BIG NORTH IN 14 DAYS MOTORBIKE TOUR

Introduction to Big North In 14 Days By Motorcycle

This is our Big North in 14 Days motorcycle tour, a minimum two-week motorbike adventure through Northern Vietnam. This extended itinerary takes you on a huge loop around the northern part of the country, starting in the Northwest, continuing towards Ha Giang, exploring the spectacular Northeast, and including Ba Be Lake before returning to Hanoi.

Over 14 days, you will experience an incredible variety of Northern Vietnam landscapes and cultures, from high mountain passes and remote H’Mong villages to rice valleys, tea plantations, limestone mountains, ethnic minority communities, and quiet backroads. The route is designed for riders who want to explore Northern Vietnam by motorcycle beyond the main tourist routes.

This 14-day Big North Vietnam motorcycle tour is an excellent choice if you have enough time to explore the region properly. Rather than simply visiting a few famous destinations, we ride a large northern loop and connect some of the most spectacular and remote areas of Vietnam.

Below is a video clip featuring many sections of this Big North motorcycle adventure. If you would like to watch more videos from our Vietnam motorbike tours, please check our YouTube channel.

Other Big North Vietnam Motorcycle Routes

Big North In 14 Days Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi – Hang Kia (Moc Chau). (~200 km, ~7 h)

We leave Hanoi and head west towards the mountains, beginning our 14-day Big North Vietnam motorcycle tour. After passing through Hoa Binh, we continue into increasingly mountainous countryside, with the Da (Black) River on our right and the Laos border region to our left.

We eventually leave the river and enter the spectacular mountainous landscape around Mai Chau. As we climb higher towards the Mai Chau plateau, the scenery opens up into a series of beautiful green and grey horizons, with forested mountains, valleys, farmland, and traditional ethnic villages appearing along the route.

Before reaching the plateau, we turn right towards the border and continue into more remote territory. Our destination is Hang Kia, a mountain village inhabited mainly by H’Mong people. The village provides a wonderful introduction to the ethnic cultures and remote landscapes of Northern Vietnam, and we spend the night with local hosts.

Alternatively, riders who prefer a more straightforward itinerary can continue riding to Moc Chau and spend the night in a hotel.

Day 2: Hang Kia – Son La. (~180 km, ~8 h)

We leave Hang Kia and continue deeper into the mountains on a good road that climbs high above the valleys, offering spectacular views of distant mountain ranges. The route takes us through forested areas inhabited by H’Mong communities, providing plenty of opportunities to see traditional villages and rural life along the way.

After crossing the high mountain region, we gradually descend towards a beautiful tea-growing area, where the landscape changes from forest and rugged mountains to rolling green plantations.

Further along, we enter a long and fertile valley covered by what looks like a sea of rice fields, surrounded by traditional Black Thai villages. This broad valley provides a striking contrast to the narrow mountain roads we have travelled earlier in the day.

We continue through the valley towards Son La, an important town in Northwest Vietnam. After arriving, there is time to explore the local area and visit the lively market, where you can find a wide variety of inexpensive local goods, food, clothing, and everyday products.

After approximately 180 km and eight hours of riding, we check into a hotel and spend the night in Son La.

Day 3: Son La – Lai Chau. (~200 km, ~8 h)

Today is one of the most spectacular days of our 14-day Big North Vietnam motorcycle tour. The route from Son La to Lai Chau crosses approximately 15 mountain passes, taking us through some of the most dramatic scenery in Northwest Vietnam.

We ride along a beautiful mountain road with spectacular views at almost every turn. The landscape changes constantly as we climb and descend through forested mountains, deep valleys, remote villages, and high mountain passes. In fact, this is probably one of the most beautiful motorcycle journeys of the entire Big North tour.

Although some sections of the road can be in poor condition, the challenging surface adds to the adventure and takes us away from the more heavily travelled routes. We make regular stops to take photographs, enjoy the mountain views, and experience the peaceful atmosphere of this remote part of Vietnam.

After approximately 200 km and eight hours of riding, we arrive in Lai Chau. After a demanding but unforgettable day on the motorcycle, we check into Lan Anh Hotel for the night.

Day 4: Lai Chau – Tam Duong. (~150 km, ~7 h)

Today takes us into the most demanding and remote section of the Big North motorcycle tour. We leave Lai Chau and ride upstream along the side of a tributary of the Black River, following a rough and sometimes bumpy dirt road through dense forest and remote mountain country.

