Summary schedule

  • Day 1: Hanoi to Ba Be
  • Day 2: Ba Be to Dong Van
  • Day 3: Dong Van to Ha Giang
  • Day 4: Ha Giang to Bac Ha
  • Day 5: Bac Ha to Sapa
  • Day 6: Relaxing day in Sapa
  • Day 7: Sapa to Mu Cang Chai
  • Day 8: Mu Cang Chai to Phu Yen
  • Day 9: Phu Yen to Mai Chau
  • Day 10: Mai Chau to Tan Ky
  • Day 11: Tan Ky to Phong Nha
  • Day 12: Phong Nha to Khe Sanh
  • Day 13: Khe Sanh to Hue
  • Day 14: Hue to Hoi An

Day 1: Hanoi to Ba Be

The most challenging part of the first day’s ride is getting out of the city—Hanoi traffic is truly a fun and unforgettable experience.
Following National Highway 3, we pass through villages and small towns to reach Thai Nguyen city, where we take our first stop for a nice cup of coffee.
From Highway 3, we switch to Road 254, and from here, the scenery begins to change with more hills and lush forests.
After lunch, if time allows, we’ll take on an off-road section before riding to Ba Be—today’s final destination.

Hanoi to Ba Be

By day’s end, we’ll arrive at Ba Be Lake—the largest natural freshwater lake in Vietnam. After a peaceful boat ride across its tranquil waters, we’ll settle in for the night at a cozy homestay hosted by a local Tay family.

Boat trip in Ba Be lake

Summary:
Distance: 200km
Meals: L, D
Accommodation: Homestay

 

Day 2: Ba Be to Dong Van

Saying goodbye to the peaceful Ba Be, we head north along National Road 34. The morning ride offers a mix of moderate backroads and off-road sections.
After stopping for lunch in Bao Lac town, we continue with an incredibly fun off-road route where we’ll cross a river on a bamboo raft — a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Crossing a river on a Bamboo Raft


In the late afternoon, we conquer the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of the four most stunning mountain passes in Northern Vietnam, before arriving in Dong Van — today’s destination.

A view from Ma Pi Leng pass

Located in the far north of Vietnam, Dong Van-also known as the Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark, is famous for its spectacular and unique landscape having high mountains and deep canyons. This town is a charming old town with ancient clay brick houses, and the most touristy stop of the Northeast route, so feel free to explore the local bars or shops.
Summary:
Distance: 200km
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 3: Dong Van to Ha Giang

We start the morning by riding to Lung Cu – the northernmost point of Vietnam, a legendary destination among Vietnamese bikers community.

Dong Van to Ha Giang

This morning’s ride also takes us to conquer Tham Ma Pass, another iconic spot in Ha Giang known for its challenging curves and striking scenery.

The fascinating Tham Ma Slope

In the afternoon, the journey continues through breathtaking landscapes, with winding roads carved into the mountains — a truly unforgettable ride.
We spend the night in Ha Giang, a peaceful small city nestled in the heart of Northeast Vietnam.
Summary:
Distance: 200km
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Hotel or Homestay

Day 4: Ha Giang to Bac Ha

From Ha Giang city, we continue our journey toward Hoang Su Phi. The morning ride is a thrilling blend of scenic backroads and exciting off-road sections.
After lunch, we ride from Hoang Su Phi to Bac Ha, making a short stop in Coc Pai—a small mountain town tucked deep in the hills.

Bac Ha to Ha Giang

The afternoon ride is filled with winding curves and steep passes, all framed by the dramatic mountain landscapes of Northern Vietnam.

Bac Ha Periodical Market

Tonight, we settle in at Bac Ha. If luck’s on our side and we’re here on a weekend, you’ll get to experience the vibrant Bac Ha Market — a one-of-a-kind gathering where thousands of people from remote highland villages come together to trade goods, reconnect with friends or even look for a life partner.

