Explore Vietnam: 12-Day Motorcycle Adventure Across Northern Landscapes

Duration: 12 days

Destination: Hanoi, Mai Chau, Mu Cang Chai, Sapa, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang Loop, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Ba Be National Park

Join the exhilarating Vietnam Unleashed tour, an 12-day motorbike adventure through Northwest and Central Vietnam. Departing from Hanoi, explore captivating destinations like Mai Chau, Sapa, and Ha Giang, encountering stunning landscapes and vibrant cultures. Navigate smooth roads and challenging mountain passes, including the iconic Ma Pi Leng. Enjoy daily activities, delicious meals, and comfortable accommodations before returning to Hanoi. Experience the thrill of a lifetime on this unforgettable journey through Vietnam.

Departure point

Hanoi

From

$2.160

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Itinerary

Day 1: HANOI – MAI CHAU (170 KM/APPROX. 4 HOURS) (L/D)

Day 2: MAI CHAU – PHU YEN (250KM/APPROX. 6 HOURS) (B/L/D)

Day 3: PHU YEN - NGHIA LO (160KM/APPROX. 6 HOURS) (B/L/D)

Day 4: NGHIA LO – SAPA (130KM/APPROX. 4 HOURS) (B/L/D)

Day 5: SAPA EXPLORATION (B)

Day 6: SAPA – BAC HA – XI MAN (160KM/ APPROX. 5 HOURS) (B/L/D)

Day 7: XI MAN – PROVINCIAL CAPITAL HA GIANG (150KM/APPROX. 6 HOURS) (B/L/D)

Day 8: HA GIANG – DONG VAN (150KM/APPROX. 6 HOURS) (B/L/D)

Day 9: DONG VAN – MEO VAC TOWN – BAO LAC (120KM/APPROX. 4 HOURS) (B/L/D)

Day 10: BAO LAC – BAN GIOC WATERFALL (120KM/APPROX. 4 HOURS) (B/L/D)

Day 11: BAN GIOC WATERFALL - BA BE LAKE (180KM/APPROX. 7 HOURS) (B/L/D)

Day 12: BA BE – HANOI (220KM/APPROX. 7 HOURS) (B/L)

Day 1: HANOI – MAI CHAU (170 KM/APPROX. 4 HOURS) (L/D)

We leave Hanoi and, as we head north, with the Hong Son Lake on our side, we enjoy the magnificent scenery with the beautiful complex of tiny islands, somewhat lost in between the surrounding forests, and limestone mountain peaks that make an idyllic picture-worthy spot. We continue our trip to the north and ride on a smooth road, meeting more charming landscapes on our way. In the afternoon, we arrive at Mai Chau, where we have some time to wander and see more of the city, just before dinnertime. After dinner, we can see firsthand a traditional Thai Dance show, until it is time to go to sleep.

We’ll spend the night in Thai stilt houses.

Day 2: MAI CHAU – PHU YEN (250KM/APPROX. 6 HOURS) (B/L/D)

Today, you'll experience the beauty and history of Vietnam. As you depart from Mai Chau, you'll traverse a scenic path along the Da River, passing by caves of archaeological significance, housing remarkable finds like stone axes and finely crafted stone artifacts. A local ferry ride will take you to the other side of the river, revealing breathtaking mountain ranges on your right and the tranquil river on your left. After a brief pit stop in Bac Yen for a quick meal, your adventure continues along the untamed riverbank as you head north. Your day culminates with a restful night in a cozy Phu Yen hotel, setting the stage for more exciting experiences to come.

Day 3: PHU YEN - NGHIA LO (160KM/APPROX. 6 HOURS) (B/L/D)

Your day in Phu Yen begins with a satisfying breakfast, preparing you for another exciting day of exploration. Leaving this friendly town behind, your route leads you through captivating landscapes, from charming villages to verdant rice fields and winding mountain roads.

Following a delightful local lunch, you'll head to your overnight accommodation in the area, where you can recharge and prepare for another day of discovery in this enchanting region.

Day 4: NGHIA LO – SAPA (130KM/APPROX. 4 HOURS) (B/L/D)

We start our journey from Nghia Lo, riding through Quy Ho Pass amidst breathtaking clouds and mountains. The scenic route showcases vast tea, corn, and rice plantations. Overcoming winding passes and stunning mountain ranges bring both excitement and a sense of accomplishment.

