Northern Vietnam Motorbike Tours

The four motorbike circuits in northern Vietnam

Northern Vietnam has four riding circuits that connect back to Hanoi and can be ridden in either direction. Each covers different terrain, ethnic groups, and road conditions. The Ha Giang loop runs approximately 1000 km from Hanoi through Yen Minh, Dong Van, Meo Vac, and the Ma Pi Leng Pass, including off-road and dirt tracks. It is the most popular circuit in the north and takes 5 to 8 days to complete it.

• See the full Ha Giang motorbike loop tour page for day-by-day route details, road conditions, and what to pack.

The northwest circuit links Hanoi to Mai Chau, Moc Chau, Son La, Dien Bien Phu, Lai Chau, and Sapa, covering around 1,100 km over seven to ten days. It crosses the O Quy Ho and Pha Din passes, two of the four great passes of northern Vietnam.

• Full Northwest Vietnam motorbike circuit details here.

The northeast circuit covers Ba Be Lake, Cao Bang, and the Ban Gioc waterfall before returning south, around 800+ km on quieter roads with fewer tourist groups.

• Full Northeast Vietnam motorbike circuit details here.

The full north loop merges the northwest and northeast into a single 12+ days to ride of 2,000 km. This is the most complete route through the northern highlands and the one Hamid recommends for riders who want to see the full range of landscapes in one trip.

When to ride northern Vietnam by motorbike

The north has two seasons that directly affect riding conditions. October to April is dry season. October and November are the best months overall: road conditions are good, temperatures in the highlands range from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius during the day, and visibility is clear on most passes. December and January bring cold fog to Sapa and the Ha Giang plateau, with temperatures sometimes dropping below 5 degrees at elevation. May to September is wet season. Roads are passable but some remote tracks become muddy and landslides are possible on exposed mountain roads after heavy rain, particularly in Ha Giang and on the Pha Din Pass. This is when the rice terraces are greenest, from June to August, and when Ban Gioc waterfall runs at full flow. Best for dirt tour on our enduro rides. Two windows fill up faster than any other time of year. Mu Cang Chai between late September and mid-October, when 2,200 hectares of terraced rice fields turn gold before harvest. Ha Giang in October and November, when buckwheat flowers turn the Dong Van plateau pink and white. Accommodation in small villages books out weeks in advance during both windows. Check out more on North Vietnam by Kris

Riding skill level and bike options

The tours Hamid runs since 2013 are grouped into three skill levels.

• Beginner-friendly routes use the Mai Chau valley, Ninh Binh, and the Ba Be lake road. On-roads, mostly flat, and manageable on a XR150cc. These work well as first-time motorbike trips in Vietnam.
• Intermediate routes include the Ha Giang and the northwest circuit via Moc Chau and Son La and Moung Lay. These require comfort on steep dirt trails and basic clutch control on manual bikes. XR150, CRF 250 works best, o and the CB500x.
• Advanced routes combine off-road tracks, river crossings, and remote sections with no fuel stops for 80 to 100 km. A 250cc or 350cc trail bike is required. Hamid runs these as small group tours with a maximum of 5 riders.

Bikes available on my motorcycle tours around north Vietnam include the Honda XR150, 190, CRF 250 and 300, the CB500x as well as the BMW GS for road-trips.

Key cultural stops across northern Vietnam

The roads connect the landscapes but the market towns and village stops define the trip.

• Dong Van Sunday market in Ha Giang brings together Hmong, Dao, Lo Lo, and Pu Peo traders from the surrounding plateau. It runs every Sunday morning and is one of the few markets in Vietnam where ethnic minority groups outnumber tourists.
• Bac Ha market near Lao Cai is held every Sunday and draws Flower Hmong women in bright embroidered clothing. The market is larger and more commercial than Dong Van but worth visiting if the route passes through on a Sunday.
• Sin Ho in Lai Chau province is a small highland town at 1,500 meters with a Saturday market that almost no tour groups reach. The road in from Muong Te is rough but passable on trail bikes from October to April.

Pac Ngoi village on Ba Be Lake is a Tay fishing village where homestays include meals cooked over wood fires and boat access to the lake at sunrise before other visitors arrive.

How Hamid runs motorcycle tours in north Vietnam

Hamid has been guiding motorcycle tours in northern Vietnam since 2013. In that time he has ridden every main circuit in the north, guided riders from more than 40 countries, and built relationships with guesthouses, village homestays, and local mechanics across the region. Route planning accounts for road conditions after rain. Accommodation is booked in advance, including village homestays that do not appear on booking platforms. Breakdowns are handled with a support contact at each major stop rather than leaving riders to find a mechanic alone. Groups are kept small. Most tours run with 2 to 5 riders. Private tours for solo travelers or pairs are available on all loop tours. The guides speak English and Vietnamese. On routes through Ha Giang and the northeast, where Hmong, Tay, and Dao communities are the main cultural draw, having a guide who can translate and make introductions changes what you see and who you meet.