Join us on an adventure through the mountains of Northern Vietnam
14 to 12 days Tour Price
All prices are per person all inclusive, twin share and are in US Dollars$
A deposit of $300.00 per person is required to secure your booking, final payment in full must be made before tour departure.
Join us for an adventure of a lifetime, All prices are all-inclusive. Select your bike
| Motorbike | 12D 11N | 13D 12N | 14D 13N |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CRF 250cc | US$ 2,340 | US$ 2,535 | US$ 2,730 |
| Honda CRF 300cc | US$ 2,580 | US$ 2,795 | US$ 3,010 |
| Honda XR 150cc | US$ 2,100 | US$ 2,275 | US$ 2,450 |
| Yamaha PG-1 | US$ 1,920 | US$ 2,080 | US$ 2,240 |
| Honda CB500X | US$ 2,580 | US$ 2,795 | US$ 3,010 |
Prices are for group tours from 2 to 15 people, For a solo tour, add an additional extra 50% to the published tour cost.
Contact us for group discounts
Motorbike Tour Itinerary
Day 1 — Hanoi to That Khe
Depart Hanoi heading northeast through the limestone hills of Lang Son province on quiet rural roads. The first day eases the group into the rhythm of a long tour — rolling countryside, local villages, and the first signs of the remote northeast. Overnight in That Khe.
Riding: ~180 km | On-road and light off-road
Day 2 — That Khe to Quang Uyen
Leave That Khe after breakfast and push deeper into Cao Bang province on backcountry tracks through Tay and Nung ethnic minority villages. The landscape shifts from lowland farmland to dramatic karst hills as you approach the Chinese border region. Overnight in Quang Uyen.
Riding: ~120 km | Mixed on-road and off-road
Day 3 — Quang Uyen to Cao Bang
Ride west through rugged karst terrain to Cao Bang town — the provincial capital and base for exploring the far northeast. The roads along the Ban Gioc valley are some of the most scenic in the whole province. Arrive in Cao Bang in the afternoon. Overnight in Cao Bang.
Riding: ~80 km | On-road
Day 4 — Cao Bang to Ban Gioc Waterfall and back
A dedicated day at one of the great natural landmarks in Southeast Asia — Ban Gioc Waterfall, a sweeping curtain of white water on the Vietnam–China border surrounded by karst peaks. Ride out in the morning, explore the falls and the border village, picnic lunch at the river, and return to Cao Bang in the afternoon. Overnight in Cao Bang.
Riding: ~120 km | Mixed on-road and light off-road
Day 5 — Cao Bang to Ba Be Lake
Leave Cao Bang early and head southwest into Bac Kan province on challenging off-road trails through jungle-clad hills. The afternoon arrival at Ba Be Lake — Vietnam’s largest natural freshwater lake and a national park — is one of the most rewarding moments on the Grand North Vietnam Off-Road Loop. Overnight at a traditional stilted lakeside homestay.
Riding: ~150 km | Mixed on-road and off-road
Day 6 — Ba Be Lake to Dong Van
The biggest climbing day on the tour. Ride west out of Ba Be and push hard into Ha Giang province, ascending steadily through Bao Lac and up onto the Dong Van Karst Plateau at over 1,000 m elevation. The landscape transforms from jungle to bare rock, and the villages shift from lowland Tay to high-altitude Hmong. Overnight in Dong Van.
Riding: ~220 km | Mixed on-road and technical off-road
Day 7 — Dong Van and the Ma Pi Leng Pass to Ha Giang Town
The most iconic riding day on the entire tour. Descend from Dong Van through Meo Vac via the Ma Pi Leng Pass — the most dramatic mountain road in Vietnam, 20 km of switchbacks carved above the Nho Que River gorge. Stop at the viewpoint, ride it slowly, and take it all in. Continue to Ha Giang Town. Overnight in Ha Giang.
Riding: ~170 km | On-road mountain passes
Day 8 — Ha Giang Town to Hoang Su Phi
Head west from Ha Giang into the deep green hills of western Ha Giang province. The road to Hoang Su Phi passes through off-road trails and mountain tracks lined with La Chi and Dao villages and some of the most beautiful terraced rice scenery in northern Vietnam. September and October visits coincide with the golden harvest. Overnight in Hoang Su Phi.