Summary:
Distance: 170 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel or homestay

Day 5: Bac Ha to Sapa

If today falls on a Sunday morning, we’ll take the time to visit the vibrant Bac Ha Market—a colorful gathering where you can experience the rich culture of the local ethnic minorities.
There are two options for today’s ride.
The first is a short route of about 100 km, allowing us to arrive in Sapa by early afternoon, giving you time to explore the town or take the cable car ride up to Fansipan—the highest peak in Vietnam.
The second option offers a full-day ride of around 170 km, similar to previous days. From Bac Ha, we follow Road 153 toward Si Ma Cai and Muong Khuong. The morning ride traces the Vietnam-China border, offering untouched, breathtaking mountain scenery.

Sapa to Bac Ha

In the afternoon, we stop by a border checkpoint where China is visible just across a narrow river.
We end the day in Sapa, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Northern Vietnam. Located at 1,600 meters altitude, Sapa is known for its cool climate, majestic landscapes, and diverse tribal cultures. It’s a larger town with restaurants, bars, and shops – a good chance to unwind. We spend the night in a comfortable hotel.

Sapa-The Misty Town

Summary:
Distance: 100-170km
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 6: Relaxing day in Sapa

We have a free day to explore Sapa. You can take an exciting cable car ride to the top of Fansipan—the highest mountain in Vietnam—or simply enjoy wandering around the charming town.

Sapa Cable car

Day 7: Sapa to Mu Cang Chai

We say goodbye to Sapa and continue our journey. In the morning, we conquer O Quy Ho Pass—another iconic mountain pass in Northern Vietnam. After that, we turn onto National Road 32, where a series of backroads and offroad trails wind through lush green tea hills, waiting to be explored.

Sapa to Mu Cang Chai

After a lunch break, the ride continues through the peaceful countryside of Lai Chau province, with endless rice fields stretching into the distance.

We arrive in Mu Cang Chai, a must-visit destination known for its magnificent terraced rice fields and rich ethnic culture. Overnight in a cozy local homestay.
Summary:
Distance: 170km
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Homestay

Day 8: Mu Cang Chai to Phu Yen

This morning’s ride treats us to spectacular mountain roads where we can admire the iconic terraced rice fields—simple yet majestic. These terraces are what put Mu Cang Chai on the map for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Mu Cang Chai to Phu Yên

Our next stop is the legendary Khau Pha Pass. Stretching about 30 kilometers and sitting at 1,500 meters above sea level, Khau Pha offers motorbike riders a thrilling series of twists and turns, along with breathtaking panoramic views at its summit.

Coffee stop at Khau Pha pass

Tonight, we rest in Phu Yen—a quiet and charming little town.
Summary:
Distance: 170km
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Homestay

Day 9: Phu Yen to Mai Chau

From Phu Yen, we ride along the banks of the famous Da River toward Van Yen ferry station, where we’ll cross the river by ferry or a small local boat—an authentic experience in itself.
From Van Yen, we continue on National Road 43 heading toward Moc Chau. This stretch offers some fantastic off-road sections that promise to keep the adventure spirit alive.

Phu Yen to Mai Chau

After lunch, we turn onto the old National Road 6, once an important route but now nearly forgotten. Along this quiet road, we’ll pass just a few small villages, with barely any traffic—no cars or trucks, just us and the wild.
We spend the night in Mai Chau-a quiet valley where stilt houses of the White Thai people sit among emerald paddy fields. Surrounded by misty green mountains, this place is a breath of fresh air after a full day’s ride. Tonight, we enjoy a warm local dinner, stay in a cozy homestay, and soak in a bit of ethnic Thai culture.

Summary:
Distance: 170km
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Homestay

Day 10: Mai Chau to Tan Ky

Say goodbye to the lovely town of Mai Chau, we take some nice backroad to warm up for the day. After an hour, we venture through the all-green Pu Luong Nature Reserve-a place with beautiful scenery, endless forests, and winding, challenging curves.

Vibrant rice field in Pu Luong

Leaving Pu Luong behind, we follow Road 15 and Road 16 to Ngoc Lac town for a nice lunch.
In the afternoon, the ride takes us through endless fields of elephant grass, pineapple and many other. Lots of fun dirt track await to be conquered.
We spend the night in Tan Ky, a peaceful small town renowned for being the starting point of the legendary Ho Chi Minh trail.

Summary:
Distance: 240km
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 11: Tan Ky to Phong Nha

We kick off the day with a short visit to the memorial site where construction of the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail began, then it’s time to officially hit the road and conquer this historic route.

