Northwest Vietnam 8 Days Motorbike Tours

🟢 Day 1: Hanoi – Vu Linh (~180 km)

Start your Northwest motorbike tour with an easy ride on sealed roads toward Thac Ba Lake, then follow a smaller route to Vu Linh, a Dzao ethnic village nestled beside the lake. The people are friendly, the welcome is exceptional, and you might even encounter some legendary local drinkers!

🟢 Day 2: Vu Linh – Luc Yen – Bac Ha (~180 km)

After breakfast, ride around the lake for 2 hours on a scenic small road lined with palm trees and mountain views. The 20-km stretch from Luc Yen to Road 70 is bumpy and takes about an hour. Continue on sealed roads to Pac Ngam, then turn up a mountain road (26 km) to reach Bac Ha. Spend the rest of the day walking around and soaking up the local atmosphere.

🟢 Day 3: Bac Ha – Coc Ly – Sapa (~80 km)

Ride down to Pac Ngam to meet the boat for a cruise on the Chay River to Coc Ly, home to a colorful ethnic market (Tuesdays only). Meet H’mong, Dzao, and Phu La people in a wild forested setting. Enjoy lunch in Coc Ly, return by boat to Pac Ngam, and ride up to Sapa.

Alternative: If it’s not Tuesday, skip Coc Ly and ride directly to Sapa, exploring the surrounding valleys dotted with hill tribe villages and colorful ethnic cultures.

In Sapa, expect high humidity and cooler nights.

🟢 Day 4: Sapa – Lai Chau (~100 km)

Ride through the foggy mountain passes after breakfast in Sapa. Though the distance is short, the road is narrow with blind corners. The views are incredible, especially of Fansipan Mountain and the stunning Tram Ton Pass.

🟢 Day 5: Lai Chau – Muong Lay (~150 km)

Pass through the Tam Duong plain, covered in limestone karsts resembling shark’s teeth. Meet Tay, Thai, H’mong, and Mang people. Visit ethnic villages along the way. The last stretch near Muong Lay is bumpy, dusty, or muddy, depending on weather, due to ongoing hydroelectric construction.

🟢 Day 6: Muong Lay – Son La (~200 km)

Today’s route includes 15 mountain passes! Despite poor road conditions, the breathtaking landscapes make this the most beautiful journey of the entire tour.

🟢 Day 7: Son La – Mai Chau (~180 km)

Ride along a valley floor surrounded by Black Thai villages and vibrant local markets, then enter a tea-growing mountain region. Continue through a forested H’mong area, before descending into the hidden valley of Mai Chau, where you’ll stay in a traditional Thai stilt house with local friends.

🟢 Day 8: Mai Chau – Hanoi (~200 km)

Spend the morning trekking around Mai Chau, followed by lunch before heading back to Hanoi via Hoa Binh. We recommend the scenic route: follow the Black River to Son Tay, then along the Red River back to Hanoi—this helps you avoid hectic traffic and potential harassment, making for a safer, smoother ride.