road trails down to Meo Vac. Continue toward Thong Nguyen. Overnight at an eco-lodge by rice terraces.
Highlights: Lung Cu Flag Tower, remote off-road sections, rice terrace lodge
Day 6: Thong Nguyen – Xin Man – Bac Ha – Sapa
Ride through bamboo forests and river valleys to Xin Man, then head across highland trails to Bac Ha, known for its Sunday ethnic market. Push onward to Sapa, a former French hill station.
Highlights: Xin Man off-road, Bac Ha market (if Sunday), Sapa mountain views
Day 7: Rest Day in Sapa
Take a break from riding. Explore Sapa town, visit local markets, or trek to nearby Hmong and Red Dao villages. Relax with a massage or hot herbal bath.
Highlights: Rest & recovery, Sapa culture, Hmong & Dao villages
Day 8: Sapa – Mu Cang Chai
Leave Sapa, crossing the Hoang Lien Son range via Tram Ton Pass, Vietnam’s highest road. Descend into Mu Cang Chai, home to iconic UNESCO-recognized rice terraces.
Highlights: Tram Ton Pass, Mu Cang Chai terraced fields, ethnic Thai & Hmong culture
Day 9: Mu Cang Chai – Tram Tau – Black River
A full day of off-road riding along narrow trails, river crossings, and remote tribal hamlets. Continue across the Da (Black) River by local ferry. Overnight in Tram Tau.
Highlights: Challenging off-road sections, ferry crossing, wild landscapes
Day 10: Tram Tau – Moc Chau Plateau
Ride southwest into Moc Chau, famous for its vast tea plantations and dairy farms. The plateau offers wide, scenic roads after days of rugged trails.
Highlights: Moc Chau tea hills, dairy farms, smooth plateau roads
Day 11: Moc Chau – Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Head south into Pu Luong Nature Reserve, riding through lush valleys, rice terraces, and stilt-house villages of the Thai people. Overnight in an eco-lodge.
Highlights: Pu Luong nature, Thai ethnic culture, bamboo bridges
Day 12: Pu Luong – Mai Chau – Hanoi
Final day of riding through Mai Chau valley, a region of stilt houses, before returning to Hanoi. Farewell dinner to celebrate the epic off-road journey.
Highlights: Mai Chau valley, last scenic ride, Hanoi night out
Ha Giang Motorbike Tour 7D 7N Our all-inclusive prices cover:
- Motorcycle: Honda CRF 250L, Honda CB500Xor Honda CRF300L
- Petrol, Oil, and maintenance
- All meals and non-alcoholic beverages
- Accommodation in local guesthouses, hotels Twin Share or homestays
- Single room upgrade available
- Helmets: Full-face and open-face
- Padded Motorcycle jackets and motorcycle pants
- Rain pants and Poncho
- Dry bag and tie-downs
- Transfer to and from our garage to your hotel in Hanoi
What’s Not Included:
Drivers License:
We require that you have you home country motorbike licence to join on one of our tours. You must have personal health insurance or Travel insurance that covers Motorbike in Vietnam to cover you in-case of accident or illness. Please have a look at World Nomads who offer travel insurance that cover Vietnam. Please Contact us for more information and recommended insurance providers. To drive a Ural sidecar motorbike on tour you must have a sidecar licence and sidecar driving experience.
Passports and Visa
You must have a valid passport with 6 month before expiry date to obtain a Vietnam tourist visa. We can arrange a visa on arrival letter please have (2) 3 x 4cm photos, and bring $USD to pay the visa fee at immigration at the airport, rates vary per country. Here is the latest visa information on-line. please contact us for more information or consult your local Vietnamese embassy or consulate to see the tours visa requirements.
Comprehensive Damage Insurance Optional:
Our insurance policy covers lost, theft or any damage to the motorbike caused by an accident or fall, you will be fully covered in-case the bike is damaged beyond repair. The policy excludes any, personal medical insurance, liability to other vehicles or injury caused to another party.
Comprehensive Damage Insurance Optional:
Our insurance policy covers lost, theft or any damage to the motorbike caused by an accident or fall, you will be fully covered in-case the bike is damaged beyond repair. The policy excludes any, personal medical insurance, liability to other vehicles or injury caused to another party
| Motorbike | Additional Cost $US |
|---|---|
| Honda CRF 250cc | 200$ per 8 day tour |
| Honda CRF 300cc | 160$ per 8 day tour |
| Honda CB500X | 200$ per 8 day tour |
Let's go on an adventure
Discover Vietnam’s rugged beauty on two wheels—Go Vietnam Adventure takes you beyond the highways, into remote villages, mountain trails, and breathtaking landscapes.
