If you’re searching for the ultimate motorbike adventure in Northern Vietnam, this 14-day journey is designed for you. Ride far beyond the typical tourist paths into remote countryside rarely seen by outsiders. Explore the Northeast and Central North — regions famous for dramatic mountain ranges, endless twisting rural roads, and breathtaking panoramic views.
Cross rivers on a raft, climb mountain passes, and ride all the way to Vietnam’s northern border with China. Along the way, experience vibrant weekly markets and connect with people from diverse ethnic groups, each with distinctive traditions and ways of life. Ready to take on the best of North Vietnam’s hidden roads? Get in touch today for full details and we arrange your motorbike tour.
Highlights of the Vietnam Hill Tribes Motorbike Tour: Scenic Landscapes & Vibrant Culture
This motorcycle trip through this relatively unexplored region reveals the pristine beauty of North Vietnam. Alongside the warm hospitality of the locals and the untouched landscapes, this journey promises to be an exciting challenge.
Everything you need to know about this tour. Do you have any further questions? Please contact us!
Your motorcycle adventure in Vietnam begins as you land at Hanoi International Airport. A short 30-minute transfer takes you straight into the vibrant heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Our hotel is ideally located among winding lanes, traditional markets, and charming street-side cafés – the perfect base to soak up the city’s atmosphere before your motorbike journey kicks off.
Leaving the bustle of the city behind, we start our motorbike journey with a visit to the Green Village in Bac Giang. This well-known eco-tourismcommunity was once home to the Cao Lan ethnic group, whose livelihoods are based on cattle raising and farming, particularly cultivating yellow and green tea. We ride through bamboo groves and pass by wide tea hills stretching to the horizon. Our route then heads north to Dong Lam Meadows, a valley surrounded by hills and a large lake, where wild horses roam freely. It’s a favourite stop for nature enthusiasts and campers. Riding further along village tracks and some dirt roads, we arrive at Tien Nu Waterfall – the perfect place for a break and a refreshing swim. From here, we continue to Bac Son, where our homestay host welcomes us with local dishes, drinks, and live music performed by members of a traditional Vietnamese ethnic group.
We ride to a little-known cave — a 200-million-year-old rock formation with a key role in the Vietnam War. We’ll explore inside before continuing the journey. From there, it’s a full day on the motorbike, following quiet backroads through rural scenery. We pass small villages and ride alongside rivers until we reach That Khe, where we stop for lunch and a short rest. The afternoon takes us deeper into the backroads, riding through rolling hills near the Chinese border. After a long day in the saddle, we cool off with a swim. Tonight’s homestay sits by a lake, perfect for a refreshing dip and a cold beer. Dinner features local dishes and regional drinks, rounding off a great day of riding.
Fuel up well at breakfast, because today promises a full-throttle adventure. We begin with a visit to Angel Eye, a breathtaking valley with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. This offers exciting riding opportunities, especially for those who enjoy a bit of off-road fun. From here,we ride on to the spectacular Ban Gioc Waterfall, considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Straddling the Vietnam–China border, it offers the unique experience of being able to stand in either country depending on your position. Its crystal-clear, refreshing waters make it a true natural wonder. We’ll pause here to enjoy a well-deserved lunch nearby. After this relaxing break, we’ll get back in the saddle, following scenic backroads along the border once again before arriving at the renowned Phúc Sen Blacksmith Village. Here, the majority of locals are dedicated to traditional knife-making— we’ll stop to witness a live demonstration of this centuries-old craft. With a day full of riding, exploration, and cultural encounters behind us, we’ll reach Cao Bằng, where a comfortable hotel, a satisfying meal, and a well-earned drink will be waiting.
We ride west into northern Vietnam, beginning our motorbike tour with a stop at God’s Eye Mountain. The route continues towards the China border,passing military checkpoints and weaving through distinctive karst landscapes.After lunch in a small border town, we take on the Na Tenh and Khau Coc Tra mountain passes — great spots for motorbike photography. Our ride ends in Bao Lac, a busy highland market town where various ethnic communities meet. Dinner is at a well-known local restaurant serving traditional dishes prepared by one of the region’s top chefs.
