Off-road Vietnam enduro tour from Hanoi to Vu Linh – 8 days

8/DaysHanoi → Mai Chau → Moc Chau → Sơn La → Mù Cang Chai → Tu Le → Vu Linh → Hanoi

Most tourists think of Vietnam as an excellent place for sightseeing. We are here to offer you something different. This S-shaped land is actually perfect for motorbike tours. A multitude of notable landmarks are off-the-beaten-track, and the best way to explore is by using a motorcycle.

An 8-day off-road enduro tour from Hanoi to Vu Linh will be your perfect start. This is the tour exploring the North of Vietnam, famous for terrifying dirt roads and passes. Incredible sceneries, unique cultures, impressive cuisine, and enormous challenges are all included in this journey. Let’s find out more about the itinerary and see if this is what you have always desired. We are pretty sure that it is.

  • Tour Grade : off-road
  • Total Distance : 1360KM
  • Hours of Riding per day : 3-5 hours
  • Support :
  • off-road
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Itinerary

DAY 1: FROM HANOI TO MU WATERFALL

8:00: We will assemble at the office of BM Travel Adventure for a short safety briefing and other instructions. Better safe than sorry, they say.

9:00: It’s time to set off on our wondrous journey. We will ride 20 kilometers from Hanoi’s center to the outskirts. Vast paddy fields and tranquil villages will replace the hustle and bustle of streets. Now you can see a typical rural life in Northern Vietnam.

10:30: We are supposed to encounter the Ho Chi Minh trail and join National Highway 6. After a short break, we will start to explore the very first off-road tracks. From here, we follow the Luong Son stream on a small trail and then weave through the modest villages of the Tay and Muong ethnic groups. The 25-kilometer off-road route may take us 1-2 hours to finish depending on the weather. It’s hard to avoid falling at least once when it rains. Once we meet Safe Zone road, we will move 5 kilometers along a stream before turning right to hit a path to Kim Boi.

1:00: We will come to a restaurant to have lunch before continuing the trip.

14:30: Since this is an enduro tour, we will try to have as many harsh yet exciting routes as possible. Now we will overcome another bumpy road along the stream that passes Bai Chao. For our own safety, we will do this only in the dry season. This is undoubtedly a tough challenge as we need up to half an hour just to ride 5 kilometers. Then we will get back to National Highway 6 and find the way to Cao Phong.

15:20: Cao Phong is famous for the imposing hills full of the most delicious oranges. So we will traverse the hills and a dreamlike stream. This is another severe 5-kilometer track, especially in the rainy season. Climbing the steep hill disadvantageous is hazardous.

16:40: Our crew will have 15 kilometers of easy riding on road 12B before hitting another 15-kilometer off-road track to Mu Waterfall in Hoa Binh province.

We will spend tonight at a homestay near the fall to recover energy and be ready for the next days.

  • Distance: 210 km (20-80 km enduro)
  • Accommodation: Homestay

DAY 2: FROM MU WATERFALL TO PU LUONG

On the first day, we enjoyed the mind-blowing beauty of silvery Mu Waterfall, and now we will continue our adventure. Our destination for the second day is Pu Luong in Thanh Hoa province.

8:30: After a hearty breakfast, we will go through the village to reach a stream and then an ancient forest that belongs to Pu Luong Natural Reserve. We will be moving on the dirt trail that local people use for logging and hunting days. We must support each other when it comes to moving upward.

11:45: Getting out of the forest, we found the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail. In 16 years (1959 – 1975), this is the route used to provide human resources, weapons, and food the support the Southern Liberation Army and Vietnam People’s Army. In short, Ho Chi Minh Trail contributed to the victory of Vietnam. It stretches from the North to the South and also crosses Lao and Cambodia. Now it has become a highway to serve transportation more effectively. We will have lunch at a restaurant on the way.

12:45: After lunch, we head to National Highway 12B. There will be two options available. The first choice is following this road to Lung Van and facing no considerable obstacles. The second one is taking a muddy trail back to Mu Waterfall. The latter route is the right choice for adventurous travelers.

