STANDARD NORTHEAST VIETNAM RIDE ON 2 WHEELS

Introduction to Northeast Vietnam Ride In 7 Days

Vietnam Offroad Motorbike Tours invites you to explore the wild and remote landscapes of Northeast Vietnam on two wheels. This corner of the country offers a fascinating combination of spectacular mountain scenery, winding roads, traditional villages, colorful ethnic cultures, and important trading areas close to the Chinese border.

The region also has a rich history. It played an important role during the conflicts with the French army, and many places along the route still carry reminders of that past. Today, however, Northeast Vietnam is changing rapidly while retaining much of its traditional character. It is a land of limestone mountains, legends, ethnic minority communities, remote valleys, and busy border markets.

The riding is a major part of the adventure. Expect small winding roads, mountain passes, narrow backroads, and countless curves through spectacular landscapes. Depending on the direction of the itinerary, the journey starts on relatively flat and easy roads or highways before climbing into the mountains. After several days exploring the highlands, we gradually descend toward flatter roads for the return to Hanoi.

Accommodation is part of the experience. Along the route, we stay in welcoming local homestays in Vu Linh, Ba Be, Na Khan, and Quang Uyen, providing opportunities to experience traditional village life and enjoy home-cooked food. There are also several nights in comfortable hotels in Bac Kan, Cao Bang, Mau Son, and/or Lang Son, depending on the final route.

We are happy to customize the itinerary around your available time and riding preferences. Trips can be arranged from 3 to 8 days, and you can also extend the journey toward the magnificent Halong Bay if you have additional time.

Leave the busy tourist routes behind, get on two wheels, and discover a lesser-known side of Vietnam through its mountains, villages, people, and backroads.

Other Northeast Vietnam Motorbike Routes

• 3 days
• 4 days
• 5 days
• 6 days
• 8 days

Below is a video clip showing some portions of this Northeast Vietnam motorcycle adventure. If you would like to see more videos from our rides, please visit our YouTube channel.

 

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi – Vu Linh. (~180 km, ~6h)

Today is the first day of our Northeast Vietnam Ride, and we begin with a short riding and safety briefing before leaving Hanoi. We will go over the basic road rules, riding style, route, and a few important safety points so everyone knows what to expect on the road.

We leave Hanoi from the western side of the city and follow the riverside road toward Son Tay. This is a relatively easy start, with mostly sealed roads taking us away from the busy capital and into the quieter countryside.

As we travel farther north, the scenery gradually changes from the Red River Delta to rolling hills and rural landscapes. The approximately 180 km ride takes around six hours, including stops along the way.

Our destination is Vu Linh, a traditional Dao village on the shores of Thac Ba Lake. Here we stay with a local Dao host family in a traditional stilt house, allowing us to experience village life and enjoy genuine local hospitality.

The welcome in Vu Linh is always special, and after the first day’s ride, spending the evening with a local family is a great way to begin the adventure.

Day 2: Vu Linh – Na Khan. (~165 km, ~6h)

After breakfast with our host family, we leave Vu Linh and continue deeper into the mountains of Northeast Vietnam. Today’s route takes us through Tan Trao in Tuyen Quang Province and onward to the historic Dinh Hoa ATK area, a region surrounded by forested mountains and closely connected with Vietnam’s wartime history.

Most of today’s route is on sealed roads, making the riding relatively comfortable. However, the final approximately 10 km becomes much more remote, wild, and bumpy, providing a taste of the more adventurous riding that lies ahead.

Our destination is Na Khan, a small Tay village hidden among the primitive forest and mountains. Although a newly sealed road has made the village more accessible, it remains a peaceful and little-visited destination far away from the main tourist routes.

We stay with a local Tay family and meet Mr. Lo, the village chief, who will welcome us into his home. This is another opportunity to experience authentic village life, traditional hospitality, and the quieter side of Northeast Vietnam.

The combination of scenic mountain roads, remote villages, and local encounters makes Na Khan one of the memorable stops on this route.

Day 3: Na Khan – Ba Be. (~50 km, ~2h)

Today is a short and relaxed riding day, with only around 50 km between Na Khan and Ba Be. The route follows a rough and bumpy road through the countryside, giving us another taste of the quieter backroads of Northeast Vietnam.

After arriving in Ba Be, we have lunch at the home of our former local host and captain, Mr. Dang (Zi Dang). Sadly, Mr. Dang passed away in 2009, but his son has continued the family’s hospitality and local business, keeping this special connection with travelers alive.

