NORTH VIETNAM MOTORBIKE TOUR FROM HANOI TO MOC CHAU – 8 DAYS

After a short briefing, let our trip commence at 8 AM. Right after we leave Hanoi, you can witness the tranquility in the outskirts with vast paddy fields and modest farmers. As the road is not something too challenging, we will soon reach Cho Chu town in Thai Nguyen province for lunch. The majestic landscapes in Thai Nguyen will surely capture your attention. Here they have green tea hills that seem to extend endlessly.

The roads from Thai Nguyen to Ba Be Lake are in good condition. Accordingly, we can show up at Pac Ngoi village, which is near Ba Be Lake, at 4 PM. This is the Tay people’s village so we can find out more about this ethnic group’s culture. We will stay overnight here.

Summary:

• Distance: 240 km
• Accommodation: Homestay
• Meals: L/D

On the second day, we will set off from Ba Be and ride to Meo Vac in Ha Giang. Once again, rough dirt tracks will be there waiting for us, and likewise splendid beauty of mountains, forests, and humble villages. After a hearty lunch in Bao Lac (Cao Bang), we will ride continuously to Meo Vac.

On the way, we have a precious opportunity to subdue nerve-racking trails and passes. From afar, the poetic Nho Que River is undoubtedly a great source of motivation for you to overcome this challenge. According to our expectations, our crew will reach Meo Vac at 5 PM. This mountainous district possesses the beauty of both nature and distinctive architecture. We will rest in Meo Vac for tonight.

Summary:

• Distance: 170 kilometers
• Accommodation: Standard Hotel
• Meals: B – L – D

Today will surely be memorable as we can behold highlighted attractions of the North. First, we will pass by Ma Pi Leng Pass – one of the four greatest passes in North Vietnam. With plenty of sharp curves and unbelievable slopes, the pass requires experienced riders to ride with absolute attention. After exerting ourselves to subdue this challenge, we can’t help feeling on top of the world.

Ha Giang is home to the Meo people, and there is a multitude of amazing attractions here. The most popular ones are Quan Ba Heaven Gate, Dong Van Rocky Plateau, and Vuong’s Palace. In front of those remarkable sceneries, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed. Tonight, we will rest in Ha Giang city.

Summary:

• Distance: 180 kilometers
• Accommodation: Local Hotel
• Meals: B – L – D

Let’s bid farewell to lovely Ha Giang city and move to Sapa – one of the most famous tourist destinations in this S-shaped country. With an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level, the town of Sapa has an excellent climate that people in Southeast Asia desire. Fansipan – the rooftop of the Indochina Peninsula – is also located in this area.

There is a variety of landscapes here for you to explore. We have imposing Ham Rong Mountain, majestic silvery waterfalls, romantic Muong Hoa Valley, lovely villages with stunning terraced fields, impressive buildings with French architecture, and ethnic people’s markets with traditional high values. Also, we have perilous yet exciting backroads to test your riding skills. We are supposed to arrive at Sapa by 5 PM. Another experience we should not ignore is to meander around Sapa at night to see the vibrant life here. After that, we can come back to our hotel and have a tight sleep.

Summary:

• Distance: 220 kilometers
• Accommodation: Standard Hotel
• Meals: B – L – D

Leaving Sapa too soon is going to be a pity, so why don’t we spend the whole morning of the fifth day finding out more about this superb town? At about 1:30 PM, after lunch, we will say goodbye to Sapa and go to Than Uyen. The route will lead us to O Quy Ho – the highest pass in Vietnam. With a length of nearly 50 kilometers, this is one of the four greatest passes in the country.

Riding on tortuous roads with an abyss aside is undoubtedly an experience you can’t forget at ease. We will not falter before any challenge as long as the grandeur of nature is still there waiting. Soon we will find ourselves in the center of Lai Chau province and then in Than Uyen at 5 PM. We have a relaxing night in this charming mountainous district and recall the majesty of the Hoang Lien Son range in fog.

Summary:

• Distance: 110 kilometers
• Accommodation: Standard Hotel
• Meals: B – L – D

Than Uyen, with its peaceful landscape, is hard to resist. Still, we have to continue our journey. Today we will find visit Mu Cang Chai and Phu Yen. There are many things we are about to encounter – the modest villages of the H’mong people, the large tea hills, the appealing terraced fields, etc. Those are definitely the extraordinary backgrounds that we want to stop and snap some pictures.

At noon, we will be enjoying a delicious meal in Mu Cang Chai while contemplating the very best terraced fields in the North. After that, let’s mount on our motorbikes and approach Phu Yen in Son La province. By 5 PM, we will arrive at the land with fantastic attractions such as Suoi Chieu Lake, Muong Tac Field, or Noong Cop Forest. This is where we will stay for the night.

Summary:

• Distance: 220 kilometers
• Accommodation: Standard Hotel
• Meals: B – L – D

Mai Chau is a promising destination for us on the seventh day of the trip. We will awaken our traveling enthusiasm by passing by Song Da Lake. Only after crossing the Da River by ferry can we have lunch in Moc Chau Plateau. This upland is home to 12 ethnic groups, so cultural diversity cannot be doubted. Here you can immerse yourself in the green of endless tea hills and pine forests.

Then, we will continue to follow Hua Tat road to reach Mai Chau valley at 4:30 PM. The valley attracts tourists with the distinctive cultural features of Thai people, verdant rice fields, silvery waterfalls, imposing mountain ranges, and mysterious caves. We will have an enjoyable night in Pom Coong with hospitable Thai people.

Summary:

• Distance: 150 kilometers
• Accommodation: Standard Hotel
• Meals: B – L – D

It’s already the last day of this fantastic journey, so let’s wake up a little earlier and wander around Mai Chau. Enjoying the fresh air and the tranquility amid the grandeur of nature is how we sweep away stress. At 10 AM, we will start returning to Hanoi. Memorable experiences are still available on the way back to the capital city as we will conquer Thung Khe and Doc Cun passes. We expect to reach Hanoi at 5 PM before the rush hour. That will complete our 8-day trip perfectly.

Summary:​

• Distance: 170 km
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch