Northwest Vietnam offers some of the most lush and wild scenery the country has to offer and one of the most exhilarating ways to see it is by motorbike. The valleys and rough mountain peaks are full of vibrant ethnic minorities and you’ll get to meet a great variety of Vietnam’s hill tribes. We also stop at the historic towns of Dien Bien Phu and Sapa – the former made famous for its role in Vietnam winning its war against the French and the latter a leftover colonial resort town high in the mountains and surrounded by spectacular terraced rice fields.

• Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau

Day 2: Mai Chau - Son La

Day 3: Son La - Dien Bien Phu

Day 4: Dien Bien - Sin Ho - Lai Chau

Day 5: Lai Chau - Sapa

Day 6: Sapa- Luc Yen - Yen Bai - Vu Linh Village

Day 7: Thac Ba – Ha Noi

• Trip Grade: Level of fitness and motor-biking ability is required.

• Weather:
  

Undoubtedly, weather is one of the determining factors for your traveling decisions. If you are heading to Vietnam, then, take it easy to make up your mind. Vietnam’s climate is not just steamy hot as what you are frequently exposed to on movies. All year round here, there is always a perfect place where it is pleasant to stay. Basically, the whole country falls into the tropic and subtropics but its stretching length and diverse topography allow it to span several different climate zones. The weather thus, tends to vary considerably from season to season and also from region to region.

Northern Part
The North of Vietnam is generally cooler than other South East Asian regions in the same longitude. It experiences two main distinct seasons. In winter months, the weather gets colder and colder fromNovember to March and considerably warmer in April (a leap into summer). This is also time to observe much cloud and frequent drizzle. The average winter temperature is 17.2°C (62.9°F). Particularly, the mountainous areas (Northwest) are often much colder, temperature may keep below 10°C (50°F) for long period. Ice and snow even cover Hoang Lien Son Mountains and nearby Sapa town for some times with the lowest record of -3°C (26.6°F) in Feb 2008.
In the summer (from May to October), the whole region is quite hot. Temperature may rise to 37°C (98.6 °F) in the peaks of June and July. Hanoi and coastal provinces around the Red River Delta generally enjoy equitable weather with high average humidity (80%) all year round though they may occasionally be subjected to typhoons and heavy rain in late summers (September to November). Vietnamese people even identify four seasons in the Northern provinces (from Hai Van Pass toward the north) with their distinct features: pleasant spring (typically March-April) and autumn (October-December), a chilly winter (December- February) and a hot summer (June – July).

Central Part
The Central Vietnam with two sub-regions, coastal lowlands and central highlands, can be seen as an in-between climatic area of the North and the South. The coastal strip is usually dry and hotter than the rest in the summer, as the Truong Son Mountains do not allow it to enjoy most rainfall of south-western monsoon (from April to October). Unprotected coasts in their turn, however, make it wet and colder than the rest in winter-monsoon season (from November to March). Also, storms and typhoons strike this area more frequently than the northern coasts in summer months (from July to November). The Central Highlands in particular enjoys nearly double the average rainfall of the country. Two biggest towns in this plateau, Dalat and Pleiku, are ideally cool throughout the year. Near-the-south coastal cities, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang and Phan Thiet, on the contrary, experiences steamy hot weather (21°C-32°C / 70°F-90°F) all year round.

Southern Part
The South of Vietnam, merely 8 degrees north of the Equator, is typical of humid tropical climate which is excellent for growing rice. The region’s temperatures experience little variations in a year (around 27-32°C/80-90°F). There are two main seasons: the rainy and the dry. During the rainy/monsoon season (from May to November), downpours are expected to happen nearly every afternoon, resulting in occasional street flooding in and around Saigon. In the dry season, it is hot from late February to April then slightly cooler when first downpours come. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) enjoys rather equitable tropical climate with high humidity all year round. December to March is said to be the most pleasant time to hit this region’s center.

Note: In all, Vietnam climate is so diverse that there is almost no definition of an average temperature for the whole country. Thanks to these regional variations in weather, generally, you can drop in Vietnam at any time of year. Commonly, based on the duration of your stay, you should plan to catch the good weather and places by either dropping in Saigon in February or March then following the coast to north or hitting Hanoi in October-November then tracing southward.

Day 1: Ha Noi - Mai Chau
In the morning after the trip briefing with your guide at the hotel, you will check out the bikes. You will then visit the Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum where you can learn about the historic trail that you’ll be riding on. Continuing on your Honda 230-250 cc bikes heading to Mai Chai, you will branch off at Luong Son and follow the bank of the Da River. The challenge begins with a ride on winding roads passing through extensive farmland, tree-lined roads and limestone karst scenery. Nearer to Mai Chau, we stop at the Cun Pass to see a superb panorama of the Mai Chau valley where many minorities, including the Thai ethnic group, live. You spend the afternoon strolling around the villages and interacting with the friendly Thai people. Dinner and overnight at the Mai Chau Lodge
 

Overnight at Mai Chau
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Distance: Approx. 160 km (Approx. 4.5 hours drive)

Day 2: Mai Chau - Son La by motorbike

You continue riding on winding mountain roads over passes up into a forested region populated by the H'mong people. We descend into a tea-growing region in the Moc Chau plateau then follow a long valley floor covered by a sea of rice and surrounded by Black Thai villages all the way to Son La.
 

Overnight in Son La.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Distance: Approx. 210 km (Approx. 6 hours drive) 

Day 3: Son La - Dien Bien Phu

Todays fantastic ride is through some amazing scenery. You pass the town of Thuan Chau and through an area inhabited by mainly White H’mong where the women are dressed with bright pink tassels and pompoms on their black headdresses. Riding through Phadin Pass, which is the longest pass in Vietnam, you will have time to explore off-road, visiting some of the hill-tribe villages along the way. Arrive in Dien Bien in the afternoon.

Overnight in Dien Bien
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Distance: Approx. 170 km (Approx. 5-6 hours drive)

Day 4: Dien Bien - Sin Ho - Lai Chau

In the morning you visit the historic war sites of Dien Bien, including A1 Hill, Dien Bien Phu Museum and the De Castrie bunker. You then leave the town and drive through some stunning gorges, passing Sin Ho town, the “second Sapa” of the Northwest. Sin Ho town is located on the highest peak of the Sin Ho plateau in Lai Chau province and is over 2,000m above sea level, surrounded by verdant mountain ranges. On the way, we make some interesting stops to visit H’mong and Dzao villages before heading down into Lai Chau where you spend the night.

Overnight in Lai Chau
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Distance: 130 km (Approx. 5-6 hours drive)

Day 5: Lai Chau - Sapa

You begin your ride to Sapa and the Fansipan Mountain range. There is an option for a very challenging return route, which takes you through several river crossings. The massive mountain range dominates the road and there is a splendid climb up from Binh Lu to the top of the highest road pass in Vietnam (Tram Ton Pass or Heaven’s Gate). Crossing into Lao Cai Province at over 2000m, the view looks out over wave upon wave of mountain peaks.

Overnight in Sapa.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Distance: 90 km (Approx. 4 hours drive)

Day 6: Sapa - Luc Yen - Yen Bai - Vu Linh Village

In the morning you head into Lao Cai City and have a coffee break on the banks of the Nam Thi river, the Vietnam - China border. Enjoy your coffee while taking in the view of China then continue the rise through palm forest all the way to Luc Yen. Take breaks to interact with some local Tay families before ending the day’s ride at our Dao friends' village of Vu Linh, which is located on Thac Ba Lake, the biggest man-made lake in Vietnam. The water of the lake is blue and clear and imprinted with the reflections of the surrounding ancient forests. After lunch, take a boat ride, stop by an island for a swim and discover the peculiarities of this area. You will have an unforgettable dinner with our hosts who enjoy visitors and like to put on a party. The welcome is exceptional and we hope you will survive.
 

Overnight in local homestay
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Distance: 280 km

Day 7: Thac Ba – Ha Noi

Enjoy the ride southeast on Highway 2 and then branch off to the sleepy town of Phu Tho. Follow the edge of the Red River along the dyke, almost to the point where it merges with the Red River after which they flow together to Ha Noi.

By now, you are very much in the lowlands of the delta plains and the North’s main agricultural areas. Harvest time here is a sea of activity. Crossing the Red River by bridge, pass through Son Tay and then return to Hanoi on the highway. You should be back to Hanoi before rush hour.
 

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Distance: 180 km

This tour is private and can be tailor-made to suit your travel needs. As a result the price is quoted in US dollars and shown on a per-person basis. The 'Price From' quoted above is for parties of 2, 4 and 6 people and for accommodation in 3 star hotels. The final price will be privately quoted, based on the number in your party, your preferred time of travel, grade of hotel and any additional services requested. Please click on the BOOK NOW button and fill in the booking form, after which one of our travel consultants will customize the best value holiday for you.

REMARKS:
We are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. In Indochina particularly, hotel price makes up most of the cost of your Cambodia cycling, Vietnam cycling, Laos cycling, Myanmar cycling or Thailand cycling. All of our prices are calculated on a twin-shared basis. As a guide, Travel Loops defines hotel grades as follows:

>>Superior Level (3 star hotels in good locations): > 40 USD/room/night
>>Deluxe Level (4 star hotels): > 80 USD/room/night
>>Luxury Level (5 star hotels): > 180 USD/room/night

Price based on twin shared accommodation.
Tour price is indicative only, please enquire for a detailed quotation.
More people means more discount. Please enquire for more details

If, after reviewing the details of this tour, you would like to receive a "Special Offer" tour price, just click on the "INQUIRY" button below. If you wish to “Tailor Make" your trip, simply click on the "CUSTOMIZE TRIP" and enter your contact details.

COST INCLUDED:

• Experienced English speaking guide
• Private transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
• Accommodation in double/twin sharing rooms with daily breakfast
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
• Bottled drinking water for sightseeing
• All sightseeing entrance fee where required in the itinerary.
• Dirt bike and helmet. 

COST EXCLUDED:

• International/domestic airfares & tax
• Visa fees.
• Travel Insurance. (We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance from home)
• Personal expenditure (telephone, laundry, shopping and so on…)
• Tips for guide, driver, porters and project cost
• Beverage and alcoholic drinks
• Any other services not clearly mentioned on itinerary and trip inclusive portion.

The hotels listed below are just our suggestions offering the best value for this trip according to the hotel category chosen, but Travel Loops also offers more options to cater for different grades, personal taste, and budget. Please let us know if you have any specific choice of hotels, or personal preferences/requirements.

Note: Our choices for each level of accommodation have been highlighted in orange. As mentioned above our selection criteria are based on: prior client reviews, hotel management and staff training, facilities maintenance, location, business relationship and advantages given exclusively to our clients on price and service.