BIG NORTH LOOP OF VIETNAM – 10 DAYS BY TRAIN BACK

Introduction of Big North Vietnam in 10 Days

The Big North Vietnam 10 Days by Train motorbike tour explores the breathtaking northeastern region of Vietnam, taking riders through the spectacular landscapes of Ha Giang, Bac Ha, and Sapa. This unforgettable Vietnam motorcycle tour winds across rolling green mountains, dramatic mountain passes, peaceful valleys, and traditional ethnic villages, offering the perfect combination of adventure, culture, and incredible scenery. Every day reveals a new side of northern Vietnam, making this route one of the country’s most rewarding riding experiences.

Highlights of this North Vietnam motorbike adventure include visiting the famous trekking town of Sapa, riding scenic roads that follow the mountainous Vietnam-China border, and exploring the tranquil beauty of Ba Be Lake during a full-day boat trip. Along the journey, you’ll also discover fascinating limestone caves, picturesque waterfalls, and the magnificent Ban Gioc Waterfall, one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Vietnam and a must-see destination for motorcycle travelers.

Throughout this 10-day Vietnam motorcycle tour, you’ll spend your nights in welcoming local villages, where friendly host families provide an authentic glimpse into rural life and the unique traditions of Vietnam’s ethnic minority communities. Enjoy delicious Vietnamese cuisine, sample local rice wine, Vietnamese brandy, and refreshing Vietnamese beer, while sharing memorable moments with your hosts. Combined with some of the country’s finest mountain roads and off-the-beaten-path routes, this adventure delivers an unforgettable blend of motorcycling, cultural discovery, and breathtaking natural beauty.

 

Itinerary Day By Day

Day 1: Hanoi – Lang Son (~165km / ~4 Hours)

The Big North Vietnam 10 Days by Train motorbike tour begins with an exciting ride from Hanoi to Lang Son. Before setting off, we spend around 30 minutes carrying out a thorough inspection of the Honda motorcycles, ensuring every bike is in excellent condition and equipped with the essential tools, spare parts, and safety gear needed for a smooth and enjoyable journey. This careful preparation helps guarantee a safe and memorable adventure from the very first kilometer.

The first riding day is deliberately relaxed, following the well-maintained Highway 1B through the scenic countryside of northern Vietnam. The route offers an ideal opportunity to get comfortable with the motorcycles while enjoying views of rolling hills, rural villages, and lush farmland. Upon arrival in Lang Son, you’ll have time to explore this vibrant border city, an important commercial gateway between Vietnam and China. If time permits, wander through the bustling Dong Kinh Market, where you can browse a wide variety of affordable goods, local specialties, and imported Chinese products before settling in for the evening.

Day 2: Lang Son – Quang Hoa (~180km/ ~6 hours)

Today, the Big North Vietnam motorbike tour continues with a scenic ride from Lang Son to Quang Hoa, passing through spectacular mountain landscapes and quiet countryside. Along the route, you’ll enjoy a mixture of smooth mountain roads and a few challenging sections that add excitement to the day’s adventure. Surrounded by limestone peaks, green valleys, and traditional farming communities, this ride showcases the rugged beauty that makes northeastern Vietnam a favorite destination for motorcycle enthusiasts.

The destination is the peaceful region of Quang Hoa, home to the Nung An ethnic people, whose rich culture and warm hospitality have been preserved for generations. Tonight, you’ll experience an authentic homestay with a welcoming local family. The hostess is well known for preparing delicious traditional Vietnamese meals using fresh local ingredients, making dinner one of the highlights of the day. This village was among the first in the region to welcome international motorbike travelers for homestay experiences. Although the house is simple and traditional, its comfortable atmosphere and genuine hospitality provide an unforgettable glimpse into rural life in North Vietnam.

Day 3: Quang Hoa – Ban Gioc Waterfalls – Cao Bang (~140km/ ~5 hours)

Today’s stage of the Big North Vietnam motorbike tour takes you through some of the most spectacular scenery in northeastern Vietnam as you ride from Quang Hoa to the magnificent Ban Gioc Waterfalls. Located about 50km from Quang Hoa on the Vietnam-China border, Ban Gioc Waterfall is widely regarded as one of the most breathtaking natural attractions in the country. The road to the falls has been upgraded in recent years, providing a smooth and enjoyable ride through lush valleys, limestone mountains, and peaceful rural villages. If weather and river conditions are favorable, you’ll even have the opportunity to swim close to the base of the impressive 50-meter-high waterfall.