Sapa town, a popular highland tourist destination, is definitely worth a visit. One must-see spot is the Sapa Stone Church, an iconic structure built during the French colonial era. It serves as a spiritual landmark and offers a picturesque backdrop for memorable photos. Additionally, the church attracts diverse ethnic minority communities who gather daily for trade and cultural exchanges, highlighting the vibrant local culture.

Overnight at the homestay in Sapa.

Day 5: SAPA EXPLORATION (B)

After breakfast, your day will be at your leisure. Sapa is situated in the northwestern region of the country, close to the Chinese border. It is surrounded by mountains that are part of the Hoang Lien Son range, with Fansipan being the highest peak in Indochina. It is a place of natural beauty, with cascading rice terraces, misty valleys, and majestic peaks. It is also a cultural hub, home to several ethnic minority groups with unique customs and traditions.

Those are two options that you can consider for your relaxing day:

Option 1: Visit Fansipan Peak and Cat Cat Village:

Fansipan Mountain is the highest peak in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, and one of the most popular destinations in Sapa, Vietnam. Known as the "Roof of Indochina," Fansipan Mountain offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, with its peak often shrouded in mist and clouds. You can reach the summit of Indochina (3,143 meters above sea level) by cable car. There is a train that brings you directly to the cable car station at the MGallery Hotel in Sa Pa. It is the easiest way to reach the summit. After the 6km length cable car (the most extended three-line cable car system in the world), you need to walk to the summit with more than 500 steps.

After visiting Fansipan Peak, you have lunch on your own and consider visiting Cat Cat Village in the afternoon. Cat Cat Village is home to the Hmong ethnic minority group, one of the largest ethnic groups in Sapa. This village is known for its stunning natural beauty, including lush rice terraces, cascading waterfalls, and verdant hillsides. Visitors can explore the village's narrow alleys, visit traditional H'mong homes, and learn about the process of making traditional H'mong clothes and crafts.

This traditional village is a good destination if you want to take beautiful photos and learn more about the local minorities of northern Vietnam without doing a long trek. However, it is now a touristic place and sometimes crowded.

Option 2: Visit Lao Chai – Ta Van Villages

Trekking down to Muong Hoa Valley leads you to Lao Chai village, home of the Hmong people. You will be treated to breathtaking vistas of the nearby valleys and peaks along the journey. Ta Van Village is home to the Giay ethnic minority group, known for their unique culture and traditions. One of the highlights of visiting Ta Van Village is exploring the stunning rice terraces that surround the village. The terraces are a marvel of human engineering, with each field carved into the steep mountainside by hand. This valley is the most beautiful valley around Sapa town. It takes the whole day to discover the villages around the river. The distance is nearly 30 km one way. Without rain, the road is not hard to trek.

Day 6: SAPA – BAC HA – XI MAN (160KM/ APPROX. 5 HOURS) (B/L/D)

We finish our breakfast Before we continue on our Vietnam motorbike tours and head down to the center of the Lao Cai province, found next to the borders with China. It is an important place where trade in the North occurs, so we stop for a few here, before we ride to the town of Bac Ha. Bac Ha is popular for its 100-year-old colorful market of the Dzao and Flower H’Mong, among other mountainous ethnic groups. The market is open only on Sunday mornings. We’ll ride a small trail up with stunning scenery that leads us to Ximan, up north, and then continue our ride through a forest flushed with green land. We stop for a while at the Lao Chai village on the mountaintops and are drawn into the enchanting overview of the Chay River that seems as if it goes all the way up in the sky and through the clouds. The area has many tracks that we find more than interesting and inviting, which, combined with the amazing natural landscapes, certainly justify its name as one of the most beautiful spots in Vietnam. We’ll spend the night in a hotel.

Day 7: XI MAN – PROVINCIAL CAPITAL HA GIANG (150KM/APPROX. 6 HOURS) (B/L/D)

When we finish eating our breakfast at a local restaurant nearby, we visit the local market, buy souvenirs, take pictures, and mix with the local ethnic minorities (Dzao, Flower H’mong, Nung, etc). Today, we will be testing (and sharpening) our riding skills as the roads that go through the mountain passes are challenging! Lunchtime finds us in Tan Quang, while the last 50 km to Ha Giang are far more relaxing and easy, as we rejoin Road 2. Depending on the time, we may even manage to enjoy and relax in the hot springs of Thanh Ha. We’ll spend the night in a hotel.

