8, 11 Days Ha Giang Motorcycle Tours. Motorbike Trips To Ha Giang.

SCENIC HA GIANG & NORTH-EAST VIETNAM MOTORCYCLE TOUR
(8-11 days, 7-10 nights. Destination details could be found at the end of this page.)

Booking code: OV49

Offroad Vietnam invites riders from all over the world to come and discover this wild and remote area of Vietnam. You ride on all types of roads (from flat and smooth to gravel and bumpy), dirt tracks and jungle paths. Any road could easily turn into a dirt road when it rains. The spectacular view of cloudy mountains is a great memory from a motorcycle trip. On this specific trip you skirt along the Vietnam/China border, starting in Hanoi to Nghia Lo, Than Uyen and Sapa in Northwest Vietnam and continue to the most beautiful part of the trip in Ha Giang, Dong Van and Bao Lac before descending on Highway 4 to Cao Bang, Quang Uyen and Lang Son. If you return via Ba Be, the trip will be reduced by one day but then you miss the historical Highway 4. This trip is the most popular motorbike tour we provide in North Vietnam. Just tell us your time frame and we will get back with a proposal and hopefully something works out.

Ha Giang motorcycle excursion

Related links:

- route map
- photo gallery
- customer comments
- reference
- late availability
- vietnam information

If you don't see the video clip below, click here (Special thanks to Mr. Randall Haines from New Zealand).

Ride at a glance:

* OPTION 1 (For experienced riders, a longer ride than Option 2. Click here for a detailed itinerary).
Day 01: Hanoi - Nghia Lo.
Day 02: Nghia Lo - Than Uyen.
Day 03: Than Uyen - Sapa.
Day 04: Sapa - Bac Ha.
Day 05: Bac Ha - Ha Giang.
Day 06: Ha Giang - Dong Van.
Day 07: Dong Van - Bao Lac.
Ha Giang motorcycle exploring

Day 08: Bao Lac - Cao Bang.
Day 09: Cao Bang - Quang Uyen.
Day 10: Quang Uyen - Lang Son.
Day 11: Lang Son - Hanoi.

This trip can also be completed in 10 days returning via Ba Be lake instead of extending to Lang Son on Highway 4.

* OPTION 2 (Shorter riding version in less days. Click here for a detailed itinerary).
Day 1: Hanoi - Vu Linh.
Day 2: Vu Linh - Ha Giang.
Day 3: Ha Giang - Dong Van.
Day 4: Dong Van - Bao Lac.
Day 5: Bao Lac - Cao Bang.
Day 6: Cao Bang - Quang Uyen.
Day 7: Quang Uyen - Lang Son.
Day 8: Lang Son - Hanoi.

Important! Please send us your full name, passport number, nationality, sex, date of birth and occupation as soon as you secure the booking because we need to apply a permit for you at Ha Giang Immigration Police office.

Ha Giang after maize (popcorn) collection. Motorcycling Ha Giang

Ha Giang after maize (popcorn) collection. Motorcycling Ha Giang

These programs are flexible, the following are just samples, we will customize to suit your riding skills and to meet your expectations.

OPTION 1. MOTORCYCLING SCENIC HA GIANG & NORTHEAST VIETNAM IN 11 DAYS

Thac Ba, Vu Linh boat and swimming

Day 1: Hanoi - Nghia Lo (~250 km, ~7 h). L, D

Before the ride, it takes 30 minutes to double check the bikes and insure that we have all necessary tools and equipment to guarantee maximum fun. We head out of Hanoi skirting along Red River to Son Tay and then head up the mountain to Nghia Lo. The road � easy and flat from Hanoi to Thanh Son, from Thanh Son to Thu Cuc and then Ba Khe to Nghia Lo is beautiful, snaking the foot of Hang Lien Range. Nghia Lo is a big mountain town where we stop for the night.

Day 2: Nghia Lo - Than Uyen (~180 km, ~5 h). B, L, D

Wild and bumpy road with Lung Lo Pass as the first challenge. The next one is the higher Khau Pha Pass. We ride through the Mu Cang Chai massif, almost as high as the Fansipan. From the top, it offers one of the most beautiful views of North Vietnam. The ride is challenging but very rewarding.

