Author: David

Embarking on a motorcycle tour from Hanoi to Danang and Hoi An, passing through diverse landscapes and historical sites, promises an exhilarating adventure. As you ride, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate the scenic beauty and the thrill of riding through these distinct regions of Vietnam.

We start your journey in Hanoi, the bustling capital known for its rich history and vibrant culture. Before hitting the road, take some time to explore the city’s landmarks, such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Old Quarter.

Heading west to Mai Chau, a serene valley surrounded by lush greenery and inhabited by the Thai ethnic minority. The peaceful landscapes and cultural encounters make Mai Chau a delightful stop on your motorcycle tour.

We ride south to Vinh, a city blending historical significance and modern development. Explore attractions like Ho Chi Minh Square and the ancient Citadel before continuing your journey.

Venturing further south to Phong Nha National Park, home to stunning karst landscapes and impressive cave systems, including the famous Son Doong Cave. Explore the natural wonders and enjoy the scenic ride through the park.

We Continue your journey west to Lao Bao, a border town known for its cross-border trade. The ride offers a change in scenery as you approach the border with Laos.

Now, heading southeast to the ancient city of Hue, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the Imperial City, visit the historic Hue Citadel, and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of this former capital.

Ride south to Danang, a coastal city known for its beautiful beaches and modern infrastructure. There is also the Hai Van Pass to ride on. Explore the Marble Mountains, enjoy the coastal scenery, and experience the dynamic atmosphere of this growing city.

Before reaching Hoi An, detour Da Nang if time allows, this coastal city offers a mix of modern attractions and cultural sites, including the Dragon Bridge and the ancient town of Hoi An.

Our tour concludes your adventure in Hoi An, where you can relax, reflect on your journey, and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of this enchanting town.

Throughout this motorcycle tour, you’ll experience the joy of riding through diverse landscapes, from the mountains of Mai Chau to the coastal beauty of Danang and Hoi An. It’s a journey that combines the thrill of motorcycle exploration with each destination’s cultural richness and historical significance.

Map

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival – Hanoi

Today, our Team will pick you up on the arrival day at a pre-arranged time, at the Airport or your Hotel if you are in the country already. We will take you to your Hotel for Check-in. Around 5:00 pm, we will meet for a riders’ briefing, meet your bike and the crew, and then head out to a specially picked local restaurant to share traditional Vietnamese food to get you started on your Vietnam adventure.

Day 02: Hanoi to Mai Chau (RIding Day 1 – 200 km)

Although the traffic in Hanoi gets really busy, we’ll start at the city’s edge, quickly leave the traffic behind, and enter the countryside towns to the south. After a couple of hours of small towns and farmland, we’ll be able to see the mountains ahead. As we enter the area of the White Thai tribe, we’ll stop for some hill tribe-style lunch in a traditional wooden-framed building. As the road twists through the jungle-covered mountain, we’ll continue further into the mountains. We’ll stop at the top of White Rock Mountain for a stunning view across the Mai Chau Valley, set amongst small villages of wooden stilt houses and traditional farming families. There, we can watch the sunset over the rice paddies and mountains.

Day 03: Mai Chau to Vinh (Riding Day 2 – 300 km)

We start the day by heading down the valley through the small villages and farms and passing through the chopstick-making village of Co Luong. Next is a ride through Pu Luong National Park, with incredible stepped rice paddy terraces up steep cliffs and a thick bamboo forest. Following that, we’ll join the Ho Chi Minh Trail going south through rolling hills and peaceful farmland and stop for a local-style lunch at one of many roadside rest areas. Beautiful beaches, countless shrimp farms, and small fishing villages are found along the coast. As we get to Vinh City, we’ll finish relaxing by the pool at our hotel.

Day 04: Vinh to Phong Nha National Park (Riding Day 3 – 210km)

We start with tanks, missiles, planes and other military vehicles parked up at the Vinh Museum and from here, we’ll head to Dong Loc junction, the official start of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Following the trail, you can see all types of countryside and farming styles in the small villages. We’ll stop for a local-style Lunch on the lake and then continue along the Ho Chi Minh trail. The road starts to climb into the mountains and eventually reaches the limestone karst formation mountains that mark the edge of Phong Nha National Park. Finishing our ride with some of the most amazing mountain scenery in Vietnam, we will reach the Farmstay in time to watch the sunset over the rice paddies.