The route passes isolated communities of Tay, Thai, H’Mong, and Dao (Man) people, offering a rare opportunity to experience rural life far away from Vietnam’s main tourist routes. The roads are challenging in places, but the spectacular scenery and sense of remoteness make this one of the most rewarding sections of the Northern Vietnam off-road motorcycle adventure.

Eventually, we climb over a mountain pass and descend towards the Tam Duong plain, where the scenery changes dramatically. The valley is surrounded by spectacular limestone karst formations, with sharp peaks rising from the landscape like rows of shark’s teeth.

We also propose a visit to a Mang ethnic minority village near Sin Ho. Our guide will purchase food and other useful items to give to the village chief, who will then distribute the donations among local families. This provides a meaningful opportunity to meet the Mang people while contributing directly to the local community.

After approximately 150 km and seven hours of riding, we arrive in Tam Duong and spend the night at Phuong Thanh Hotel.

Day 5: Tam Duong – Sapa. (~100 km, ~5 h)

We begin the morning by exploring Tam Duong Market, a colourful local market where different ethnic minority communities from the surrounding mountains come to trade and meet. Depending on the market day, you may see Black H’Mong and Dao people wearing traditional clothing and selling local produce, food, handicrafts, and everyday goods.

At around 10 am, we leave Tam Duong and begin a beautiful but challenging ride towards Sapa. We follow a bumpy mountain road at a relaxed pace, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and stop for photographs. This is one of the more remote sections of our 14 Days Big North Vietnam motorcycle adventure, with forests, mountain valleys, isolated villages, and spectacular highland views surrounding us.

There are very few places to stop for food along this remote route, so we recommend having a big breakfast in Tam Duong before setting off. Once we leave town, it is mainly just us, our motorcycles, and the wild mountain landscape of Northwest Vietnam.

The relatively short distance of around 100 km can take approximately five hours because of the road conditions, mountain terrain, and frequent photo stops. We eventually reach Sapa, one of the most famous mountain destinations in Northern Vietnam, where we check into Cat Cat View Hotel for the night.

Day 6: Sapa – Bac Ha. (~120 km, ~4 h)

Today we leave Sapa and continue our Big North motorcycle tour towards Bac Ha, another fascinating mountain region famous for its ethnic cultures and spectacular landscapes.

We first descend from Sapa towards Lao Cai, covering approximately 34 km on the winding mountain road. From Lao Cai, we turn towards Bac Ha and climb back into the mountains for another approximately 70 km. The entire ride takes around four hours, with plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the stunning mountain scenery, valleys, rice fields, and remote villages along the route.

After arriving in Bac Ha, we check into Dang Khoa Hotel and have lunch before spending the afternoon exploring the surrounding countryside.

Later, we take a trek to Lung Phinh Village, home to members of the Flower H’Mong community. Walking through the village and surrounding countryside provides an excellent opportunity to experience traditional mountain life away from the main tourist areas. The colourful traditional clothing, local houses, farmland, and peaceful surroundings offer a different perspective on ethnic minority culture in Northern Vietnam.

After the trek, we return to Bac Ha for a relaxing evening and overnight in Bac Ha, ready for the next stage of our 14-day Big North motorcycle adventure.

Day 7: Bac Ha – Xin Man. (~50 km, ~3 h)

Today is a short but wonderfully adventurous stage of our 14-day Big North Vietnam motorcycle tour. We leave Bac Ha and follow minor mountain roads and rough tracks, gradually disappearing into the remote countryside. The route takes us through a wild and largely untouched landscape where forests, bushes, steep valleys, and isolated villages create a true sense of adventure.

Along the way, the colourful clothing of the Flower H’Mong people stands out dramatically against the green mountains and rugged scenery. We ride at a relaxed pace, with plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the small footpaths winding through the wild vegetation, as well as the traditional villages and spectacular mountain views.

We then continue towards Can Cau Market, located in the heart of a dramatic mountain valley close to the Chinese border. The market is famous for bringing together different ethnic communities from the surrounding mountains, including people living on both sides of the border. On Saturday mornings, the area becomes a lively meeting place filled with traditional costumes, local produce, livestock, food, and colourful mountain culture.

