Hills and Tribes

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12 Days

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Hanoi

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North Vietnam

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Hanoi

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Vietnam

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1,400 km

Overview

Discover Vietnam by Motorcycle – Epic, Authentic, Unforgettable

Ready to ride through some of the most breathtaking landscapes Southeast Asia has to offer? Join us on a 12-day guided motorcycle tour through the captivating mountains, valleys, and ethnic villages of Northern Vietnam. From the world-famous Ban Gioc Waterfalls and the dramatic Dong Van Karst Plateau to the tranquil beauty of Ba Be National Park – every day is packed with highlights, scenic roads, and memories that last a lifetime.

Our thoughtfully crafted route takes you from the lush Pu Luong Nature Reserve to the legendary Ha Giang Loop and into the remote northeast, along winding mountain passes, ancient trade routes, and far off the beaten path.

But this journey is about more than just riding. It's about connection – with the land, the people and the culture. You’ll stay in traditional homestays, enjoy locally prepared meals, share stories with villagers, relax in peaceful lodges, and even float down a bamboo raft along the Chinese border.

If you're craving an adventure that blends epic rides with meaningful moments, then saddle up and experience the untamed beauty of Vietnam – one curve, one encounter, one unforgettable day at a time.

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At A Glance

Category	Details
Best Travel Time	October to March – pleasant climate and good road conditions. Other dates available on request.
Tour Start/End	Hanoi / Hanoi
Duration	12 travel days, 10 riding days. Optional: Extension in Halong Bay with overnight boat stay.
Total Distance	Approx. 1,400 km
Daily Stages	90 to 150 km, depending on terrain and route
Road Conditions	Mainly narrow asphalt roads with occasional unpaved sections and rural trails – ideal for light enduro bikes.
Motorcycles	Honda CRF 250cc (standard); Honda CB500X available at extra cost (e.g. for riding with passenger)
Riding Skill	Easy to moderate. The lightweight enduros are comfortable to ride. Traffic is generally light outside of Hanoi.
Group Size	Min. 4, max. 10 riders. Passengers on request (larger motorcycle required). Space available in the support vehicle.
Accommodation	A mix of good mid-range hotels, traditional homestays, and one night on a boat in Halong Bay (optional). 6 nights with local families in remote areas: simple, clean rooms or shared floor mattresses, usually with mosquito nets, hot showers, and home-cooked meals. Standard accommodation is in double rooms; single rooms available for an extra fee.
Included	Motorcycle incl. fuel, accommodations, all meals, drinking water, entrance fees, support vehicle, mechanic, local English-speaking guide on a motorcycle, German-speaking guide for the entire tour
Highlights	UNESCO Global Geopark Cao Bang, Ban Gioc Waterfalls, Ha Giang Loop, ethnic minority cultures, Ba Be National Park, optional overnight boat trip in Halong Bay
Important	Visa required for Austrian and Swiss citizens (e-visa online). German citizens visa-free up to 45 days (as of 2025).

ITinerary

Day	Description
Day 1	Arrival in Hanoi: After arriving in Vietnam, we will be taken to our hotel in Hanoi. Later, we will take an introductory walk through the Old Quarter and to the tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake. Overnight stay in a hotel in Hanoi.
Day 2	Hanoi - Pu Luong: We start our tour outside the center of Hanoi to avoid city traffic. Soon, we ride (right-hand traffic) through picturesque landscapes to the Phu Luong Nature Reserve, enjoying mountain panoramas overlooking various villages. In the afternoon, we relax in an eco-lodge amidst rice terraces, enjoy the pool, and have a traditional dinner.
Day 3	Phu Luong - Moc Chau: An ideal day for a motorcycle tour through the unique highlands of Moc Chau with its diverse landscapes and ethnic communities. Our route takes us through scenic roads and constantly changing scenery. In the afternoon, we reach Moc Chau and check into our hotel. A refreshing drink is well-deserved!
Day 4	Moc Chau - Nghia Lo: An exciting motorcycle day awaits us. We cross the Da River by ferry and explore backroads through local villages to the Ta Xua National Park and the terraces of Tram Tau and Nghia Lo. The valley of Nghia Lo, the center of the Thai community, offers a noteworthy market.
Day 5	Nghia Lo - Luc Yen: Today's shorter ride takes us through the scenic Yen Bai province. On the way to the northeast, we pass orchards and villages, cross the Red River, and enjoy the hospitality of the locals, perhaps with a glass of rice wine.
Day 6	Luc Yen - Ha Giang: Instead of taking the direct route, we ride through the rugged landscapes of northern Vietnam, over the Heaven's Gate and the Hoang Su Phi Pass to Ha Giang. The route, lined with breathtaking landscapes and villages, takes us to remote regions. In the evening, we relax in a lodge amidst rice terraces.
Day 7	Ha Giang - Meo Vac: Our next adventure takes us into the mountains and to the rocky plateau of Dong Van, Vietnam's "moon landscape." As a UNESCO Geopark, Dong Van offers impressive karst formations, rock gardens, and traditional mountain tribe communities. We immerse ourselves in this landscape and spend the night in a H'mong house with authentic dinner.
Day 8	Meo Vac - Tra Linh: Today, our journey leads us to northeastern Vietnam through rugged mountains, valleys, and past rice terraces, where we experience the authentic culture of the mountain tribes. Along the Nho Que River, we take a bamboo raft to Cao Bang, known for its stunning limestone peaks and scenic villages. We follow a less-traveled route near the Chinese border and stay overnight in a green valley.
Day 9	Tra Linh - Ban Gioc Waterfalls - Chi Vien: Today, we explore the Cao Bang Global Geopark and the impressive Ban Gioc Waterfalls on the border with China. After a break and a boat tour there, we continue through Cao Bang's landscape. The night is spent at the Quay Son River, where water sports are possible.
Day 10	Chi Vien - Ba Be: We leave the mountains and head to the Ba Be National Park. Its green lake, dense forests, and scenic villages impress us. Before arrival, we enjoy a short ride overlooking the lake.
Day 11	Ba Be - Hanoi: Our route today is mostly through the countryside, starting in Ba Be and passing through the districts of Tan Trao and Son Duong. As we approach Hanoi, expect heavier traffic. The density of scooters and mopeds is immense.
Day 12	Return flight or optional extension: At the end of our journey, you have the choice of flying home with lifelong memories or continuing the adventure with an optional extension in the fascinating Halong Bay (UNESCO World Heritage) on a boat (with an overnight stay).