Northern Vietnam - Style Motorbikes Vietnam

Northern Vietnam routes

There are many motorbike routes to take in the north of Vietnam. There is so much to see in the area. We have listed 6 routes below which take between 4 days and 14+ days to complete. Depending on your time and what you want to see, you can choose the right trip for you.

Feel the Journey Come Alive

Embark on a captivating ride through Northern Vietnam. This journey takes you along winding mountain passes, misty valleys, and vibrant ethnic villages—offering a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural depth. Discover hidden gems from Hà Giang to Sapa and Ninh Bình, ideal for both short getaways and immersive exploration across the North.

Route 1: Mai Chau & Ninh Binh Loop

Time

4-5 days

Distance

459km

This is the shortest motorbike route for the north of Vietnam leaving from Hanoi. You will only ever be at most 4 hours ride from Hanoi. The route goes past 2 national parks and the town of Mai Chau and Ninh Binh. If you are short on time then this is a perfect route for you. Trang An, Ninh Binh Breathtaking boat rides. Famous as the location for king Kong. Pu Luong Nature Reserve Sprawling rice paddies outside the town of Mai Chau. Mua Cave, Ninh Binh Explore the limestone cave’s natural formations.

Route 2: South West Loop of Hanoi

Time

5-7 days

Distance

661km

This loop from Hanoi heads South West and covers some spectacular mountainous areas, rice fields valleys, tea fields and even the rivers of Ninh Binh if you have the time. Within a small area this route offers a great variety of things to see and do including national parks, nature reserves, rice fields, tea fields, boat tours down rivers and beautiful mountain views. Most people outside of Vietnam have not heard of Ta Xua, Moc Chua or Pu Luong but these are some of the hidden gems you will visit on your way.

Route 3: Ha Giang & Cao Bang

Time

7-11 days

Distance

1224km

This is the shortest route to Ha Giang from Hanoi although we have routes starting from Ha Giang which you can find here. Ha Giang is considered to be the most beautiful part of the country and also offers some of the most challenging riding. You will go north to the border of China for some stunning mountain views. After this head east to see one of the biggest waterfalls in Vietnam. On your way back to Hanoi, you will drive through Ba Be National Park which offers the more traquil yet no less stunning landscape of Ba Be lake. For the sheer beauty of the region, this is the best loop. But it is the hardest for beginners due to the poor quality roads, long rides and mountain passes. The route can easily be extended by including a ride to Du Gia, to Lung Cu flag pole and a dirt track loop which can all be seen on the map below. Due to the potential riding difficulty, we recommend one of our offroad bikes like the Honda XR 150cc.

Route 4: The Northern Rice Fields

Time

8-10 days

Distance

1202km

If you want to see the stunning rice fields of Vietnam, this is a great route. You start by heading to the Mai Chau valley. Here you will find plenty of rice fields surrounded by mountains. There is also the option to head through the surrounding mountains and rice fields via Pu Luong national park. The route then goes north west through Moc Chau and Son La before reaching Mu Cang Chai and Sapa. These 2 offer the stunning panoramic views of the grand mountains full of terraced rice fields. If you have the time, make sure to visit the market of Bac Ha before heading back to Hanoi.

Route 5: The Northern Mountains

Time

9-14 days

Distance

1594km

This route is a slightly longer version of the Ha Giang Loop, adding a stop in Sapa. By heading further west at the start of your trip, you get get to experience some of the most incredible terraced rice paddys. If you can afford an extra 2 days on the trip then this is a nice addition to include. As with the Ha Giang Loop this route can be extended by including a ride to Du Gia, to Lung Cu flag pole and a dirt track loop which can all be seen on the map below.

Route 6: All of the North

Time

14-21 days

Distance

2110km

This motorbike route covers all of the areas of the north that the routes above mention. It takes at least 14 days but if you’re spending time in each place and want to really explore all that’s on offer, it can last for months. There is no time limit to how long you can spend in the north as there is always more to see. This route certainly doesn’t cover everything but it gives a good starting point to follow as you explore as much as you can. If you are just spending time in the north and have over 14 days, use this route as a starting point. We recommend doing more research on what else there is to see or just come and speak to us about where to go.