9 Days Northern Vietnam Highlights Guided Motorcycle Tour

9 Days Northern Vietnam Highlights Guided Motorcycle Tour

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$1895

$1841

9 Days Northern Vietnam Highlights Guided Motorcycle Tour

9 Days Starting and ending in Hanoi, Vietnam

Visiting: Hanoi, Nghĩa Lộ, Sa Pa, Bắc Hà District, Hà Giang, Mèo Vạc District, Ba Bể District

Tour operator:

Motor Trails

Tour code:

VIK

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 12

Physical rating:

Medium, Low

Age range:

18-99

Special diets catered:

Regular foods

Tour operated in:

English , German

Interests:

Cultural

Activities:

Motorcycling, Sightseeing

Private Available:

Request A Private Tour

From: $1895 $1841 (USD) Tourhub's Discount: -$54

NB: Prices correct on 18-Feb-2025 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Have you always wanted to see beautiful Northern Vietnam by motorcycle, but didn't have the time to travel for three weeks? Then this is your chance. The high mountains of Northern Vietnam are inhabited by dozens of mountain peoples. All these peoples have their own tradition, language and costume. Via beautiful mountain roads we visit colorful markets and see the most special tribes.

Highlights

  • Cultural encounter: meeting Hill tribe people 

  • Mouth-watering Vietnamese cuisine  Karst Plateau Geopark - UNESCO World Heritage site

  • Mountain passes with twisty roads and gorgeous views

  • Urban-to-mountain exploration

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Arrival Hanoi

Location: Hanoi

Accommodation: Hotel

You arrive at Hanoi airport either in the morning or in the afternoon, depending on the airline. It’s a half-hour drive to the hotel in the center of the old town. Depending on your schedule and jet lag, you can explore Hanoi.

Day 2 : Hanoi - Nghia Lo

Location: Nghĩa Lộ

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Nghia Lo is a nice little town where you will encounter Dao and Hmong people. We will spend the night here. In addition to the charming restaurant at our hotel, there are also many other small restaurants and snack bars in the center where you can eat.

Day 3 : Nghia Lo - Sa Pa

Location: Sa Pa

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

We ride further north. The landscape is very beautiful here. On both sides of the roads there are green rice terraces built against the mountainsides. We ride through the mountains here, crossing over a few high passes. There are more Dao people in this area. We stop for lunch in the town of Than Uyen, after which it is another 60 km ride to Sa Pa. This is the highest pass of this trip. The views en route to the famous Sa Pa Pass are fantastic and the road has been improved recently. Sa Pa is the most touristy place we visit on this trip. However, since we avoid visiting during the weekend market we do not encounter too many tourists. Sa Pa is situated at an altitude of 1500 meters; during the French colonization it developed as a summer retreat to escape the oppressive heat in the lower parts of the country.

Day 4 : Sa Pa - Bac Ha

Location: Bắc Hà District

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

First we will head to Lao Cai to take a look at the Chinese border. The Red River separates the two countries here and a railway bridge connects them again. Across the river, one can see the tall buildings of the relatively-speaking much richer China. We follow the highway for only a few kilometres before joining a small country road that slaloms eastwards along the Chinese border. Our journey is with hilly curves, rice terraces and river views. We will end in Bac Ha, a typical Northern Vietnamese village located in a valley with vibrant peoples.

Day 5 : Bac Ha - Ha Giang

Location: Hà Giang

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Just north of Bac Ha we turn right onto a dirt road. Tourists never use this route nor is the road suitable for big traffic. The rocky highland between the two places gives rise to a very special landscape. We ride through a spectacular region studded with jagged rocks. The small Hmong villages along the way do not see many passersby. After a beautiful descent, we arrive in Xin Man and stop here for lunch. Just outside of Xin Man we cross the bridge and turn right. We follow the river to the village of Huang Su Phi. There are many Nung people here. Furthermore, there are many Nung villages en route. After a coffee break follows one of the most beautiful rice terrace regions of Vietnam. With each bend, there is yet another view of the beautiful green terraces. For the last section today, we follow the highway to the provincial capital of Ha Giang. One needs to watch out a bit in the busy traffic. We stay the night here in a resort on the river, just outside the center.

Day 6 : Ha Giang - Meo Vac

Location: Mèo Vạc District

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

We leave not too early for our ride through an exceptionally beautiful and unique karst mountain region. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, ‘Kart Plateau Geopark’ locally known as ‘Dong Van - Meo Vac', after the two largest villages. Immediately after Ha Giang, the road narrows and we climb over a beautiful ridge.
We take our time to experience and absorb the breathtaking landscape and the hardworking hill tribes that are able to grow maize in apparently impossible places.

Day 7 : Meo Vac - Ba Be

Location: Ba Bể District

Accommodation: Homestay

Meals Included: Breakfast

In the morning, we ride from Meo Vac to Bao Lac. This is a wonderful peaceful route through a rolling landscape covered with rice terraces. After lunch, we ride along narrow inland roads to Ba Be Lake which is located in the eponymous National Park.

Day 8 : Ba Be - Hanoi

Location: Hanoi

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

This is a long day’s ride back to the capital. In the morning the roads are quiet, but after Than Nguyen, it gets busier. It is the last stage of the trip but perhaps the most special one. For many participants, riding into the city in the massive traffic is a fantastic end to the trip.

