GREAT NORTHERN VIETNAM LOOP MOTORBIKE RIDE

Great North Ride Introduction

Vietnam Motorcycle & Motorbike Tours offers this exciting Great North motorbike ride for travellers who want to explore a complete loop through the spectacular mountains of Northern Vietnam. This 14-day Great North Ride is designed primarily for intermediate and experienced riders, although less-experienced riders can take a riding lesson in Hanoi before departure to build confidence and prepare for the journey.

This unique Northern Vietnam motorbike adventure takes you through some of the country’s most impressive mountain landscapes. You will ride high mountain roads across the Hoang Lien mountain range, explore the dramatic scenery around Sapa, and continue into the spectacular Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark.

Along the way, you will meet friendly and welcoming people from different ethnic communities, experience traditional cultures and lifestyles, and travel through remote villages that see relatively few tourists. The combination of challenging riding, spectacular mountain scenery, local culture, and quiet backroads makes this Great North Ride by motorbike an adventure you are likely to remember for a lifetime.

To get an idea of what our Great North motorbike ride is like, please watch the video below.

If you would like to watch more riding videos from our Vietnam motorcycle adventures, please check our YouTube channel.

GREAT NORTH RIDE DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi – Nghia Lo. (~180 km, ~7 h)

Today is the first day of our 14-day Great North Ride. Before leaving Hanoi, we have a short riding and safety briefing to explain the road rules, riding procedures, and what to expect during the journey. Our guide will also demonstrate the hand signals and body language we use while riding, making communication between the guide and riders easier on the road.

We leave Hanoi at around 9:30 am, after the busiest morning traffic has eased. The first section is relatively easy, following sealed roads through rural countryside. As we leave the city behind, the scenery quickly changes to agricultural land, small villages, and beautiful rice fields stretching along the road.

We gradually approach the main mountain range of Northern Vietnam, the Hoang Lien mountain range. The range is named after the hoang lien plant, which grows in the mountains, and is home to some of the highest peaks in Vietnam. We continue into the mountains toward Nghia Lo, our destination for the night.

Day 2: Nghia Lo – Than Uyen. (~140 km, ~6 h)

Today the riding becomes more challenging as we leave the easier roads behind and head deeper into the mountains. The route is wild, winding, and often bumpy, providing a very different riding experience from the first day.

We travel toward the spectacular Mu Cang Chai mountain massif, located between Hanoi and Sapa. This mountainous region is famous for its steep valleys, dramatic mountain scenery, and extensive terraced rice fields cultivated by local ethnic communities.

The higher we climb, the more impressive the views become. From the mountain passes, we can look across deep valleys and rugged peaks, with some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in Northern Vietnam surrounding us.

After a full day of riding through remote mountain country, we continue toward Than Uyen, where we spend the night.

Day 3: Than Uyen – Sapa – Ta Van. (~150 km, ~5 h)

We start the morning with a short walk or stroll before getting back on the motorcycles and continuing toward Sapa. The route takes us deeper into the Hoang Lien mountain range, with increasingly spectacular mountain scenery along the way.

Today is one of the highlights of the Great North motorbike adventure, combining excellent riding with dramatic landscapes. The winding mountain roads provide plenty of opportunities to stop for photographs and enjoy views of the valleys, forests, and surrounding peaks.

Rather than staying in busy and touristy Sapa, we continue to Ta Van Village, where we stay with the local Giay people. This is a great way to experience a more authentic side of the Sapa region, away from the main tourist centre.

A stay in Ta Van allows us to enjoy local food, traditional customs, and village life while spending the night in a peaceful mountain setting. It is an excellent combination of cultural experience and mountain motorbike riding.

Vietnam Motorcycle Motorbike Tours - Great North Ride: A real dirt track.

Day 4: Trekking to Fansipan day 1. Camping

Today we leave the motorcycles behind and begin our three-day Fansipan trekking adventure. We first ride back to Sapa, then take a jeep for approximately 3 km to Sin Chai Village, home to the Black H’mong people.

From Sin Chai, we start our hike into the mountains, following a rocky and increasingly steep trail toward our first campsite at around 1,900 metres above sea level. The trek takes approximately 4-5 hours, depending on the pace of the group and trail conditions.

This is a very steep and physically demanding hike, but the effort is rewarded with beautiful mountain scenery and a completely different experience from the motorcycle riding of the previous days. We spend the night camping in the mountains.

Day 5: Trekking to Fansipan day 2. Camping

Today is the most demanding day of our Fansipan trekking adventure. From the campsite at approximately 1,900 metres, we continue climbing toward the summit of Fansipan at 3,143 metres, the highest mountain in Vietnam and traditionally known as the “Roof of Indochina.”

The trail is long, steep, and challenging, and we expect to spend approximately 8-9 hours trekking today. After reaching the summit and enjoying the spectacular mountain views, we begin our descent back toward the campsite at 1,900 metres.

The mountain is home to a variety of wildlife, and depending on the season and conditions, we may encounter monkeys, snakes, and other wild animals along the trail. We should therefore remain alert and follow the instructions of our local trekking guide.

