HA GIANG IN 12 DAYS MOTORBIKING ITINERARY

Introduction to Ha Giang In 12 Days

Ha Giang In 12 Days is an extended Northern Vietnam motorcycle tour that combines some of the country’s most spectacular mountain roads with the dramatic landscapes of Ha Giang and a relaxing Halong Bay cruise. Starting in Hanoi, we ride northwest towards Sapa, crossing the high mountain roads of the Hoang Lien Son range before continuing through Bac Ha and into Ha Giang Province.

The route then takes us through some of the most remote and scenic areas of Northern Vietnam, including Dong Van, Ma Pi Leng Pass, Bao Lac, Cao Bang, and Lang Son. Along the way, expect winding mountain roads, limestone peaks, deep valleys, terraced fields, remote villages, and opportunities to meet local ethnic communities.

After days of mountain riding, the journey continues east to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage destination famous for its spectacular limestone karsts rising from the sea. Spending a night cruising among these islands provides a perfect contrast to the adventure on two wheels.

All in all, this 12-day Vietnam motorbike adventure offers an excellent combination of challenging mountain riding, cultural experiences, remote countryside, and a relaxing Halong Bay cruise.

Ha Giang In 12 Days Dirtbike Ride At A Glance

1^st day: Hanoi – Nghia Lo
2^nd day: Nghia Lo – Than Uyen
3^rd day: Than Uyen – Sapa
4^th day: Sapa – Bac Ha
5^th day: Bac Ha – Ha Giang
6^th day: Ha Giang – Dong Van
7^th day: Dong Van – Bao Lac
8^th day: Bao Lac – Cao Bang
9^th day: Cao Bang – Lang Son
10^th day: Lang Son – Halong City
11^th day: Halong Bay cruise
12^th day: Halong Bay – Hanoi

Below is a video clip featuring some sections of this Ha Giang motorcycle tour. To watch more videos from our Vietnam motorbike adventures, please visit our YouTube channel.

Other Ha Giang & North Vietnam Motorbike Routes

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi – Nghia Lo (~250 km, ~7 h)

This is the first day of our Northern Vietnam motorcycle adventure, so we start at a comfortable pace to help you settle into the bike and the roads. Before setting off, we spend around 30 minutes checking the motorcycles, tools, spare parts, and riding equipment to make sure everything is ready for the journey ahead.

We leave Hanoi by following quieter roads along the Red River towards Son Tay, avoiding the busiest parts of the city. From there, we gradually leave the flat delta behind and head into the mountains towards Nghia Lo.

The road is relatively easy and flat from Hanoi to Thanh Son. From Thanh Son through Thu Cuc and onward to Ba Khe, the scenery becomes increasingly impressive as the road begins to wind along the foothills of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range.

This transition from rural farmland to mountainous countryside gives us a great introduction to Northern Vietnam’s diverse landscapes. Along the way, there are plenty of opportunities to stop for photographs, drinks, and short breaks.

By the end of the day, we reach Nghia Lo, a lively mountain town surrounded by valleys, rice fields, and ethnic minority villages. We spend the night here and prepare for the more challenging mountain roads ahead.

Day 2: Nghia Lo – Than Uyen (~180 km, ~5 h)

Today the riding becomes more adventurous as we leave Nghia Lo and take a wild and bumpy mountain road towards Than Uyen. Our first major challenge is Lung Lo Pass, followed by the much higher and more spectacular Khau Pha Pass.

We continue through the magnificent Mu Cang Chai mountain massif, one of the most scenic areas in Northern Vietnam. From the higher sections of the route, we can enjoy sweeping views over steep mountains, deep valleys, forests, and terraced rice fields.

The roads are sometimes rough and demanding, but the combination of mountain riding and spectacular scenery makes this a highly rewarding section of the journey. We take our time, ride at a comfortable pace, and stop whenever there is a good viewpoint.

After completing the mountain roads, we continue towards Than Uyen, where we spend the night in a hotel.

Day 3: Than Uyen – Sapa (~140 km, ~5 h)

Than Uyen is surrounded by communities of Flower H’Mong and Dzao people, giving us a great opportunity to see traditional mountain life before continuing towards Sapa. We leave town and follow a scenic route through the remote countryside, with plenty of time to enjoy the changing landscapes.

