12-Day Northern Vietnam Motorbike Tour: Ha Giang Loop, Sapa, Mu Cang Chai & Ban Gioc Waterfall

About this tour

Day 0: Arrival Day – Hanoi
Arrive in Hanoi and transfer from Noi Bai International Airport to your hotel in the city center. After check-in, take time to rest and recover before meeting the group for a welcome dinner, marking the beginning of your Northern Vietnam adventure.

Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau
Leave the bustling capital behind and ride into lush countryside, passing rice fields, farming villages, and limestone mountains. Cross the scenic Thung Khe Pass before descending into the peaceful Mai Chau Valley — a perfect first introduction to Northern Vietnam’s mountain landscapes.
Distance: 160 km

Day 2: Mai Chau – Phu Yen
Ride deeper into the Northwest along quiet mountain roads lined with terraced hillsides and ethnic minority villages. The landscape becomes more remote and untouched as the elevation rises, offering a true sense of isolation and raw natural beauty.
Distance: 180 km

Day 3: Phu Yen – Ta Xua – Mu Cang Chai
Climb onto Ta Xua’s legendary cloud-hunting ridgelines, where the road winds above a sea of mist and floating peaks. Continue through dramatic highland scenery to reach Mu Cang Chai, home to Vietnam’s most iconic rice terraces carved into steep mountainsides.
Distance: 150 km

Day 4: Mu Cang Chai – Sapa
Ride through the majestic Hoang Lien Son mountain range on smooth, winding roads with endless curves and sweeping valley views. Misty peaks and shifting clouds accompany the journey before arriving in Sapa, where the afternoon is free to explore or relax in the cool mountain air.
Distance: 170 km

Day 5: Sapa – Bac Ha
Depart Sapa as the landscape transitions from high mountains to rolling hills and quiet rural backroads. Ride through remote northern countryside toward Bac Ha, a region known for its ethnic culture and less-traveled routes.
Distance: 180 km

Day 6: Bac Ha – Ha Giang
One of the most rewarding riding days, crossing Xin Man and Hoang Su Phi through remote mountain terrain and deep valleys layered with terraced fields. This is the gateway into Ha Giang province, where the landscapes become wilder and more dramatic.
Distance: 180 km

Day 7: Ha Giang – Dong Van
Enter the legendary Ha Giang Loop and ride across the Dong Van Karst Plateau, a UNESCO Global Geopark. Conquer the breathtaking Ma Pi Leng Pass, where towering limestone cliffs drop into deep river gorges — one of the most iconic motorbike routes in Southeast Asia.
Distance: 150 km

Day 8: Dong Van – Bao Lac
Follow a remote border route through rugged limestone mountains and isolated valleys. This stretch offers a raw, untouched riding experience far from the tourist trail, with dramatic scenery and a strong sense of adventure throughout the day.
Distance: 180 km

Day 9: Bao Lac – Ban Gioc Waterfall
Ride east along scenic border roads toward Ban Gioc Waterfall, one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most spectacular waterfalls. Set along the Vietnam–China frontier, this natural landmark delivers a powerful and rewarding destination after days in the highlands.
Distance: 170 km

Day 10: Ban Gioc – Ba Be Lake
Leave the rugged mountains behind as the road gradually descends into peaceful countryside. Arrive at Ba Be Lake, a calm natural oasis surrounded by limestone mountains and dense forest, offering a slower and more relaxing pace after the northern frontier ride.
Distance: 200 km

Day 11: Ba Be – Hanoi
Ride back toward Hanoi through lowland roads, rural villages, and open countryside. After days of remote mountains and dramatic passes, the return to the capital marks the completion of an unforgettable journey across Northern Vietnam.
Distance: 200 km

Day 12: Hanoi – Departure
Enjoy free time in the morning for a short walk around the Old Quarter or a relaxed coffee before your transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for departure.