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The base price includes the rental of a Kawasaki KLX 150, 230 or 250 motorcycle. Shorter riders might prefer to ride the KLX150.
TOUR DESCRIPTION:
NORTHERN VIETNAM OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLE TOUR
HA GIANG, CAO BANG AND THE TRAILS BEYOND THE LOOP
From 1 to 11 April 2027, this supported Northern Vietnam off-road motorcycle tour takes us through the border mountains of Ha Giang and Cao Bang. The program includes 11 days, 10 nights and 9 riding days, with approximately 80% of the planned riding route off-road.
The tour starts and finishes in Hanoi. Between them lie the broad valley of Bac Son, the limestone landscapes of Tra Linh, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Cao Bang, Ba Be Lake, Meo Vac, the Dong Van Karst Plateau, Quan Ba, Vinh Quang, Xin Man and Lao Cai.
We ride lightweight Kawasaki KLX 150, KLX 230 and KLX 250 motorcycles. Their modest size is deliberate: these bikes are far better suited to narrow singletracks, muddy climbs and broken mountain trails than a heavily loaded adventure motorcycle.
A JOURNEY THROUGH THE BORDER MOUNTAINS
After arriving in Hanoi, we collect the motorcycles the following morning and begin riding towards Bac Son. The traffic and buildings gradually give way to quiet country roads, limestone hills and the broad agricultural valley surrounding Bac Son.
From Bac Son, we turn north through increasingly remote terrain, passing historic wartime tunnels and the remarkable limestone formations around Tra Linh. We then reach Ban Gioc Waterfall near the Chinese border before continuing to Cao Bang. The road to Ban Gioc is paved and straightforward—the reason for going is the waterfall and its setting, not the difficulty of the ride.
From Cao Bang, the route leads through steep mountain country towards Ba Be Lake. A traditional bamboo ferry carries the motorcycles across the water before we continue towards Meo Vac and the Dong Van Karst Plateau.
Around Meo Vac, Quan Ba and Ha Giang, we leave the familiar paved Ha Giang Loop. Narrow singletracks, stones, ruts, mud and steep descents take us deeper into the mountains and through regions inhabited by Hmong, Dao, Tay and other ethnic communities.
The final riding stages lead west through Vinh Quang, Xin Man and the remote highlands close to the Chinese border before we reach Lao Cai. After returning the motorcycles, we travel back to Hanoi overnight by comfortable sleeper bus. Along the way, we stay in small towns and mountain villages, eat local food and experience parts of northern Vietnam that remain outside the usual tourist routes.
EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS
- 11 days, 10 nights and 9 riding days
- Approximately 80% off-road riding
- Small group on Kawasaki KLX 150, KLX 230 and KLX 250 motorcycles
- The limestone valley of Bac Son
- Historic tunnels and traces of Vietnam’s wartime past
- The limestone landscapes of Tra Linh and Cao Bang
- Ban Gioc Waterfall near the Chinese border
- Ba Be Lake and the surrounding mountain country
- A traditional bamboo ferry crossing with the motorcycles
- Meo Vac, Quan Ba and the Dong Van Karst Plateau
- Ha Giang beyond the standard paved tourist loop
- Mountain tracks through Vinh Quang, Xin Man and towards Lao Cai
- Narrow singletracks, rocky climbs, muddy trails and river crossings
- Mountain villages, local food and the cultures of northern Vietnam
- MotoBirds tour leader, local motorcycle guides and mechanical support
- Support vehicle and transport of the participants’ main luggage
- Overnight sleeper bus transfer from Lao Cai to Hanoi
- Optional two-day luxury cruise through Ha Long Bay after the motorcycle tour
WHO IS THIS EXPEDITION FOR?
This tour is intended for riders with genuine off-road experience who are comfortable standing on the footpegs and handling mud, ruts, wet rock, loose climbs and steep mountain descents.
Most riding days involve between six and eight hours on the motorcycle. Some sections are flowing; others are slow, technical and physically demanding. You do not need to be an enduro racer, but this is not a tour for complete beginners. The difficulty level is rated 8/10. If it rains, the same trails can become considerably more difficult.
April is generally a good time to ride in northern Vietnam, but mountain weather remains unpredictable. Rain can change the condition of a trail within hours, and riders must be prepared for mud, reduced visibility and cooler temperatures at higher elevations.