Riding: ~130 km | On-road and off-road mountain tracks
Day 9 — Hoang Su Phi to Luc Yen
Ride east out of Hoang Su Phi and descend toward Yen Bai province through rural mountain landscapes and minority villages. The pace eases slightly today — a good day to find a rhythm, enjoy the road, and let the scenery unfold without rushing. Overnight in Luc Yen.
Riding: ~160 km | Mixed on-road and light off-road
Day 10 — Luc Yen to Sapa
A long climb northwest into the Hoang Lien Son mountain range and one of Vietnam’s most famous destinations. Sapa sits at 1,500 m in the shadow of Fansipan — Vietnam’s highest peak — surrounded by Hmong and Red Dao villages and sweeping valley views. Arrive in the afternoon with time to explore town. Overnight in Sapa.
Riding: ~180 km | On-road mountain roads
Day 11 — Sapa to Sin Ho
Leave the tourist trail behind. The ride from Sapa to Sin Ho drops off the main northwest highway onto remote backcountry tracks through some of the least-visited territory on the entire route. Sin Ho is a small market town at high altitude where several ethnic minority groups converge for the weekly market — raw, unhurried, and completely authentic. Overnight in Sin Ho.
Riding: ~140 km | Mixed on-road and technical off-road
Day 12 — Sin Ho to Mu Cang Chai
One of the great riding days of the Grand North Vietnam Off-Road Loop. Descend from Sin Ho through dramatic mountain terrain into Yen Bai province and arrive at Mu Cang Chai — home to Vietnam’s most spectacular rice terrace landscape, cut into near-vertical hillsides across three valleys. If the timing is right (September–October), the terraces will be gold. Overnight in Mu Cang Chai.
Riding: ~160 km | Mixed on-road and off-road
Day 13 — Mu Cang Chai to Ta Xua
Ride south from Mu Cang Chai into Son La province and climb to the Ta Xua plateau — a remote highland ridge famous for its sea of clouds that fills the valleys below at dawn. The road up is technical and the destination is unlike anywhere else on the route. Overnight at a hillside guesthouse on Ta Xua.
Riding: ~130 km | On-road and technical off-road
Day 14 — Ta Xua to Moc Chau
Descend from Ta Xua and ride south to Moc Chau — a highland plateau known for its tea plantations, dairy farms, and cool climate. A gentler day after the demanding northwest, with good food and comfortable accommodation before the final push to Hanoi. Overnight in Moc Chau.
Riding: ~120 km | Mostly on-road
Day 15 — Moc Chau to Pu Luong
Head northeast into Thanh Hoa province and drop into the Pu Luong Nature Reserve — a stunning valley of emerald rice paddies, traditional Thai stilt houses, and hand-built water wheels. One of the most peaceful overnight stops on the tour, and a perfect contrast to the high-altitude intensity of the northwest. Overnight at a Pu Luong homestay.
Riding: ~140 km | Mixed on-road and light off-road
Day 16 — Pu Luong to Hanoi via Mai Chau
The final day. Pass through the wide, flat valley of Mai Chau — another White Thai community known for its weaving, rice wine, and easy beauty — before the last ride back to Hanoi, arriving in the afternoon. We ride to the garage together, unload the bikes, and transfer you back to your hotel. The Grand North Vietnam Off-Road Loop ends here.
Riding: ~200 km | Mostly on-road
Total distance: ~2,800 km over 14–16 days Average per day: ~175–200 km Riding style: Mixed on-road and off-road Departs: Hanoi | Returns: Hanoi
Highlights
- Experience off-road trails through remote mountain regions.
- Visit the stunning Ban Gioc Waterfall.
- Discover the serene beauty of Ba Be Lake.
- Explore ethnic minority villages and experience local cultures.
- Ride through breathtaking mountain passes and rugged terrains.
- Visit the scenic town of Sapa and the famous Cat Cat Village.
- Enjoy the diverse landscapes and local hospitality in the northern regions of Vietnam.
What's Included
- Motorbike Honda CRF250L or Honda XR150
- English Speaking Guide
- All meals, water and soft drinks on tour
- Accommodation in Local home-stays and hotel – twin share
- Petrol, oil and mechanic on tour
- Riding gear: HJC open face helmets
- Rain Pants and rain poncho
- Spacious saddle bags & Waterproof bags to pack clothes in
- Western standard armored motorcycle jacket and riding pants
- Bungee cords and tie downs
- Permits, tolls and entrance fees
- Free map, souvenir T-shirt
- Personal expenses
- Beer and alcohol on tour
- Personal health insurance
- Damage to the motorbikes
Please visit our FAQ page to learn more about what to expect on tour, documents required to ride and what to bring on tour.
