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A motorcyclist descending a gravel switchback road through misty mountains

MOTORCYCLE-TRIPS · VIETNAM 

Vietnam Motorcycle Trip Mountain Peoples and Mountain Rides

This 12-day Vietnam motorcycle trip to mountain tribes and mountain rides takes you to the last scarcely explored corners of the country! The round trip starts and ends in Hanoi - in between we ride 1,400 kilometers on narrow asphalt and concrete roads and a little off-road through picturesque rice

How long? 12 Days
Price € 3,549 / Person

The Journey

Enduro tour to Vietnam's mountain tribes

A motorcycle trip to the last barely discovered corners of Vietnam. Enjoy quiet roads, wide landscapes and open encounters with the mountain peoples. The green-covered karst mountains will accompany you almost all the way on this Vietnam karst mountains motorcycle tour. Tour start/end: Hanoi / Hanoi. Duration of the trip: 12 travel days, 9 driving days, rest day in Hanoi. Total distance: approx. 1,400 km. Daily stages: 85 - 200 km. Roads: mostly narrow asphalt roads, partly concrete and occasionally a bit offroad. Motorcycles: Honda XR (for an extra charge Honda CRF250cc). Riding ability: easy riding, little traffic except in Hanoi City. Accommodations: simple but clean hotels (shared double room unless a single room is booked) and homestays (on the first floor of stilt houses, on mattresses on the wooden floor, sometimes separated by curtains; mosquito nets and clean toilets are always available, usually also a hot shower).

You can find the other routes with fixed dates under Motorcycle tours in Vietnam.

Motorcyclist with a red backpack pausing on a mountain road above layered karst peaks A tiered waterfall flowing into a turquoise pool, with a small tourist raft and forested karst hills Limestone karst islands rising from Ha Long Bay, with tour boats crossing the water Layered green karst hills with a paved road winding through the valley Traditional junk boats among limestone karst islands in a Vietnamese bay Vietnam Motorcycle Trip Mountain Peoples and Mountain Rides
Key Highlights of the Trip

Key Highlights of the Trip

01 Unforgettable Motorcycle Adventures
01
Unforgettable Motorcycle Adventures
Explore Vietnam's hidden corners with 1,400 km of exciting road adventures.
02 Diving into Mountain Culture
02
Diving into Mountain Culture
Experience the fascinating mountain peoples and their unique way of life up close.
03 Beautiful Scenic Diversity
03
Beautiful Scenic Diversity
Ride on narrow roads through green rice fields and stunning karst mountains.
04 Authentic Overnight Stays
04
Authentic Overnight Stays
Stay in simple yet comfortable hotels and homestays that offer proximity to culture.
05 Magical Nature Experiences in Ba Be
05
Magical Nature Experiences in Ba Be
Discover the impressive Ba Be National Park with tropical rainforest and hidden waterfalls. Enjoy boat rides on the lake and experience the gentle landscape while exploring the surrounding villages. The combination of nature and traditional culture offers a unique experience that you won't forget anytime soon.
Motorcycle Tours
Days 1-12
Motorcyclist with a red backpack pausing on a mountain road above layered karst peaks
Arrival in Hanoi

Arrival in Hanoi

You arrive in Hanoi at the airport. Here you can immediately exchange money or withdraw cash at an ATM. This makes you a millionaire right away - 1€ corresponds to about 25,000 Vietnamese Dong! With six million inhabitants and four million scooters, traffic in Vietnam leaves a lasting impression. Our hotel is located in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, reminiscent of Paris with its charming buildings in French colonial style. Wide boulevards alternate with narrow streets used by all road users, as the sidewalks are often occupied by portable food stalls and parked vehicles. Although Hanoi is a large city, it has a relaxed atmosphere, mainly due to the calm and laid-back Vietnamese. This can be particularly observed at Hoan Kiem Lake, which is not far from our hotel.
Traditional junk boats among limestone karst islands in a Vietnamese bay
On our Hondas to Vu Linh (approx. 170km)

On our Hondas to Vu Linh (approx. 170km)

Our first day on the Honda CRF 250cc begins with an obstacle course that takes us out of the city. It quickly becomes clear that traffic looks worse than it actually is - somehow everything fits together. Soon we are on the banks of the Red River, traffic becomes clearer, and we can admire the rice fields and banana plantations along the roads. The roads switch from asphalt to concrete to gravel and dirt tracks. After about 50km, we make our first stop in a small village. Not long after, the silhouettes of mountains appear in the distance, under whose shadow we will spend our first night. Our homestay in Vu Linh, a Dao village with 26 houses, is romantically situated by a small pond, surrounded by rice fields and palm groves, inhabited by a flock of ducks. Not far away is That Ba Lake, where we will take a boat trip. People here row their boats with their legs. A rather unusual sight. Some fish from the pond might find their way to our dinner table. In the stilt house adorned with woven palm leaves, we sleep on mattresses in the first floor, protected by mosquito nets. A warm shower to wash off the dust of the street is available.
A tiered waterfall flowing into a turquoise pool, with a small tourist raft and forested karst hills
Offroad to Luc Yen (approx. 85km)