Day 9 : Hanoi - Departure

Location: Hanoi

Meals Included: Breakfast

If you have not booked the extension for Ha Long Bay, then you will leave early in the morning to go to Hanoi airport for the flight back home.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    During this tour, we stay in a mix of accommodations from semi-luxurious to simple homestays.

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

  • Fully Guided

  • Motorcycle rental

  • Local English-speaking tour guide or mechanic on the motorcycle for 4 to 5 participants

  • Dutch-speaking tour guide on motorbike for groups of 6 or more participants.

  • Support car with local driver from 6 participants

  • Traveling mechanic in support car from 6 participants

  • Extensive travel manual

What's Not Included

  • Gasoline engines

  • Personal expenses

  • Visa costs

Accommodation

During this tour, we stay in a mix of accommodations from semi-luxurious to simple homestays.

Videos

Check out our Q&As

  • Medicines, illnesses and physical condition

    If you are dependent on medicines (such as insulin) or if you have certain limitations due to your health, you should inform the tour guide of this at the beginning of the trip. If you are not sure whether you can carry out the trip in a responsible manner with a certain illness or health problems, contact your doctor well before departure. Keep in mind that the journeys can be physically and mentally strenuous and that this can be reinforced if the weather conditions or other external factors influence the journey. We expect each participant to be well informed about the difficulty of the journey. You must declare that you are in sufficient good health to complete the trip successfully and without any problems (see bottom of this page). Motor Trails is not responsible for the consequences of your own health and physical condition during the trip. Of course, if possible we will assist you en route for long as possible, provided that the rest of the group does not suffer too much from this.

  • Clothing

    The climate is different at each destination. At the furthest tip of Tierra del Fuego it can be around freezing, whilst in Cambodia it is rarely below 25 degrees. It is wise, therefore, to base your riding gear on the local temperature. Regardless, the minimum equipment comprises: - Sturdy long (mountain) boots or motorcycle boots - Gloves - Sturdy (motorcycle) jacket with added protection at shoulders and elbow, with or without removable lining - Helmet - Sturdy long (motorcycle) trousers preferably with knee protection or motorcycle trousers Additional advice on clothing and riding equipment is available upon request.

  • Weather conditions and natural influences

    Our trips are planned as much as possible in the most favorable season. Nothing, however, is as unpredictable as the weather. Especially in the areas where Motor Trails organizes trips, the weather is an important factor in the experience of the journey. The weather can force us to take alternative routes, to adapt the program or, in the event of a very bad weather forecast and in consultation with the participants, to end the trip prematurely. Natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can also strongly influence the course of the trip. In this event, Motor Trails will offer alternatives and put these into practice in consultation with the group. Motor Trails is not in any way liable, however, for the consequences of these external influences on the trip. In such cases, Clause 9.5 of the General Terms and Conditions will come into effect.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Frank Moget  

The highlights were that it became more beautiful every day

29-Dec-2023

Contact with Motor Trails was great. The trip was better than expected, getting off the road and exploring unspoiled nature. The tour guides (mechanic, driver, tour guide) were great. The highlights were that it became more beautiful every day. I have no areas for improvement.

Reinier van Velden  

The tour guide was very good.

29-Oct-2023

The tour guide was very good. The accompanying crew was top notch. Occasionally they forgot to announce that there should be cold beer, but that was quickly resolved. I enjoyed Tuesday morning, asphalt and "no intersection" for a long time, which allowed me to make wonderful turns while riding at the front, Jeroen in tow. Thursday and Friday were the most beautiful days in terms of scenery and views, I think. I found the boat trip a welcome change, a nice chat with some of the participants. I actually have little to no areas for improvement. Kind regards and in January I will have drinks with a number of participants and discuss whether we will make a 2024 trip!"

Gea and André  

The trip was beautiful, varied roads, also off-road

01-Mar-2023

The contact with Motortrails was pleasant, good and clear. As an example, we had indicated that we would like to go to Halong Bay by motorcycle instead of by bus. Marco advised against this for various reasons and in retrospect he was right. (We didn't either). The trip was beautiful, varied roads, also off-road and a super beautiful area to drive. The tour guide was excellent, we already had experience with Marco and that was good. The intern Robert also did well, especially for the first time. Driver and mechanic in the support car also excellent. Helped with preparing everything for the lunches and were very friendly. My highlight was driving through such a beautiful area and meeting the locals. We had decided to go to Vietnam a day earlier to acclimatize, among other things. (Long flight, different temperature, etc.) We really liked that. Could be given as advice.

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Saturday - Sunday

Mar 15, 2025 - Mar 23, 2025
$1895 $1841 (USD)

Tourhub's Discount: -$54 (USD)

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Apr 12, 2025 - Apr 20, 2025
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Tourhub's Discount: -$54 (USD)

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May 17, 2025 - May 25, 2025
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Tourhub's Discount: -$54 (USD)

Saturday - Sunday

Sep 20, 2025 - Sep 28, 2025
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Tourhub's Discount: -$54 (USD)

Saturday - Sunday

Oct 18, 2025 - Oct 26, 2025
$1895 $1841 (USD)

Tourhub's Discount: -$54 (USD)

Saturday - Sunday

Nov 15, 2025 - Nov 23, 2025
$1895 $1841 (USD)

Tourhub's Discount: -$54 (USD)

Saturday - Sunday

Dec 06, 2025 - Dec 14, 2025
$1895 $1841 (USD)

Tourhub's Discount: -$54 (USD)

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Motor Trails requires a minimum deposit of 15% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 57 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of motor trails charges.

    Up to 57 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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