After this long day in the mountains, we return to our campsite for another night of camping on Fansipan.

Day 6: Trekking down from Fansipan day 3 – Sapa. Hotel

On the final day of our Fansipan trek, we descend from approximately 1,900 metres back to Sin Chai Village. The downhill trail can still be challenging, particularly after the long climb of the previous day, so we take our time and enjoy the surrounding mountain scenery.

Once we reach Sin Chai, a jeep takes us back to Sapa, where we check into our hotel and finally have the opportunity to relax and recover.

After three days of demanding trekking, a hot bath and spa treatment are the perfect way to refresh our tired muscles and prepare for the next stage of our Great North motorbike adventure.

Day 7: Sapa – Bac Ha – Xin Man. (~150 km, ~4 hrs)

After breakfast, we get back on our motorcycles and ride down to Lao Cai, where we visit the Lao Cai border gate with China. From Lao Cai, we follow Route 70 toward Bac Ngam, enjoying spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and river valleys along the way.

We then turn toward Bac Ha, riding up into the mountains for lunch. Bac Ha is home to several ethnic communities and is particularly well known for its H’mong villages and traditional mountain culture. After lunch, we take a short hike to explore some of the surrounding villages before continuing our motorcycle journey.

In the afternoon, we leave the main roads and follow a small mountain trail toward Xin Man. The route passes through remote, rocky countryside and can become muddy and slippery after heavy rain. In particularly wet conditions, the trail can feel like riding through a mud bath with the water buffalo!

Fortunately, the roads are now in considerably better condition than they were in the past, so this section is less challenging than it used to be. Despite the relatively short distance, the ride to Xin Man is one of the scenic highlights of the journey, with spectacular mountain landscapes, remote villages, and wild backroads throughout the route.

We arrive in Xin Man after a rewarding day of riding through some of the more remote areas of Northern Vietnam.

Day 8: Xin Man – Ha Giang. (~140 km, ~6 h)

We leave Xin Man and follow a quiet mountain road along the Lo River, riding through picturesque valleys and remote countryside. This is a superb section of the Great North motorbike ride, with very little traffic and plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the scenery.

As we continue toward Ha Giang, the landscape becomes increasingly rugged and remote. The following stages of our journey take us into the mountainous territories of several ethnic minority communities living near the Chinese border.

Because some areas of Ha Giang are close to the international frontier, we need to obtain the necessary local authorization or permit before entering certain border areas. Once the formalities are taken care of, we can continue deeper into this spectacular and culturally diverse region of Northern Vietnam.

Day 9: Ha Giang – Meo Vac. (~160 km, ~4 hrs)

Rise and shine! Today we head into the spectacular Dong Van Karst Plateau, one of the most dramatic landscapes in Northern Vietnam. Along the route, we pass several famous Heaven’s Gates, including Quan Ba, Yen Binh, and Dong Van. They are given this name because standing at these high mountain viewpoints can create the feeling of being close to the sky.

This is an incredible place to appreciate the enormous limestone mountains, vertical rock walls, deep valleys, and rugged karst formations. The scenery changes constantly as we ride deeper into this extraordinary landscape, creating the feeling of travelling through a magical mountain world.

We are surrounded by limestone rocks of all shapes and sizes as we continue toward Yen Minh, where we stop for lunch. Afterward, the scenic road climbs over another mountain pass before reaching Pho Bang, also known as Bang Street. This historic settlement is famous for its old multi-story houses built from clay bricks and topped with traditional tile roofs.

We visit some of our local friends from the Hoa ethnic community before continuing toward the Vuong Family Palace. The palace belonged to a powerful H’mong family during the French colonial period, and Vuong Chi Sinh became an important H’mong leader in the region.

The palace is particularly interesting for visitors interested in architecture and history because its design combines elements of European and traditional Chinese architecture. After exploring the palace, we continue toward Meo Vac, where we spend the night.

This is probably one of the best riding days of the entire Great North Ride in Vietnam, combining spectacular mountain roads, fascinating history, ethnic cultures, and some of the most dramatic scenery in the country.

Day 10: Meo Vac – Lung Phin – Bac Me

If we are lucky with the timing, we may have the opportunity to visit Lung Phin Market, a fascinating local market held according to the traditional Chinese lunar calendar rather than on a fixed weekend day.

The market follows the 12-animal lunar calendar, and Lung Phin Market is held on designated Monkey and Tiger days. This makes it very different from the more regular markets in Dong Van, Meo Vac, or Yen Minh.

Lung Phin Market is located on a hillside, and many local people walk considerable distances from remote mountain villages to attend. Some wealthier families traditionally arrive by horse, while only a small number of motorcycles make the journey from the lowlands.

The market offers a much more authentic glimpse of local mountain life and ethnic culture than the larger and more frequently visited markets. It is a great opportunity to see people from different communities gathering to exchange livestock, agricultural products, food, clothing, and everyday goods.

After leaving Lung Phin, we face approximately 70 km of rough and demanding mountain road. This section has traditionally been considered one of the roughest roads in Northern Vietnam, but for experienced riders it is also one of the most exciting parts of the journey.