Offroad to Luc Yen (approx. 85km)

As it is in the countryside, we are awakened by the quacking of ducks. We enjoy our first Vietnamese breakfast before we saddle up. Well-fed, we retrace the first kilometers along the Thac Ba Lake. The Thac Ba is Vietnam's largest lake. We will, of course, make some stops to take photos of the surrounding mountains. For several kilometers, we then go off-road towards the main road. Along the way, we meet children cycling to school who greet us and cheer us on. This short stage of the day brings us to Luc Yen, a village of the Tay minority. In the afternoon, we freely explore the surroundings of the village on our bikes. We will again spend the night in a homestay.
Ornate gate and tiered roof of a Vietnamese imperial palace complex, no vehicle in the frame
Off to the Karst mountains to Ha Giang (approx. 170km)

Off to the Karst mountains to Ha Giang (approx. 170km)

We drift further away from 'civilization' and head into the karst mountains. The Ha Giang province with its rugged karst mountains is one of the most scenic areas in Vietnam. Here, we will also apply for our permit to continue further north towards the border with China. Tonight, we will stay in a hotel.
Limestone karst islands rising from Ha Long Bay, with tour boats crossing the water
By enduro into the mountains to Meo Vac (approx. 165km)

By enduro into the mountains to Meo Vac (approx. 165km)

Today it's really into the mountains! A fantastic riding day with diverse landscapes awaits us. From Ha Giang, we follow a river and soon ascend on a narrow, winding road higher into the mountains. The road becomes steeper and some hairpin turns lead us to Cong Troi (Heaven's Gate). From up here, we have a magnificent view of the green hills in the south and the steep, barren slopes of the karst mountains in the north. After a descent, we follow a gorge, and while passing through some villages, we have good chances of meeting people from the 'Flower Hmong' minority. We may also get to take some photos. After that, the road winds back up between jagged peaks until we reach Yen Minh. Here we can see 'White Hmong' in their brightly colored dresses working in the rice fields. During our next climb, the landscape changes again for the umpteenth time. Black, sharply jagged rocks, interspersed with the green dots of corn fields in between, captivate us. At a viewpoint, a grand panorama of the rice terraces above and below us unfolds. Our destination for the day is Meo Vac, which is only a few kilometers from the border with China. Here we will set up our overnight stay in a homestay.
Layered green karst hills with a paved road winding through the valley
Drive to Ba Be National Park (approx. 200km)

Drive to Ba Be National Park (approx. 200km)

We cross one of the most impressive parts of the karst mountains. A monumental landscape with deep gorges and hundreds of steep, bald mountains unfolds before us. The morning mist gives the already enchanting landscape an even more mystical touch. Even here, houses and small fields can be found in the most unlikely places. Another viewpoint offers a view of fields and villages hundreds of meters below. The road that leads us into the valley - someone had the idea to call it 'Road of Bliss' - seems to be glued to the mountainside. After lunch, we follow the course of various rivers along rice terraces and banana plantations through villages of the 'Black Hmong'. The landscape around Ba Be National Park is much gentler, and the hills are rounder than those we have experienced in the past few days. We reach the national park and the lake in its center early. We will load our motorcycles onto a boat, and during the ride to our homestay located on a river running above the lake, we will also take a round on the lake. The park and the lakeshore are covered by seemingly impenetrable tropical rainforest. A small walk to the village or a nearby waterfall offers a relaxing afternoon activity.
Tour expert

Questions about the tour itinerary?

Our tour guide is happy to answer any questions about the day-by-day route, stops, and details.

A group of riders and motorcycles posing before an ornate temple archway
Off to Cao Bang (approx. 150km)

Off to Cao Bang (approx. 150km)

After breakfast, our Hondas are once again loaded onto the boat, and we embark on another 'lake journey'. The drive to Cao Bang brings, in addition to increased traffic as we approach the border with China, also beautifully winding roads. After two nights in homestays, we will stay in a hotel again tonight.
A motorcyclist rounding a switchback on a misty mountain road above terraced hills
Again through the karst mountains to Quang Uyen (approx. 160km)

Again through the karst mountains to Quang Uyen (approx. 160km)

After the karst mountains have taken a short break as our daily companions, they are back with us today. And how! We tour through the northeasternmost province of Vietnam. There is hardly a straight stretch of road amidst the eternal and fascinating ups and downs. If we needed further confirmation, it becomes clear here why Vietnam is one of the world's largest rice exporters. We follow a border river to China until we reach the waterfalls of Ban Gioi. These are equally an attraction for both Vietnamese and Chinese. Bamboo rafts bring them to the center of the river, but they are not allowed to set foot on Vietnamese soil. Today we will again spend the night in a homestay in Quang Uyen, and as always, the cooked food is an experience for us.
Motorcyclist with a red backpack pausing on a mountain road above layered karst peaks
On gravel roads to Lang Son (approx. 150km)

