EXPLORE GREAT NORTH TOUR OF VIETNAM IN 16 DAYS

If you have enough time, join our Great North Tour by motorbike and experience some of the best and most remote landscapes in Northern Vietnam. This long-distance motorcycle adventure takes you close to the borders with Laos and China, following spectacular mountain roads, remote valleys, and little-traveled routes far away from the main tourist trails. Along the way, you will meet friendly ethnic minority communities, discover authentic rural cultures, and ride through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country. If you are looking for a genuine off-the-beaten-path Vietnam motorbike tour, come and ride the Great North with us!

Below is a video clip featuring some sections of this Great North Vietnam motorbike tour. It provides a glimpse of the roads, mountains, villages, and riding experiences along this extensive Northern Vietnam route. If you would like to watch more videos from our Vietnam motorbike tours and off-road adventures, please visit our YouTube channel.

GREAT NORTH TOUR DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau. (~170 km, ~5 hrs)

We leave Hanoi on National Highway No. 6, heading toward Mai Chau, a beautiful mountain valley inhabited mainly by the White Thai ethnic minority. Visiting Mai Chau allows us to experience traditional Thai culture, local hospitality, folk songs, and colorful customs. The approach to the valley is particularly scenic, with dramatic limestone mountains, green valleys, rice fields, and ethnic minority villages along the route. We also have opportunities to learn more about the traditional agricultural lifestyle of people living around the Red River Valley and downstream along the Da River.

After lunch, we have the afternoon to explore the area and climb toward the top of Thung Nhuoi Pass. From the pass, we can enjoy spectacular views over Mai Chau Valley, although clouds and mist sometimes cover the surrounding mountains. After taking in the scenery, we descend into the valley and explore more villages inhabited by the White Thai people.

In the evening, we enjoy a traditional local dinner and stay overnight in a beautiful village beside the river. After dinner, we can sit together around a fire and watch a traditional Thai music and dance performance. Dressed in traditional costumes, local Thai women invite visitors to join the Xoe dance, a lively cultural performance in which hosts and guests dance hand-in-hand to rhythmic music. During breaks, we can enjoy ruou can, traditional sticky rice wine shared from a communal jar. Experiencing Xoe dancing around a fire at night is one of those memorable cultural experiences that can stay with you long after the Vietnam motorbike tour is over.

Day 2: Mai Chau – Thung Man. (100 km, ~4 hrs)

Today is one of the more relaxed days of our Great North Vietnam motorbike tour, giving us plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and local communities without covering a huge distance.

We continue deeper into Northern Vietnam by following the old section of National Highway No. 6. This historic road has seen relatively little maintenance for many years, leaving it narrow, rough, and largely free from heavy traffic. The road winds over a series of hills and mountain passes, making the terrain challenging in places but also creating an excellent opportunity for riders who enjoy quiet and remote roads. Because transportation is limited, the route can feel almost deserted. If we are lucky, we may even encounter a horse-drawn or buffalo-drawn cart making its way along the road.

The journey also provides excellent opportunities to meet people from several ethnic minority groups, including Red Dao, Dao Tien, Muong, and Thai communities. The people living in these remote mountain areas are generally welcoming and maintain a simple rural lifestyle. Many families depend on cultivating upland rice, vegetables, and fruit, while traditional activities such as forest hunting have also played a role in local life.

Around midday, we stop for lunch near the top of a mountain pass. From this high viewpoint, there are impressive views across the Moc Chau Plateau and the Da River, providing a perfect opportunity to rest and enjoy the surrounding landscape.

The afternoon becomes more adventurous. After leaving the newer Highway No. 6, we turn onto a rough and winding mountain road and continue toward remote H’mong communities. The rocky and bumpy surface requires careful riding, but the challenge is rewarded with spectacular mountain scenery and opportunities to experience the colorful traditions of the H’mong people. This is where the Great North Tour begins to move firmly away from the main tourist routes and into the wild countryside of Northern Vietnam.