Day 8: HA GIANG – DONG VAN (150KM/APPROX. 6 HOURS) (B/L/D)

First thing is to obtain a visit permit from the Ha Giang immigration office, so we can continue our trip to Quang Ba, Dong Van, and Yen Minh regions. They are areas with amazing natural landscape and views of unspoiled surroundings. People living here are used to working hard and long hours, and they always find a way out of problems of any sort, judging by the fact that they have managed to live on rocky farmlands. They are very outgoing and friendly people that do not seek much in life to be happy.

We’ll have a quick break at an info coffee shop, and we could climb up some stairs, to get idyllic views of Quang Ba. We have lunch at Yen Minh, and then visit Pho Bang that was built hundreds of years ago and is home to multi-storey clay brick houses with tiled roofs. While in Quang Ba, we can also visit the Vuong Palace, where the high-rank H’mong family of Vietnam’s purported H’mong King (Vuong Chi Sinh) used to live during the French colonial ruling. It is a fine demonstrator of European-Chinese architecture and is a pole of attraction to all architecturally-minded visitors. Our last stop is at Dong Van, where we sleep overnight. We’ll spend the night in a hotel.

Day 9: DONG VAN – MEO VAC TOWN – BAO LAC (120KM/APPROX. 4 HOURS) (B/L/D)

Today we head over the Ma Pi Leng Pass, where we can be carried away by the magnificent landscape overlooking the Nho Que River. Then, we ride down to Meo Vac, and go past the high mountainous mythical regions of Ha Giang, before we reach Bao Lac, where we stop for the day. Bao Lac is considered a great ethnic crossroad where ethnic groups of all Northeast Vietnam meet. The Sunday market is a great meeting point for many ethnic groups from both sides of the borders. We’ll spend the night in a hotel.

Day 10: BAO LAC – BAN GIOC WATERFALL (120KM/APPROX. 4 HOURS) (B/L/D)

This morning we will visit a village of Lo Lo people, a small ethnic group living high up on the mountain who have preserved their original culture, including their colorful, intricate traditional clothing and wooden stilt houses. Next, continue on towards Bản Giốc, riding through beautiful countryside before reaching the resort at Ban Gioc.

SLEEP: Resort at Bản Giốc

Day 11: BAN GIOC WATERFALL - BA BE LAKE (180KM/APPROX. 7 HOURS) (B/L/D)

Morning,visit Ban Gioc waterfall, the fourth largest national border waterfall in the world and sourced from Quây Sơn River. This peaceful river starts in China and carves its way through rugged karst mountains before cascading down a series of dramatic falls into Vietnam. Both Vietnam and China enjoy the benefits of this majestic natural wonder.

Next, take a short drive to a nearby pagoda before walking up to a viewpoint where you can see a panoramic view of the entire waterfall and over to China and the Quay Son River.

After that, explore nearby Nguom Ngao Cave, a 2,700-meter cave that was created over millions of years and today features beautiful, unique stalagmite and stalactite formations not found in other caves in Vietnam. Listen to the roaring sounds created by an underground stream running over the rocks below, and you’ll understand why the local Tay people named this Tiger Cave. Travel on to Ba Be Lake.

Day 12: BA BE – HANOI (220KM/APPROX. 7 HOURS) (B/L)

On the last day with Vietnam motorbike tours, we have to start earlier than other days for the long riding from Northeast Vietnam back to Hanoi. It will be challenging but what nature can offer to you on the way is worth every hour you spend on riding. We will reach Ha Noi before the rush hour, roughly 4 pm and finish the motorcycle tour in North Vietnam, specially tailored by the Vietnam Motorbike Tour team.

Tour map

Adventure Program Price List

Affordable rates for your dream adventure.

Group Size	Price/ person/ day
1 rider	USD 250
2 riders	USD 200
3 riders	USD 190
4 riders	USD 180

*Prices are per person and may vary based on seasonal demand Book now

Supplementary information

This section provides supplementary information to help you better understand the service. It includes specifics on what is included, what is not included, and other relevant notes or conditions that may apply.

Motorbike model

Honda CRF300L

The Honda CRF300L offers 27 bhp of power with a low weight of around 153 kg, making it agile and easy to handle on mixed terrain. Its 34.8‑inch seat height and strong reliability rating (4.7/5) make it a trusted choice for riders seeking both adventure and dependability.

