Vietnam 2-Week Motorcycle Ride
How about a 2-week motorcycle ride through the charming countryside of Vietnam? Stop whenever or wherever you feel like to take in the gorgeous view.
Day 1
Hanoi – Ba Be
235 km – 4 hours riding
After leaving Hanoi early in the morning, ride through small winding roads through forests and valleys to reach your destination. It’s time to test your riding skills, while enjoying the nature around you. After crossing the small town of Thai Nguyen you can admire fascinating wild landscapes. Have lunch before taking the boat in the early afternoon to go to the village of Ban Cam, inhabited by the Tay ethnic group. The boat then takes you to Tay village of Dau Dang. Spend the night in the house of Ong Pirate, master of the jungle, near the waterfalls.
Day 2
Ba Be
Leave your bike behind at the village and discover the Ba Be National Park, protecting one of the last virgin forests of Vietnam. Start with a walk along the Nang River leading to the Dau Dang Waterfalls. Cross the river aboard a boat then start a trek through the mountains that leads you to the Ba Be Lake where another boat awaits you. During this trek you will come across many small native villages hidden in the forest. After crossing the lake, spend the night at Mr Manh’s, the famous cook of the jungle.
Day 3
Ba Be – Bao Lake
180 km – 4 hours riding
After a long and beautiful route, you will now ride through a new narrow road that replaced the old track. The many curves of the road will add to your riding skills. You will now discover an incredible diversity of landscapes as you climb the mountain. Then comes a deserted road. Pass through the territory of the Black Tay, Doa, H’Mong San Chi and end your ride in the territory of the Lo Lo ethnic group. Spend the night at the hotel nearby.
Day 4
Bao Lake – Meo Vac – Dong Van
120 km – 4 hours riding
Start the day by riding through one of the most beautiful roads in Vietnam along the Chinese border. Over the mountains and valleys, you cross spectacular landscapes and discover mystical ethnic groups that transport you to another era. Head to the hotel nearby to stay overnight.
Day 5
Dong Van – Ha Giang
150 km – 5 hours riding
You spend this new day along the Sino-Vietnamese border on the heights of the province. The winding mountain road off the beaten track is astonishing. You discover many different cultures of different ethnic minority groups in the region of Hà Giang; Tay, Hmong, Dao, Nung, Cao Lan, Hoa Lo Lo. They are distinguished one from another by their clothes. You go through small villages where everyone will be more than happy to welcome you. Take a break from your riding to visit old French buildings, H’Mong and its famous castle. Discovery of magnificent landscapes between China and Vietnam, will give you a sense of freedom and change of scenery.
Day 6
Ha Giang – Hoang Su Phi
90 km – 3 hours of riding
This new step is quite short. In the first part you ride downhill along a mountainous road along the river. Cong Three offers you a stunning panorama. In the afternoon you can take the zigzagging road leading to Hoang Su Phi, and take a stroll to discover the surroundings of the city. Arriving at your destination, you are welcomed for one night in a very comfortable guesthouse. For dinner enjoy a typical local dish, facing the river and the gardens.
Day 7
Hoang Su Phi – Xin Man – Bac Ha
100 km – 5 hours riding
On the seventh day, ride through small paths crossing several villages with different ethnic cultures. You alternate with tarmac roads on which you speed up for a thrilling adrenaline rush. In Xin Man the landscapes are spectacular; the mountains, rice fields and isolated houses. You can even see some waterfalls along the road.
Day 8
Bac Ha – Luc Yen
130 km – 4 hours riding
In the morning enjoy Bac Ha and its landscapes. After lunch, ride back on your motorbike along a beautiful road through the Tam Dao hills covered with flower trees and tea plantations.
Day 9
Luc Yen – Vu Linh
80 km – 3 hours riding
Take advantage of this morning to walk up to reach the village of Dao and meet the villagers welcome you with a warm hospitality. Then get on your bike to take a gorgeous winding road through limestone rocks and palm trees, along the lake to Vu Linh. A beautiful house on stilts will await you on arrival. There you can rent a boat for a cruise and discover over 3000 islets of this lake.
Day 10
LavieVulinh – Green Vietnam
80 km – 3 hours riding
After a good night’s sleep, head west to reach Tuyen Quang then towards Green Vietnam to the northeast of Vu Linh to discover an ecological project led by a family of very dynamic Vietnamese farmers. They welcome you to their house on stilts, in the heart of the enchanting orchard for the night.
Day 11
Green Vietnam – Hanoi
175 km – 5 hours of riding
Spend the morning with this family from Green Vietnam to discover the site and visit around the neighbourhood. In the early afternoon take a small Vietnamese road to Hanoi before joining Halong Bay.
Day 12
Haiphong – Cat Ba – Bai Tu Long Bay
Very early in the morning, your hired guide and your driver will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to Haiphong after 2 hours of driving. At the jetty, a boat awaits you to lead you to the island of Cat Ca. At 10am begins the cruise through a floating village. Have lunch in a quiet secluded place, where you can swim. You head back to Tu Long Bay where the boat moored in a small cove for dinner and spend the night aboard.
Day 13
Long Bay Bay – Lan Ha Bay
After a full breakfast, departure for a new cruise aboard a sailboat without engine, depending on the weather. Discover the islands of Cong Dong and Cong Tay that allow you to discover the significant activities of the bay and the many freighters waiting to load coal. You can take your bike and visit Viet Hai. Lunch and dinner are taken in Lan Ha Bay aboard the sailboat.
Day 14
Lan Ha Bay – Cat Ba – Haiphong – Hanoi
After breakfast discover the charms of Lan Ha Bay. Visit a cove where a family of fishermen living in a small floating house share his love for art. Take the opportunity to kayak in the Ca tunnel and try fishing. After lunch the cruise ends and it’s time to go back to Haiphong, take the car to arrive in Hanoi.
To drive a motorcycle in Vietnam, remember that you will need an international license though.