Day 3: Thung Man – Phu Yen. (130 km, ~4 hrs)

After breakfast, we say farewell to our hosts and continue deeper into the mountains to visit Thung Mai, one of the most remote and timeless H’mong villages in Northern Vietnam. Located at an altitude of more than 1,000 meters above sea level and surrounded by complicated mountain terrain, this isolated community has been home to H’mong families for nearly a century.

According to local history, H’mong people moved into this remote area after being forced to leave their former homes while trying to escape the French colonial authorities. Its difficult location helped the community remain isolated for generations and preserve many aspects of its traditional way of life.

It takes approximately one and a half hours of challenging mountain riding to reach the village. Once we arrive at the top, we discover a small and remarkably peaceful settlement of around 20 houses, many traditionally built with local stone, surrounding a small pond. The village feels almost completely separated from the modern world. There are no busy streets, karaoke bars, or crowds of motorbikes here. Instead, the local H’mong people continue to maintain their traditional culture, customs, and simple mountain lifestyle.

After lunch, we continue toward the scenic Moc Chau Plateau, where we have time to explore its beautiful grasslands and surrounding countryside. Moc Chau is famous for its rolling green hills, pleasant climate, forests, tea plantations, and fruit-growing areas. Clouds and mist frequently cover the plateau, creating a peaceful atmosphere and some excellent motorbike riding scenery in Northwest Vietnam.

We can also take a short walk to visit local dairy farms and learn more about Moc Chau’s famous dairy industry. Local dairy products are one of the area’s specialties, with production ranging from fresh milk to other processed products.

After exploring the plateau, we descend toward the Da River and use a local boat to cross the water. We then continue riding along the river toward Phu Yen Valley, one of the most attractive and prosperous areas inhabited by Thai communities in Northwest Vietnam. This peaceful valley provides a perfect place to finish another memorable day on our Great North Tour.

Day 4: Phu Yen – Tuan Giao. (210 km, ~6 hrs)

Our Great North Vietnam motorbike tour continues north toward Son La, following Route 113 through increasingly dramatic mountain scenery. The road passes through green valleys, agricultural areas, and spectacular terraced rice fields carved into the mountainsides. We cross the Bac Yen mountain area and continue through Chen Pass before reaching extensive areas of maize and manioc cultivation around the Son La Plateau.

After lunch in Son La, we take some time to visit the former French prison and provincial museum. These sites provide an opportunity to learn more about the region’s history and the important role Son La played during the colonial period and Vietnam’s struggle for independence.

After our historical visit, we prepare for another demanding section of mountain riding. The route takes us across several impressive passes, including Son La Pass, Chieng Pac Pass, and Pha Din Pass. Each pass offers different landscapes, winding roads, and spectacular viewpoints across the surrounding mountains and valleys.

The highlight of the afternoon is Pha Din Pass, one of the most famous mountain passes in Northwest Vietnam. Its name is traditionally associated with the meeting point between Heaven and Earth, reflecting the dramatic character of this high mountain road. The pass also forms part of the historical route toward Dien Bien Phu, the site of the decisive 1954 battle that marked a major turning point in Vietnam’s struggle for independence.

After enjoying the mountain scenery and viewpoints around Pha Din Pass, we continue toward Tuan Giao. We aim to arrive in time to enjoy the sunset over the surrounding mountains before settling in for the night.

Day 5: Tuan Giao – Sin Ho. (150 km, ~5 hrs)

Today we continue our Northern Vietnam motorcycle adventure along the remaining 98 km of historic Highway No. 6. The road can be rough and demanding, but the scenery is unbelievably beautiful. Seven high mountain passes cut through steep and rugged terrain, while the Da River flows around the foot of the mountains. This combination of dramatic passes, deep valleys, and river scenery creates some of the most impressive riding on the Northwest Vietnam motorbike route.

Another special part of traveling by motorbike through this remote region is the opportunity to meet local people along the way. Friendly smiles, waves from children, and greetings from villagers make the challenging roads much more enjoyable. We stop to visit communities of Black Thai, Kho Mu, Lu, Black H’mong, Green H’mong, and White H’mong, among many other ethnic groups living in the mountains. These stops allow us to discover their traditional lifestyles, colorful clothing, local customs, and unique cultures.