Visiting Can Cau Market is one of the most memorable cultural experiences of our Big North motorcycle adventure. The atmosphere is fascinating and often so absorbing that it is easy to lose track of time while watching the local people trade, socialise, and meet friends.

After exploring the market and surrounding area, we continue towards Xin Man, where we spend the night.

Day 8: Xin Man – Ha Giang. (~140 km, ~6 h)

We leave Xin Man and continue towards Ha Giang on quiet mountain roads with very little traffic. The route follows picturesque sections along the Lo River, surrounded by forested mountains, deep valleys, and remote villages. This is another superb day of motorcycle riding in Northern Vietnam, with the road itself providing much of the adventure.

The landscape becomes increasingly dramatic as we approach the frontier region. The route crosses the mountainous territories inhabited by various ethnic minority communities, with traditional villages scattered throughout the valleys and highlands. The remote location gives this section of the journey a genuine sense of wilderness and makes it one of the highlights of the tour.

In the past, travelling through some areas of Ha Giang required us to obtain a special permit from the local authorities. The process is now much easier, and we can arrange the necessary formalities at the hotel where we stay. This means we can spend more time riding and exploring the mountains instead of dealing with paperwork.

As we continue through the frontier mountains, the scenery becomes increasingly spectacular, with winding roads, limestone peaks, steep valleys, and isolated communities appearing around almost every bend. This is the remote side of Ha Giang Province, far away from the busiest tourist routes.

After approximately 140 km and six hours of riding, we arrive in Ha Giang, where we check into our hotel.

Day 9: Ha Giang – Bao Lac. (~140 km, ~7 h)

We leave Ha Giang and continue deeper into the remote mountains towards Bao Lac. Although the distance is only around 140 km, the journey takes approximately seven hours because the route includes numerous rough tracks, narrow mountain roads, and slow-going sections. The challenging road conditions make this a long day on the motorcycle, but they also allow us to explore parts of Northern Vietnam that remain far away from the usual tourist routes.

The landscape, however, is more than enough compensation for the slow pace. This is considered some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Vietnam, with dramatic limestone peaks, deep valleys, winding roads, forests, and isolated ethnic minority villages. We ride through the wild and remote areas of the legendary Ha Giang Province, stopping regularly to admire the views and take photographs.

The relaxed pace gives us plenty of time to appreciate the surroundings rather than simply trying to cover kilometres. This is exactly what makes the Big North Vietnam motorcycle adventure so special: the journey is about discovering remote places and enjoying the ride as much as reaching the destination.

We eventually arrive in Bao Lac, an important ethnic crossroads in the northern mountains. The area is home to a remarkable diversity of ethnic communities, and its Sunday market brings people from villages on both sides of the nearby Vietnam-China border together to trade, socialise, and meet friends.

After a full day of mountain riding, we spend the night at a local guesthouse in Bao Lac, surrounded by the fascinating cultural diversity of this remote region.

Day 10: Bao Lac – Quang Hoa. (~150 km, ~5 h)

We continue from Bao Lac towards Quang Hoa, with another superb day of riding through the mountains. The route takes us across numerous mountain passes and high ridges, where we repeatedly climb and descend through an extraordinary variety of landscapes.

From the higher sections of the road, we can look down over the surrounding valleys and mountains, with spectacular panoramic views stretching in every direction. The scenery changes constantly as we ride through forests, limestone mountains, cultivated valleys, remote villages, and winding mountain roads.

Although the previous days have involved long hours in the saddle, the incredible scenery keeps us motivated. The diversity of the landscapes makes it easy to forget the tiredness of this long journey through Northern Vietnam.

We eventually reach Quang Hoa, where we stay with a local Nung An family. This traditional homestay provides another opportunity to experience the hospitality and daily life of an ethnic minority community in Northeast Vietnam.

Our hostess is also a fantastic cook, preparing delicious traditional dishes for us to enjoy after the day’s ride. Sharing a home-cooked meal with our hosts is one of the highlights of the Big North Vietnam motorbike tour, offering a genuine cultural experience that you simply cannot get from staying in a standard hotel.

Day 11: Quang Hoa. ~100 km, ~3 h (or ~30 km, ~1 h).

Today offers two different options, allowing us to choose between visiting one of Northern Vietnam’s most spectacular waterfalls or exploring a little-known area by raft and motorcycle.

