Vietnam Central & North Motorcycle Tour | 23 Days

Today you become familiar with your motorcycle during a relaxed ride through the countryside around Hoi An. Your destination is My Son Sanctuary, the religious centre of the ancient Champa Kingdom. Built between the 4th and 12th centuries, more than 70 Hindu temples once stood here, dedicated to the god Shiva. Although many were damaged during the Vietnam War, My Son remains one of the country's most important archaeological sites and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Back in Hoi An, you have free time to explore the old town, enjoy a coffee or experience the atmosphere after sunset when thousands of lanterns illuminate the streets.

Leaving Hoi An, you ride north via Da Nang. Along the way you visit the Marble Mountains, where caves were used as shelters during the Vietnam War. Today local craftsmen create marble sculptures using traditional techniques. The route then climbs the famous Hai Van Pass, one of Vietnam's finest motorcycle roads. The pass offers sweeping views over the coastline, mountains and the South China Sea. In the afternoon you arrive in Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Here you visit the Imperial Citadel, including the Forbidden Purple City, once reserved exclusively for the emperor and his court.

Today's ride combines history with coastal scenery. Your first stop is the Vinh Moc Tunnels, where around 60 families lived underground during the Vietnam War to escape continuous bombing. Remarkably, 17 children were born inside the tunnel system. After exploring the tunnels, you follow the Ben Hai River, once the border between North and South Vietnam at the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). A monument marks this important chapter in Vietnam's history. Later you continue along the coast to Dong Hoi. Almost completely destroyed during the war, the city has been rebuilt and is now known for its beaches, lively markets and excellent Vietnamese coffee.

Today you ride into Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Vietnam's most important natural areas. Part of today's route follows a quiet section of the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail, once used as a military supply route during the Vietnam War. Today it offers peaceful riding through forested mountains and rural landscapes. In the afternoon you take a boat trip through the famous Phong Nha Cave, part of one of the world's largest cave systems, known for its underground rivers and limestone formations. Tonight you stay in a small village close to the national park, surrounded by nature.

The journey continues along one of the most historic roads in Southeast Asia: the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Once a secret military supply route through dense jungle during the Vietnam War, it is now one of the country's finest motorcycle roads. The route winds through the mountains alongside Vu Quang National Park, an area of dense forest and remote villages. Along the way you pass small communities of the Muong people, who have lived in this region for generations. Expect a full day of quiet roads, mountain scenery and very little traffic.

Today's ride continues north on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, following winding roads through forests, farmland and small villages rarely visited by tourists. The landscape changes constantly as you cross low mountain ranges and ride through remote rural areas where daily life has changed little over the years. This is a side of Vietnam few visitors ever experience. By late afternoon you arrive in Vinh for the night.

Leaving Vinh behind, the route continues north on quiet back roads through rice fields and small farming communities. The Ho Chi Minh Trail becomes narrower as you pass rubber plantations, tea fields and farmland. Along the way you will see farmers working with water buffalo, children cycling home from school and everyday village life unfolding beside the road. One interesting feature of this region is the large number of churches, reflecting its long Christian history. By the end of the day you reach Tam Coc, one of the highlights of northern Vietnam.

Today the motorcycles stay parked while you discover Tam Coc from the water. A traditional rowing boat takes you through a landscape of limestone cliffs, caves and rice fields. Often referred to as "Halong Bay on Land", Tam Coc is one of Vietnam's best-known natural attractions. Later you visit Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam, where ancient temples honour Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang, who played an important role in the country's early history. The remainder of the day is free to explore at your own pace.

Today's ride leads into the mountains of northern Vietnam. Leaving Tam Coc, you follow quiet country roads through rice fields, limestone formations and small villages. As the route continues, the scenery becomes increasingly mountainous with winding roads, valleys and traditional villages. In the afternoon you arrive in Mai Chau, a peaceful valley surrounded by mountains and home to the Thai ethnic minority, known for its traditional wooden stilt houses and rich cultural heritage.

Today you ride through the rolling hills of northern Vietnam on quiet mountain roads with very little traffic. The route passes small villages, farmland and forested hillsides, with regular views across the valleys. As you approach Moc Chau, tea plantations become a familiar sight. This high plateau is one of Vietnam's main tea-growing regions and offers a relaxed end to today's ride.

Leaving Moc Chau behind, you continue deeper into the mountains of northern Vietnam. The route follows quiet back roads through tea plantations, farmland and villages of several ethnic minority groups. Tight bends alternate with open valleys and mountain views, while local life unfolds beside the road. In the afternoon you arrive in Tram Tau. Those who wish can end the day with a relaxing soak in the natural hot springs.

Today's ride takes you through one of the country's best-known rice-growing regions. The road follows the mountainsides, passing Hmong and Thai villages where farming has shaped the landscape for centuries. Around almost every corner, new views open across valleys and terraced rice fields. Mu Cang Chai is home to some of Vietnam's most famous rice terraces and is considered one of the highlights of any motorcycle tour through northern Vietnam.

