MOTORCYCLE:
Kawasaki KLX230 or 250.
TOUR DESCRIPTION:
Off-Road Motorcycle Tour | Ha Giang, Cao Bang & Sapa
Northern and Northeastern Vietnam aren’t just scenic—they’re outrageous. Think razor-cut valleys, stair-stepped rice terraces, and passes that cling to cliffs like tightrope. This is the kind of terrain that turns a motorcycle tour into an actual adventure. Expect peaks pushing 3,000 m and long, technical descents that make your brakes earn their keep.
This ride is built for off-road junkies: tight singletrack, muddy switchbacks, rocky climbs, river crossings, and focus-demanding sections that keep the adrenaline humming. We thread through the Ha Giang Loop and the Dong Van Karst Plateau, skim terrace edges in Hoang Su Phi, roll forest trails toward Ba Be Lake, and—route and conditions allowing—push on to Cao Bang and the emerald curtain of Ban Gioc Waterfall. It’s dirt, not highways; lines you ride, not lanes you follow.
But it’s not just about the throttle. The region is home to a mosaic of ethnic minority communities, each with its own language, textiles, and traditions. We overnight in small villages where the modern world barely flickers, sharing meals and stories you won’t find on any packaged “Vietnam highlights” tour.
Who it’s for: confident off-road riders (comfortable standing on the pegs, handling ruts, wet rock, and loose climbs) who want 5–8 hours in the saddle, most days, in a small group with full support. Typical bikes include Kawasaki KLR230, 250 or similar; a lead guide, sweep, tools, spares, fuel planning, and luggage transfers keep you free to ride.
Best season: September–November and March–May bring clearer skies and drier trails. Summer can be wet and wild; winter nights at altitude bite back.
Want to trade dust for glassy water at the finish? Cap the ride with a two-day Ha Long Bay cruise—limestone towers, sunset decks, and zero gravel. Even die-hards melt a little out there.
This isn’t Vietnam on a postcard. It’s Vietnam in high gear.
Ready? Google Earth doesn’t count as travel.
START:
END:
NUMBER OF DAYS AND NIGHTS:
NUMBER OF RIDING DAYS:
TOUR TYPE:
TYPE OF ROADS:
DIFFICULTY LEVEL:
MIN./ MAX. NUMBER OF BIKES:
Choose your options:
DETAILS OF THE TOUR
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Riding on selected best single tracks, rice terraces and war tunnels
- Cultural minorities & mountain villages
- Off the beaten track itinerary
- Traditional boat / ferry crossing
- Hanoi old quarter
- Classic Soviet era GAZ jeep tour in Hanoi (€50)
- Ha Giang area
- Pho Bang
- Ba Be Lake boat cruise (if time allows)
- Nui Mat Than
- local Vietnamese cuisine
- Optional cruise on 5* boat on Ha Long Bay
WEATHER:
The weather at this time of year is generally good and sunny – it is the period with the least amount of rainfall during the whole year. It is still not very hot and the temperatures in the mountains. However, be also prepared for rain. North Vietnam weather can be capricious because of the mountains.
The route could become significantly more challenging in case of rain.
MOTORCYCLE GEAR:
Wearing adequate riding gear is an individual responsibility. We strongly recommend “adventure” type boots or even better, motocross boots for this ride. Bring your own gear.
LUGGAGE:
We will be traveling light. Try not to take more than one 20kg luggage piece. It should be soft luggage, dust & water proof. For riding days take with you a small backpack or waterproof bag, with straps.
IMPORTANT, REMEMBER:
Each participant must organize a tourist visa. We will provide you with the necessary guidelines.
You must have an international driving license (1968 Convention).
MAXIMUM ALTITUDE:
2500m
meters above seal levelDAY BY DAY TOUR PROGRAM
DAY 1: 1.04
Arrival in Hanoi. Evening transfer to Lao Cai by private luxury sleeper bus.
DAY 2: 2.04
Lao Cai → XI Man. First off-roading. We enter the heart of North Vietnam.
DAY 3: 3.04
Xi Man → Vinh Cuang. Ride along remote tracks following the Chinese border.
DAY 4; 5.04
Vinh Cuang → Quan Ba. Sculptured mountains with rice fields. .
DAY 5: 5.04
Quan Ba → Men Vac. Single track day!.
DAY 6: 6.04
Men Vac → Ba Be. Motorbike transfer by bamboo ferry.
DAY 7: 7.04
Ba Be → Cao Bang. Riding sure to challenge your fear of heights.
DAY 8: 8.04
Cao Bang → Tra Linh. Discover incredible rock formations.
DAY 9: 9.04
Try Linh → Bac Son. Ride through war tunnels.
DAY 10: 10.04
Bac Son → Hanoi. We make our way back to Hanoi.
DAY 11: 11.04
Fly out or transfer to Ha Long for those wanting the optional cruise.
Optional cruise (€380 double room / €550 single room)- Ha Long Bay luxury cruise on a 5* boat: 2 days / 1 night.
DAY 11: 11.04
Early morning transfer by private minivan to Ha Long Bay. Around 11.30 check in on the boat. Cruise on the Ha Long Bay with arranged activities and optional massage and spa. Night on the boat.
Day 12: 12.04
Around 11.30 am check out from the boat. Transfer by private minivan to Hanoi, lunch in Hanoi. Evening transfer to the airport. Fly out.
Important: if you choose this option your flight out of Hanoi cannot be earlier than 18.30 pm on 12.04.2026.
The itinerary may be subject to change due to political or social reasons or weather conditions.
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 crossings with motorbikes.
- Ba Bee Lake boat tour.
- Motorbike riding in the war tunnels.
- Jeep tour in Hanoi.
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.
PICTURES & GPX TRACKS FROM THE TOUR
WELCOME PACK
PRICE NOT INCLUDES:
- Airline tickets (tickets should not be bought until the organizer confirms the completion of the minimum group size).
- Tourist entry visa, if required (approximately US$25) – visa is organized online by each Participant.
- Vaccinations, if required.
- Medical expenses not covered by standard MotoBirds insurance.
- Motorcycle fuel (€100 to be paid at the start of the tour).
- Motorcycle refundable security deposit ( €500) OR non-refundable damage waiver ( €190).
- Local SIM card (€20) upon request.
- Lunches and dinners in Hanoi.
- Drinks.
- Tips.
- Optional 1 night, 2 days Ha Long Bay cruise on 5* ship, together with a transfer from Ha Long Bay to Hanoi, and to the airport: €380 / person, in twin or double room or €550 / person in a single room
DEPOSIT FOR THE MOTORCYCLE:
OR
OPTION 2: €190 non-refundable damage waiver covering all damages to the motorcycle, including total loss.