After lunch in Lai Chau, we may have the option of taking a local boat along the Nam Na River, depending on water levels and local conditions. The route takes us past steep rocks, peaceful villages, and green rice fields covering the surrounding hillsides. The boat is relatively small, but the experienced local boatman can navigate the river and make the journey both safe and adventurous.

After the boat trip, we continue by motorcycle toward Sin Ho, climbing farther into the remote highlands. The combination of challenging roads, ethnic minority villages, mountain scenery, and river landscapes makes this one of the most memorable sections of our Great North Vietnam motorbike tour.

Day 6: Sin Ho – Tam Duong – Sapa. (110-170 km, ~4-5 hrs)

Due to its remote location and elevation of around 1,700 meters, reaching Sin Ho is a challenging journey. The difficult terrain and limited access have helped local communities preserve much of their traditional way of life. Many aspects of the old mountain lifestyle are still visible today, with traditional customs, colorful clothing, and local cultures remaining an important part of everyday life. Because of its remote location, only a handful of travel companies regularly bring visitors this far into the Northwest Vietnam highlands.

Sin Ho is famous for its traditional mountain market and the remarkable diversity of ethnic communities found in the surrounding area. If our itinerary coincides with market day, we have a fantastic opportunity to see local people gathering from remote villages to trade, socialize, and wear their traditional clothing. Among the communities found here are Green H’mong, Black H’mong, White H’mong, Dao Dau Bang, and Lu, each with its own distinctive culture and traditions.

After exploring Sin Ho, we continue toward Tam Duong and then climb into the Hoang Lien Son mountains. We will enjoy a picnic lunch near the top of Tram Ton Pass, one of the most spectacular mountain passes in the Sapa area. The road offers dramatic views across steep mountains and deep valleys, making this one of the highlights of our Great North Vietnam motorbike tour.

In the afternoon, we have time to explore Sapa, a mountain town often surrounded by clouds and mist. We can enjoy a cup of local artichoke herbal tea, then take a walk through town to discover the local atmosphere and meet the people who have shaped the culture of this famous mountain region.

Sapa was established in the early 20th century as a hill resort for the French administration in Indochina and quickly became known for its cool climate. Today, Sapa’s spectacular mountain scenery, terraced rice fields, ethnic minority communities, and Hoang Lien Son landscape make it one of the most popular destinations in Northern Vietnam and an important highlight of this motorcycle adventure.

Day 7: Sapa – Bac Ha – Xin Man. (~140 km, ~4 hrs)

In the morning, we descend from Sapa to Lao Cai and continue toward the Lao Cai border area with China. We then follow Route 70 toward Bac Ngam, stopping along the way to enjoy spectacular mountain and river views and take photographs of the surrounding landscape.

From Bac Ngam, we head into the mountains toward Bac Ha, one of the most interesting destinations in the northern highlands. After lunch, we take a short hike through nearby H’mong villages, providing an opportunity to experience traditional rural life, see local homes, and learn more about the culture of the communities living in this remote region.

In the afternoon, we leave the main road and continue along a small and remote mountain trail toward Xin Man. The road becomes increasingly rocky, rough, and challenging, making this one of the more demanding sections of our Northern Vietnam motorbike tour. If rain arrives, the trail can quickly become muddy and much more difficult to ride. However, when conditions are dry, the combination of challenging riding and spectacular mountain scenery makes the journey especially rewarding.

Day 8: Xin Man – Thac Ba. (~170 km, ~6 hrs)

Another special day of our Great North Vietnam motorbike tour begins by heading south from Xin Man on a rough, rocky, and sometimes muddy mountain road. The route requires careful riding, particularly after rain, when some sections can become extremely slippery. Fortunately, after climbing toward the top of the mountain, we reach a better road and can enjoy a rewarding downhill ride through beautiful scenery, with rice paddies covering the steep mountainsides.