After spending time exploring Ban Gioc Waterfalls and taking in the incredible scenery, the journey continues to Cao Bang, where you’ll stay overnight in a comfortable local hotel. The ride offers more beautiful mountain landscapes and quiet roads, making it another memorable day for riders seeking the best of North Vietnam.

Cao Bang is the largest town in northeastern Vietnam and serves as the capital of Cao Bang Province. Beyond its role as an important regional center, the city has significant historical value. It is closely associated with the Battle of Cao Bang, one of the first major victories of the Viet Minh against the French Army along the historic Highway 4 during the First Indochina War. Today, Cao Bang is an ideal base for travelers exploring the region’s stunning landscapes, rich history, and diverse ethnic cultures.

Day 4: Cao Bang – Ba Be lake (~180km/ ~6 hours)

Leaving Cao Bang, the Big North Vietnam motorbike tour heads southwest through some of the most dramatic mountain roads in northeastern Vietnam. The route crosses several scenic mountain passes, including the spectacular Cao Bac Pass and Ngan Son Pass, both renowned for their breathtaking panoramic views. As you climb and descend these winding roads, you’ll ride through lush forests, peaceful valleys, and remote farming communities, enjoying some of the finest motorcycling routes in North Vietnam. Along the way, you’ll also pass hillsides dotted with countless beehives, as this region is famous for producing some of Vietnam’s finest natural honey.

By the afternoon, you’ll arrive at the tranquil Ba Be Lake, the centerpiece of Ba Be National Park and one of the country’s most remarkable natural treasures. Tonight’s accommodation is a traditional Tay ethnic minority stilt house, where a welcoming local family offers authentic hospitality and home-cooked Vietnamese cuisine. Staying with the local community provides a unique opportunity to experience the customs and daily life of one of Vietnam’s oldest ethnic groups.

Surrounded by primary rainforest, towering limestone cliffs, and crystal-clear waters, Ba Be Lake is widely considered one of the most beautiful freshwater lakes in Vietnam. The national park is home to exceptional biodiversity and is inhabited by several ethnic communities, including the Tay, Nung, Thai, Hmong, and other minority groups. This combination of spectacular scenery, rich wildlife, and vibrant local culture makes Ba Be Lake one of the highlights of any North Vietnam motorcycle adventure.

Day 5: Ba Be Rest Day

Today is a relaxing yet rewarding day dedicated to discovering the natural beauty and cultural richness of Ba Be Lake and Ba Be National Park. Visit lively local markets, enjoy a peaceful boat cruise across the lake, try your hand at fishing, explore fascinating limestone caves, and experience the warm hospitality of the ethnic minority communities that call this region home. One of the day’s highlights is sharing a delicious meal with friends beside a picturesque waterfall, surrounded by the tranquil scenery of northern Vietnam.

The boat journey takes you along the seven-kilometer length of Ba Be Lake to the impressive Dau Dang Waterfalls on the Gam River. Along the way, you’ll also visit the remarkable Puong Cave, a spectacular 300-meter-long limestone cave carved by the Nang River. During the Vietnam War, this cave served as a natural shelter where local residents sought protection from aerial bombing. After a full day of sightseeing and exploration, you’ll spend a second night in a traditional Tay ethnic minority stilt house, enjoying another authentic evening with your welcoming host family.

For riders looking for more adventure, an optional off-road motorbike ride is available. Instead of spending the entire day on the lake, you can combine a half-day boat cruise with a half-day off-road ride featuring rugged mountain trails and exciting stream crossings, similar to those shown in the tour photos. This option is recommended for riders with at least an intermediate riding level. Please note that the stream crossings depend on weather conditions. If heavy rain has raised the water level, this section of the route may not be accessible for safety reasons.

Day 6: Ba Be Lake – Dong Van (~240km/ ~8 hours)

Today is one of the longest riding days of the Big North Vietnam motorbike tour, but the good roads make the journey more enjoyable. We ride through the spectacular mountains of Ha Giang Province via Bao Lac, following winding roads to Dong Van, close to the Vietnam–China border. Along the way, you’ll meet hardworking ethnic minority communities and witness how they have adapted to living among the dramatic limestone mountains. After arriving in Dong Van, there is time to explore the charming Ancient Quarter, where traditional H’mong houses built from clay bricks and tiled roofs have stood for centuries.