On gravel roads to Lang Son (approx. 150km)

We head south, and here too, the green wooded karst mountains continue to accompany us for now. Along the way, we run into laughing school children on their bicycles and also pigs, water buffaloes, and chickens that participate in the traffic here, which makes us drive carefully. The road gets dusty, and we are partly on gravel roads, which is not a problem for our bikes. Even the buffalo carts that we have to 'navigate around' from time to time do not disturb us. We will arrive in Lang Son not too late, leaving us plenty of time to explore the city and do some shopping. We will spend the night at the hotel.
Traditional junk boats among limestone karst islands in a Vietnamese bay
Back to Hanoi (approx. 160km)

Back to Hanoi (approx. 160km)

The landscape becomes gentler but remains hilly. Between the rice fields, we keep discovering brightly painted houses with balconies, terraces, and playful decorations that remind us of small palaces.
A tiered waterfall flowing into a turquoise pool, with a small tourist raft and forested karst hills
Rest day in Hanoi

Rest day in Hanoi

Before we travel back home, we have a day to do some shopping, buy souvenirs for our loved ones back home (there are more than enough here!), or satisfy our cultural needs with museum or temple visits. Alternatively, one can also enjoy the atmosphere of Hanoi for a day while sitting in one of the countless street cafés. Just watching the flow of traffic is an experience here: a four-person family on a scooter or a motorcyclist texting while riding are unique sights to us. We will spend another night in the hotel.
Ornate gate and tiered roof of a Vietnamese imperial palace complex, no vehicle in the frame
Departure

Departure

You will be taken to the airport and then it's back home. In your luggage, there will be many memories and impressions from a fantastic motorcycle trip just in case.

Want a detailed description of all tour days?

Our expert will walk you through the full itinerary and answer all your questions.

Verified Reviews

What riders say about Motorcycle-trips in Vietnam

5.0

3 reviews

Sebastian S.

The group dynamics in Vietnam during the motorcycle trip through the hill tribes were clearly structured. Despite the advanced level of difficulty, the daily br...

Translated from German · Show original

Die Gruppendynamik in Vietnam während der Motorradreise durch Bergvölker war klar strukturiert. Trotz der fortgeschrittenen Schwierigkeitsgrad sorgten die täglichen Briefings für einen gleichmäßigen Fahrstil, der die Gruppe zusammenhielt und die landschaftliche Vielfalt erlebbar machte.

Guest

Christian S.

The Vietnam motorcycle trip through mountain peoples and mountain riding in Vietnam offers a challenging route with a difficulty level for advanced riders. Espe...

Translated from German · Show original

Die Vietnam Motorradreise durch Bergvölker und Bergfahrten in Vietnam bietet eine herausfordernde Route mit einem Schwierigkeitsgrad für Fortgeschrittene. Besonders die ersten Etappen, wie die 170 km nach Vu Linh auf schmalen Straßen, erforderten gute Fahrtechnik und Ausdauer. Die beeindruckende Landschaft und die enge Zusammenarbeit im kleinen Team von maximal 10 Personen machten die körperlichen Anforderungen jedoch lohnenswert. Ich habe die Vielseitigkeit der Terrainmerkmale und die lokale Kultur intensiv erlebt.

Guest

Jürgen W.

The group dynamics during the Vietnam motorcycle trip to the hill tribes were easy to manage. With a maximum of ten participants and the confirmed overnight sta...

Translated from German · Show original

Die Gruppendynamik während der Vietnam Motorradreise in den Bergvölkern war gut kontrollierbar. Durch die max. zehn Teilnehmer und die bestätigten Übernachtungen in Apartments konnten die Bedürfnisse einzelner Fahrer gut berücksichtigt und das Tempo den Teilnehmern angepasst werden.

Guest
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Offroad adventure

PRICE

from

€ 3,549 / person

Price Options

Driver € 3,549
passenger € 3,039

Additional Options

Surcharge for single room € 489

Trip includes

  • Airport transfers
  • All meals
  • Water & a soft drink per meal
  • All overnight stays (single rooms only possible in hotels)
  • Rental motorcycle*: Honda XR250 (newer Honda CRF250cc available for an extra charge)
  • Entrance fees
  • Fuel for the rental motorcycle
  • Local multilingual tour guide
  • Support vehicle (for luggage & spare parts; please bring a small backpack for day luggage like camera and water)

FAQS

  • Do I need off-road experience?
    Not necessarily, but it's helpful. Mostly asphalt roads, some gravel and light off-road sections.
  • What driving license do I need?
    An international motorcycle license.
  • What motorcycles are available?
    Honda XR or for an extra charge a Honda CRF250cc.
OVERCROSS note on itinerary
The above travel description is a non-binding online proposal and does not represent a binding travel itinerary. We expressly reserve the right to make changes to the route, schedule, and accommodations (§ 651d BGB in conjunction with Art. 250 EGBGB). The terms and conditions of OVERCROSS apply.
Terms and Conditions of OVERCROSS

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