The road is challenging, with rough surfaces, rocks, steep sections, and constantly changing terrain. It feels almost as though it was made for adventure motorcycling. So gather your energy, stay focused, choose your line carefully, and enjoy one of the most thrilling sections of the Great North motorbike adventure.

After this demanding ride, we continue toward Bac Me, where we spend the night.

Vietnam Motorcycle Motorbike Tours - Great North Ride: Ha Giang motorcycling

Day 11: Bac Me – Ba Be. (~80 km, ~3 h)

Yesterday gave you plenty of opportunities to develop your riding skills on rough and demanding mountain roads. Today, it is time to put those skills, techniques, and experience to the test on approximately 80 km of challenging forest roads.

This remote route has numerous branching tracks, and without an experienced local guide, it would be very easy to take the wrong road and get lost. Our guides know the area well and will lead you through the maze of trails as we climb over mountain passes and descend into deep river valleys.

During the dry season, this section can take approximately 3–4 hours to complete. During the rainy season, however, the same route can become much more challenging and may take 7–8 hours or longer, depending on the conditions. Mud, slippery surfaces, water crossings, and rough tracks all add to the adventure. The feeling of conquering the wilderness on a motorbike makes the effort worthwhile.

Along the way, we cross three rivers, each approximately 20–30 metres wide and around 70 cm deep. Our experienced guide will carefully instruct riders on how to approach and cross each river safely.

After the river crossings, the final 3 km becomes an easier and more enjoyable ride. We follow an open hillside road overlooking the Nang River, giving us a chance to relax and catch our breath before reaching our next stop.

We continue toward Dau Dang Waterfall, where we stop for lunch at the riverside restaurant. It is the perfect place to stretch our legs, recover from the challenging ride, and share stories from the day’s adventure with the restaurant owner, affectionately known to us as Mr. Pirate.

After lunch, we take a boat onto the tranquil waters of Ba Be Lake, one of Northern Vietnam’s most beautiful natural attractions. Depending on the group’s interests and available time, there is also an opportunity to swim, trek, visit Tay villages, and meet local people.

Day 12: Ba Be – Na Khan. (~50 km, ~2 h)

Today is a much more relaxed day, giving us time to recover after several demanding days of riding. We spend more time exploring the beautiful waterways of Ba Be Lake and, if our visit coincides with a market day, we can take a boat trip to visit a local market and experience the daily life of the surrounding communities.

Afterward, we continue exploring the area, with opportunities for a refreshing swim and a visit to a waterfall. We return to Dau Dang Waterfall for lunch, where Mr. Pirate, the local chef, welcomes us again.

After lunch, we can visit a nearby Tay ethnic village and a small local school. During the summer holiday, there may be only a few pupils at the school, offering an interesting glimpse into life in these remote mountain communities.

Later, we take a short motorcycle ride from the Ba Be area toward Na Khan, following a bumpy rural road through the surrounding countryside. Upon arrival, Mr. Lo, the village chief, welcomes us to his home, where we experience the warm hospitality of the local community.

Day 13: Na Khan – Thac Ba. (~165 km, ~6 h)

Today we leave Na Khan and ride toward Thac Ba Lake. Most of the route is now on sealed roads, making this a considerably easier riding day after the challenging forest tracks of the previous stages.

The first approximately 10 km, however, remains wild and bumpy, providing one final taste of the rougher roads before we return to easier riding.

As we continue toward Thac Ba, the scenery gradually changes from remote mountain roads to valleys, farmland, and rural villages. We eventually arrive at the home of our Dao ethnic friends, where we receive an exceptionally warm welcome.

Spending time with a local family is an important part of our Great North motorbike adventure. It gives us the chance to experience traditional hospitality and learn more about the daily life and culture of one of Northern Vietnam’s many ethnic communities.

Day 14: Thac Ba – Hanoi. (~160/ ~210 km, ~4 /~6 h) End of the great North ride.

On our final day, we leave Thac Ba and begin the journey back to Hanoi. We take an easy ride along the Chay River, following small dirt roads and riverbank tracks through peaceful villages inhabited mainly by the Kinh people.

The route passes through beautiful agricultural countryside, with maize and rice fields stretching across the valleys and hillsides. After nearly two weeks of riding through the mountains and remote border regions of Northern Vietnam, this final section provides a relaxing contrast to the more challenging roads we have experienced earlier in the journey.

Our guide will carefully plan the return journey so that we can reach Hanoi before the evening rush hour. Depending on the chosen route and road conditions, the final day covers approximately 160-210 km and takes around 4-6 hours of riding.

We arrive back in Hanoi and bring our 14-day Great North Ride adventure to an end. After two weeks of mountain roads, challenging trails, ethnic villages, spectacular landscapes, local homestays, and unforgettable riding, you will have experienced one of the most complete Northern Vietnam motorbike adventures we offer.

There are many other Great North motorbike rides in Vietnam that we can design to suit your interests, riding experience, available time, and expectations. Just contact us and let us discuss what we can create together.

14-day trip on motorcycles riding through North Vietnam in a big loop