15:45: After experiencing the exciting road back to Mu Waterfall, we will have to make our way to Lung Van a bit later. With an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level, Lung Van is known as one of the best spots for cloud hunting. You can snap some pictures here before riding to Thung Khe Pass.

17:00: Here we are on Thung Khe Pass, also known as White Rock Pass. From a distance, the pass can capture your attention immediately with its distinctive white color. You will need to drive with full attention here, although the superb view of Mai Chau Valley is irresistible.

17:30: If nothing changes, we can check in at our homestay in Mai Chau by this time. Then we can relax after an exhausting day.

  • Distance: 160 km
  • Accommodation: Homestay

Pu Luong, Thanh Hoa

DAY 3: FROM MAI CHAU TO MOC CHAU

8:30: We should wake up a bit earlier and take a walk to behold the beauty of Mai Chau in the morning. In this valley, we can find lovely villages of Thai people. Two renowned communities in this area are Lac and Pom Coong, where the cultural features are kept intact. The gorgeous landscape of towering mountains and large fields is another reason tourists keep visiting the site. After breakfast, we can leisurely come by the verdant fields and scenic streams before moving to Cun Pheo.

9:30: We start joining the 45-kilometer off-road track through villages of H’ mong people. This ethnic minority resides mainly in the Northern upland. We can see them in the high mountains where the weather is severe. The route offers both discouraging obstacles and remarkable sceneries. You will see tiny houses scattered on endless mountain ranges, which are covered by dense green forests. This enchantment will help reduce fatigue and give us the motivation to move on.

13:00: We will stop to have lunch on the highway along the border of Vietnam and Lao. Next, we will drive on a small road upward a mountain. As we reach the top, an incredible panorama will spread out with terraced fields, plum and peach trees, etc.

16:30: We expect to get to our hotel in Moc Chau sooner so we can have more time to explore this magnificent plateau. Moc Chau Plateau is no longer a new name to both foreign and domestic tourists. In the villages of H’ mong people, we can witness broad fields of colorful flowers. It’s advisable to visit Na Ka, Thong Cuong, Long Luong, and Ang villages as they have the most flower fields. Ban Ang pine forest and Dai Yem Waterfall are the highlights of this land.

Tonight, we will relax at a 4-star hotel with high-quality services. We deserve this after riding so long.

  • Distance: 140 km
  • Accommodation: Muong Thanh Moc Chau Hotel

Mai Chau to Moc Chau

DAY 4: FROM MOC CHAU TO SON LA

8:30: Fresh air in Moc Chau and a hot cup of coffee are probably enough to bring you a good mood. It’s time to continue our trip. Today we will ride about 200 kilometers, so prepare yourself!

To get out of the village, we will need to ride 10 kilometers on National Highway 6. If you are a real adventurer, today will be extremely exciting. We will have to conquer seventy kilometers of dirt tracks, which are strongly damaged by hundreds of trucks daily. On rainy days, the difficulty is doubled, so even professional riders have to struggle here. Don’t be anxious because you are escorted by experts that have many years of riding on the toughest terrains of the North.

13:30: The lunch today will be more delicious as we have just been exhausted fighting against the muddy slopes. After lunch, we will continue to overcome more streams and mountains. The terrifying tracks will end after we cross the bamboo bridge and find the National Highway. From now on, the way to Son La city will be more comfortable.

6:00: At last, we have come to Hanoi – Son La hotel to rest. The fourth day is full of memorable experiences, and now we know this trip is a real enduro tour.

  • Distance: 200 km
  • Accommodation: Son La Hotel

MOC CHAU TO SON LA

DAY 5: SON LA – MUONG LA – CHE TAO – MU CANG CHAI

8:30: We bet that you had a tight sleep last night after such a long day. But we should not waste any precious moments in bed. Wake up for a light breakfast and conquer new lands. You can enjoy a smooth ride around Son La city before accepting another dare of off-road routes. The back road will bring us to Son La Dam – the largest hydroelectric power station not only in Vietnam but in the whole of Southeast Asia. This sublime structure somehow represents the power and intelligence of humanity.

12:00: It’s lunchtime; let’s fill our stomachs with the most delicious local specialties.