The weather plays an important role in this section of the journey. In heavy rain, some of these remote roads can become extremely muddy and difficult to pass. When conditions are favorable, however, the route provides an exciting off-road riding experience in Northern Vietnam, with spectacular mountain landscapes and opportunities to stop at small villages along the way. We take time to chat with local people and learn more about their traditional lifestyles and cultures.

After approximately three hours of riding, we reach a better but still small and relatively wild road. This section takes us through the Luc Yen area, where rice fields and dramatic limestone karst mountains create a beautiful backdrop for motorcycle riding. The combination of quiet roads, rural villages, and rugged scenery makes this a memorable part of the Great North route.

After lunch, we continue for another approximately 60 km toward a beautiful lakeside village inhabited by Dao Quan Trang people. We leave our motorcycles with the local families and board a small boat to cross the lake. Depending on weather and local conditions, there is time to relax and enjoy a swim before spending the night beside Thac Ba Lake.

Day 9: Thac Ba – Ba Be. (~160 km, ~5 hrs)

We leave Thac Ba Lake and continue through the peaceful countryside toward Tuyen Quang, riding past beautiful green tea plantations, small villages, and rolling hills. After a short section on National Highway No. 2, we leave the main road behind because the highway is relatively busy and less interesting for motorcycle touring. Instead, we turn onto quieter and more remote mountain trails, winding through forests and rural communities toward Ba Be National Park.

The route gradually becomes more scenic as we approach Ba Be, with forest-covered mountains, valleys, and traditional villages replacing the busier roads. Arriving at Ba Be National Park and Ba Be Lake, we settle in for the night with a local Tay ethnic family. From the homestay, we can enjoy beautiful views across the surrounding limestone mountains, rice fields, and the spectacular landscape around Vietnam’s largest natural freshwater lake.

Staying with a Tay family provides more than just accommodation. It is an opportunity to experience traditional Northern Vietnamese village life, enjoy local food, and spend the evening in a peaceful rural environment far from the tourist crowds. After another rewarding day of riding, Ba Be is the perfect place to relax before the more challenging mountain roads toward Ha Giang.

Day 10: Ba Be – Bac Me – Ha Giang. (~130 km, ~5 hrs)

We start early by putting our motorbikes onto a local boat for an approximately two-hour journey through Ba Be Lake and Ba Be National Park. This is a unique way to explore the park, with limestone cliffs, forested mountains, and quiet sections of the lake surrounding us as we travel by water. Eventually, we land beside a maize field, where we unload the motorcycles and continue toward the Nang River area.

After unloading the bikes, we enjoy breakfast at the Nang River restaurant and meet the owner, Mr. Pirate, who can provide useful local advice before we begin this challenging section of the Great North Vietnam motorbike tour.

The first 3 km follows an old hillside trail beside the Nang River. The road is relatively spacious and provides an enjoyable warm-up before the real challenge begins. After this initial section, we enter approximately 80 km of remote forest road. This is one of the most demanding parts of the Great North route, requiring concentration, riding skills, and good judgment. Without experienced guides, it would be easy to take the wrong branch because the forest contains approximately 16 different roads and trails.

The route climbs over numerous mountain passes and descends into deep river valleys. During the dry season, experienced riders may complete this section in around 3-4 hours, while wet-season conditions can increase the riding time to 7-8 hours or more. Mud, slippery surfaces, water crossings, and changing trail conditions can turn this into a genuine off-road motorcycle adventure in Northern Vietnam.

Along the way, we cross three rivers, each approximately 20-30 meters wide and around 70 cm deep, with our experienced guides helping riders choose the safest line through the water. Once this challenging forest section is completed, the final approximately 50 km toward Ha Giang becomes considerably easier, although several mountain passes remain before reaching the city.

Day 11: Ha Giang – Dong Van. (~160 km, ~4 hrs)

Today we enter one of the most spectacular sections of the Great North Vietnam motorbike tour. We ride through the famous Ha Giang mountain region, crossing several high viewpoints and mountain passes around Quan Ba, Yen Minh, and Dong Van. These areas are sometimes described as “Heaven Gates” because of their elevation and the feeling of riding high above the valleys.

