A 7 days motorcycle trip in Vietnam is the perfect amount of time to fully experience the beauty of its most spectacular roads, without feeling rushed or exhausted. From winding mountain passes and peaceful valleys to dramatic coastal highways, each route offers a completely different and unique adventure. Below are the three most scenic routes that promise unforgettable riding days and breathtaking landscapes.
1. Hanoi - Phu Yen - Son La - Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau - Sapa - Thac Ba Lake - Hanoi
A 7 days motorcycle trip in Vietnam that takes you through Mu Cang Chai, Sa Pa, O Quy Ho, Son La and Thac Ba Lake. Each day offers a new perspective on Northern Vietnam: mist-covered mountain passes, vast terraced rice fields, and meaningful encounters with ethnic minority communities in the highlands.
A group of bikers taking photos at Pha Din Pass.
Here is a suggested itinerary for a 7 days motorcycle trip through Northern Vietnam:
Day 1: Hanoi – Phu Yen (~150 Km/Approx. 4 Hours)
- Ride from Hanoi via quiet backroads along the Red River
- Scenic views: rice fields, tea hills, limestone peaks
- Arrive in Phu Yen and check in to a traditional stilt-house homestay
- Short village walk & meet Thai / Muong families
- Home-cooked dinner
- Overnight in Phu Yen (stilt-house homestay)
Day 2: Phu Yen – Son La (~170 Km/Approx. 5 Hours)
- Breakfast at homestay
- Ride through terraced fields, river valleys & ethnic villages
- Lunch at a local eatery
- Approach the foothills of Pha Din Pass
- Optional visit: Son La Prison Museum
- Overnight in Son La (hotel)
Day 3: Son La – Dien Bien Phu (~160 Km/Approx. 5 Hours)
- Ride across Pha Din Pass – one of the Four Great Passes
- Cloud-covered ridges & dramatic mountain views
- Continue to Dien Bien Phu
- Free time to explore the town or relax at a café
- Overnight in Dien Bien Phu (hotel)
Day 4: Dien Bien – Lai Chau (~120 Km/Approx. 4 Hours)
- Ride through quiet mountain roads & isolated ethnic villages
- Scenic valley and riverside viewpoints
- Arrive early in Lai Chau, rest & enjoy the calm mountain town
- Overnight in Lai Chau (hotel/guesthouse)
Day 5: Lai Chau – Sapa (via O Quy Ho Pass) (~110 Km/Approx. 4 Hours)
- Ride toward O Quy Ho Pass - the highest and arguably most spectacular of the Four Great Passes.
- Spectacular views of cloud-covered ridges
- Descend into Sapa
- Free time to explore Sapa Stone Church, market, cafes
- Overnight in Sapa (homestay)
Day 6: Sapa – Thac Ba Lake (~230 Km/Approx. 6 Hours)
- Ride downhill toward Lao Cai with views of the Chinese border
- Coffee break by the Nam Thi River
- Continue to Vu Linh Village beside Thac Ba Lake
- Boat trip to islands & hidden coves (optional swimming)
- Dinner with a Dao ethnic family
- Overnight in Dao stilt-house homestay
Day 7: Thac Ba – Hanoi (180 Km/Approx. 5 Hours)
- Breakfast & farewell to the host family
- Ride through villages & tea plantations
- Cross the Black River and pass Son Tay
- Return to Hanoi before rush hour
- End of tour
>>> Refer to the detailed motorcycle tour along this route by Frontier Travel Vietnam here.
2. Hanoi - Vu Linh - Ha Giang - Dong Van - Meo Vac - Bao Lac - Ban Gioc Waterfall - Ba Be Lake - Hanoi
This journey will take you through some of Northern Vietnam’s most iconic landscapes. You will experience the peaceful beauty of Vu Linh, the majestic limestone plateau of Ha Giang to the spectacular Ban Gioc Waterfall and the poetic waters of Ba Be Lake.
A group of bikers posing in front of the majestic Ban Gioc Waterfall.
Along the way, you will immerse yourself in local culture, enjoy warm nights in cozy homestays and savor distinctive highland cuisine. This creates a safe, memorable and deeply inspiring adventure.
Here is a suggested itinerary for a 7 days motorcycle trip:
Day 1: Hanoi – Vu Linh (~180 km)
- Ride out of Hanoi via peaceful countryside roads along the Red River.
- Light gravel and lakeside trails through villages, bamboo clusters and rice paddies.
- Arrive in Vu Linh, check in to a Dzao homestay.
- Enjoy local dinner and lakeside views.
Day 2: Vu Linh – Ha Giang (~190 km)
- Morning ride on provincial roads with farmland views.
- Gentle dirt shortcuts through rice terraces and village lanes.
- Scenic limestone formations approaching Ha Giang.
- Overnight in Hmong homestay with traditional dinner.
Day 3: Ha Giang – Dong Van (~155 km)
- Ride into Dong Van Karst Plateau via flowing mountain asphalt.
- Conquer Tham Ma Pass and visit Hmong communities.
- Optional off-road loop through farmland and village paths.
