MIDDLE NORTH VIETNAM MOTORCYCLING

This is a very challenging 4-day Middle North Vietnam motorbike tour, covering approximately 1,000 km and designed for experienced riders only. The itinerary is intentionally focused on riding rather than extensive sightseeing, because the spectacular mountain landscapes and demanding roads are the main attractions.

We bypass the more touristy Sapa and follow quieter mountain roads through some of the most scenic areas of northern Vietnam. Expect long riding days, winding mountain roads, rough and bumpy sections, and constantly changing scenery. This is a fast-paced Northern Vietnam motorcycle adventure for riders who enjoy spending most of the day on the bike.

If you prefer a slower or easier pace, we can tailor a Middle North Vietnam motorbike itinerary to suit your riding experience, interests, and available time.

Watch the video below to get an idea of what you can expect from one of our Central Northern Vietnam motorbike tours. If you would like to see more videos from our motorcycle adventures, please visit our YouTube channel.

MIDDLE NORTH MOTORBIKING DETAILED ITINERARY

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

We leave Hanoi and enjoy an easy ride on sealed roads along the river toward Trung Ha Bridge before climbing gradually into the low hills around Thu Cuc.

From there, we continue through peaceful rural countryside, with beautiful rice fields and traditional villages lining the road. As we approach Khe Pass, the landscape becomes more mountainous. This is the first major pass of the Hoang Lien mountain range, home to Fansipan, the highest mountain in Vietnam and often known as the “Roof of Indochina.”

We continue on quiet roads through Ba Khe toward Nghia Lo, enjoying a relaxed cruising pace and increasingly impressive mountain scenery. Around half of today’s route takes place on mountain roads, making this a great introduction to the longer and more challenging riding days ahead.

We spend the night at a hotel in Nghia Lo.

Day 2: Nghia Lo – Sapa. (~250 km, ~6 h)

Today is where the Middle North Vietnam motorbike adventure really begins. We leave Nghia Lo and follow wild, rough, and often bumpy mountain roads. The route through Tu Le is particularly quiet, with very little traffic and spectacular views throughout the ride.

We cross the Mu Cang Chai mountain massif, whose high peaks rise almost as high as Fansipan. From the top, we enjoy one of the most spectacular panoramic viewpoints in Northern Vietnam, with mountains, valleys, and terraced rice fields stretching into the distance.

After lunch in Than Uyen, we continue climbing toward the higher parts of the mountain range. The next section includes approximately 100 km of easier track, followed by around 40 km of paved mountain road toward Sapa.

Depending on the weather and your energy levels, we can stay overnight in Sapa town. However, if you would rather continue riding and conditions are good, we can head farther to Ta Van or Ban Ho, where we stay with Giay people in a traditional village. The additional route is around 40 km of dirt road and provides another enjoyable section of mountain riding.

Day 3: Sapa – Vu Linh. (~260 km, ~7 h)

We start the day by riding down from Sapa to Lao Cai before turning toward Thac Ba Lake. The first part of the journey is relatively easy, with paved roads all the way to Luc Yen.

From Luc Yen, we leave the main roads and follow a quieter secondary road along Thac Ba Lake. This scenic route takes us through the traditional territories of Dao and Tay ethnic minority communities, with rural villages, forested hills, and views over the lake along the way.

We continue through the countryside toward the traditional village of Vu Linh, where we stay with our local friends. After another long day in the saddle, this peaceful village provides a perfect place to relax and experience authentic Vietnamese village life.

Day 4: Vu Linh – Hanoi. (~200 km, ~6 h) End of Middle North ride.

Our final day takes us back toward Hanoi via Son Duong, located at the foot of the Tam Dao mountain range.

We begin with another section of mountain road before reaching easier roads toward Son Tay. The landscape gradually changes from remote mountain countryside to more populated rural areas as we approach the capital.

We aim to arrive in Hanoi at around 4:00 pm, before the evening rush hour. This brings our 4-day Middle North Vietnam motorbike adventure to an end after approximately 1,000 km of challenging and scenic riding.

Contact us at [email protected] for more details about this Middle North Vietnam motorbike tour or other Northern Vietnam motorcycle adventures.