Offroad Northwest Vietnam Motorbike Tour: An Epic 8-day Tale!

Intro

The offroad northwest Vietnam motorbike tour can “wow” any participant in no time.

Indeed, it allows visitors to dig deeper into go-to sites such as the Moc Chau plateau, renowned for its farms and countless types of flowers, the Mu Cang Chai rice terraces, among the most exquisite worldwide, and Sapa, hailed as the heaven of hills, rivers, clouds, and distinct culture.

Join us on this expedition of Vietnam motorbike tours; you'll never regret conquering such a rewarding site.

Offroad Northwest Vietnam Motorbike Tour: 8-day Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi – Muong Waterfall Motorcycle Tour

After morning tea, the tour guide picked us up in a taxi from the hotel lobby and dropped us off at the designated parking area for our motorbikes. At 8:15 am, we embarked on our ride.

It could be tricky from the get-go, yet it quickly became exhilarating. We first faced Hanoi's congested roadways to get out of the city. After leaving Hanoi, we went on uncharted routes through the woods and several awe-inspiring rivers and streams. 

Our guest house is located close to Muong natural waterfall. It's a renowned gateway with a vibrant pitter-patter sound and birds chirping. Soaking in the waterfall's refreshing waters at National Reserve Park is a great way to unwind after a tiring day.

Day 2: Muong Waterfall - Moc Chau Plateau Motorbike Tour

We closed our eyes and felt the evening at the charming homestay set in a scenic location. We woke up to the sights and sounds of morning birdsong and lush greenery. What a relief with a renewed sense of peace and energy! We were ready to take on whatever the day brought.

Our motorcycle journey began with the first 50km of mud and filthy roads.

Stopping for lunch at Mai Chau, we couldn't take our eyes off an exquisite valley inhabited by the White Thai. Afterward, we rode down National Highway No.6, a decommissioned highway that served as the main route in the 1980s, before reaching the Da river region and Moc Chau.

The Moc Chau plateau astounded us with tea paddies and colorful flower farms. Here we had a warm get-together before hitting the sack in a cozy and well-decorated homestay.

Day 3: Moc Chau Plateau - Bac Yen Town Motorbike Tour

Day three promised to be jam-packed with unforgettable experiences.

After breakfast, the quick tour of Moc Chau left us with a taste of the stunning landscape making up this plateau until we hit the trail. 

We were delighted and ecstatic when we drove on dirt, gravel, sludge, towering cliffs, or a profound abyss. Then, our vacation calmed down when we stopped by several outlying Black H’mong constructions known for their outstanding backdrops.

The chilly ambiance rendered Moc Chau full of charm with white mustard blossoms. That was a bomb! The whole area was sparkling like heavenly flora. 

Better yet, all unpaved roads were lit up with red poinsettias, frail wildflowers, and golden wild sunflowers. There, we immersed ourselves in the landscapes and captured lots of shots of Ba Phach hamlet, Ang hamlet, and Hua hamlet. 

When the sun set on the hill’s top shrouded in fog, we called it a day and headed back to Bac Yen town for the night. All memories had no way to fade away in our minds, no doubt.

Day 4: Bac Yen Town - Ngoc Chien Hot Water Spring Motorbike Tour

Of the overall distance, about 90 kilometers were on dirt roads, so we appreciated the great weather. While nerve-wracking, the trip left an indelible mark on us as it took us via remote primitive tribes inhabited by ethnic minorities like the Dao, the Tay, and the H'Mong. 

This path was known for its perilous and slick conditions, as it frequently passed through areas with steep slopes, rivers, muddy, and gravel.

On the road to Bac Yen township, we stopped for a picnic lunch and continued our afternoon exploration before unwinded in the Muong La neighborhood. 

When getting to the Ngoc Chien hot water spring, we couldn't help but dive into the far-out hot springs bath. This is an eco-tourism venue blending resorts for visitors. With timely investment, it rapidly developed as an awe-inspiring Northwest tourist site.

Interestingly, bathing here could cure many skin diseases, heart disease, and rheumatism. Nothing is better than dispelling all tension after a hard-working day by soaking in this water.

Day 5: Ngoc Chien Hot Water Spring - Mu Cang Chai Rice Terraced Fields Motorbike Tour

Motorcycle race fans like us had another tough but rewarding day ahead of us, as the courses would be highly technical and treacherous due to mud and steep inclines. Conversely, most trips will occur on dirt roads, making it difficult for even advanced riders.

We crossed long, muddy streams, rode through verdant jungles and faced rocky terrain. On the fifth day, we labeled the trip as "wild," "isolated," "tranquil," "tough," and "thrilling," summing up the very conclusive result our participation in this voyage had afforded us.

Mu Cang Chai never lets you low with its mountain slopes and boundless rice fields. It’s non-debatable that this spot is regarded as a national relic site.

Day 6: Mu Cang Chai Rice Terraced Fields – Sapa Motorcycle Tour

As opposed to the fifth day of the trip, this day was a laid-back day of sightseeing. Grandiose landscapes, beautiful dirt roads, and winding, scenic routes awaited us on our journey. 

We captured multiple shots whenever encountering any epic scenery. All got ready for a dramatic shift in temperature when traveling to O Quy Ho, Vietnam's highest pass connecting Lai Chau and Lao Cai provinces.

Thereafter, all of us arrived in Sapa at about lunchtime and spent all our time discovering the area. The town, perched on the edge of a deep valley filled with exquisite rice-terraced fields, is one of the most frequently visited venues in Vietnam's north.

The ride today could be the best Vietnam motorbike tour.

Day 7: Sapa – Thac Ba Lake Motorbike Tour

Sapa is a picturesque town with lots to offer visitors. It may get busy and touristy during the peak season. 

In September and October, the rice terraces were at their most beautiful. We took some time to observe them, ate the delicacies, saw the stunning valleys, and climbed to the top of O Quy Ho Pass for a bird's-eye view of the verdant, deep forest and mist-covered mountain ranges.

We left this impressive town behind and continued on our muddy trek toward Pho Lu. The next stop is at Thac Ba lake. 

The sunset was stunning over the sizable Thac Ba lake. Sunlight sparkled on the lake's surface, highlighting the islands and forming ravishing vistas. And we all had chances to capture the sun setting over Thac Ba lake in all its glory.

Day 8: Thac Ba & Ba Be Lake – Hanoi Motorcycle Tour

On the final day, we passed by several gorgeous historical sites in the Tan Trao district and rode on the winding roads to the Ba Be lake after lunch. The Bac Ngoi village emerged dreamy in our minds, and we got lost in the lake’s beauty. 

Afterward, we rode from the Thac Ba Lake region to get back to Hanoi. Our team said our goodbyes to our gracious host and headed out of their lovely home. 

Taking National Highway 2 to the tranquil village of Phu Tho, we rode down the levee of the Red River to where it met the Black River and finally made it to Hanoi well before the morning rush.

That was all amazing, as we could receive more than expected after the getaway.

The Bottom Line

As is common knowledge, Vietnam is currently one of Southeast Asia's most popular tourist spots. No wonder the offroad northwest Vietnam motorbike tour has been one of the sought-after services by far.

Splendid scenery, an artsy vibe, and delectable food here can be found nowhere in the world. The daunting paths in this land will ignore your curiosity and awaken your exploration spirit. 

Get involved in a new getaway with your loved ones or besties without further ado!

What riders have said about Vietnam Motorbike Tour on Tripadvisor!