Day 05: Phong Nha Adventure Day (Riding Day 4 – 100 km or not)

Adventure Day (Phong Nha Farmstay) Approx. 100km or can book any 1-day Phong Nha based activity. Today is a full day of exploring Phong Nha National Park, riding through magnificent limestone karst mountains and pristine jungle. You can explore the Khe Gat runway strip, hidden in the mountains and walk a whole km through the Paradise Cave, one of the most beautiful underground environments in the world. This is a great chance to ride along the famous Victory Road, which was so crucial to the Vietnamese war effort. Later, a boat trip takes us along the beautiful Con River into the Phong Nha Cave. Finally, it’s back to the farmstay to watch the sunset over the rice paddies with a cold iced beer!

Day 06: Phong Nha to Lao Bao (Riding Day 5 – 250 km)

We follow the historic Victory Road through the jungle and out towards the Laos border through Phong Nha National Park, a UNESCO Heritage area of natural beauty. Next, we’ll join the Ho Chi Minh Trail West road. One of the best roads in Asia for bikers, this road should be on everyone’s bucket list. As we start the giant limestone Karst formation mountains, we can stop for lunch in a small hill tribe town. In the seemingly endless mountains and jungle, you can see small wooden stilt house villages where the tribes live in a peaceful traditional style. After that is an 1100-metre climb over a mountain pass in an untouched jungle, followed by a visit to the Khe Sanh combat base. The longest battle of all the wars in Vietnam took place here, and we can see tanks, helicopters, and planes still sitting on the runway, as well as a small museum. Finally, just a short ride through the coffee farms brings us to Lao Bao.

Day 07: Lao Bao – Hue (RIding Day 6 – 240 km)

We begin by following Route 9 past the remains of many US bases and out of the mountains. Then, we start to cross the DMZ itself, which is now covered in rubber plantations and pine trees. We’ll visit the 17th Parallel marker and see the famous Hien Luong Bridge. Heading down to the coast, you’ll get a chance to see the incredible underground tunnel network at Vinh Moc village. The entire village lived underground for 8 years to escape the American bombing! A truly amazing place. Following that will be a local style lunch at Vinh Moc, and then we’ll track the coast through small fishing villages and aqua-farming ponds. After crossing the beautiful Tam Giang lagoon, we’ll take the small back roads into Hue City, where a cold beer awaits us at the hotel!

Day 07 Hue to Danang / Hoi An (Riding Day 6 – 120 km)

Begin the day with a visit to the imperial citadel of Hue, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the last emperors of Vietnam. Heading out of the city, you’ll quickly find yourself back in endless rice paddies and riding small roads through the countryside, where you can see the massive square fishing nets spread across the giant Tam Giang lagoon system. Afterwards, we’ll visit the City of Ghosts, Vietnam’s most luxurious cemetery, followed by lunch on the beach. Next is a real treat: a short ride down the beautiful Lang Co Bay brings us to the incredible Hai Van Pass, where 21 kilometres of sweeping bends over 500 metres of jungle-covered mountain gives us the most amazing coastal views in central Vietnam. Finally, it’s back to base for a cold beer!

Tour Dates:

Prices (USD) US Dollars

2 people / 1 vehicle / 1 shared room: From $1544.00 per person

2 people / 2 vehicles / 1 shared room: From $1,685.00 per person

1 person / 1 vehicle / 1 single room: From $1,860.00 per person

1 person / 1 vehicle / 1 shared room: From $1,685.00 per person

Private Tour From $350.00 extra

Inclusions and exclusions

The above information should be taken as a guide only as things can change. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Embarking on a motorcycle tour from Hanoi through the scenic routes of Vietnam is a thrilling adventure. Starting in Hanoi, the bustling capital, you’ll soon find yourself immersed in the beauty and culture of the country. We begin our journey in Hanoi, where the chaotic streets and historic landmarks create a vibrant atmosphere. Take some time to explore the city’s rich history, perhaps visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum or the Old Quarter before setting out on your motorcycle.

Heading west towards Mai Chau, known for its stunning landscapes and the hospitality of the Thai ethnic minority. The picturesque valley, surrounded by lush greenery, offers a serene riding experience.