The landscape changes dramatically as we enter the Dong Van Karst Plateau, with enormous limestone mountains, sheer rock walls, deep valleys, and unusual rock formations surrounding the road. Riding through this rugged terrain creates a genuine sense of adventure, as if we have entered another world. The winding mountain roads provide countless opportunities to stop, take photographs, and appreciate the scale of the Northern Vietnam highlands.

After lunch in Yen Minh, we continue along the spectacular mountain road toward Pho Bang, also known as Bang Street. This historic town is known for its traditional architecture, with old multi-story houses constructed from clay bricks and topped with traditional tile roofs. We take time to explore the town and visit local friends from the Hoa community, learning more about their history and culture.

We then continue to the famous Vuong Family Palace, a historic residence associated with the H’mong elite during the French colonial period. Also known as the H’mong King’s Palace, the complex is particularly interesting for its combination of Chinese and European architectural influences. The carefully designed buildings, courtyards, stone walls, and mountain setting make it one of the most fascinating cultural attractions along the Ha Giang route.

Finally, we ride into Dong Van Town for the night. After a full day of dramatic mountain passes, limestone landscapes, ethnic minority villages, and historic sites, we finish one of the most memorable riding days of the Great North Tour by motorbike.

Day 12: Dong Van – Cao Bang. (~140 km, ~5 hrs)

After saying farewell to Dong Van, we climb over the spectacular Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of the most famous mountain passes in Northern Vietnam. From the pass, you can enjoy breathtaking views over the Nho Que River, deep valleys, and the dramatic limestone mountains of the Dong Van Karst Plateau.

As we travel through these remote mountain areas, we will see how local communities have adapted to some of the most difficult living conditions in Vietnam. With very little arable land among the rocky mountains, many local families traditionally depend on corn as their main crop. Despite the harsh environment, the people are incredibly friendly, simple, and welcoming. Their resilience and strong connection with their communities are an important part of the experience of motorbiking in Northern Vietnam.

We continue following the river until reaching Regional Road 4C, close to the Chinese border. We then cross the Gam River by a traditional bamboo raft and enter Cao Bang province. Along the route toward Bao Lac, we have opportunities to visit villages inhabited by Lo Lo, Bo Y, Dao, Giay, and other ethnic minority communities.

The road improves as we continue along RC 4, with beautiful mountain scenery around Pac Lung Pass before reaching the Nguyen Binh valley. Green maize and rice fields provide a striking contrast to the surrounding limestone mountains.

From there, we continue over another series of wild mountain passes before reaching Cao Bang city for lunch. In the afternoon, we take a short walk around the city to discover traces of the French colonial period and hear stories connected with the turbulent history of the region during the 1940s.

Day 13: Cao Bang – Pac Bo – Tra Linh – Quang Uyen. (~100 km, ~4 hrs)

In the morning, we ride north from Cao Bang toward Pac Bo, passing through Nuoc Hai and Ha Quang. This scenic route takes us deeper into the remote countryside near the China-Vietnam border, with mountain roads, rural villages, and beautiful limestone landscapes along the way.

Our main destination today is Pac Bo Cave, an important historical site near the Chinese border. This is where Ho Chi Minh returned to Vietnam in 1941 after many years travelling abroad in search of a path toward Vietnamese independence. From this remote location, he lived and worked while helping lead the revolutionary movement.

While visiting Pac Bo, we have the opportunity to learn more about this important period in Vietnamese history and the simple life that Ho Chi Minh lived in the area. We also stay with a local family, where we can share stories with older generations who have memories and family stories connected with Uncle Ho and his time in this region.

The combination of mountain motorbike riding, local culture, and Vietnamese history makes this section of the Great North Tour particularly interesting.

Day 14: Quang Uyen – Ban Gioc – Ha Lang. (~120 km, ~4 hrs)

We continue riding along the China-Vietnam border, passing through a spectacular landscape of enormous limestone karsts, deep valleys, and remote mountain villages. Along the way, we visit communities of Nung and Tay ethnic people, two of the major ethnic groups living in Cao Bang province. Their traditional culture, language, architecture, and way of life add another fascinating dimension to this Northern Vietnam motorbike adventure.

