- Late model bike with all fuel
- 3 – 4 Star Motorcycle Friendly Hotels and home-stays with breakfast
- Welcome dinner
- Guide / rider
- Daily refreshing (2-3 times a day)
- Airport transfer on day 1 & day 9
- Entrance fees
- Vietnam visa
Guided Tour
9 Day Dien Bien Phu Motorbike Tour: Loop the War sites
Ride from Hanoi to the historic battlefields site of Dien Bien Phu in the far northwest of Vietnam
9 days / 8 nights • Guided • ~1,250 mi / 2,000 km This is a Dien Bien Phu motorbike tour, taking you through the northwest Vietnam, from Hanoi through Pu Luong, Moc Chau, Nghia Lo, and Mu Cang Chai on a loop along the karsts that covers the far northwest. The itinerary is specially focusing on the historic battlefield sites around the Dien Bien Phu.
Tour highlights:
- Ride the mountain roads above Mu Cang Chai, where the terraced rice fields of the Yen Bai highlands drop steeply into the valley floor below
- Visit the Dien Bien Phu Battle Historical Site in the valley where the 56-day campaign ended French military presence in Indochina in 1954
- Cross the Black River at Phu Yen and climb through Sin Ho, a remote hill tribe plateau rarely covered on standard northwest Vietnam tours
- Ride the backroads of Ngoc Chien and Nghia Lo through Hmong and Thai villages on roads that see little outside traffic
DAY 1: 160 KM
Hanoi to Pu Luong
Depart from Hanoi around 8am, take a slow ride out of the town through the morning rush hour, for many riders, this is a sort of experience riding in togethr with the 1000’s of scooter. We then take a ride through the Hoa Binh, then Mai Chau valley, with a stop for lunch and refreshing. Later arrive in Pu Luong Nature Reserve by the road passing trough quiet villages. Arrive, check in to your local resort, time to relax by the pool.
DAY 2: 200 KM
Phu Yen
After a leisure breakfast, we get on the road, we take backroads out of Pu Luong, then toward Phu Yen from where we take a ferry to cross the Da River. Here we take a scenic backroads through the hamlets to reach Phu Yen, arrive and check in.
DAY 3: 170 KM
Mu Cang Chai
Ride across Lung Lo Pass in the morning before continuing on Road 32. This 15 km pass in Yen Bai was heavily bombed during the 1954 Dien Bien Phu campaign and is now a national heritage site.
After lunch, continue through the Mu Cang Chai massif, known for its high mountain roads and wide views across northern Vietnam. The ride is challenging but rewarding. Overnight in a hotel.
DAY 4: 190 KM
Sin Ho
We take a 5 hours challenging backroads toward the Lai Chau and then Sin Ho en-route the Dien Bien Phu. There are lot’s of mountain passes and local villages we pass by today. Arrive and check in, relax.
DAY 5: 160 KM
Dien Bien Phu
Enjoy a leisure breakfast at hotel, or out at a local eatery. The ride today taking us through challenging off-road trails with lush mountain views. Arrive in Dien Bien Phu by late afternoon, if time permits, we visit victory museum, battlefield site of Dine Bien Phu and historic war relics including Hill A.
DAY 6: 260 KM
Beautiful Sapa
Leave Dien Bien Phu after breakfast and a refreshing coffee and get ready for a 6 hours ride through mountain passes and dirt trails. Check in at Muong Lay, then continue to Sapa, arrive by late afternoon, explore the town and overnight stay.
Day 7: Rest Day
A free day in Sapa
Today is a free day at your own, take a bike and explore the nearby villages, mountain passes and or, join a sightseeing tours, take a cable car to Mt.Fansipan. A day at your own plan. Enjoy it.
DAY 8: 300 KM
Ride back to Hanoi
We say goodbye to Sapa and the ethnic minority people. Take the Lao Cai – hanoi smaller roads, en-route we stop for lunch and coffee break and arrive at Hanoi around 5PM. End of the 8 days Dien Bien Phu loop by motorbike, from Hanoi
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic drinks
- Lunch / dinner
Tour Cost by Bike Type
Honda XR 150
USD 1,400 / Per Person
Honda CB500x
USD 1,980 / Per Person
CRF 250, or 300
USD 1,900 / Per Person
BMW GS ADV
USD 2,500 / Per Person
8-Day Dien Bien Phu loop by motorbike, the FAQs
What's the recommended bike for Dien Bien Phu Loop?
If you want to explore more dirt rads, the Honda CRF250 dual-sport is a proper option, offering the agility and power needed for rough terrain.
If your focus is on roads and longer sections, the Honda CB500X is recommended. Other options include, XR150 and or an adventure model, the BMW GS.
When is the best time to ride this tour?
This Dien Bien Phu Motorcycle Tour, and generally the northwest, including Sapa, is best to ride, at the end of summer season (the rainy season), usually runs from June to August.
The northwest gets warmer and drier from Laos, so temperatures remain comfortable despite the elevation. The months from September to May generally offer better riding conditions, with clearer skies and more stable weather.
Why's Dien bien Phu a war site?
It is considered historic due to its strong links to the French colonial era. Dien Bien Phu was the site of the decisive battle that ended French rule in Vietnam. The region includes key landmarks such as the old French-built Highway 6 and Son La Prison, which was used during the colonial period.
Pha Din Pass also features artillery positions and bunkers from the war. Along the route, you can still see traces of colonial presence, local resistance, and remaining military structures.
How remote is Dien Bien Phu & Northwest?
The Historic Northwest route passes through one of the least populated regions of Vietnam. We ride beyond the main roads into remote countryside, where you’ll visit small villages inhabited by ethnic groups such as the Black Hmong, offering insight into their daily life.