From Tan Ky, we ride along National Highway 15, tackling a few gritty backroads through Do Luong and Vu Quang before stopping for lunch in the small town of Huong Khe.

In the afternoon, we roll into Quang Binh province-a place steeped in war history and make a stop at Khe Ve T-junction, a historic site etched deep into the memories of the Vietnam War.

Visiting the amazing Phong Nha cave

We end the day in the town of Phong Nha, where we hop on a boat to explore the world-famous Phong Nha Cave—one of the most breathtaking caves on the planet. After that, it’s time to kick back, crack open some cold beers, and unwind at the hotel.

Summary:
Distance: 250km
Meals: B, L, D
Accomodation: Hotel

Day 12: Phong Nha to Khe Sanh

Another big day awaits for us ahead, today we explore the west branch of the Ho Chi Minh trail. Once played a vital role during the Vietnam War, this route continued to serve civilian purposes after the war ended. However, due to its location and terrain limitation, it gradually fell out of use and was, to some extent, forgotten.
Nevertheless, for this very reason, the Western branch of the Ho Chi Minh trail has become an appealing destination, a heaven for adventurers. This “trail” offers miles of winding road with only a few villages along the way wherein traveler can leave behind bustling cities and fully immerse themselves in stunning nature. 

Coffee plantation in Khe Sanh

After nearly 100 km of riding through remote, empty roads, we finally arrive at the first village of the local Van Kieu ethnic minority people.
In the late afternoon, the journey takes us over the Sa Mu Pass, where we’re treated to a stunning view of a lush green valley from an elevation of 1,400 meters above sea level.
We stop at the historic town of Khe Sanh, which was once one of the bloodiest battlefields of the Vietnam War.

Ride from Phong Nha to Khe Sanh

Summary:
Distance: 220km
Meals: B, L, D
Accomodation: Hotel

Day 13: Khe Sanh to Hue

We begin our journey by visiting Ta Con Airfield, a famous historical site from the Vietnam War. Located near the border and strategically positioned on National Highway 9, which connects Dong Ha (Vietnam) to Southern Laos, this site held significant military importance—not only for the Quang Tri battlefield but also for the entire Indochina region.

Ta Con Airport Relic Museum

After enjoying a cup of coffee along the legendary Route 9, we proceed to visit the Vinh Moc Tunnels. Built during the fiercest period of the Vietnam War as a shelter for civilians and North Vietnamese troops, this underground network stands as a testament to the harrowing years of relentless bombings in Quang Tri—a land of scorching sun and strong winds.

Leaving the Vinh Moc Tunnels, we follow National Highway 49B along the coastline toward Hue, where we will spend the night.

Beer streets in Hue

Summary:
Distance: 160km
Meals: B, L, D
Accomodation: Hotel

Day 14: Hue to Hoi An

Today will be a relaxing and easygoing day. After a night of celebration, we can allow ourselves to sleep in a little, with breakfast at 8:00 or 8:30 AM. We’ll start our day with a visit to the Hue Imperial City. Once the former capital of Vietnam, Hue has preserved many remarkable historical sites and architectural wonders, with the Imperial City being the most famous and a true symbol of the city.

Hai van pass

We’ll depart around 11:00–12:00 AM, following National Highway 49B, and stop for lunch at Lang Co, a beautiful coastal town.

After lunch, we’ll continue our journey to the highlight of the day—the Hai Van Pass, one of the most stunning mountain passes in Vietnam. Beyond its breathtaking scenery, Hai Van Pass is also historically significant, having witnessed intense battles during the Vietnam War. We’ll take a short break at the summit to capture stunning photos of the sea, mountains, and clouds all in one frame.

From Hai Van Pass, we’ll continue our trip through Da Nang and arrive in Hoi An, a charming ancient town where we will spend the night.

Summary:
Distance: 130km
Meals: B,L
Accommodation: N/A

Note: This itinerary is just a short outline, our motorbike tours are all about flexibility, with plenty of room for detours and unexpected discoveries. Your guide will tailor the routes and stops to match your riding skills and travel vibe, making sure every mile feels just right. Don’t hesitate to speak up and customize your ride daily. We’re here to bring you the ultimate motorcycle adventure in Vietnam!.