6 DAYS NORTHEAST VIETNAM BY MOTORBIKE

About 6 Days Northeast Vietnam

Our 6-day Northeast Vietnam motorbike tour offers a genuine insight into one of the most spectacular and less-explored regions of Vietnam. This adventure combines dramatic high mountains, winding backroads, a beautiful freshwater lake, impressive waterfalls, and encounters with warm and friendly local communities.

The route is designed to give riders a great mix of scenic motorcycle riding and cultural experiences. You will travel through remote mountain landscapes, discover peaceful villages, and experience a side of Vietnam that is far removed from the busy cities and typical tourist routes.

Some sections of the journey include challenging mountain roads, allowing more confident riders to test their riding skills. At the same time, the overall pace is relaxed, allowing you to stop for photographs, meet local people, enjoy the scenery, and take your time on the road.

All in all, this 6-day Northeast Vietnam motorcycle tour is a great choice for riders who want to combine adventure, beautiful landscapes, local culture, and relaxed riding. Whether you are an experienced motorcycle traveler or simply looking for a memorable way to explore northern Vietnam, this itinerary offers a rewarding Vietnam motorbike adventure.

Other Northeast Vietnam Motorbike Routes

To get a better idea of what our Northeast Vietnam motorbike tours are like, please watch the video below. It gives you a glimpse of the mountain roads, landscapes, local communities, and riding experiences included in our trips.

For more riding footage, travel inspiration, and videos from our Vietnam motorcycle tours, please visit our YouTube channel.

Day 1: Hanoi – Na Khan. (~180 km, ~6 h)

Today is the first day of our 6-day Northeast Vietnam motorbike loop, taking us from Hanoi deep into the peaceful mountains of northern Vietnam. Although the distance is around 180 km, the route is relatively easy, and an early departure from Hanoi is recommended so we have plenty of time to enjoy the countryside along the way.

The road is paved all the way to Bac Kan, making the first part of the journey comfortable and straightforward. From Bac Kan, however, the character of the ride changes as we head toward Na Khan. The final section follows a more remote and bumpy mountain road, adding a little adventure to the day’s riding.

Na Khan is a traditional Tay ethnic village, surrounded by forest and tucked away from the main tourist routes. Although a new road has recently been built close to the village, the area still offers a peaceful and authentic rural experience. This is a great opportunity to see a quieter side of Northeast Vietnam and meet local people away from the busy tourist centers.

Upon arrival, Mr. Lo, the village chief, will welcome us to his home. After the day’s ride, you can relax, enjoy local hospitality, and experience the simple lifestyle of a traditional Tay family homestay.

Day 2: Na Khan – Ba Be. (~50 km, ~2 h)

Today is a much shorter riding day, allowing us to slow down and enjoy the spectacular surroundings of Ba Be National Park. We leave Na Khan and follow a bumpy mountain road toward Ba Be, with plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the scenery along the way.

After arriving in the Ba Be area, we enjoy lunch at our host family’s home, giving you a chance to taste authentic local food and experience traditional hospitality.

In the afternoon, we take a scenic boat cruise on Ba Be Lake and the surrounding river, one of the highlights of this Northeast Vietnam motorcycle adventure. The peaceful water, forested mountains, limestone cliffs, and small riverside villages create an unforgettable landscape.

Depending on the timing of your visit, we can also explore the local market, stop at a nearby waterfall, and even enjoy a swim. Below the waterfall, we can visit a local village and a small rural school, where there may be only a few pupils during the summer holiday period.

To complete the day, we recommend staying in a traditional Tay stilt house. Spending the night with a local family provides a genuine introduction to rural life and makes this 6-day Northeast Vietnam motorbike tour much more than simply a road trip.

Day 3: Ba Be – Cao Bang. (~170 km, ~8h)

Today we leave Ba Be and continue deeper into the spectacular mountains of Cao Bang Province. The route offers a beautiful combination of winding mountain roads, forested valleys, limestone landscapes, and several high passes with fantastic viewpoints over the surrounding countryside.