GUIDANCE, LUGGAGE AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT
The group is led by a MotoBirds tour leader and experienced local motorcycle guides. A mechanic rides with the team and provides technical assistance throughout the expedition. A support vehicle carries the participants’ main luggage, tools and spare parts. It follows the group where the route permits and meets the riders at agreed points when the motorcycles take tracks that are inaccessible to the vehicle.
MotoBirds coordinates the motorcycle rental, luggage transport, accommodation, local permits and planned transfers. The small group size allows us to use trails and village tracks that would be impractical for a large motorcycle convoy.
The itinerary may be adjusted when required because of weather, trail conditions, access restrictions, local regulations or other circumstances beyond MotoBirds’ control.
NORTHERN VIETNAM BEYOND THE STANDARD LOOP
The Ha Giang Loop is famous for good reason, but most visitors experience it entirely on paved roads. This expedition uses parts of that road to connect the regions, then leaves it behind for the dirt tracks and mountain trails that make northern Vietnam such a rewarding off-road destination.
Not every day is about finding the hardest possible route. The journey also includes a section of the easy paved road to Ban Gioc, village stays, local meals, a bamboo ferry crossing and time to experience the country away from the motorcycle.
After the final riding day, we return the motorcycles in Lao Cai and travel overnight to Hanoi by sleeper bus. After arriving in the capital, participants can fly home or continue to Ha Long Bay for an optional two-day cruise, with one night aboard a five-star boat among the bay’s limestone islands.
This is northern Vietnam with more dirt, more remote trails and far fewer tourist scooters.
Ready? Google Earth doesn’t count as travel.
DETAILS OF THE TOUR
HIGHLIGHTS:
- A route beyond the standard Ha Giang Loop, using remote mountain trails, village tracks and carefully selected off-road sections
- Technical singletrack riding through rice-terrace country, with mud, stones, loose climbs and narrow mountain trails
- Ha Giang and the Dong Van Karst Plateau, one of northern Vietnam’s most remarkable mountain regions
- Meo Vac and Pho Bang, surrounded by limestone peaks and traditional highland villages
- Hmong, Dao and Tay communities, local markets and mountain villages away from the main tourist routes
- Ba Be Lake, with a boat trip
- A traditional bamboo ferry crossing, carrying the motorcycles across the water
- Cao Bang and Ban Gioc Waterfall, close to the Chinese border
- Nui Mat Than—Angel Eye Mountain, one of the most distinctive limestone formations near Tra Linh
- Historic wartime tunnels, including the unusual experience of riding through underground sections
- Bac Son Valley, surrounded by limestone mountains, farmland and Tay villages
- Hanoi’s Old Quarter, with its narrow streets, markets and local food
- Optional Soviet-era GAZ jeep tour through Hanoi—€60
- Northern Vietnamese cuisine, from roadside lunches and village meals to regional specialities
- Optional two-day Ha Long Bay cruise aboard a five-star boat, with one night on the water
WEATHER:
NORTHERN VIETNAM — WHERE RAIN CHANGES THE TRAIL
Early April is generally a good time for off-road riding in northern Vietnam, between the cooler winter months and the heavier summer rains. Over nine riding days, we pass through several different environments—from the warmer, more humid areas around Hanoi and Bac Son to Ba Be Lake, the limestone country of Cao Bang and the cooler mountain routes of Ha Giang and the Dong Van Karst Plateau.
Mountain weather remains unpredictable. Sunshine can quickly give way to mist, drizzle or heavy rain, particularly at higher elevations. Even a short downpour can transform a dry trail: clay becomes slippery, stones become slick and an easy climb can suddenly demand far more effort.
This changing weather is part of northern Vietnam’s character. Mist moves through the limestone peaks, clouds settle over the high passes and the landscape can change completely within a few kilometres. Come prepared for warmth, humidity, rain, reduced visibility and mud—and for some of the most rewarding off-road riding in Southeast Asia.
MOTORCYCLE GEAR:
RIDING GEAR—DRESS FOR ENDURO, NOT FOR TOURING
Each rider must bring their own complete gear. For this route, a proper enduro outfit is more suitable than a heavy adventure-touring suit:
- A full-face enduro or motocross helmet with goggles
- Body armour protecting the back, chest, shoulders and elbows
- Knee braces
- Proper enduro or motocross boots
- Motocross gloves
- Enduro trousers and a well-ventilated riding jersey
Bring equipment that you already know and trust. Over nine consecutive riding days, protection remains essential, but so do ventilation and freedom of movement.