- Overnight in Dong Van Old Quarter.
Day 4: Dong Van – Meo Vac – Bao Lac (~120 km)
- Ride Ma Pi Leng Pass with breathtaking canyon views.
- Shift to riverside dirt trails through farms and villages.
- Lunch in Meo Vac, continue to Bao Lac.
- Overnight in Bao Lac.
Day 5: Bao Lac – Ban Gioc Waterfall (~200 km)
- Blend of mountain asphalt and backroads, then off-road valley trails.
- Arrive at Ban Gioc Waterfall, admire stunning cascades.
- Afternoon ride to Angel Eye Mountain.
- Overnight at Saigon Ban Gioc Resort.
Day 6: Ban Gioc - Ba Be Lake (~200 Km)
- Visit Nguom Ngao Cave in the morning.
- Ride gentle countryside and gravel trails toward Ba Be National Park.
- Boat trip on Ba Be Lake and cultural performance.
- Overnight in lakeside homestay.
Day 7: Ba Be - Hanoi (~220 Km)
- Morning ride through foothills, riverside stretches, and short dirt paths.
- Transition to gentle asphalt roads toward Hanoi.
- Arrive in Hanoi around 4 PM, completing the 7 days adventure
>>> View the exclusive itinerary from Frontier Travel Vietnam.
3. Hanoi - Mai Chau - Phu Yen - Nghia Lo - Mu Cang Chai - Sapa - Thac Ba Lake - Hanoi
This 7 days adventure takes you deep into Northwest Vietnam along some of the most breathtaking motorbike routes in Vietnam, where winding mountain passes, peaceful valleys, and rich highland culture blend seamlessly along every stretch of road.
More than just sightseeing, this journey lets you truly immerse yourself in majestic nature, with sweeping mountain curves, rivers flowing through vast forests, historic routes, and authentic encounters with local ethnic communities.
A memorable stop among the terraced rice fields on the journey to conquer Northwest Vietnam.
From the tranquil valley of Mai Chau to the rolling clouds atop O Quy Ho Pass, and the calm waters of Thac Ba Lake dotted with tiny islands, each day offers a true and unforgettable motorbike adventure.
This is a suggested itinerary for a 7 days motorbike adventure:
Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau (~170 km / Approx. 4 Hours)
- Depart from Hanoi, ride north along Hong Son Lake
- Enjoy limestone formations and peaceful countryside
- Arrive in Mai Chau Valley by mid-afternoon
- Short village walk or relax before dinner
- Evening Thai dance performance
- Overnight in stilt house
Day 2: Mai Chau – Phu Yen (~190 km/Approx. 6 Hours)
- Ride through Moc Chau highlands with tea plantations and ethnic villages
- Cross Da River by ferry
- Scenic backroads into the mountains
- Arrive Phu Yen, stay at a rustic homestay
Day 3: Phu Yen – Nghia Lo (~130 km/Approx. 6 Hours)
- Ascend Lung Lo Pass, notable for historical significance
- Open viewpoints and gentle mountain riding
- Arrive Nghia Lo in late afternoon, overnight at hotel
Day 4: Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai (~130 km/Approx. 4 Hours)
- Ride through tea-covered hills to Khau Pha Pass
- Explore Tu Le Valley and rice terraces
- Arrive Mu Cang Chai, overnight at Thai-run homestay
Day 5: Mu Cang Chai – Sapa (160 km/Approx. 5 hours)
- Ride O Quy Ho Pass with wide valley views
- Visit Sapa Stone Church
- Overnight in Sapa homestay
Day 6: Sapa – Thac Ba Lake (230 km/Approx. 6 Hours)
- Ride downhill to Lao Cai and stop at Nam Thi River
- Follow quiet roads toward Vu Linh village and Thac Ba Lake
- Boat trip on the lake, swim at quiet island
- Explore local Dao community
Day 7: Thac Ba – Hanoi (180 km/Approx. 5 Hours)
- Ride along Highway 2 and Red River, enjoying farmland scenery
- Cross Black River, continue toward Son Tay
- Return to Hanoi in the late afternoon, end of journey
>>> Discover Northern Vietnam through Frontier Travel Vietnam’s unique tour.
These three carefully selected routes create a perfect balance between thrilling mountain passes, peaceful valleys, welcoming homestays, and rich local cuisine. Each day unfolds with new landscapes, meaningful encounters, and the pure freedom of riding through Northern Vietnam on two wheels.
If you are planning a 7 days motorcycle trip to explore Vietnam, contact Frontier Travel Vietnam today for detailed guidance and to book your tour.
FAQs
1. Who is this 7-day motorcycle tour suitable for?This tour is ideal for adventure lovers with good physical fitness, a passion for long-distance riding, and a desire to experience Vietnam’s magnificent nature and rich local culture.
2. Do I need an international driving license to join the tour?Yes. You are required to have a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) to legally ride a motorcycle in Vietnam.
3. Is the route dangerous?The routes are all highly scenic but include mountain passes and steep sections. However, with a well-designed itinerary, safe riding pace, and professional tour guides, the journey maintains a high level of safety.
