8-DAY NORTHERN VIETNAM DIRT BIKE ADVENTURE

8-DAY NORTHERN VIETNAM DIRT BIKE ADVENTURE

Ha Giang, Sapa, Ngoc Chien & Ta Xua
19 Oct 2026

Ha Giang, Sapa, Ngoc Chien & Ta Xua

"Forget the tourist trail. Eight days. Three mountain worlds. One unforgettable ride. A deep crossing of Northern Vietnam built around riding, landscape and local life."

THIS ONE IS FOR THE ADVENTURE SEEKERS.

We're talking towering mountains, winding passes, remote villages, rice terraces, jungle tracks, river crossings and proper off-road riding.

From the peaceful beauty of Ba Be Lake to the dramatic mountains of Ha Giang, the famous Ma Pi Leng Pass, the rice terraces of Sapa and Mu Cang Chai, and the wild terrain of Ta Xua...

This is Vietnam with the volume turned ALL the way up.

If you're looking for beaches, pool days and cocktails...
This probably isn't your tour.

But if you want dirt tracks, mountain roads, adrenaline, insane scenery and an adventure you'll be talking about for years...
Welcome to Northern Vietnam.

 


THE ROUTE

Hanoi → Ba Be Lake → Meo Vac → Dong Van → Ha Giang → Sapa → Mu Cang Chai → Ngoc Chien → Ta Xua → Mai Chau → Hanoi

 


DAY 1: HANOI → BA BE LAKE

The adventure begins in Hanoi.

We'll leave the city behind and head north, gradually swapping busy streets for quieter roads, mountain scenery and rural Vietnam.

After lunch, the roads become more scenic as we make our way towards Ba Be Lake.

By late afternoon, we'll arrive at Pac Ngoi Village, home to the Tay people, where you'll experience your first night of the adventure surrounded by incredible natural scenery.

  • Mountain roads
  • Ba Be Lake
  • Rural Vietnam
  • Local village stay

Distance: 240 km
Accommodation: Homestay with a local Tay family
Meals: Lunch & Dinner

 


DAY 2: BA BE LAKE → MEO VAC → DONG VAN

Now things start getting interesting.

After saying goodbye to our hosts, we'll take the back roads through rustic villages and jungle.

Expect streams, mountain roads and some proper off-road adventure as we head deeper into Northern Vietnam.

After lunch in Bao Lac, we'll continue towards Meo Vac, riding over mountain passes with spectacular views across the surrounding ranges and the Nho Que River.

This is the Vietnam most people never get to see.

  • Back roads & off-road riding
  • Jungle scenery
  • Mountain passes
  • Nho Que River

Distance: 210 km
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 


DAY 3: DONG VAN → HA GIANG

THIS COULD BE ONE OF THE BEST RIDING DAYS OF THE ENTIRE TRIP.

Today we'll travel through some of the most dramatic and remote landscapes in Northern Vietnam.

You'll ride through incredible mountain scenery and experience the famous Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of Northern Vietnam's most spectacular roads.

Along the way, we'll travel through areas home to different ethnic communities and experience the unique culture of this incredible region.

Expect mountains.
Lots of mountains.
And views that will make you stop every five minutes to take another photo.

  • Ma Pi Leng Pass
  • Dong Van Rock Plateau
  • Epic mountain scenery
  • Remote communities

Distance: 180 km
Accommodation: Hotel or local homestay in Ha Giang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 


DAY 4: HA GIANG → SAPA

Today we're heading towards one of Vietnam's most famous mountain destinations...

SAPA.

We'll ride through the north-western mountains, surrounded by green landscapes, rice fields and hill tribe villages.

After a stop near Lao Cai, we'll begin the climb towards Sapa.
And what a climb it is.

The road winds higher and higher into the mountains, reaching approximately 1,600 metres above sea level, with spectacular views across valleys and terraced rice fields.

  • Mountain riding
  • Rice terraces
  • Incredible views
  • Sapa

Distance: 220 km
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 


DAY 5: SAPA → MU CANG CHAI → NGOC CHIEN

You've got some time to explore Sapa before getting back on the bikes for another epic afternoon.

