5 Day Motorcycle Tour from Hanoi - Iti #18

This 5-day Northwest Vietnam Motorcycle Trip takes you to the less traveled region of Vietnam. This is a guided motorbike tour is customized for active adventure riders. The motorbike tour begins from Vietnam’s capital Hanoi, and continues through Mai Chau, Hoa Binh, Son La, Than Uyen, Lai Chau, Nghia Lo, Yen Bai. Stops are made en route for you to enjoy the scenic landscapes, to meet up with local friendly people. You also have the opportunity to spend the night at local home (homestay), to try local Vietnamese food during the bike tour. This motorcycle tour is highly recommended in the dry season starting from October until April. Scooters, road bikes or motocross are all welcome!

Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau.

Leaving Hanoi and breaking out of the delta plains we pass through endless limestone karst scenery as we travel south through “Perfume Pagoda” country and extensive farming lands comprising a sea of paddy fields split by tree-lined roads. After a picnic lunch near Chi Ne, we visit the hot springs at Kim Boi, before striking northwest and over two passes, finally dropping down to the mountain valley settlement of Mai Chau. Here we stay overnight with friends of the White Thai minority in a traditional stilt house. In the evening, after feasting, we can enjoy a cultural show of Thai dancing and a range of special local liquors. Overnight in Mai Chau.

Day 2: Mai Chau – Son La.

On good road looking high over distant mountains we head up into a forested region populated by H’mong people before descending into a mountainous tea-growing region. Soon after we follow a long valley floor covered in a sea of rice surrounded by Black Thai villages all the way to Son La with its bargain-filled market. Overnight in Sunrise Hotel.

Day 3: Son La – Than Uyen.

Continuing the road no.6 to Thuan Giao (the road is now under construction) then take a small paved road to Da River where we will take the ferry boat to get the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Arrive in Than Uyen inthe early afternoon. Overnight in Phuong Nhung Hotel.

Day 4: Than Uyen – Nghia Lo.

On the very spectacular road going along the Hoang Lien Son mountain range where we discover the territories of the H’mong people. Many stops for taking photo of the rice fields on terrace. Arrive in Nghia Lo in the early afternoon. After a soft break, we take a walk to discover some villages of the Thai people living around the area. Overnight in Nghia Lo Hotel.

Day 5: Nghia Lo – Hanoi.

Depart early from Nghia Lo, we leave the Hoang Lien Son mountain range to reach the Red River Delta. We try to arrive in Ha noi before rush hour.