Although most of the road is relatively easy to ride, there are still plenty of blind curves and mountain bends, so riders should maintain a safe speed and stay alert. The scenery is so impressive that we recommend taking regular breaks rather than rushing through the route.

There will be plenty of opportunities to stop for photographs, drinks, and local food, allowing you to enjoy the landscape at a relaxed pace. With these stops included, expect approximately 8 hours on the road for this 170 km section.

As we approach Cao Bang, the mountains and valleys become increasingly dramatic, giving you a great introduction to one of the most beautiful regions for motorbike touring in Northeast Vietnam.

Overnight: Hotel in Cao Bang.

Day 4: Cao Bang – Ban Gioc Waterfalls – Quang Uyen. (~130 km, ~2h)

After arranging the necessary border-area permission, we leave Cao Bang and ride through some of the most spectacular scenery in northern Vietnam toward Ban Gioc Waterfalls. The journey takes us through dramatic limestone mountains, green valleys, rural villages, and winding roads close to the Chinese border.

Ban Gioc Waterfalls are among the most impressive waterfalls in Vietnam and one of the major highlights of this Northeast Vietnam motorcycle tour. The enormous cascade drops into the river below, surrounded by spectacular karst mountains. If the weather, water conditions, and local regulations allow, there may also be an opportunity to swim near the waterfall area.

After enjoying Ban Gioc, we ride for roughly another hour toward Quang Uyen, now known as Quang Hoa, a beautiful rural area surrounded by mountains. The region is home to the Nung An people and offers a wonderful opportunity to experience traditional village life away from the main tourist routes.

To make the evening particularly memorable, we stay at our friend’s home with a Nung family. Along with their warm hospitality, the hostess prepares delicious traditional local food, making this authentic homestay one of the highlights of the trip.

Overnight: Nung family homestay in Quang Uyen/Quang Hoa.

Day 5: Quang Hoa – Lang Son. (~150 km, ~5h)

Today we leave Quang Hoa and continue toward Lang Son, following scenic roads through the mountains and rural countryside of Northeast Vietnam. The route provides a relaxed riding day after the spectacular landscapes around Ban Gioc Waterfalls and the more adventurous mountain roads of the previous days.

Once we arrive in Lang Son, there will be time to explore the city and experience its role as an important trading center between Vietnam and China. Lang Son has long been influenced by cross-border trade, and its markets are a fascinating place to explore local life and discover a wide range of goods.

You can visit Dong Kinh Market and Tam Thanh Market, where you may find inexpensive Chinese-made electronic products, household goods, souvenirs, and gifts to take home. Take some time to walk around, browse the shops, and enjoy the atmosphere before relaxing after another day on the motorcycle.

Overnight: Hotel in Lang Son.

Day 6: Lang Son – Hanoi. (~150 km, ~3h) End of 6 days in Northeast Vietnam.

Our final day offers two options depending on the weather and your preferences. If conditions are good, we can make a detour to Mau Son, a beautiful mountain area approximately 30 km from Lang Son. At around 1,541 metres above sea level, Mau Son offers cooler temperatures, spectacular mountain scenery, and a peaceful atmosphere.

We can spend the morning exploring Mau Son, enjoying the views, and visiting our Dao friends before riding back down to Lang Son for lunch. This is a great way to finish the mountain section of the journey before heading back toward Hanoi.

Alternatively, if you prefer a more direct return, we can take smaller rural roads alongside Highway 1B, avoiding the main traffic where possible and enjoying a quieter final ride toward the capital.

We expect to arrive back in Hanoi at around 4:00 PM, bringing our 6-day Northeast Vietnam motorbike tour to an end after an unforgettable journey through mountain roads, ethnic villages, waterfalls, lakes, markets, and some of northern Vietnam’s most spectacular landscapes.

Contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions, suggestions, or recommendations about this 6-day Northeast Vietnam motorcycle tour.