For approximately the first 100 km, we ride on an easy mountain track through forests, valleys, and rural villages. The final 40 km follows a paved mountain road as we climb towards Sapa. The combination of quieter tracks and winding mountain roads makes this an enjoyable day of riding.

As we approach Sapa, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic, with high mountains, deep valleys, terraced fields, and scattered ethnic minority villages. Sapa is one of the most popular destinations in Northern Vietnam, and after experiencing the surrounding mountains by motorcycle, it is easy to understand its appeal.

We arrive in Sapa and have time to relax, explore the town, or simply enjoy the spectacular mountain views. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 4: Sapa – Bac Ha (~100 km, ~3 h)

We leave Sapa in the morning and descend towards Lao Cai, riding approximately 34 km through the Hoang Lien mountain region. Lao Cai is an important border city between Vietnam and China, and we can stop along the way to take photographs with the Chinese mountains and border area in the background.

After lunch in Lao Cai, we turn away from the border and head towards Bac Ha, climbing back into the mountains for another approximately 70 km.

The road winds through spectacular countryside, with mountain valleys, terraced fields, forests, and traditional villages providing constantly changing views. Bac Ha is quieter and less developed than Sapa, making it an excellent place to experience the culture and daily life of Northern Vietnam’s ethnic communities.

After around three hours of riding, we arrive in Bac Ha, where we check in and spend the night.

Day 5: Bac Ha – Ha Giang (~200 km, ~6 h)

After breakfast, we leave Bac Ha and take a mountain track towards Xin Man, followed by a network of small backroads winding through some of the most scenic countryside in Northern Vietnam. This quieter route takes us away from the main traffic and deeper into the mountains, with beautiful views of forested slopes, valleys, terraced fields, and remote villages along the way.

The road gradually becomes easier as we approach the main route towards Ha Giang. We continue riding through the spectacular mountain landscape before arriving in Ha Giang City, where we stop for the night.

In the afternoon, we can take care of the necessary permit for riding in the border areas. This allows us to continue towards Dong Van and the more remote frontier region on the following day.

Overnight in Ha Giang.

Day 6: Ha Giang – Dong Van (~180 km, ~6 h)

After obtaining the border-area permit from Ha Giang Immigration Police, we set off towards Dong Van on a series of small and challenging mountain roads. The riding can be demanding in places, but the spectacular scenery makes it one of the most rewarding sections of the journey.

We travel through the homeland of several ethnic minority communities, passing colourful villages, steep limestone mountains, deep valleys, and isolated homes. The road climbs gradually towards Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of the most spectacular mountain passes in Vietnam.

From the high viewpoints, we can admire dramatic limestone peaks disappearing into the clouds and the Nho Que River winding far below through a deep green canyon. This is an unforgettable place to stop, take photographs, and appreciate the scale of the surrounding mountains.

From Ma Pi Leng, we follow a zigzagging mountain road towards Dong Van, a remote town surrounded by rugged limestone landscapes. Along the way, we see how local communities have adapted to living and farming in this difficult terrain.

After arriving in Dong Van, we have some free time to explore the historic old streets, where traditional H’Mong houses built from clay bricks and topped with tiled roofs reflect the area’s distinctive mountain architecture.

Overnight in Dong Van.

Day 7: Dong Van – Bao Lac (~80 km, ~4 h)

Leaving Dong Van, we continue south through the remote mountains of Ha Giang Province towards Bao Lac. Although the distance is relatively short, sections of the route can still be slow due to road construction, rough tracks, and uneven surfaces. This makes for a more adventurous day of riding and gives us plenty of time to appreciate the scenery.

The landscape is among the most spectacular in Northern Vietnam, with rugged limestone mountains, deep valleys, winding roads, and isolated villages. Riding at a slower pace is actually an advantage here, allowing us to stop frequently for photographs and enjoy the surroundings rather than simply focusing on covering kilometres.

We continue through some of the wildest and most remote areas of Ha Giang before reaching Bao Lac, an important ethnic crossroads in Northeast Vietnam. Several ethnic minority communities from the surrounding mountains gather here, particularly on Sunday market days, when people come from villages on both sides of the border to trade, meet friends, and socialize.

Overnight in Bao Lac.

Day 8: Bao Lac – Cao Bang (~150 km, ~5 h)

Today we leave Bao Lac and ride towards Cao Bang Province, following beautiful mountain roads through a constantly changing landscape. Several passes along the route provide impressive viewpoints over the surrounding mountains and valleys.