Contact us if you have any questions.
Please contact us with any special request or needs, we cater to clients with dietary restrictions. We cater to Vegetarians, Vegans, people with food allergies or religious restrictions please let us know.
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Tour Map
FAQ
How experienced do I need to be for the Grand North Vietnam Off-Road Loop?
This is an advanced tour designed for experienced riders. At 2,800 km over 14 days with significant off-road sections through Ha Giang, Sin Ho, Ta Xua, and beyond, it demands both physical endurance and solid riding ability. You should be comfortable on dirt tracks, confident on steep descents, and able to sustain long days in the saddle. If you’ve done shorter off-road tours before and want to step up significantly, this is the logical next move. If you’re newer to off-road riding, we recommend starting with our 8-day Northeast Vietnam Border Loop first.
What is the best time of year for the Grand North Vietnam Off-Road Loop?
September to November is the prime window. The weather is cool and clear, the rice terraces at Mu Cang Chai and Hoang Su Phi are at their gold harvest peak in September and October, and the off-road sections dry out after the summer monsoon. March to May is the second-best window — fresh green landscapes and mild temperatures before the summer heat builds. We run this tour year-round, but June to August brings monsoon rain that can make technical sections significantly harder and more unpredictable.
What motorbikes are available on the Grand North Vietnam Off-Road Loop?
We offer five bikes on this tour, all fully maintained with daily mechanical checks:
- Yamaha PG-1 — lightweight and nimble, ideal for smaller riders on tight mountain tracks. From $1,920 for 12 days
- Honda XR 150cc — reliable trail bike with strong off-road capability. From $2,100 for 12 days
- Honda CRF 250cc — our most popular choice, handles everything this route throws at it. From $2,340 for 12 days
- Honda CRF 300cc — maximum power and suspension travel for bigger riders and technical terrain. From $2,580 for 12 days
- Honda CB500X — mid-size adventure tourer for riders who prefer tarmac. From $2,580 for 12 days
A support mechanic rides as sweeper every day. All bikes come with full riding gear at no extra cost.
What is included in the Grand North Vietnam Off-Road Loop tour price?
Everything is included: your choice of motorbike, English-speaking ride guide, support mechanic, all accommodation in homestays and hotels on twin share, all meals and soft drinks, fuel, full riding gear (armoured jacket, riding pants, HJC helmet, rain gear), waterproof saddle bags, all permits, tolls, and entrance fees, plus a free souvenir T-shirt and route map. A $300 deposit per person secures your booking. Not included: personal expenses, alcohol, personal travel insurance, and bike damage.
How many days is the Grand North Vietnam Off-Road Loop?
The tour runs as a 12-day/11-night, 13-day/12-night, or 14-day/13-night itinerary depending on your schedule and how much time you want at key destinations. The 14-day version is the most complete — it includes a dedicated day at Ban Gioc Waterfall and more time in Sapa and Mu Cang Chai. The 12-day version keeps the pace tighter. All versions cover the full route from Hanoi and back. Contact us to discuss which length suits you best.
Is the Grand North Vietnam Off-Road Loop suitable for solo travellers?
Yes — solo riders join our group departures throughout the year. Tours run with 2 to 15 riders so there is always company on the road. Solo bookings carry a 50% supplement on the published price. Get in touch and we can match you with an upcoming departure that has space, which avoids the solo supplement entirely.
What should I pack for a 14-day motorbike tour in northern Vietnam?
We provide all riding gear so you only need personal clothing and essentials. Pack lightweight quick-dry riding shirts and trousers, a warm mid-layer for mountain evenings (temperatures drop sharply above 1,000 m, especially September to March), sunglasses, sunscreen, personal medications, your passport and motorcycle licence, and casual clothes for evenings. A small daypack for camera and valuables on the bike is useful. Everything fits in the waterproof saddle bags we supply. Full packing list sent at booking.
Do you run this tour at fixed departure dates or on demand?
We run both. Fixed group departures are scheduled throughout the year — check our Join a Group page for upcoming dates. Private departures for groups of 2 or more can be arranged on any date that suits you. Solo riders are welcome to join any scheduled group departure. Contact us with your travel dates and we’ll confirm what’s available.