13:30: Waiting for us this afternoon is a “death zone” for bikers in Vietnam. This is the site where all the adventurous riders want to come and show off their skills. There is no doubt that we have to exert ourselves with a 200% focus to subdue this challenge. It’s dangerous and exciting at the same time. We can assure you that this is the experience that you will never forget in your lifetime.

17:40: Yes, we have made it. We have proved that we are the champions. Let’s check in at our homestay in Mu Cang Chai and enjoy this triumph. Tonight we will stay at a traditional stilt house of the Tay people. The house is the way the tribes here deal with nature. By visiting their home, we can learn more about this ethnic group.

  • Distance: 190 km
  • Accommodation: Homestay

SON LA – MUONG LA – CHE TAO – MU CANG CHAI

DAY 6: FROM MU CANG CHAI TO TU LE

8:30: Take your time in the morning because today we have to ride only 80 kilometers. However, don’t underrate the route because the hardship is still unchanged. The landscapes of the North are truly exceptional support in this journey. Without them, it would be hard to keep trying.

12:00: After lunch, we will visit the renowned rice fields in Mu Cang Chai (Yen Bai province). This mountainous district is where you can find the most beautiful terraced fields in Vietnam. This is not just the pride of residents in this area but all Vietnamese people. The landscape here is so majestic that there are numerous pictures of it posted in different travel magazines around the world. In ripe rice seasons, Ma Pi Leng is even more enchanting.

We consider these terraced fields, one of the most impressive spectacles of Vietnam. As agriculture is significant to our country, these fields’ beauty shows our most valuable moral values – laboriousness, endurance, and cleverness.

Our trip will be continued with pristine forests, streams, and picturesque villages until we reach Tu Le town.

16:30: We will arrive at Tu Le and check in at a hotel here. You can rest in the hotel or climb to Khau Pha Pass to see the whole of Mu Cang Chai from above. Khau Pha is another one of the four greatest passes in Northern Vietnam. Besides the perfect view it offers, the pass is known for its extreme danger on foggy days.

  • Distance: 80 km
  • Accommodation: Hotel

MU CANG CHAI TO TU LE

DAY 7: FROM TU LE TO VU LINH – THAC BA LAKE

8:30: Hey! Let’s wake up and wander around the town to catch the miraculous moments in Tu Le. And don’t skip your breakfast because we are going to ride 200 kilometers most of the way is off-road. The first 15 kilometers on wide roads are not really difficult, but the next 30 kilometers are ready to strike you.

We will be moving on a trail connecting Yen Bai’s districts amidst high mountains and lush forests. Van Chan hydroelectric dam will tell us when the off-road part ends. And then we have to use a bamboo raft to bring our bikes across the Thia River.

12:30: We will stop for lunch before taking another 70-kilometer off-road track.

15:30: Our crew will traverse scenic cinnamon forests.

18:00: We are supposed to come to Vu Linh and Thac Ba Lake (Yen Bai province). The lake is dubbed “Halong Bay on the mountain” as there are up to 1300 islets of different sizes here. With an area of about 20000 hectares, Thac Ba is one of the three largest artificial lakes in Vietnam. There are up to 13 ethnic groups living around the lake (Cao Lan, H’ mong, Nung, Tay, etc.). In this area, we can visit other attractions like Thac Ba Temple, Thuy Tien Cave, or Cao Bien Mountain.

Tonight we will stay in a rustic homestay of Yao people. You will surely love their culture, not to mention the fantastic food here. Grilled fish, five-color sticky rice, smoked beef, and local rice wine – let’s try them all because we don’t always have such a good chance.

  • Distance: 200 km
  • Accommodation: Homestay

VU LINH – THAC BA LAKE

DAY 8: FROM VU LINH TO HANOI

8:30: This is already the last day of our 8-day enduro tour, but challenges will still be there waiting for us on the way back to Hanoi. Let’s mount on our motorcycles and venture into new off-road routes. We will keep encountering streams, forests, and tea hills after crossing the villages in Vu Linh. This part is 30 kilometers long, and then we will reach the Lo River. We will cross the river by ferry and follow the river bank to come back to the Hanoi center.