Motorcycle information	Description
Owners’ reliablility rating	: (4.7/5)
Power	: 27 bhp
Seat height	: (34.B in / 885mm)
Weight	: Low (337 lbs / 153kg)

Kawasaki KLX 250

The Kawasaki KLX 250 is a versatile, lightweight dual-sport motorcycle designed for both off-road trails and city riding. With its fuel-injected 249cc engine, long-travel suspension, and agile handling, it’s perfect for adventure riders seeking performance and reliability.

Motorcycle information	Description
Owners’ reliablility rating	: (4.7/5)
Power	: 24.7 bhp
Seat height	: 885 mm
Weight	: Low (337 lbs / 146 kg)

Yamaha Tenere 700

The Yamaha Tenere 700 is a highly capable adventure motorcycle, built to excel on all types of terrain while offering long-distance comfort. Combining strong power, agile handling, and proven reliability, it’s ideal for riders who want a thrilling yet dependable machine for challenging off-road routes and scenic journeys alike.

Motorcycle information	Description
Owners’ reliablility rating	: (4.7/5)
Power	: 72 hp
Seat height	: 34.4 in (875mm)
Weight	: 204 kg (452lb) wet/curb

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? We've got answers! Find common queries about our adventure programs.

Test Despite of the fact that Vietnamese government attempts to outlaw the practice, the US Dollars still acts as an alternative currency which is almost completely interchangeable with Vietnam Dong. Many prices, especially for hotels, tours and expensive restaurants, are still quoted in USD, though you can pay in dong if you’d rather - just check what exchange rate they’re using.

For everyday expenses, we recommend you carry a mix of US Dollars cash and Vietnam Dong. For larger items or when the exchange rate works in your favour, use dollars. For cyclos, local food stalls and small purchases, it’s best to use Vietnam Dong. In either case, make sure you always have a stock of small notes so that there is no need to worry about change.

The short answer is, there's never a bad time to visit Vietnam! Not all seasons are created equal though and there are pros and cons to each.

March - April is typically the best season in terms of weather to visit Vietnam. Expect sun, mild temperatures and limited rain! This also means busy season, so make sure to book in advance if you plan to visit during these months.

May - August is the hotter times of the year in Vietnam and also the rainier season. Don't be too scared of the rain though! It typically only lasts an hour or two per day, if that. This rarely disrupts travel or our tours and you get to enjoy warmer weather.

September - November are a secret gem of a time to visit Vietnam. The temperature becomes more moderate than the summer, rain stops, and the conditions are perfect for trekking or motorcycle trips. This is also when Full Moon Celebrations happen in Vietnam, so it's a particularly festive season to experience Vietnamese culture.

December - February are the coldest months in Vietnam. During these months you may prefer to visit the southern parts of Vietnam which are warmer, and we have many tours that operate there!

Absolutely! If you and your friends are looking for a private, one-of-a-kind adventure, we’ll design a trip just for your group. Share your travel ideas with us through our Tailor Made Tour form or message us on WhatsApp (+84 962913811), and together we’ll create an itinerary that perfectly matches your interests, pace, and style.

Yes, solo travelers are more than welcome to join our scheduled group tours. We operate group departures every month. Simply contact us to check the upcoming dates, and we’ll be happy to arrange for you to join a suitable group.

No, there are no hidden costs/fees. The price we agree on is the price you pay.

There are certain things that are not included in some trips, like alcohol, souvenirs, etc. All of our trip pages show very clear "Trip Inclusions" and "Trip Exclusions" so you know exactly what you're paying for and what is optional.

Tipping is always optional, but very appreciated. If your guides worked hard for you and your experience was great, feel free to show them!

At Frontier Travel, we don’t just offer tours — we deliver once-in-a-lifetime adventures.

✅ Local Expertise & Passion

With over a decade of experience leading international riders, we know Vietnam like the back of our hands. Our local guides take you beyond the tourist trails to places only true adventurers get to see.

✅ Custom Adventures, Real Connections
Every journey is handcrafted to match your style — whether it’s off-road thrills, cultural immersion, or both. Along the way, you’ll connect deeply with local people, landscapes, and stories.

✅ Top-Quality Service & Safety
From well-maintained motorbikes and gear to 24/7 support, we prioritize your safety and comfort at every turn. Our support crew, guides, and mechanics have your back from start to finish.

✅ Authentic, Responsible Travel
We believe in giving back. By riding with us, you help support ethnic minority communities through our handmade craft shop in Hanoi — "With Love from the Mountains."

✅ Small Groups. Big Memories.
We keep our groups small to ensure a personal, flexible, and unforgettable experience — where everyone becomes part of the Frontier family.