The road is generally easy to ride, but there are many blind curves, so we maintain a relaxed pace and take extra care around bends. The route is especially enjoyable for motorcycle riders because there are plenty of natural viewpoints where we can stop for photographs, drinks, or a short rest.

As we travel farther into Cao Bang, the scenery becomes increasingly diverse, with limestone peaks, forested hills, farming valleys, and traditional villages appearing along the way.

Although the riding distance is around 150 km, regular stops for food, drinks, photographs, and sightseeing can make this a much longer day than the kilometre count suggests. Allowing around 8 hours in total gives us enough time to enjoy the route without rushing.

We arrive in Cao Bang and spend the night in a hotel.

Day 9: Cao Bang – Lang Son (~180 km, ~5 h)

We leave Cao Bang and ride towards Lang Son along the historic Highway 4, a scenic route through the mountains of Northeast Vietnam. The road winds through valleys, hills, and rural communities, offering plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the countryside.

As we approach Lang Son, the landscape gradually changes from remote mountain scenery to a busier commercial environment. Located close to the Chinese border, Lang Son has long been an important trading centre between Vietnam and China.

After arriving in the city, we have time to explore Lang Son and visit Dong Kinh Market, where you can browse a wide selection of inexpensive Chinese products, souvenirs, electronics, and everyday goods. It is a lively place to experience the commercial side of this border region.

After exploring the city, we check into our hotel and spend the night in Lang Son.

Day 10: Lang Son – Halong City (~200 km, ~6 h)

Today we leave Lang Son and continue east towards Halong City, with most of the journey following quieter secondary roads. After several days riding through the mountains, the landscape gradually changes as we approach the coastal region of Northeast Vietnam.

The route passes through areas with coal mines and industrial activity, giving us a different perspective on the region and its natural resources. You may even notice the dark coal dust along some sections of the road, so don’t be surprised if the bikes and riding gear get a little dirty!

Despite the industrial areas, there are still sections of countryside where we can enjoy the changing scenery and take short breaks along the way.

By the afternoon, we arrive in Halong City, also known as Bai Chay, where we prepare for the next stage of the journey: exploring the spectacular Halong Bay by boat.

Overnight in Halong City.

Day 11: Halong Bay cruising. Sleep on the boat.

After the long ride from Lang Son to Halong City, we take a relaxing morning before beginning our Halong Bay cruise. This is a welcome change of pace after many days riding through the mountains of Northern Vietnam, giving you time to enjoy the scenery from the water.

There are two options:

1. Join a group cruise

Depart around noon and board the boat for a scenic cruise through Halong Bay. After checking into your cabin, enjoy lunch onboard with a Vietnamese set menu. We then transfer by tender to Surprising Cave, one of the most impressive caves in the bay.

Depending on the weather and conditions, there is time for kayaking, swimming, sightseeing, or simply relaxing on the boat. In the evening, enjoy a Vietnamese dinner onboard. Optional activities may include watching movies, singing karaoke, or joining the crew for squid fishing when weather conditions are suitable.

2. Private Halong Bay cruise

For a more private experience, you can book a private boat and cruise through Halong Bay at your own pace. This option costs extra, and we will provide the additional price if you would like to upgrade.

Day 12: Halong – Hanoi. (~160 km, ~5 h). End of Ha Giang In 12 Days.

There are two options for the final morning of the Halong Bay cruise:

1. Standard cruise option

Transfer by tender to Titov Island, where you can go swimming or simply relax on the beach. We then continue cruising through the bay before returning to Bai Chay. After checking out of the cabins and settling any drinks or additional expenses, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Halong City or onboard the boat.

2. Extended cruise option

You can choose to continue cruising through Halong Bay for longer, followed by lunch on the boat before returning around noon. This option costs extra, and we will let you know the additional cost if you would like this upgrade.

After lunch, we pick up the motorcycles and begin the ride back to Hanoi via Highway 18 and Highway 1B. The route is relatively straightforward compared with the mountain roads earlier in the trip.

We expect to arrive in Hanoi around 5 pm, marking the end of this memorable journey through the mountains of Northern Vietnam and the spectacular landscapes of Halong Bay.

Contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions, suggestions, or recommendations regarding this 12-day Vietnam motorcycle tour.