1. Overview of North Vietnam motorbike tours
The North is the origin of the thousand-year-old culture of the Vietnamese nation. Traveling to the North, visitors will discover ravishing natural landscapes and many impressive architectural works created by skillful human hands. Traveling to the northern mountains of Vietnam by motorcycle is one of the most interesting experiences.
Traveling by motorcycle will help you explore more deeply the North of Vietnam. With beautiful terrain and interesting natural scenery, the North has many beautiful backpacking roads that captivate many backpackers. On the most beautiful roads in the North, you have many different options depending on the preferences of each person. Discover and enjoy the interesting things that nature brings to your trip to the North of Vietnam by motorbike on the beautiful roads below.
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2. Top best roads in North Vietnam motorbike tours
2.1. Road Hanoi – Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai
Route details: Hanoi – Son Tay – Thanh Son – Thu Cuc – Khe Pass – Nghia Lo – Tu Le – Khau Pha Pass – Mu Cang Chai.
The most suitable time to go: The weather is beautiful in any season, but the most attractive is still in the ripe rice season (September and October) and the pouring water season (May, June).
Mu Cang Chai is a highland district of Yen Bai province, located nearly 300 km from Hanoi to the northwest. Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai, is a favorite destination of nature lovers who enjoy the highland atmosphere.
In addition, there are many famous golden rice viewing places on this road, such as La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha, Tu Le, Lim Mong, Khau Pha, Thai village, horseshoe hill, etc., filled with the sweet fragrance of heavenly pearls. The two most famous destinations are Khau Pha Pass and La Pan Tan commune.
2.2. Road Hanoi – Sa Pa – Lao Cai – Hoang Su PHi – Hanoi
Route details: Hanoi – Lao Cai – Xin Man – Hoang Su Phi – Tan Quang – Bac Quang – Tuyen Quang – Hanoi.
The most suitable time to go: Hoang Su Phi has two of the most beautiful seasons of the year: the pouring water season (May) and the ripe rice season (September–October).
Hoang Su Phi is located in six communes: Ban Luoc, San Sa Ho, Ban Phung, Ho Thau, Nam Ty, and Thong Nguyen in Ha Giang province. This is also the East-Northwest backpacking route chosen by many backpackers because it goes through many famous landmarks worth conquering and discovering.
You can touch Fansipan Peak, the roof of Indochina, conquer the pass king of the Northwest region, O Quy Ho Pass, explore the majestic beauty of Hoang Lien Valley, Silver Falls, even Heaven Gate in the clouds, or hazy paradise in Sapa, vast terraced fields, etc.
2.3. Road Ha Noi – Tam Dao
Route Details: Hanoi – Thang Long bridge – Vinh Yen – Tam Dao – Hanoi.
The most suitable time to go: Tam Dao has an average annual temperature of 18–25 degrees Celsius. And summer, from May to September, is always the best time to explore.
Tam Dao is located at an altitude of 900m above sea level with fresh and cool air, so this place is also likened to the second Dalat or Sapa. Tam Dao is a town in Vinh Phuc province, located far away. Hanoi is about 80 kilometers away.
Hanoi – Tam Dao route is considered a “light” road that every backpacker can take. Coming to Tam Dao, you will have many experiences in the heart of nature, such as sleeping in a tent in the cold weather at night, visiting Tam Dao stone church, Truc Lam Zen Monastery, admiring the majestic Gothic architecture and contemplative, panoramic view of Tam Dao in the mist at the gate of heaven, or conquering Silver Falls.
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2.4. Road Hanoi – Ha Giang – Hanoi
Route detail: Hanoi – Tuyen Quang – Ha Giang – Quan Ba - Yen Minh – Meo King Palace – Lung Cu – Dong Van – Quan Ba - Ha Giang – Hanoi.
The most suitable time to go: Ha Giang is beautiful all year round; you can come here at any time you want, but the most attractive is still the pouring water season in June, the vast season of ripe rice in September, and the rainy season. Buckwheat flowers in October and November.
