NORTHEAST VIETNAM MOTORBIKE TOUR

Northeast Vietnam Introduction

This Northeast Vietnam motorbike tour from Hidden Vietnam Motorcycle Tours takes you deep into one of the most scenic and fascinating regions of Vietnam. The route combines dramatic limestone karst mountains, beautiful lakes, spectacular waterfalls, remote mountain roads, and the historic Highway 4. Rather than simply following a fixed itinerary, you can stop whenever you find an interesting view, take smaller roads, meet local people, stay in traditional homestays, taste authentic local food, and experience everyday life in rural Vietnam. This freedom and flexibility make the Northeast Vietnam motorcycle tour a truly unforgettable adventure for riders who want to explore beyond the usual tourist routes. For added flexibility, the trip can be started from either end of the loop, depending on your schedule and travel plans.

Allow a minimum of 5 days for this Northeast Vietnam motorbike tour. However, if your schedule allows, 7 days is the recommended duration, giving you more time to enjoy the mountain scenery, explore remote villages, and ride some of the region’s most interesting roads without rushing. If you would like to extend the journey southward and finish at Halong Bay, we recommend allowing 8 or 9 days. The longer itinerary provides more opportunities for scenic stops, cultural experiences, photography, and relaxed riding through the spectacular landscapes of Northeast Vietnam.

More Vietnam Motorcycle Tour Routes

• Northwest Vietnam (4 – 10 days)
• Scenic Ha Giang & Northeast (6 – 13 days)
• Central North (3 – 7 days)
• Great Loop In North Vietnam (14 – 16 days)
• Ho Chi Minh Trail/Road (6 – 16 days)
• Short Rides (1 – 3 days)

Below is a video clip from one of our recent Northeast Vietnam motorbike tours, showing some of the roads, landscapes, and riding experiences you can expect on this adventure. If you would like to see more of our Vietnam motorcycle tours, mountain roads, motorbikes, and riding experiences, please visit our YouTube channel for more videos.

Northeast Vietnam Motorbiking Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi – Mau Son (~180 km/~5 h)

Ride from Hanoi to Mau Son along a beautiful newly paved mountain road, with a lunch stop in Lang Son City. Mau Son is located about 30 km from Lang Son and rises to 1,541 meters above sea level, making it a refreshing mountain destination with much cooler temperatures, especially in the evening. After arriving, you can relax and enjoy the peaceful mountain atmosphere. We spend the night at the guesthouse of Mau Son Resort. The temperature is noticeably cooler than in the lowlands, although many visitors find the area quite wet and humid during winter. The accommodation at Mau Son is also fairly basic. If you prefer a more comfortable overnight stay, we can instead arrange accommodation in Lang Son City.

Day 2: Mau Son – Quang Uyen (~180 km/~6 h)

Riding from Mau Son to Quang Uyen takes us through a mixture of paved and rougher mountain roads. In particular, the section between Dong Khe and That Khe can be somewhat bumpy and dusty, adding a little adventure to the journey. It takes approximately 6 hours to reach a beautiful and peaceful village in Quang Uyen, surrounded by mountains and located in the middle of a natural mountain cirque. This is the traditional territory of the Nung An people, one of the ethnic communities living in Northeast Vietnam. For the night, we stay at a local homestay with our friend, allowing you to experience authentic rural life, local food, and the warm hospitality of the people in this remote mountain region.

Day 3: Quang Uyen (options). (~100 km/~2 h) or (~30 km, ~1 h).

Option 1

After obtaining permission from the border police, we ride through spectacular mountain scenery toward Ban Gioc Waterfall, one of the most impressive waterfalls in Vietnam and a highlight of any Northeast Vietnam motorbike tour. The journey takes us through remote countryside, limestone mountains, and traditional villages before reaching the waterfall area. Weather permitting, we can even swim close to the point where the impressive 50-meter-high waterfall crashes into the river. This is a fantastic opportunity to cool off, enjoy the scenery, and experience one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Cao Bang Province.

Option 2

Na Tau is a remote and largely unknown area that we propose exploring by a combination of raft and motorbike. The surrounding rivers, streams, and waterfalls remain remarkably beautiful and wild, making this an excellent alternative for riders looking for a more adventurous and off-the-beaten-path experience. Best of all, Na Tau is only about 15 km from Quang Uyen, so we can spend more time exploring the area rather than covering long distances on the road. This option offers a unique combination of motorcycling, rafting, waterfalls, and remote mountain scenery.

Day 4: Quang Uyen – Ba Be (~170 km/~8 h)

Enjoy a beautiful motorbike ride from Cao Bang Province to Ba Be, passing through spectacular mountain landscapes and several scenic passes along the way. From some of the higher points, you can look across the surrounding mountains and valleys and enjoy impressive panoramic views of Northeast Vietnam. The road is generally easy to ride, although there are plenty of curves and winding mountain sections, making it an enjoyable day for experienced riders. We can stop frequently along the route to take photographs, enjoy the scenery, and meet local people. Including regular stops for drinks, food, and sightseeing, the journey should take around 8 hours. Finally, we arrive at Pac Ngoi Village, where we spend the night with a friendly Tay host family and experience authentic local hospitality beside the beautiful Ba Be area.

Day 5: Ba Be – Bac Kan (~50 km/~2 h)

Enjoy an easy boat trip on Ba Be Lake and the river, taking in the peaceful scenery and surrounding mountains. If the timing is right, we can also visit the local market on the day you arrive. Along the way, there may be time to stop at a beautiful waterfall, enjoy a refreshing swim, and relax in the natural surroundings. Below the waterfall, we can visit a local village and a small school, where only a few pupils may be present during the summer holidays. Finally, enjoy a short and easy motorbike ride from Ba Be to Bac Kan on mostly comfortable roads. Bac Kan is a small and quiet provincial town where we spend the night in a nice hotel.

Day 6: Bac Kan – Hanoi (~180 km/~7 h) End of Northeast Vietnam.

Today is a relatively long motorbike ride from Bac Kan to Hanoi, although most of the route is straightforward to ride. An early departure is recommended so we have plenty of time to complete the journey comfortably. The final section from Thai Nguyen to Hanoi becomes much busier, with heavy traffic and one of the busiest highways in northern Vietnam. Extra caution is therefore required during this part of the ride. We expect to arrive in Hanoi at around 4:00 pm, marking the end of our Northeast Vietnam motorbike tour.

Contact us at [email protected] for more details, itinerary information, and other options for this Northeast Vietnam motorbike tour.