Night in a hotel.

Day 3: Than Uyen - Sapa (~140 km, ~5 h). B, L, D

The area of Than Uyen is mainly populated by Flower H'mong and Dzao people. Then direction Sapa. Easy track for 100 km and asphalted mountainous road for the last 40 km. Stay in Sapa and you will find out the reason Sapa is one of the most popular places for tourists in Vietnam.

Ha Giang Motorcycle Vacation, Ha Giang Motorbike expedition

Ha Giang Motorcycle Vacation, Ha Giang Motorbike expedition

Day 4: Sapa - Bac Ha (~100 km, ~3 h). B, L, D

The drive from Sapa to Bac Ha takes ~3 hours, down from Sapa to Lao Cai (34 km), a border city where we can take photos with China as the background. After lunch, ride up to Bac Ha (70 km) with stunning landscape. Overnighting in Bac Ha.

Day 5: Bac Ha - Ha Giang (~200 km, ~6 h). B, L, D

After breakfast, ride on the track to Xin Man and on many small/back roads with scenic mountain views before joining the main road heading up to Ha Giang where we stop for the night and apply for a permit.

Day 6: Ha Giang - Dong Van (~180 km, ~6 h). B, L, D

After getting the permit to ride in border areas at Ha Giang's Immigration Police, we ride on small challenging mountain roads (but incredibly beautiful) on the land of colorful mountain hill-tribes.

Ha Giang Motorcycle Adventure

Head up the Ma Pi Leng Pass. Here is yet another amazing place, with cloudy mountain ranges and the poetic Nho Que river winding off in the distance. Ride on a zig-zag track until Dong Van, a remote area and meet the hard-working local people here. It is inspiring to see how they survive as they manage live in the rocks. When we reach town we will have some extra time to wonder the ancient streets lined with H'mong homes of clay bricks and tiles roofs built centuries ago.

Day 7: Dong Van - Bao Lac (~80 km, ~4 h). B, L, D

The road is still under construction and tracks what make the ride relatively long in spite of few kilometres. The landscape is among the most beautiful of Vietnam, and the slow tempo is only more appreciable.

We cross the wild regions of the mythical province of Ha Giang. Stop for the night at Bao Lac, the ethnic crossroad of Northeast Vietnam. Many other ethnic groups on the two sides of the border meet at the market every Sunday.

Day 8: Bao Lac - Cao Bang (~150 km, ~5 h). B, L, D

Beautiful ride down to Cao Bang province. Few passes from where you can dominate the area. The road is easy but there are many blind curves. We can stop very often for photos. All together, stop for drinks and food it should be an 8-hour journey. Stay in a hotel.

Ha Giang motorcycle holiday, motorbike voyage

Ha Giang motorcycle holiday, motorbike voyage

Day 9: Cao Bang - Quang Uyen (~140 km, ~5 h). B, L, D

Ride in 1 hour and half to reach the beautiful village of Quang Uyen, in the middle of a mountain cirque. This is the territory of Nung An people. Home stay in a host family and the hostess is a great cook.

We make our way through spectacular scenery to Vietnam's most impressive waterfall, Ban Gioc Waterfalls, 50km from Quang Uyen. Weather permitting we can swim right up to where the 50m high falls hit the river.

Day 10: Quang Uyen - Lang Son (~180 km, ~6 h). B, L, D

Ride from Quang Uyen to Lang Son on the famous historical Highway 4. We will have time to discover this city which has become a big trading post between China and Vietnam. You can shop for cheap Chinese products at the nearby Dong Kinh market.

Overnight in hotel.

Day 11: Lang Son - Hanoi (~150 km, ~3 h). B, L

Easy day back to Hanoi on the new Highway 1B. You can wake up late in the morning as we guess you can be tired after 10 long riding days.

Arrival at Hanoi around 3pm.

B: Breakfast.
L: Lunch.
D: Dinner.

Contact us.