Today’s ride takes us along some challenging dirt tracks towards the Nho Que River, where a bamboo raft will ferry our motorbikes across. From there, we continue to the small town of Meo Vac for lunch. The community here is home to both Hmong and Lolo people, and their cultural presence is visible throughout the area. Meo Vac marks the starting point of Hanh Phuc Road (Happy Road) –better known as the Ha Giang Loop – a legendary route that winds through deep canyons and high mountain passes. This road holds great importance for the region, having taken thousands of locals eight years to complete. Today, it remains a vital connection for many of the ethnic minority communities in northern Vietnam. Riding further, we reach Ma Pi Leng Pass, a twisting section of road with a sweeping view over the valley – a well-known spot for riders to stop and take photos. Weather and time permitting, we may also attempt Heaven’s Road, a narrow mountain pass that combines thrilling bends with striking scenery. By evening, we arrive at our stay in Dong Van, where we can relax after a full day on the road.
This rest day is perfectly timed so you can experience the Dong Van Sunday morning market, one of the highlights of any Vietnam motorbike tour. Here, ethnic minority groups from across the Ha Giang mountains gather to trade goods, socialise, and showcase their vibrant traditional clothing – an unforgettable cultural encounter for any rider exploring the Ha Giang Loop. The afternoon is yours to shape. You might prefer to relax in Dong Van’s charming old quarter or take your motorcycle and explore the surrounding landscapes. A popular cultural stop is the former Hmong King’s Palace, an atmospheric reminder of the region’s rich history. For those craving more adventure, a short but exhilarating ride north leads to the Chinese border, with stunning mountain views along the way.
"The contact with Motor2Travel was good and trustworthy from the first conversation. Pleasant effort to respond to individual wishes. The trip was well organised, an experienced and safe guide with clear instructions on the course of the tour and pleasant flexibility, a good accompanying team, a pleasant balance between guided and individual sections. Highlights included the various encounters with people, partly spontaneous but also well organised by the guide, and the off-road driving. We were really enthusiastic.”
Today’s ride takes us deep into the Ha Giang region, following the spectacular Happiness Road (QL4C) – one of Vietnam’s most iconic motorcycle routes. We make plenty of stops along the way to soak in the scenery and culture. We wind our way over the twisting Bac Sum Pass, pausing to capture the breathtaking views of the Fairy Mountains. The route then leads us across the dramatic landscapes of the UNESCO-listed Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark before we roll into Ha Giang City.
Today we leave the Ha Giang Loop behind and continue south towards Thong Nguyen district. This leg of the journey offers a new perspective as we follow a narrow, winding riverside road along the Lo River, passing through small ethnic minority villages. Along the way, we may see traditional wooden stilthouses, with locals offering a friendly wave as we ride past. Our next stop is a local plywood factory, where timber grown by nearby communities is processed on-site to create products with higher market value. After a short visit, we’ll break for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we ride northwest to see one of Vietnam’s most iconic sights — vast rice terrace fields, shaped over centuries and recognised worldwide as a cultural treasure. The day ends at our stay, a bungalow-style retreat with a pool overlooking the valley and surrounding mountains — the perfect place to relax after a full day of motorbike touring.
We keep to the backroads, where a valley of terraced rice fields gradually opens up before us. Our midday stop is Bac Ha, a lively highland town. From here, the ride takes us deeper into the mountains, following remote tracks towards Sapa. The route climbs steadily through hills covered with pineforests, offering a refreshing change in the air. We continue the ascent,tackling winding mountain roads that call for focused riding and reward us with sweeping views. As we gain altitude, the temperature drops — a light jacket is useful — and there’s a good chance we’ll find ourselves riding through low clouds. By late afternoon, we roll into Sapa, a well-known touristic mountain town. A comfortable hotel marks the end of today’s ride, giving us time to rest and prepare for the next stage of our motorbike journey.
We leave Sapa and ride towards Lao Cai. In this border city, we stop for coffee by the Nam Thi River, looking across to Hekou Zhen in China. The river forms the boundary between Vietnam and China, making it a notable point on our route. From Lao Cai, we continue by motorbike to Vu Linh, home to the Dao ethnic community. Located on the banks of Thac Ba Lake — Vietnam’s largest man-made lake — it provides an opportunity to experience local culture andl akeside life.
We leave Vu Linh village and tackle the last section of the mountain range, riding through remote rainforest on a rough, rocky track. The route continues on tarmac, taking us through Tuyen Quang’s tea-growing region, where the hillsides are lined with plantations. From here, it’s a short ride to Ba Be Lake, our stop for the night. Located in Ba Be National Park, the area is known for its large natural freshwater lake, limestone peaks, jungle terrain, and traditional minority villages. The lake, with its small islands and concealed caves, is ideal for a boat trip or photography.
