Vietnam has long been renowned for its winding roads, embracing majestic mountains and lush green rice fields. For adventure enthusiasts, motorbike travel in Vietnam is an experience not to be missed. The freedom to roam on these roads, immerse oneself in pristine nature, and explore the unique cultural aspects of each locality is what motorcycle tourism offers.
Below is a list of the 15+ most beautiful motorcycle routes in the North – Vietnam in 2024, promising unforgettable experiences.
Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai Motorbike Tour
Stretching over 100km, the journey from Ngha Lo to Mu Cang Chải paints a magnificent picture of nature with towering mountain ranges and soft winding terraced rice fields. This route is renowned as one of the most beautiful adventure trails in Vietnam, captivating the hearts of adventure lovers and explorers.
The conquest begins with Khau Phạ Pass – one of the “four great mountain passes” in the Northwest. Standing atop the pass, you’ll be mesmerized by the spectacular panorama of dense forests, hidden villages veiled in mist, and terraced rice fields resembling silken ribbons draped across the mountainside. There’s nothing more magnificent than capturing these magical moments with impressive photographs.
Continuing the journey, you’ll traverse winding roads, meandering through lush green terraced rice fields that stretch endlessly. Every corner, every curve brings its beauty, making it impossible to look away.
Mu Cang Chai – Dien Bien Motorbike Trip
Leaving Mu Cang Chai, the 240km journey leads travelers to Dien Bien, unveiling a picturesque and majestic scene of the Northwest. Along the conquest route, travelers will behold the Son La Hydroelectric Reservoir – a pride of Vietnam, where the mountains embrace the waters tenderly, offering a refreshing and pure atmosphere. Continuing the journey, the historical city of Dien Bien warmly welcomes visitors with monumental relics such as Hill A1, the Victory Museum, and the De Castries Bunker, commemorating the heroic achievements of our nation during the resistance against French invasion.
See more: 10 REASONS TO TRAVEL BY MOTORBIKE IN VIETNAM
Dien Bien Phu – A Pa Chai – Muong Nhe Motorcycle Tour
Are you an adventurous traveler who loves to explore new territories? Then the 450 km journey from Dien Bien Phu to A Pa Chai to Muong Nhe is the perfect adventure for you, promising unforgettable experiences.
Starting from the historical Dien Bien Phu, you’ll be immersed in the shimmering golden fields of Muong Thanh. Next, the route takes you through Muong Lay, Sin Ho, where you’ll challenge yourself with winding mountain passes, weaving through ethnic Thai, Mong, and Dao villages.
The journey continues to A Pa Chai, the westernmost point of the country, where you’ll set foot on milestone 0, marking the Vietnam – Laos border. Then, you’ll navigate winding slopes alongside the picturesque Da River to reach Muong Nhe, concluding your epic journey.
Muong Nhe – Sapa Motorcycle Trip
The journey from Muong Nhe to Sapa spans approximately 316.9 kilometers and takes around 9-10 hours by motorbike. This is one of the most beautiful adventure routes in Vietnam, featuring majestic mountains, terraced rice fields, and unique ethnic villages.
Arriving in Sapa, you will be overwhelmed by the bustling beauty of the misty town. Luxurious restaurants, modern hotels, and vibrant markets will cater to every need of travelers.
Exploring Sapa wouldn’t be complete without visiting famous villages like Ta Phin, Ta Van, and Lao Chai. Here, you can immerse yourself in the simple life of the local people, experience unique cultures, and savor delicious traditional dishes.
Sapa – Xin Man – Hoang Su Phi Motorbike Ride
The Sapa – Xin Man – Hoang Su Phi motorbike ride is a challenging but rewarding experience. The route takes you through some of the most stunning scenery in Vietnam, including towering mountains, lush valleys, and remote villages.
The ride starts in Sapa, a popular tourist town located in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. From Sapa, you will ride to Xin Man, a small town located on the Chinese border. The road to Xin Man is winding and steep, but the views are breathtaking.
From Xin Man, you will continue to Hoang Su Phi, a district known for its stunning rice terraces. The rice terraces in Hoang Su Phi are some of the most beautiful in Vietnam, and they are especially stunning in the fall when the rice is ripe.
Ha Giang City – Dong Van Motorcycle Ride
Passion for motorcycles and speed, you cannot miss the road from Hà Giang city to Đồng Văn town. This route will pass through famous landmarks such as Quản Bạ, Núi Đôi, and Cổng Trời. Travelers can stop, enjoy the scenery, and taste local dishes.
The highlight of this journey is the Dong Van Karst Plateau. Formed hundreds of millions of years ago, the plateau has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage. The majestic limestone mountains will make your driving experience even more memorable.