OPTION 2. MOTORBIKE TOURS TO SCENIC HA GIANG & NORTHEAST VIETNAM IN 8 DAYS

Day 1: Hanoi - Vu Linh (~180 km, ~7 h). L, D

Ha Giang motorcycle expedition, second itinerary

Ha Giang motorcycle expedition, second itinerary

Easy drive to on the sealed road to Thac Ba Lake and follow the little road to Vu Linh. Vu Linh is a Dzao village by the side of the lake, very friendly people and the welcome is exceptional.

Day 2: Vu Linh - Ha Giang (~180 km, ~6 h). B, L, D

After breakfast, ride along the Thac Ba lake on a small road lined by palm trees and scenic mountain views to join the main road heading up to Ha Giang where we stop for the night and apply for a permit.

Day 3: Ha Giang - Dong Van (~180 km, ~6 h). B, L, D

After getting the permit to ride in border areas at Ha Giang's Immigration Police, we ride on small challenging mountain roads (but incredibly beautiful) on the land of colorful mountain hill-tribes.

Ha Giang motorbike expedition, second itinerary

Ha Giang motorbike expedition, second itinerary

We cross the wild regions of the mythical province of Ha Giang. Stop for the night at Bao Lac, the ethnic crossroad of Northeast Vietnam. Many other ethnic groups on the two sides of the border meet at the market every Sunday.

Day 5: Bao Lac - Cao Bang (~150 km, ~5 h). B, L, D

Beautiful ride down to Cao Bang province. Few passes from where you can dominate the area. The road is easy but there are many blind curves. We can stop very often for photos. All together, stop for drinks and food it should be an 8-hour journey. Stay in a hotel.

Day 6: Cao Bang - Quang Uyen (~140 km, ~5 h). B, L, D

Ride in 1 hour and half to reach the beautiful village of Quang Uyen, in the middle of a mountain cirque. This is the territory of Nung An people. Home stay in a host family and the hostess is a great cook.

We make our way through spectacular scenery to Vietnam's most impressive waterfall, Ban Gioc Waterfalls, 50km from Quang Uyen. Weather permitting we can swim right up to where the 50m high falls hit the river.

Ha Giang motorcycle adventure

Day 7: Quang Uyen - Lang Son (~180 km, ~6 h). B, L, D

Ride from Quang Uyen to Lang Son on the famous historical Highway 4. We will have time to discover this city which has become a big trading post between China and Vietnam. You can shop for cheap Chinese products at the nearby Dong Kinh market.

Overnight in hotel.

Day 8: Lang Son - Hanoi (~150 km, ~3 h). B, L

Easy day back to Hanoi on the new Highway 1B. You can wake up late in the morning as we guess you can be tired after 7 long riding days.

Arrival at Hanoi around 3pm.

B: Breakfast.
L: Lunch.
D: Dinner.

DESTINATION DETAILS

Nghia Lo: ~250km North of Hanoi, in the heart of the second largest rice field in North Vietnam, Yen Bai province. This is a nice stop on Road 32, at the foot of Hoang Lien range that extends as far as Sapa. Accommodation is good and clean.

Than Uyen: A small town, ~400km North of Hanoi, ~120km South of Sapa, Than Uyen district, Lai Chau province. This is on the high mountain massif of Hoang Lien range with the peak is Fansipan (3,143m above sea level), the roof of Indochina. Accommodation is basic.

Sapa: A hill station built by the French in early 20th century, ~400km North of Hanoi, Sapa district, Lao Cai province. This town is about 1,600n above sea level and is one of the few places in Vietnam that had snow. Accommodation is good. With the fast extension and more tourists, the town itself usually have more foreigners than local people.

Bac Ha: A new Sapa, ~400km from Hanoi, ~120km from Sapa. The town is famous for its Tam Hoa plum which must bloom three times before they are ripe. Vietnamese whisky distilled in Bac Ha is also a favourite drink.

Ha Giang: The most beautiful province in North Vietnam and probably of the whole Vietnam. ~320km North of Hanoi. You take in stunning mountain scenery, meet friendly people and Sunday market is colorful.

Dong Van: ~200km from Ha Giang city, ~500km from Hanoi. Probably the most beautiful place in North Vietnam. Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark is located in the northeastern province of Vietnam, Ha Giang. It is the first Geopark in Vietnam and the second one in Southeast Asia to be recognized by UNESCO. The Geopark was formed about 550 million years ago and now is home to 17 ethnic groups which creates the unique and rich cultural heritage of this area. Sunday market is probably the most colourful one in North Vietnam.