LUGGAGE:
The support vehicle carries your main luggage, allowing you to enjoy the tour without a heavily loaded motorcycle. Please limit yourself to one soft, waterproof travel bag, preferably weighing no more than 20 kg.
On the motorcycle, carry what you may need during the day: water, documents, sun protection and personal essentials.
Laundry services are available at selected hotels along the route, so there is no need to pack clothing for the entire expedition. You will enjoy simple packing: fewer things to manage, more freedom to enjoy the road.
IMPORTANT, REMEMBER:
Each participant is responsible for obtaining a tourist visa if required for their nationality.
A valid national motorcycle driving licence and an International Driving Permit issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention are required.
MAXIMUM ALTITUDE:
1600 m
meters above seal levelDAY BY DAY TOUR PROGRAM
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1 — ARRIVAL IN HANOI
Arrival in Hanoi, transfer to the hotel and time to recover after the flight. Depending on arrival times, there may be an opportunity to explore the Old Quarter and have a first taste of Vietnamese street food.
DAY 2 — HANOI → BAC SON
After the motorcycle handover and riding briefing, we leave Hanoi and head towards the mountains of northern Vietnam. As the traffic thins, the landscape opens into farmland, limestone hills and quiet country roads. We finish in the broad Bac Son Valley, surrounded by steep green mountains and villages of the Tay ethnic community.
DAY 3 — BAC SON → TRA LINH
The first serious off-road stage takes us north through increasingly remote terrain. Country roads give way to mountain tracks, broken surfaces and sections that may become muddy after rain. Along the way, we explore tunnels and caves connected with Vietnam’s wartime history before continuing towards Tra Linh, close to the Chinese border.
DAY 4 — TRA LINH → BAN GIOC WATERFALL → CAO BANG
Today combines easy paved riding with some of the finest scenery in northeastern Vietnam. We ride to Ban Gioc Waterfall, where the Quay Son River passes between limestone peaks on the border with China. The road to Ban Gioc is straightforward—the highlight is the waterfall and its setting rather than difficult riding. After the visit, we continue through the limestone country of Cao Bang Province to Cao Bang city.
DAY 5 — CAO BANG → BA BE LAKE
We leave Cao Bang and ride towards Ba Be National Park through forested mountains, steep valleys and roads cut into the hillsides. Some sections are narrow and exposed, offering excellent views but demanding full attention. Depending on the weather, the day may include wet rock, mud and slippery mountain tracks. We finish beside Ba Be Lake, one of Vietnam’s largest natural freshwater lakes.
DAY 6 — BA BE LAKE → MEO VAC
A long and varied day takes us from the forests of Ba Be into the dramatic limestone mountains around Meo Vac. The route combines mountain roads, dirt tracks, river valleys and small villages. One of the day’s highlights is transporting the motorcycles across the water on a traditional bamboo ferry.
DAY 7 — MEO VAC → QUAN BA
This is one of the principal off-road days of the expedition. Rather than simply following the familiar paved Ha Giang Loop, we use narrow trails and dirt alternatives through the mountains whenever conditions permit. Expect singletracks, stones, mud, loose climbs and steep descents. We cross the remarkable limestone landscape of the Dong Van Karst Plateau before finishing in Quan Ba.
DAY 8 — QUAN BA → VINH QUANG
We continue west through Ha Giang Province, leaving the busier sections of the Ha Giang Loop behind. The route leads through mountain valleys, rice terraces and villages connected by narrow roads and remote tracks.
The exact difficulty will depend heavily on the weather. A dry trail can provide fast, enjoyable riding; after rain, the same section may become extremely hard.
DAY 9 — VINH QUANG → XIN MAN
Another full day of off-road riding through the highlands of Hoang Su Phi and Xin Man. This is a quieter part of northern Vietnam, known for steep cultivated valleys, scattered villages and mountain tracks close to the Chinese border. The riding remains varied, with a mixture of flowing dirt roads, rougher trails and technical sections requiring patience and concentration.