Dong Van – Lung Cu – Meo Vac Motorbike Tour
Imagine an enchanting journey along winding roads, through valleys veiled in mist. That’s the unique experience you’ll have on the adventure of conquering the Ha Giang – Dong Van route by motorcycle.
Starting from the city of Ha Giang, you’ll be mesmerized by the rugged beauty of the Northern Vietnamese mountains. The winding roads curve like soft silk ribbons, embracing towering cliffs and deep valleys. Each bend holds exciting surprises, leading you to breathtaking landscapes you’ve never seen before.
Meo Vac – Ba Be Motorbike Route
The Meo Vac to Ba Be motorbike route is a scenic journey through the mountains of northern Vietnam. The ride takes you through rice paddies, remote villages, and stunning scenery.
There are two main routes you can take:
The shorter route: This route takes about 4-5 hours and follows Highway 17. The road is well-paved and easy to ride. However, it is also the more trafficked route.
The longer route: This route takes about 6-7 hours and follows provincial roads 181 and 253. The road is less trafficked and more scenic, but it is also more challenging to ride. Some parts of the road can be rough and uneven.
Whichever route you choose, be sure to allow plenty of time for your trip. The ride is beautiful, but it is also slow-going. There are many stops you will want to make along the way to take in the scenery and explore the local villages.
Ba Be Lake – Ban Gioc Waterfall Motorbike Tour
A Ba Be Lake – Ban Gioc Waterfall motorbike tour is an adventure for those who enjoy the thrill of the open road and the beauty of nature. This route takes you through some of the most stunning scenery in northern Vietnam, from the winding roads of the Tay Nguyen highlands to the lush green valleys around Ba Be Lake.
The highlight of the tour is undoubtedly Ban Gioc Waterfall, the largest waterfall in Vietnam. The falls cascade down a series of limestone cliffs into a turquoise pool below. There are a number of viewpoints where you can get close to the falls and feel the spray of the water.
Ban Gioc Waterfall – Mau Son Motorcycle Route
The Ban Gioc Waterfall – Mau Son Motorcycle Route is a popular route for motorbike enthusiasts in Vietnam. It is a great way to see the beautiful scenery of the Northeast region of the country, including the stunning Ban Gioc Waterfall and the picturesque Mau Son mountain range.
The route is typically a loop that starts and ends in Cao Bang Town. It can be done in a day, but it is more enjoyable to take a few days to really explore the area.
The first part of the route takes you from Cao Bang Town to the Chinese border, where the Ban Gioc Waterfall is located. The waterfall is the widest waterfall in Vietnam and is a truly impressive sight.
From the waterfall, the route continues to Mau Son, a mountain resort that is known for its cool climate and beautiful scenery. There are a number of stops that you can make along the way, including the Pac Bo Cave, where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked during the Vietnam War.
The ride from Cao Bang to Mau Son is particularly scenic, with winding roads that take you through mountains and valleys. Once you reach Mau Son, you can enjoy the views from the top of the mountain or take a hike in the surrounding area.
The route back to Cao Bang Town is more direct, but there are still a few interesting stops that you can make along the way, such as the Lung Phin market, where you can buy local handicrafts.
Mau Son – Halong Bay Motorbike Route
The Mau Son to Halong Bay motorbike route is a scenic journey through the mountains and valleys of northeastern Vietnam. The ride is approximately 200 kilometers and can be completed in a day, although many riders choose to take two days to enjoy the scenery and explore the stops along the way.
The route starts in Mau Son, a mountain resort town located in Lang Son province. Mau Son is known for its beautiful scenery, cool climate, and French colonial architecture. From Mau Son, the route winds its way down through the mountains, passing through small villages, rice paddies, and tea plantations.
The ride then takes you along the coast of Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ha Long Bay is famous for its towering limestone karsts that jut out of the emerald water. There are many islands to explore in Ha Long Bay, and you can also go kayaking or swimming in the bay.
Ha Long Bay Motorbike Route – Hanoi
The journey of exploring the rugged and dusty roads of Vietnam will culminate in a satisfying end when you set your wheels down in Hanoi after your trip from Ha Long. Stretching 155 km, this route only takes 5-6 hours to conquer, just enough time to reminisce about the most beautiful moments of the trip and prepare for the return to everyday life.
Arriving in Hanoi, you can indulge in the serene atmosphere of a luxurious hotel, taste the distinctive dishes of the capital, and cherish the memorable moments of an impressive adventure.
These are the insights shared by Ha Giang Motorbike Tours about the top 15 most beautiful routes in the North. Hopefully, with these shared experiences, you have gained additional useful information for your journeys.