Bao Lac: ~ 400km from Hanoi, located in the very north of Vietnam, in a mountainous area at the border with China. Local people live mainly in remote small villages with no waterworks or other infrastructure. This area is among the poorest in Vietnam. The town itself is small and there is nothing special rather than the only stop with basic accommodation in this area.

Cao Bang: A big town in Northeast Vietnam, the capital city of a province with the same name, ~180km from Lang Son or ~400km from Hanoi. The city is also known for the Battle of Cao Bang, the first major decisive victory of the Viet Minh against the French Army along Highway 4. We use this town as a base because there is no better accommodation in the surrounding areas.

Lang Son: A major trading post in Northeast Vietnam, possibly the largest border gates between Vietnam and China, ~150km from Hanoi in the far North. Lang Son and its ancient citadel have been in the path of many invasions, and were the site of three French defeats during the colonial era. The city was the center of fighting during the Sino-Vietnamese War of 1979, and sustained extensive damage. However, with a surprising fast recovery, there is almost no trace of the war but a prosperous trading town. A chance to buy cheap Chinese electronic items, fakes that cost from 1/10 of the original products.

Quang Hoa: A commune of mainly Nung people in Quang Uyen district, Cao Bang province, ~400km North of Hanoi via Lang Son or ~500km via Cao Bang. The village is one of the first to offer homestay experience to foreigns who travel there on two wheels. The host house is basic but cozy. The nearby Ban Gioc waterfalls is a scenic site, however with the booming trade at Po Peo border gate the road to this place is usually in bad conditions, either dusty or muddy.

Vu Linh: A commune of mainly Dao people in Yen Binh district, Yen Bai province, 180km North of Hanoi. The village is on the lower end of Thac Ba lake. The homestay we use is not far from the lake where we could have a boat ride and swim in the clear water. In late 1990's Ngoi Tu village started to welcome the first foreigners and now it's a popular place for home stays. However, Ngoi Tu faces a garbage disposal problem and this is evident in the diminishing quality of water courses and a gradual influx of tourists puts strain on the local environment.

Contact us.

More motorbike adventures provided by Offroad Vietnam:

(Hanoi - Nghia Lo - Than Uyen - Sapa - Bac Ha - Ha Giang - Dong Van - Bao Lac - Cao Bang - Quang Uyen - Lang Son - Hanoi)

Northwest Vietnam motorcycle tour (10 days)
(Hanoi - Mai Chau - Phu Yen - Son La - Tuan Giao - Lai Chau or Sin Ho - Sapa - Bac Ha or Luc Yen - Vu Linh - Hanoi)

Northeast Vietnam motorcycle tour (7 days)
(Hanoi - Vu Linh - Na Khan - Ba Be - Cao Bang - Quang Uyen - Lang Son or Mau Son - Hanoi)

Northcentre Vietnam (middle roads) motorbike tour (5 days)
(Hanoi - Mai Chau or Moc Chau - Phu Yen - Vu Linh or Luc Yen - Hanoi)

Big North Vietnam motorbike tour (16 days)
(Hanoi - Mai Chau - Phu Yen - Son La - Tuan Giao - Than Uyen - Sapa - Bac Ha - Xin Man - Ha Giang - Dong Van - Bao Lac - Cao Bang - Quang Uyen - Lang Son Lang Son - Hanoi)

Ho Chi Minh Trail/Road motorbike tours (9-16 days)
(Hanoi - Phu Yen - Mai Chau - Tan Ky - Phong Nha - Dong Hoi - Khe Sanh - Hue - Hoi An - Kon Tum - Buon Ma Thuot - Nha Trang - Da Lat - Cat Tien - Saigon)

One day around Hanoi motorbike tour (1 day)
(Tho Ha, Bat Trang, Dong Ho, Van Phuc, But Thap, Dau, Thay, Tay Phuong, Perfume Pagoda, Hoa Lu and Tam Coc, Hoa Binh, Ba Vi, Duong Lam and Dong Mo)

Women only scooter tour (?? days)

Custom motorbike tour (?? days)