Northeast Vietnam Motorbike Tour: 8 Unforgettable Days

Introduction

As a dynamic start to the new year, we got on the Northeast Vietnam motorbike tour. To be honest, we planned it in a hurry, so we didn’t expect much from this schedule. 

Luckily, we were blessed by the adventurous roads that passed through breathtaking landscapes. Let’s look at our hands-on story below for great experiences and good things on the way.

Northeast Vietnam Motorbike Tour: Itinerary For Unique Cultures

Day 1: Hanoi - Thac Ba Motorcycle Tour

The first day of the Northeast tour challenged all riders with a distance of up to 185 km from Hanoi to Thac Ba Lake. However, the winding roads lit a fire of enthusiasm in our souls after many days of confinement in the chaotic city. We snaked along the peaceful countryside by rustic houses and ripe rice fields reminiscent of childhood.

As the sun heated the asphalt, we stopped at Doan Hung for lunch. The tea hills interspersed with palm plantations built up a unique feature of this town nestled in the middle of the Red River Delta. Besides delicious local food, we were treated to the thrilling myths and legends of the Yao people.

Another Zdao village welcomed our stop at the end of the day. We left the pedal and boarded a boat to cruise around Thac Ba Lake in the romantic sunset.

Day 2: Thac Ba - Ha Giang Motorbike Route

Leaving the traditional stilt houses behind, we headed to Ha Giang, 175 km away. We put aside our sleepiness from the very first moments to focus on the mountain roads winding through rugged valleys and mountains. Dense forests dotted by remote villages added a mystical vibe to the panorama scene.

A special feature of adventure tours was the dirt roads that held back our wheels. Last night's rain seemed to mess up our route, but the glittering drops of water left on the leaves of grass caused the surroundings to come to life. It was like we were gliding on a sparkling green carpet - a scene from a Disney cartoon movie.

After a four-and-a-half-hour motorbike ride, we reached the bustling town - a honeypot of tourists. The temperature dropped sharply compared to yesterday and came with a cold breeze wafting the bracing scent from the mountainside. 

Despite being a bit chilly, our interest was not dampened when we felt the floral aroma from the forest in our bones. Do not forget to bring warm clothes on your upcoming trip. 

Day 3: Dong Van Rock Plateau By Motorbike

Our passion for adventure was unstoppable when we noticed the terrain brief on the third day. The sharp turns, the steep slopes, and the twisting route following the towering mountains untied the souls of the wanderers hidden inside us. One thing was for sure: thrills and spills were promised in our Ha Giang motorbike tour.

Adrenaline was boiling in our vessel during the motorcycle route amidst the jaw-dropping scenery of the Northwest mountains, but the most impressive ending scene belonged to the Dong Van Plateau. We were lost in the "gray paradise" of cat-ear limestone mountains hidden in the fog. 

It was only when we got up close that we could notice the green patches of plants rising from the giant rocks as a perfect testament to the intense vitality of nature. As our motorcycle tour moved down the valley where minority villages had long reigned, a contrasting picture of sturdy stone fences, vegetable fields, and colorful flower fields unfolded.

Day 4: Dong Van Motorcycle Trip To Bao Lac

The traveling distance decreased, but the difficulty and excitement doubled on the Happiness Road to Bao Lac. Along Dong Van mountain, we conquered many soaring passes. A dramatic scene where the sky met the pine forest encroached on the left view.

The friendliness of strangers warmed our hearts in crowded markets. The language barrier could not stop us from diving into craft shopping and entertainment in this bustling atmosphere.

Concentration returned to our minds as the motorbike tour took its first steps up the Ma Pi Leng pass. The challenge came from the sharp U-turns and the distraction of the magnificent and unspoiled nature.

Day 5: Bao Lac - Quang Uyen Motorbike Tour

The terrain of Bao Lac was strongly divided by long ranges and sheer slopes. Hence, the sky-scraping mountains with the tops covered by fog caught our eyes first when passing through the official territory.

From a distance, the asphalt road looked like a 15-storey waterfall falling from upstream. The panorama from the peak of Khau Coc Cha gave us goosebumps and admiration for the wonderful creation of Mother Nature.

After the hearty lunch, we headed to Tra Linh, famous for its majestic waterfalls and green lawns. The terrain got worse with potholes and bumps, but rows of wild sunflowers and buckwheat on both sides poured energy into us.

Day 6: Quang Uyen Motorbike Tour To Cao Bang

The slow pace of life crept into the last days of the motorbike Ha Giang route. Instead of milestones to conquer, our team continued to Ban Gioc Waterfall - a remote destination to heal our inner child. 

Storing our cameras deep in the bags, we gazed at the natural marvels with our eyes and hearts. No cameras in this world can portray this charm, so you’d better come here to contemplate with your naked eyes.

We left our motorbikes outside and walked deep into the main waterfall. The strong flow did not pour straight down a strip from the top but passed through many uneven mounds and formed stairs. Our team set up a quick picnic on a dry ledge where we could dip our feet into the cool water. 

It was a gift of luck when we stumbled upon a shallow lake nearby. We jumped into the clear water without hesitation as a break from the stressful past.

Day 7: Ba Be Off-Road & Boating Tour

We drove on quiet village roads to reach the final destination of our exciting journey - Ba Be Lake. The wheel turned so slowly that we could fill our lungs with fresh air and our mind with the beautiful scenes and daily activities of the Tay people along the way.

Ba Be was a hundred times more beautiful than the photos on the Internet. The blend of mountains, immense water surface and blue sky gave birth to a perfect ink painting. It did not waste a second to breathe the romantic and daydreaming vibe of the miniature landscapes in the National Park.

Renting a raft was a great idea to get to every nook and cranny. The best part was that the rafter always prepared fascinating legends about everything we visited. 

Day 8: Ba Be - Hanoi Motorcycle Route

The cool air and calm surroundings stripped off our tiredness and lulled us into sweet dreams. We woke up quite late to start our journey back to the capital. The motorbikes turned onto the roads along the Red River that served the last close moments of unpolluted nature. 

We could feel fulfillment in our bones as we passed through fishing villages, handicraft workshops and rice fields. Our precious time on Northeast Vietnam motorbike tours was slowly running out. 

We called it the beautiful ending when tall buildings and heavy traffic invaded the empty view on either side.

Conclusion

Every minute, even a second of the Northeast Vietnam motorbike tour, is worth our hard work and expectation. Countless times we have been amazed by the locals' wild nature and hospitality. 

Trust us and get your butt off the sofa to unclog your curiosity. Don't forget to follow our website to explore other interesting itineraries for your upcoming trip!

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