12:00: We will have a hot meal at a restaurant. After lunch, we keep going along Lo River until Red River appears in front of us. Red River is the largest river in the North, and it will lead us back to the capital city. The last 70 kilometers include both on-road and off-road tracks. We have another opportunity to behold the tranquility of the countryside before reaching the vibrant streets.

16:00: According to our plan, we will come back to the office before the terrible rush hour. That will be a perfect ending for our trip. To sum up, in these eight days, we have explored plenty of charming landscapes of the Northern mountains, made friends with ethnic minorities, and conquered the most challenging routes. We hope that this journey has ignited your love for Vietnam, and you will visit our country more and more in the future.

  • Distance: 180 km

VU LINH TO HANOI

Prices for guided off-road Vietnam Motorbike Tour

OFF-ROAD MOTORBIKE TOUR

HONDA XR150L

HONDA CRF250L

One person 190 USD/day/person 220 USD/day/person
Two people 140 USD/day/person 160 USD/day/person
Three people 130 USD/day/person 150 USD/day/person
Four people 120 USD/day/person 140 USD/day/person
Five people 120 USD/day/person 140 USD/day/person
Six people 115 USD/day/person 135 USD/day/person
Seven people 110 USD/day/person 130 USD/day/person
From Eight people 105 USD/day/person 125 USD/day/person

Includes

  • English Speaking Tour Guide 
  • Well-Maintained Bikes – Gasoline
  • Safe & Exceptional Routes – No Highway – 20% offroad per day
  • Good Accommodation: 2 – 3 star hotels or homestays based on twins – triple
  • All meals on tour.
  • 1 bottle of water per day.
  • All entrance tickets/ Permits to remote areas – ferry ticket

 

Excludes

  • Riding Gears
  • Personal insurance – Travel insurance (this is at your own risk)
  • Motorbike insurance to Cover any damages to the gear or the motorcycle
  • Air ticket – Visa fee 
  • Tip, Drinks, Beers, Wine 
  • Personal Expenses, and Other Expenses not described in the itinerary
  • Single Supplement for Single Occupancy
  • International Airport Pickup – Drop Off
  • Transportation from your hotel to the departure spot 
  • The Hotel at night Before / After riding

Notes:

  • For a group of from 
    • 5 riders, The professional Mechanic comes for free
    • 8 riders, Free 1 Night Ethnic Entertainment in Homestay (Under 8 riders USD 70 / 1 Ethnic Dance)
    • 12 riders and a Truck is free for escorting ( Under 12 riders, it will be USD 150 / 1 day )
  • A single stay will cost USD 30 / 1 night / 1 single room.
  • The cameraman costs  USD 180 / 1 day.  
  • If tours do not depart/ end at the departure spot, the surcharge for bike shipping to/ back to the departure spot is USD 120 / bike.
  • VAT Excluded from the price, VAT 10% will be added to the total price upon your REQUEST.

BOOKING CONDITIONS

  1. Deposits and Payment Policy
  • We require a deposit of 30% of the total upon confirmation of booking the tour. The remaining balance will be paid 45 days before departure. Your booking may be considered canceled if the full balance is not received by Vietnam Motorbike Tours Club by that time.
  • You can choose the payment method by money transfer or credit card payment with all bank transfer charges/ fees to be paid by you. 
  • After receiving your payment, we will issue you the final confirmation of the detailed itinerary and services via e-mail.
  1. Cancellation and Refunds
  • Vietnam Motorbike Tours Club takes no responsibility for any flight delays or scheduled changes at any stage throughout the trip. 
  • We have the discretion to change the itinerary or delay the tour due to weather, local conditions, politics, or various other reasons with our notification in advance.
  • During the tour, should you be found to break any of the rules without the prior exception from the tour leader, we have the discretion to cancel the tour with no refunds applied. 
  • During the tour, should your bike have minor technical problems, our guide/mechanic will attempt to fix it as quickly as possible. In the event that the bike can not be fixed within the day, we will endeavor to substitute a bike of a similar type to ensure your trip is not interrupted.
  • Should you have to cancel the tour due to special reasons, you may transfer your booking to another person. However, you will be liable for your nominee paying their monies in full.

Read full information at Booking Terms and Conditions