We'll climb from Sapa towards Tram Ton Pass, travelling through the spectacular Hoang Lien mountain range.

Then it's onwards towards Mu Cang Chai — famous for its incredible terraced rice fields.

Our destination for the night is the peaceful mountain community of Ngoc Chien.

This area is home to Thai, Hmong and La Ha communities and offers the chance to experience another side of Northern Vietnam.

  • Tram Ton Pass
  • Hoang Lien Mountains
  • Mu Cang Chai rice terraces
  • Ngoc Chien villages

Distance: 200 km
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 


DAY 6: NGOC CHIEN → TA XUA PEAK

Welcome to Dinosaur Backbone

Okay...
THIS is where things get seriously wild.

Today's ride takes us through forested mountains, remote communities, valleys and spectacular highland scenery as we make our way towards Ta Xua.

This region is famous for its dramatic landscapes and the incredible mountain ridgeline known as the Dinosaur Backbone.

The three peaks form a dramatic ridge stretching across the mountains — and this is one of the most remote and unforgettable parts of the entire adventure.

We'll also travel through incredible valleys surrounded by rice fields and local villages before reaching Ta Xua.

And if conditions are right?
You could witness clouds rolling through the mountains beneath your feet.

  • Remote mountain riding
  • Forest tracks
  • Ta Xua
  • Dinosaur Backbone
  • Incredible cloud scenery

Distance: Approximately 180 km
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 


DAY 7: TA XUA → MOC CHAU → MAI CHAU

We're not slowing down yet.

This morning, we'll continue exploring the incredible landscapes around Ta Xua, including dirt tracks that take us deeper into local villages.

We'll cross the Da River via the Van Yen Ferry and continue through spectacular mountain scenery.

Along the way, there may be opportunities to explore more dirt tracks, tea plantations, waterfalls and hidden villages before arriving in the beautiful Mai Chau Valley.

Surrounded by mountains, rice paddies and small villages, Mai Chau is the perfect place to take it all in after another huge day of adventure.

  • Dirt tracks
  • Van Yen Ferry
  • Tea plantations
  • Waterfalls
  • Mai Chau Valley

Distance: Approximately 180 km
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 


DAY 8: MAI CHAU → HANOI

The final ride

And just like that...
It's the final day.

After enjoying some time in Mai Chau, we'll say goodbye to the mountains and begin our journey back towards Hanoi.

We'll travel via Ba Khan, stopping along the way to enjoy waterfalls, riverside scenery and more incredible views of the Da River.

Then it's back to Hanoi, where our eight-day Northern Vietnam adventure comes to an end.

Eight days.
Hundreds of kilometres.
Mountains, dirt tracks, villages, rivers, rice terraces and memories you'll be talking about long after you've left Vietnam.

Distance: Approximately 180 km
Accommodation: Not included
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch


WHAT'S INCLUDED

Your Northern Vietnam Dirt Bike Adventure includes:

  • Motorbike rental — Honda or Yamaha
  • Basic riding gear including helmet, elbow and knee pads and gloves
  • Fuel throughout the tour
  • English-speaking guide
  • Mechanic support for groups of 6+ passengers
  • Accommodation as outlined in the itinerary
  • Homestay experiences where included
  • Meals as outlined in the itinerary
  • Entrance and sightseeing fees
  • Fruit, bottled water and coffee during the tour
  • Government taxes

 


WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

The following are not included:

  • Flights
  • Visa costs
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips
  • Personal expenses

 


IS THIS YOUR KIND OF ADVENTURE?

8 days.
Northern Vietnam.
Dirt tracks.
Mountain passes.
Rice terraces.
Remote villages.
River crossings.
And some of the most unbelievable scenery you'll ever see from the back of a bike.

THIS ISN'T JUST A TOUR.

IT'S A FULL-BLOWN VIETNAM ADVENTURE.


Back to tours