Continue your journey south to Phu Yen, a province known for its pristine beaches and peaceful countryside. Enjoy the coastal scenery as you ride along the roads.

Venture into the mountainous region of Mu Cang Chai, renowned for its terraced rice fields that create a breathtaking mosaic on the hillsides. The winding roads offer both a challenging and rewarding riding experience.

Riding northwest to Sapa, a town nestled in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Explore the vibrant markets, encounter diverse ethnic groups, and soak in the stunning views of the terraced landscapes.

Heading to Bac Ha, known for its colourful Sunday market and the ethnic diversity of the Flower H’mong, Phu La, and Dao Tuyen people. The vibrant atmosphere and unique cultural experiences make it a must-visit.

Travel through the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark to reach Quan Ba, where the iconic Twin Mountains (Tam Son) dominate the landscape. The challenging roads and dramatic scenery make this leg of the journey memorable.

Explore the town of Dong Van, surrounded by rugged mountains and unique geological formations. The Ma Pi Leng Pass offers breathtaking views of the Nho Que River winding through the valley.

Head southeast towards Ba Be Lake, Vietnam’s largest natural freshwater lake. The serene surroundings and the opportunity to experience the local culture of the Tay ethnic group add a tranquil touch to your adventure.

Conclude your journey by riding back to Hanoi, reflecting on the diverse landscapes, cultural encounters, and the sense of freedom of exploring Vietnam on a motorcycle.

Throughout this motorcycle tour, you’ll not only enjoy the thrill of the ride but also have the chance to connect with the rich history and diverse cultures that define Vietnam. It’s a journey that combines the joy of motorcycle riding with exploring unique and historical places.

Map

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival – Hanoi

Today, our Team will pick you up on the arrival day at a pre-arranged time, at the Airport or your Hotel if you are in the country already. We will take you to your Hotel for Check-in. Around 5:00 pm, we will meet for a riders’ briefing, meet your bike and the crew, and then head out to a specially picked local restaurant to share traditional Vietnamese food to get you started on your Vietnam adventure.

Day 02: Hanoi to Mai Chau (Riding Day 1 – Approx 200 km)

Although the traffic in Hanoi gets really busy, we’ll start at the city’s edge, quickly leave the traffic behind, and enter the countryside towns to the south. After a couple of hours of small towns and farmland, we’ll be able to see the mountains ahead. As we enter the area of the White Thai tribe, we’ll stop for some hill tribe-style lunch in a traditional wooden-framed building. As the road twists through the jungle-covered mountain, we’ll continue further into the mountains. We’ll stop at the top of White Rock Mountain for a stunning view across the Mai Chau Valley, set amongst small villages of wooden stilt houses and traditional farming families. There, we can watch the sunset over the rice paddies and mountains.

Day 03: Mai Chau to Phu Yen (Riding Day 2 – Approx 160 km)

Leaving Mai Chau, we’ll get a great view over the vast Hoa Binh lake. Then, it’s off to a hidden waterfall for a photo, followed by the high mountain roads of Moc Chau around the hundreds of tight bends and steep cliffs. We’ll stop for White Thai-style food for lunch at a local restaurant before heading down a beautiful valley to reach the banks of the giant Da River Lake, which we’ll cross by ferry. The road twists and turns its way along the banks of the lake past small fishing and farming villages. Expect to see the local people using small horses to carry their goods to market. Finally, we’ll pass back into rice farming areas as we make our way to our hotel at Phu Yen.

Day 04: Phu Yen to Mu Cang Chai (Riding Day 3 – Approx 180 km)

We begin with a trip over the Lung Lo Mountain Pass, where the Viet Minh made their way west to defeat the French in 1954. As we head north, the mountains get steeper, and we’ll have the opportunity to enjoy countryside views. From here, we can climb up to a sleepy hill tribe village at the top of a mountain to get great views Next, we’ll have lunch at a hill tribe restaurant in Nghia Lo. As we continue north, the hills become steeper, and the terraced rice paddies get steeper. This area has some of the best scenery in Vietnam. We’ll arrive at our traditional hill tribe accommodation in a wooden stilt house surrounded by rice paddies and mountains, where local food & cold beer will complete the day.