Our destination is Ban Gioc Waterfall, one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Vietnam. Located directly on the border between Vietnam and China, the waterfall is surrounded by dramatic limestone mountains and the beautiful Quay Son River. During the rainy season, the increased water flow makes the falls particularly impressive.

While at Ban Gioc, we take a traditional bamboo raft ride to enjoy a closer view of the waterfall and surrounding scenery. We also stop for a picnic lunch before continuing our journey.

The afternoon brings another memorable section of motorbike riding along the Quay Son River, with China visible across the water. We then turn south toward Ha Lang, riding through quiet countryside and remote villages before arriving at a local guesthouse for the night.

This is one of the most scenic sections of the Great North Tour by motorbike, combining spectacular mountain roads, ethnic minority villages, border landscapes, and one of Vietnam’s most famous waterfalls.

Day 15: Ha Lang – Mau Son. (~180 km, ~6 hrs)

In the morning, we hike into several Tay ethnic minority villages located in one of the wildest areas along the China-Vietnam border. Local families warmly welcome visitors into their traditional stilt houses, where you can learn more about their daily lives, customs, and rich mountain culture.

We continue exploring villages around Quang Uyen, an area with an important role in the history of the First Indochina War. In the 1950s, the Viet Minh defeated French forces around Dong Khe and along the historic Colonial Route 4 (RC4). As the French attempted to retreat through the jungle toward Lang Son, they were caught in an ambush around Coc Xa, where thousands of French soldiers were captured.

At the time, the Viet Minh had no large prison facilities available, so many prisoners of war were temporarily held by local families. Some prisoners worked alongside local people in the rice fields, creating a remarkable and often overlooked chapter of the region’s wartime history.

After exploring the area, we continue our Northern Vietnam motorbike adventure through spectacular mountain landscapes. Along the way, friendly local people greet us with smiles and waves, making the long ride even more enjoyable.

Near the junction of the Bac Vong and Bang Giang rivers, we reach the Thuy Khau border gate, whose name means “river mouth border gate.” From here, we cross the Bang Giang River and continue toward Dong Khe valley, another important battlefield associated with the Viet Minh and local forces.

We then follow the historic RC4 road toward That Khe and Lang Son, stopping at several former battlefields along the way. Near Lang Son, we visit the Huu Nghi Friendship Border Gate and Dong Dang town, an important trading centre close to the Chinese border.

Finally, we leave the lowlands and climb toward Mau Son Mountain, reaching an elevation of approximately 1,542 metres above sea level. With its cool climate, winding mountain roads, and spectacular scenery, Mau Son is sometimes compared with Sapa. In the late afternoon, we can relax and enjoy the sunset from the mountain, with views extending toward China.

Day 16: Mau Son – Hanoi. (~180 km, ~5 hrs) End of Great North Tour by motorbike.

After breakfast, we begin our descent from Mau Son Mountain. Along the way, we make a short stop to visit Dzao Ta Pan and Nung Phan Sinh villages, located on the surrounding hillsides. These communities have preserved many traditional customs and are well known for their local products and hospitality.

We also have the opportunity to visit a family involved in traditional rice wine production. For hundreds of years, Mau Son wine has been one of Lang Son’s best-known specialties. The distinctive local liquor is enjoyed throughout Vietnam and has also been traded across the Chinese border.

Continuing toward Lang Son city, we can stop to explore several war relics and historical sites or visit the Huu Nghi International Friendship Border Gate. The border area is an important commercial centre, with a wide variety of goods traded between Vietnam and China.

From Lang Son, we begin the final leg of our Great North Tour by motorbike, following National Highway 1 toward Hanoi. We pass through the historic Chi Lang Pass, surrounded by steep limestone mountains and associated with several important battles in Vietnamese history. If time allows, we can stop at the Chi Lang historical vestige before continuing south.

We arrive back in Hanoi at around 4:00 pm, before the evening rush hour, bringing our 16-day Northern Vietnam motorbike adventure to an end.

Contact us at [email protected] for more details, route options, and booking information about this Great North Tour by motorbike from Hanoi.