After breakfast you continue north through the Hoang Lien mountain range. Several mountain passes connect deep valleys with remote villages, offering wide views across forests, rice terraces and mountain peaks. Along the way you meet different ethnic communities who have lived in these mountains for generations. By late afternoon you arrive in Sapa at an altitude of around 1,500 metres. Originally established by the French as a hill station, Sapa is now the cultural centre of northern Vietnam's mountain region.

The first part of today's ride follows a busier road towards Lao Cai, where you stop to look across the Red River into China. The river forms the natural border, while a railway bridge connects both countries. From here you can clearly see the skyline of the rapidly developing Chinese city on the opposite bank. After a coffee break you leave the main road and continue on quiet country roads through rice fields and small villages before arriving in Bac Ha. Set in a broad mountain valley, Bac Ha is one of northern Vietnam's most colourful towns and is home to several ethnic minority communities wearing their traditional clothing.

Today is a rest day. If your stay falls on a Sunday, you will visit the famous Bac Ha Market. Ethnic minority communities from the surrounding mountains come here to trade livestock, sell local products, meet friends and enjoy traditional food. It is one of the best places in northern Vietnam to experience everyday life and local culture. If the market is not taking place, you can explore the surrounding villages, take a short walk through the countryside or simply relax. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish.

Today's ride takes you through one of the least visited regions of northern Vietnam. Leaving Bac Ha, you follow narrow mountain roads through rocky landscapes and remote Hmong villages where foreign visitors are still a rare sight. The route descends into the valley of Xin Man before continuing along quiet roads towards Hoang Su Phi, an area known for its rice terraces and the villages of the Nung people. Around almost every bend, the scenery changes, with mountain views, terraced fields and traditional villages lining the route. Towards the end of the day you join the main road to Ha Giang, the capital of Vietnam's northernmost province and the starting point of the famous Ha Giang Loop.

Today you enter one of Southeast Asia's most spectacular motorcycle regions. After leaving Ha Giang, the road climbs into the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, a UNESCO Global Geopark known for its limestone mountains, deep valleys and winding roads. The route passes through mountain villages where Hmong families continue to farm steep hillsides using traditional methods that have changed little over generations. If time allows, you can visit the former Palace of the Hmong King before arriving in Dong Van for the night.

This morning you ride across the Ma Pi Leng Pass, considered one of Vietnam's finest motorcycle roads. The pass offers sweeping views over deep gorges, limestone peaks and the Nho Que River far below. Although today's distance is relatively short, there are plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the scenery. After crossing the pass, the route continues on quieter roads through hills, rice fields and small villages before reaching Bao Lac.

Leaving Bao Lac, you continue south through winding mountain roads as the landscape gradually changes into tropical forest. If time permits, you will visit a village of the Lolo people, one of Vietnam's smallest ethnic minority groups. Their traditional wooden stilt houses and colourful clothing offer a glimpse into a way of life that has remained largely unchanged. In the afternoon you arrive at Ba Be National Park, home to Vietnam's largest natural lake. Surrounded by limestone mountains and dense forest, it is one of the country's most peaceful natural areas.

Today is a rest day in Ba Be National Park. Ba Be Lake is Vietnam's largest natural freshwater lake and lies in the heart of a landscape of limestone mountains and tropical forest. The national park is home to waterfalls, caves and a wide variety of wildlife. You can choose how to spend the day. Join a boat trip across the lake, explore the park on foot, take a short ride on your motorcycle or simply relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Today you return to Vietnam's capital. Leaving Ba Be National Park, you follow quiet back roads before gradually approaching the busier outskirts of Hanoi. We avoid the main highways whenever possible, making the final riding day as enjoyable as possible. As you enter Hanoi, you'll experience the organised chaos of thousands of scooters, motorcycles and bicycles sharing the streets. Riding into the city is an experience in itself and a fitting finale to this motorcycle adventure. In the afternoon you return the motorcycles. In the evening we celebrate the journey together, perhaps with a cold beer in Hanoi's famous Beer Street.

Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to Hanoi International Airport for your journey home. You leave Vietnam with unforgettable memories of mountain roads, remote villages, local culture and more than three weeks of riding through one of Southeast Asia's most rewarding motorcycle destinations.

If you have extra time, you can extend your journey with a two-day visit to Halong Bay, one of Vietnam's most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Rising from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin, thousands of limestone islands create one of the country's best-known landscapes. While Halong Bay is one of Vietnam's top attractions, it is also one of its busiest destinations, making it a very different experience from the quiet mountain roads you've enjoyed during the tour.

After breakfast the cruise continues before returning to the harbour. From here you travel back to Hanoi, passing rice fields, villages and the Red River Delta along the way. The afternoon is free to explore the Old Quarter, enjoy a coffee overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake or do some last-minute shopping before your flight home or overnight stay.

Transfer to Hanoi International Airport for your flight home. After almost four weeks on the road, your Vietnam motorcycle tour comes to an end. You'll return home with memories of mountain passes, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ethnic minority villages and some of the finest motorcycle roads in Southeast Asia.