Dong Van is widely considered one of the highlights of North Vietnam. The Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark, located in Ha Giang Province, was the first UNESCO Global Geopark in Vietnam and the second in Southeast Asia. Formed over 550 million years ago, it is home to 17 ethnic minority groups, creating a unique blend of geological wonders and rich cultural heritage. If your visit falls on a Sunday, the vibrant Dong Van Sunday Market is one of the most colorful and authentic markets in northern Vietnam.

Day 7: Dong Van – Ha Giang (~180km/ ~6 hours)

Today is one of the most spectacular days of the Big North Vietnam motorbike tour as we ride across what many consider the best mountain pass in Vietnam. Descend the winding zigzag roads from Dong Van, enjoying breathtaking views of the emerald-green Nho Que River as it winds through the deep canyon below. The route then crosses the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass, where dramatic limestone cliffs, misty mountain peaks, and endless valleys create one of the most iconic landscapes in North Vietnam.

After plenty of opportunities to stop for photos and admire the scenery, we continue riding through the beautiful mountains of Ha Giang Province before arriving in Ha Giang City. With its thrilling roads, unforgettable panoramic views, and world-class mountain scenery, today is often considered the highlight of the entire Vietnam motorcycle tour.

Day 8: Ha Giang – Xin Man – Bac Ha (~180km/ ~6 hours)

Today’s North Vietnam motorbike tour takes you along challenging mountain tracks to Xin Man, followed by a network of quiet back roads winding through breathtaking valleys, rolling hills, and remote ethnic villages. This scenic route offers an authentic riding experience far from the main tourist trails, with spectacular mountain views around every corner.

By late afternoon, we arrive in Bac Ha, a charming mountain town best known for its delicious Tam Hoa plums, which uniquely blossom three times before producing ripe fruit. Bac Ha is also famous for its locally distilled Vietnamese corn whisky (ruou ngo), a traditional specialty that visitors have the chance to sample while experiencing the warm hospitality and rich culture of the local ethnic communities.

Day 9: Bac Ha – Sapa (~100km/ ~3 hours)

The ride from Bac Ha to Sapa takes around 3 hours and follows quiet mountain roads through some of the most scenic landscapes in North Vietnam. The 70km section from Bac Ha to Lao Cai offers spectacular views of rolling hills, terraced fields, and ethnic villages. In Lao Cai, a bustling border city, there is an opportunity to take photos with China visible across the border before continuing the final 34km climb to Sapa after lunch.

Tonight we stay in Sapa, the famous French hill station established in the early 20th century. Sitting at approximately 1,600 meters above sea level, Sapa is one of the few places in Vietnam where snowfall occasionally occurs. The town offers comfortable accommodation with beautiful mountain views. Although tourism has grown rapidly in recent years and visitors now often outnumber local residents in the town center, Sapa remains one of the country’s most popular destinations thanks to its cool climate, spectacular scenery, and vibrant ethnic culture.

Day 10: Rest day in Sapa. Train Lao Cai – Hanoi. End of Big North 10 days.

Wake up in Sapa, where cascading rice terraces fill the valley below and towering mountains surround the town. The breathtaking scenery is often softened by drifting mist, creating a magical atmosphere. Even on cloudy days, Sapa remains one of the most captivating destinations in North Vietnam, especially as colorful ethnic minority communities bring the town to life.

Enjoy a free day to explore Sapa at your own pace. The most popular activity is trekking, with Cat Cat Village easily reached on foot or by motorbike. You can also join a village tour, go mountain biking, or simply relax with a spa treatment before the journey home.

In the evening, return in time to board the overnight train back to Hanoi. We load the motorcycles onto the train and travel in comfortable tourist-class sleeper cabins with either two or four berths. The train arrives in Hanoi at approximately 5:00 am on Day 11, marking the end of an unforgettable Big North Vietnam motorbike adventure.

If you would like to experience the full Big North Loop of Vietnam without taking the train back to Hanoi, consider our 16-day Big North Vietnam motorbike tour. This extended itinerary covers even more spectacular mountain roads, remote ethnic villages, and breathtaking landscapes across North Vietnam. Simply follow this link to explore the complete 16-day adventure.

For more information about the Big North Vietnam by Train – 10 Days motorbike tour, including itinerary details, pricing, and customization options, please contact us at [email protected]. We’ll be happy to help you plan the perfect North Vietnam motorcycle adventure.