Option 1: Ban Gioc Waterfalls

After obtaining the necessary permission from the border police, we ride through spectacular mountain scenery towards Ban Gioc Waterfalls, one of the most impressive natural attractions in Northern Vietnam. The journey takes us through limestone mountains, green valleys, traditional villages, and quiet roads close to the Chinese border.

The waterfall is an unforgettable sight, with water cascading over a series of limestone formations into the river below. Weather permitting, we can even swim in the river close to the base of the falls, providing a refreshing break after the motorcycle ride.

This option covers approximately 100 km and around three hours of riding, depending on stops and road conditions. It is an excellent choice for riders who want to experience one of the iconic highlights of Northeast Vietnam.

Option 2: Na Tau

For something much more adventurous and completely off the beaten track, we can explore Na Tau, a little-known area located only around 15 km from Quang Hoa. This is an opportunity to discover a part of Northeast Vietnam that very few travellers visit.

We explore the area by a combination of motorbike and raft, following rivers and visiting beautiful waterfalls hidden among the surrounding mountains and forests. The landscape is remarkably wild, peaceful, and untouched, making this an ideal option for riders looking for a genuine off-road experience.

The shorter route covers approximately 30 km and around one hour of riding, although the exploration by raft and time spent enjoying the scenery make this a full and memorable day.

Day 12: Quang Hoa – Ba Be. (~170 km, ~8 h)

We leave Quang Hoa and begin riding west towards Ba Be. The route takes us through the spectacular mountains of Cao Bang Province and towards the peaceful landscapes surrounding Ba Be National Park.

Along the way, we cross several mountain passes where we can stop and look down over the surrounding countryside. The road itself is generally easy to ride, but there are numerous blind curves and winding mountain sections, so we take our time and ride carefully.

The landscape is constantly changing, with limestone peaks, forested mountains, deep valleys, farmland, and small ethnic villages appearing around every bend. We make plenty of stops for photographs, drinks, snacks, and food, giving us time to appreciate the scenery rather than simply concentrating on covering the kilometres.

Although the distance is approximately 170 km, the combination of mountain roads, curves, stops, and sightseeing means we should allow around eight hours for the journey.

We eventually arrive in the Ba Be area, one of the most beautiful natural regions of Northeast Vietnam. After a rewarding day on the motorcycle, we stay overnight in a traditional local house, giving us another chance to experience the hospitality and rural lifestyle of northern Vietnam.

Day 13: Ba Be. Boating.

Today is a relaxed day exploring the beautiful Ba Be Lake and surrounding river system. After many days of mountain riding, we leave the motorcycles behind and enjoy an easy boat trip on the lake and river, surrounded by forested mountains, limestone cliffs, and peaceful rural scenery.

If it happens to be market day, we can also visit the local market and experience the colourful atmosphere of the surrounding villages. Depending on the weather and conditions, there will also be time to stop at a waterfall, go swimming, and enjoy the natural surroundings.

We then continue towards Dau Dang Waterfall, where we meet Ong Pirate, the local chief, and enjoy dinner in this beautiful and remote setting. Below the waterfall, we can visit a nearby village and a small local school, which may have only a few pupils during the summer.

For the night, we propose staying in a traditional stilt house used by forest guards. This is a simple and authentic overnight experience in the middle of the forest, giving us a final opportunity to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Ba Be National Park before heading back to Hanoi.

Day 14: Ba Be – Hanoi. (~240 km, ~8 h) End of Big North In 14 Days.

Our final day is a relatively long but straightforward ride from Ba Be back to Hanoi, covering approximately 240 km. We recommend an early departure so that we have plenty of time for the journey and can avoid arriving in Hanoi too late.

The first part of the route takes us through the countryside and rolling hills of northern Vietnam, providing a final opportunity to enjoy the rural scenery after almost two weeks of riding through the mountains.

The final section from Thai Nguyen to Hanoi follows one of the busiest highways in Vietnam, with considerable motorbike and other traffic. It is certainly a busier and less scenic section than the remote mountain roads we have enjoyed throughout the trip, so extra attention is required.

After 13 days exploring Northern Vietnam by motorcycle, however, you should be well accustomed to Vietnamese traffic and riding conditions. We arrive back in Hanoi after approximately eight hours on the road, bringing our Big North 14 Days motorcycle tour to an end.

Contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions, suggestions, or recommendations regarding this Big North in 14 Days Vietnam motorbike tour.