Ha Giang is a province located in the Northeast region. With an area of nearly 8,000 square kilometers, Ha Giang is favored by nature for its population of forests, mountains, rivers, and diverse ecosystems.
Ha Giang has many famous places such as the Dong Van rock plateau, the triangular flower field, discovering and conquering the Lung Cu flagpole, which marks the northernmost point of Vietnam, or ancient mountain towns. Glass has existed for hundreds of years in the Yen Minh pine forest, riding an iron horse and roaming on the Ma Pi Leng pass, watching the green Nho Que stream, and enjoying the colorful buckwheat flowers in the sky.
2.5. Cloud hunting route Hanoi – Ta Xua – Bac Yen
Route details: Hanoi – Son Tay – Trung Ha Bridge – Thu Cuc – Thu Cuc intersection (National Highway 32) – turn left to Phu Yen – Bac Yen (National Highway 37) – Ta Xua – Bac Yen – Hanoi.
The most suitable time to “hunt” clouds in Ta Xua is the period from November to April every year.
Hanoi-Moc Chau-Bac Yen-Ta Xua is known as a charming flower and cloud hunting destination and one of the most beautiful backpacking routes in northern Vietnam. On this road, you will pass the famous and winding Khem slope, Cun slope, or Thung Khe pass. Next is the Moc Chau area with plum gardens, Bang Ang pine forests, etc. And you can conquer Pha Luong peak, the roof of the Moc Chau plateau, at an altitude of 2000 m.
Ta Xua is a highland commune bordering Tram Tau district (Yen Bai) and Bac Yen town (Son La). The end point of Bac Yen is the roof of Hang Dong, always engulfed in dense fog, which gives you a great feeling of hunting clouds.
2.6. Road Hanoi – Mu Cang Chai – Muong La
Route details: Hanoi – Nghia Lo – Tu Le – Khau Pha – Mu Cang Chai – Che Tao – Hua Trai – Muong La – Son La Hydroelectricity – Son La – Moc Chau – Hanoi.
The most suitable time to go: The most beautiful season of the year is the pouring water season: May and June; The rice season is ripe in September and October; and the red-leaf maple hunting season is in November.
This route will go through Nghia Lo to Tu Le, conquer Khau Pha Pass, and fly paragliding in Cao Pha Field. Going to Mu Cang Chai is like going to a paradise of terraced fields. The road is about 70 kilometers long, connecting Mu Cang Chai to Muong La through Che Tao commune.
Che Tao-Muong La is the farthest commune from Mu Cang Chai, Crafted with 100% Hmong people. This road to Che Tao commune is really a beautiful motorbike tour that anyone who loves it wants to discover and experience for themselves.
2.7. Road Hanoi – Dien Bien – A Pa Chai
Route details: Hanoi – Moc Chau – Lai Chau – Thuan Chau – Tuan Giao – Dien Bien Phu – Muong Nhe – Chung Chai – Border post 405 Leng Su Sin – Ta Kho Khu – Border post 317, A Pa Chai .
The most suitable time to go: A Pa Chai is most beautiful in late August and early September when the rice is ripe and from January to early February when transplanting.
Pa Chai is the junction of the borders of Vietnam, Laos, and China, belonging to Sin Thau commune, Muong Nhe district, and Dien Bien province. In addition to conquering the majestic Pha Din Pass, one of the four famous peaks of the Northwest Pass, explore the D’Cat tunnel and the relics of the great victory at Dien Bien Phu, or explore the cherry blossom island.
The Japanese cherry blossom island, located in the heart of Pa Khoang Lake, is currently a beautiful spring tourist destination that attracts a lot of tourists. With thousands of Sakura cherry trees, Japan is in full bloom from the end of December of the previous year to the end of January of the following year. You will have to take a boat to the island, and the entrance fee to visit the Japanese cherry blossom garden in Dien Bien is about 4.2 USD per person.
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2.8. Road Ha Noi – Hai Hau
Road details: Hanoi – Old National Highway 1A – Ha Nam – Nam Dinh – Hai Hau.
The most suitable time to go: You can go to Nam Dinh at any time you want, but there are two most suitable times: February is the month of major festivals such as the Phu Day festival and the Tran Temple seal opening. In the summer months, the weather is suitable for visiting and exploring the beaches.