It’s a full day’s ride back to the capital. The early hours offer calm streets through the countryside with rice fields and forest, perfect for warming up the engine. Once we pass through Thai Nguyen the traffic steadily builds. Riding into the city’s organised chaos—where the “rules” seem to bend with every turn—creates a thrilling finale to the journey. For many riders, navigating this lively urban maze is one of the most memorable highlights of the entire motorcycle adventure.
Today marks the finale of your Vietnam motorcycle journey. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home — and as the wheels lift from the runway, the roads and landscapes of Vietnam will remain etched in your heart.
If you want you can extend your Motorcycle Adventure with a Halong Bay Cruise. Swap the saddle for the deck and take in the towering limestone cliffs,emerald waters, and floating fishing villages. It’s the touristic way to unwind after days on the road, blending adventure with relaxation before you head home.
On your Vietnam motorbike tour, you will normally ride a Kawasaki KLX 150cc – a reliable, agile bike that’s perfect for the winding mountain roads of northern Vietnam. If you prefer more power, you can upgrade to a Honda XR 250cc or Honda XR 400. The upgrade costs an additional €250. Please request this when booking so that your chosen motorcycle can be reserved for the tour.
For groups of up to six riders, this guided motorbike tour in Vietnam is led by an experienced local Vietnamese guide who knows every route, hotel, and restaurant, and speaks both Vietnamese and English (with a Vietnamese accent).For groups of seven or more, a multilingual European tour leader will also join the trip, riding alongside the Vietnamese guide.
This Vietnam motorcycle trip uses lightweight rental bikes, ideally suited to the terrain. The route takes you along many small, winding country roads, through idyllic villages where free-roaming animals may unexpectedly cross your path, and over numerous mountain passes and bends. Around 10% of the route is unpaved. You will typically spend about five to six hours a day in the saddle, but with breaks, lunch, and photo stops, your total time on the road will be longer. One potential challenge is the traffic in and around Hanoi, where thousands of motorbikes, cars, scooters, rickshaws, and bicycles weave through the streets each day – though so far, no one has ever been “lost” in the process. You don’t need to be an enduro expert to join this trip. Most off-road sections can be avoided by following the support vehicle, except in the case of roadworks. This makes the tour suitable even for riders without off-road experience. However, many first-time off-road riders find it helpful to complete an enduro training course beforehand. Bad weather can make certain stretches more challenging – turning the journey into an even greater motorcycling adventure.
Our northern Vietnam motorbike tours in March, April, September,October, and November take place in the best travel months outside the monsoon season. In lower regions, temperatures are usually 25–32°C, while in the mountains they can be 15–20°C. We recommend breathable protective clothing and some warmer layers. Bring your own motorcycling gear, including protective jacket and trousers,helmet, boots or sturdy footwear, and gloves. Well-fitting goggles help protect against dust, and light rain showers are always possible.
You’ll need a passport valid for at least six months after your return date.
Check with your local authorities if you must apply for a visa to enter Vietnam. Regular passport holders of the following countries a.o. (Germany, Switzerland,Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, , Denmark, Norway, Finland, France, Italy, Spain, UK,) will be exempt from visa requirements for Vietnam for a stay of 45 days. Citizens from other countries are now eligible for the e-visa program. Website to apply: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/ You can also check Travel Doc for further info on entryrequirements https://www.traveldoc.aero/
Since 1 January 2016, for most countries, you can officially ride a motorcycle in Vietnam, if you have besides your own, national driver's license, an International Driving Permit (IDP). Your own driver's license is not valid without this IDP. Only the IDP model 1968 is accepted.
More details about the trip and what you should take with you can be found in the travel documents, which you will receive about 1 month before departure.
Rider starting at: € 2750,-
Pillion: €2490,-
Singleroom occupancy additional charge: € 425,-
Pocketmoney to bring with you: € 300,-*
Minimumnumber of riding participants: 4
Maximumnumber of riding participants: 12
Maximumnumber of pillion riders: 2
Extension Halong Bay 2 days: €290,- per person including overnight on board and transfer from and to the hotel and hotel overnight in Hanoi. Single room supplement €150,-.
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