Day 05: Mu Cang Chai to Sapa (Riding Day 4 – Approx 140 km)

The mountains get bigger, and the road gets windier as we continue north. We’ll finally come to the incredible O Quy Ho pass, the biggest climb of our tour. We’ll stop at the top, at 2035 meters and enjoy some fresh tea and dried buffalo meat with the local hill tribe folk who live up there. As we come down the other side of the mountain, we’ll stop for photos at the impressive 100-metre Silver Waterfall. Continuing, you’ll get views over the amazing Cat Cat Valley and Vietnam’s highest mountain, Fan Si Pan. Finally, we’ll arrive in Sapa for lunch, and then the afternoon is free to explore the town. Optional: ride the world’s longest cable car ride to the top of Fan Si Pan mountain (3140 metres), the highest point in Vietnam.

Day 06: Sapa Adventure Day (Non Riding Day)

Today is free to explore the town and visit the local markets. If you didn’t yesterday, today, you can visit the world’s longest cable car ride to the top of Fan Si Pan mountain at 3140 meters, the highest point in Vietnam.

Day 07: Sapa to Bac Ha (Riding Day 5 – Approx 170 km)

To start the day, a steep, winding road leads us off down the mountain to the busy border town of Lao Cai, where we can stop at the busy Chinese border gate. Following the border, the road twists and winds along the high peaks and steep valleys. You can see stepped rice paddies everywhere and tiny wooden houses halfway up the slopes. We’ll wind along the side of the giant Chay River dam and then head towards Bac Ha town, which is famous for its hill tribe markets. Here, the many different tribes of the area can be found bartering and swapping their goods.

Day 08: Bac Ha to Quan Ba (Riding Day 6 – Approx 240 km)

The palace of King Hoang A Tuong is well preserved on the outskirts of Bac Ha. He ruled the hill tribes of the area with French permission as he controlled the trade routes out of the mountains—notably the opium trade. You’ll see more mountains, countryside, hill tribe villages, and more. Heading into the giant Karst formation mountains of Ha Giang province, we’ll reach the top of Bac Ha mountain pass. As we head towards the beautiful Quan Ba mountains, you’ll see small roads and limestone Karst formation mountains. Also known as ‘Heaven’s Gate’, this area is famous for secret grottos, caves, and colourful plum and peach trees. As you look over the valley, you’ll be greeted by the two amusingly shaped hills famously known as the ‘stone breasts.’ Our rooms are in a traditional Red Dao village where a local Dao family will look after you.

Day 09: Quan Ba to Dong Van (Riding Day 7 – Approx 140 km)

To the north, the road is like a rollercoaster winding over the Karst formation mountains up towards China. Along the way, we’ll visit the old palace of the Hmong emperor. Surrounded by steep cliffs, the Hmong were unassailable to both French and Chinese. We’ll follow all the way to the Lunc Cu tower, which marks the northernmost point In Vietnam. Climbing the tower gives you views across the border into China. Next to our hotel is the old French fort set on top of a high cliff. The stairs are steep and many, but it’s worth it for the area’s panoramic views.

Day 10: Dong Van to Ba Be Lake (Riding Day 8 – Approx 240 km)

We’ll leave on the Ma Pi Leng mountain pass, climbing over 1500 metres, surely one of the best roads in Vietnam. We’ll make many stops to look out over the steep cliffs and high valleys. Heading south will take us on small roads through steep-cliffed mountains. Carrying on, we’ll head into Ba Be National Park and go to the wooden stilt house we will stay in. We may have time to jump on a boat to explore the lake. Waterfalls, caves, jungle, and mountains make this a truly beautiful place.

Day 11: Ba Be Lake to Hanoi (Riding Day 9 – Approx 230 km)

Leaving the lake, we have hills and countryside for the first half of the day. In the afternoon, you’ll gradually see the towns get bigger and the roads more crowded, but we’ll take the easiest route back to the city. We finish the tour with a nice cold beer when we reach the city centre!

Tour Dates:

Prices (USD) US Dollars

2 people / 1 vehicle / 1 shared room: From $2,185.00 per person

2 people / 2 vehicles / 1 shared room: From $2,390.00 per person

1 person / 1 vehicle / 1 single room: From $2,640.00 per person

1 person / 1 vehicle / 1 shared room: From $2,390.00 per person

Private Tour From $500.00

Inclusions and exclusions

The above information should be taken as a guide only as things can change. If you have any questions, please contact us.