After lunch, we take a boat trip on Ba Be Lake and the surrounding river system, enjoying the peaceful water, limestone mountains, forests, and traditional villages along the shoreline. If our arrival coincides with market day, we can also visit the local market and see villagers from surrounding communities trading food, agricultural products, and everyday goods.

Depending on time and weather, we can stop at a waterfall for a refreshing swim before continuing toward Dau Dang. Here we meet the local caretaker, sometimes known by his nickname “Ong Pirate,” and enjoy dinner in this beautiful natural setting.

If time allows, we can also visit a nearby small village and local school. During the summer, the school may have only a handful of pupils, giving a glimpse into everyday life in these remote mountain communities.

We spend the night in a traditional Tay stilt house, surrounded by the peaceful countryside of Ba Be.

Day 4: Ba Be – Cao Bang. (~170 km, ~8h)

Day 5: Cao Bang – Ban Gioc Waterfalls – Quang Uyen. (~130 km, ~2h)

After obtaining the necessary border-area permission, we leave Cao Bang and ride through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Northeast Vietnam toward Ban Gioc Waterfalls. The route winds through limestone mountains, green valleys, traditional villages, and quiet countryside, making this one of the most scenic sections of the trip.

Ban Gioc Waterfalls are among the most impressive natural attractions in Vietnam, with the water cascading down the limestone cliffs into the river below. Weather permitting, we can get close to the falls and even enjoy a refreshing swim in the river. There will also be plenty of opportunities to stop for photos and admire the dramatic scenery surrounding the waterfall.

After visiting Ban Gioc, we continue for about another hour to Quang Hoa, a beautiful village surrounded by mountains. This area is home to the Nung An people, and staying here provides a more authentic experience away from the main tourist routes.

Tonight, we stay at a local Nung homestay, where we can enjoy a traditional dinner and experience the warm hospitality of the host family. Best of all, our hostess is known for being an excellent local cook, so dinner is likely to be one of the highlights of the evening.

Day 6: Quang Hoa – Lang Son. (~150 km, ~5h)

Today we continue our Northeast Vietnam motorbike adventure along the historic Highway 4, riding from Quang Hoa toward Lang Son. This famous mountain road passes through a landscape of rugged limestone peaks, forested hills, valleys, and small rural communities.

The route is both scenic and historically significant, with Highway 4 playing an important role during the wars in northern Vietnam. Along the way, we can make stops for photographs, refreshments, and to enjoy the changing mountain scenery.

By afternoon, we reach Lang Son, an important trading city close to the Chinese border. After checking into our hotel, there will be time to explore the city and experience its busy commercial atmosphere.

If shopping interests you, Dong Kinh Market and Tam Thanh Market are popular places to browse for reasonably priced Chinese-made goods, electronics, clothing, souvenirs, and other local products.

Overnight in a hotel in Lang Son.

Day 7: Lang Son – Hanoi. (~150 km, ~3h) End of Northeast Vietnam Ride.

If the weather is good, we can start the final day with a ride up to Mau Son, about 30 km from Lang Son and approximately 1,541 m above sea level. The winding mountain road offers beautiful views over the surrounding hills and valleys, making it a rewarding final detour before heading back to Hanoi.

Once in Mau Son, we take some time to explore the mountain area and visit our Dao friends. This is a peaceful way to experience another side of Northeast Vietnam and meet local people away from the main tourist routes.

After the morning visit, we ride back down to Lang Son for lunch. From there, we continue toward Hanoi. The new Highway 1B provides a relatively easy and direct route, but if you find the highway too ordinary after several days on mountain roads, we can choose smaller backroads running alongside it whenever conditions allow.

The final section gradually leaves the mountains behind as we approach Hanoi. We expect to arrive in the city at around 4 pm, giving us enough time to finish the ride before the busiest evening traffic.

After seven days of mountain roads, remote villages, ethnic homestays, scenic passes, waterfalls, and quiet backroads, this marks the end of our Northeast Vietnam adventure on two wheels.

Contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions, suggestions, or recommendations regarding this Northeast Vietnam Ride by motorbike.

More Vietnam Motorbike Tour Itineraries

• Scenic Ha Giang & Northeast
• North-west Vietnam
• Central North Vietnam
• Big North Loop of Vietnam
• Ho Chi Minh Trail/Road
• Mai Chau, Hoa Binh
• One Day Tour Around Hanoi
• Easy Scooter Tours