DAY 10 — XIN MAN → LAO CAI → OVERNIGHT TRANSFER TO HANOI
Our final riding day takes us from Xin Man towards Lao Cai. We descend from the remote mountain country through changing landscapes and increasingly populated valleys. After arriving in Lao Cai, we return the motorcycles and prepare for the journey back to Hanoi. In the evening, we board a comfortable private sleeper bus for the overnight transfer to the capital. We arrive in Hanoi late evening.
DAY 11 — HANOI DEPARTURE OR HA LONG BAY EXTENSION
Participants finishing the tour transfer to Hanoi Airport according to the agreed departure schedule. Those joining the optional Ha Long Bay cruise continue by private minivan to the coast.
OPTIONAL HA LONG BAY CRUISE
Luxury five-star cruise: 2 days / 1 night
- €450 per person sharing a double room
- €650 per person in a single room
After arriving at Ha Long Bay, we board the boat at approximately 11:30. The cruise includes organised activities among the bay’s limestone islands, with optional massage and spa treatments available at an additional cost. We spend the night aboard the boat.
DAY 12 — HA LONG BAY → HANOI → DEPARTURE
We disembark at approximately 11:30 and return to Hanoi by private minivan. After lunch in the city, an evening transfer takes participants to the airport.
If you choose the Ha Long Bay extension, your flight from Hanoi must depart no earlier than 18:30 on 12 April 2027.
The itinerary may be adjusted because of weather, trail conditions, access restrictions, local regulations, political or social circumstances, or other factors beyond MotoBirds’ control.
YOUR OPINIONS
FROM GOOGLE
Google rating score: 5.0 of 5,based on 47 reviews
PRICE INCLUDES:
MOTORCYCLE
GUIDE
SUPPORT CAR
MOTORBIKE MAINTENANCE
ACCOMMODATION & FOOD
TRANSPORT TO/FROM THE HOTEL
PERMITS
ACTIVITIES
- Bamboo ferry crossing with motorbikes.
- Ba Be Lake boat tour.
- Motorbike riding in the war tunnels.
- Optional soviet GAZ jeep tour in Hanoi (€60)
INSURANCE
- Basic travel insurance.
- Tourist Guarantee Fund fee.
- Tourist Support Fund fee.
IMPORTANT: For an additional fee, there is an option to independently extend the insurance within the Signal Iduna Safe Travels and/or Global Rescue partner offer. The price of the tour includes basic travel insurance.
WELCOME PACK
PRICE NOT INCLUDES:
PERSONAL CHOICES AND EXPENSES
To keep the tour price clear and transparent, the following services and expenses are paid separately:
- International flights to and from Hanoi. Please do not book flights until MotoBirds confirms that the minimum group size has been reached.
- Tourist entry visa, if required for your nationality. The visa is obtained online by each participant and currently costs approximately US$25. Entry requirements should be checked before departure.
- Passport, international driving permit and other personal documentation costs.
- Tests and vaccinations, if required.
- Personal motorcycle clothing and protective equipment.
- Motorcycle fuel contribution: €100, payable at the start of the tour.
- Either a €500 refundable motorcycle security deposit or a €190 non-refundable damage waiver.
- Motorcycle damage, repairs or associated costs not covered by the selected security-deposit or damage-waiver arrangement.
- Lunches and dinners in Hanoi.
- Drinks, alcoholic beverages and snacks.
- Local SIM card: €20, available on request.
- Single-room supplement: €550 for the nine nights of room-based accommodation, subject to availability.
- Optional activities and attractions not expressly listed under Price Includes.
- Optional two-day Ha Long Bay cruise with one night aboard a five-star boat: €450 per person sharing a twin or double room or €650 per person in a single room. The price includes the scheduled transfers from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, back to Hanoi and onwards to the airport.
- Medical expenses not covered by the standard MotoBirds travel insurance.
- Additional medical evacuation, rescue or repatriation cover beyond the basic travel insurance included in the package, such as Global Rescue or an equivalent policy.
- Cancellation or trip-interruption insurance.
- Additional accommodation and individual transfers outside the official tour dates and scheduled group arrangements.
- Personal expenses, tips and any services not expressly listed under Price Includes.
DEPOSIT FOR THE MOTORCYCLE:
OR
OPTION 2: €190 non-refundable damage waiver covering all damages to the motorcycle, including total loss. Rough handling is never covered.