Not more than 150 km from Hanoi, this road has only recently emerged and has many untouched places that are very popular with tourists. In Hai Hau-Nam Dinh, you will have very new experiences with the abandoned holy place since 1996-the Hai Ly church, the salt fields, the early morning life in the fishing village, and the tents set up. Spread the canvas beside the sea and watch the sunrise on Thinh Long beach.
2.9. Road Cao (Cao Bang) – Bac (Bac Can) – Lang (Lang Son)
Route details: Hanoi – Thai Nguyen – Bac Kan – Ba Be – Cao Bang – Pac Bo – Ban Gioc Waterfall – Lang Son – Mau Son – Tan Thanh Border Gate – Hanoi.
Best time to go: To visit Ba Be Lake in Bac Kan, summer is the most suitable time of the year.
In Bac Kan, you will discover one of the 16 most beautiful freshwater lakes in the world: Ba Be Lake, Fairy Cave filled with water all year round, Puong Cave, Asean Heritage Park, Ba Be National Park, Dau Dang Waterfall, Pac Ngoi, etc.
In Cao Bang, Ban Gioc waterfall is the largest natural waterfall in Southeast Asia. In addition, there are famous places such as the Pac Bo relic site, Nguom Ngao cave, Thang Hen lake, etc. To Lang Son, you can visit Mau Son, Nhi Thanh cave, Phai Ve flagpole, Mac citadel, Mau Dong Dang ceremony, and Tan Thanh border gate.
2.10. Road Ha Noi – Binh Lieu
Route details: Hanoi – Mong Cai – National Highway 1 – Pha Lai – Sao Do – Uong Bi – Hon Gai – Cam Pha – Mong Duong – Tien Yen – Hoanh Mo – Binh Lieu.
The most suitable time to go to Binh Lieu in any season is in the spring. Spring is associated with indigenous festivals and the bold colors of the highlands. March and April are the beautiful rice husk flower seasons. Summer and autumn in Binh Lieu are the seasons when the waterfalls of Khe Van, Khe Tien, and Song Mooc are filled with water. Autumn and early winter are the seasons of white flowers, reeds blooming, and the color of rice turning yellow.
Bringing in the wild beauty of a backpacking road in the border area, Binh Lieu-Quang Ninh is considered a phenomenon that attracts tourists to explore new lands. Possessing many mountains over 1,000m high, such as Cao Ba Lanh with the legend of the god stone ringing like a bell or Cao Xiem Peak, the roof of Quang Ninh, Binh Lieu also impresses with the most majestic border patrol route, second in the Northeast.
In particular, the challenge of conquering border landmarks (1300, 1302, 1305, 1327) and discovering the “Binh Lieu dinosaur spine” is covered by the ivory white of the sea of reeds.
3. Tips for traveling by motorcycle in Northern Vietnam
Make specific plans and arrange a convenient schedule to experience as many beautiful destinations as possible in Northern Vietnam. Or you can contact Metta Voyage to schedule detailed North Vietnam motorbike tours to help you have the most complete trip.
There are many hotels, motels, and homestays everywhere in Northern Vietnam. Prices range from about 3 USD for a very basic room to 50 USD for a luxury hotel room in Sapa or Cao Bang. Or spend 10–15 dollars a night in very nice rooms with private bathrooms, hot water, and wifi.
The weather in the North of Vietnam can be very cold, especially in December and January. In July and August, there can be heavy rain. The windy season is from November to March, and the hot and humid season is from April to October.Prepare personal items, medicine, snacks such as cakes, drinking water, raincoats, warm clothes, Do not bring cumbersome clothes, high heels, etc.
We recommend that you change your motorcycle’s oil every 500 kilometers, oil it every morning, and always check your brakes. You should at least have a working GPS or a suitable map.
4. Conclusion
Above are the best roads in northern Vietnam for motorbike tours that Metta Voyage shared. Hopefully, the above information will help you make more suitable choices for your trip. Or you can contact us to schedule a specific time for you.
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