OVERVIEW

Discover Vietnam’s rugged and scenic northwest and its people first hand. By taking to the roads and riding from the capital Hanoi to the remote area of the northwest we can see life as it truly is for the Vietnamese. The perfect itinerary and the support crew ensure you get the most out of the trip in terms of comfort, enjoyment and adventure. Along the way we encounter dramatic landscapes and sweeping panoramas as the rural population goes about its business. Highlights include the terraced valleys of Sapa, challenging roads, stunning scenery and many different colorful minority groups.

Is this trip for you?

Trip Length: 10 days | Trip Style: Active travel | Trip Theme: Local life & Explore & Nature | Physical Rating: physical level | Start/End city: Hanoi / Hanoi
Places visited: Hanoi - Mai Chau - Son La - Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau - Sapa - Hanoi

Brief Itinerary

  • Beautiful Mai Chau Valley
  • Riding up Pha Din Pass 
  • Dien Bien Phu former battle field
  • Pass of Heaven Gate and Silver Waterfall
  • Sapa trekking & hill tribe market

Brief Itinerary

Day 01: Hanoi arrival - Hotel in Hanoi
Day 02: Hanoi city sightseeing - Hotel in Hanoi
Day 03: Hanoi - Mai Chau valley (approx 170 km) - Hotel in Mai Chau
Day 04: Mai Chau - Son La (approx 180 km) - Hotel in Son La
Day 05: Son La - Dien Bien Phu (appox 170 km) - Hotel in Dien Bien
Day 06: Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau (approx 200 km) - Hotel in Lai Chau
Day 07: Lai Chau - Sapa (approx 100 km) - Hotel in Sapa
Day 08: Sapa hill tribe market - Van Yen (approx 220 km) - Hotel in Van Yen
Day 09: Van Yen - Hanoi (approx 210 km) - Hotel in Hanoi
Day 10: Hanoi Departure - See you again!

TRIP MAP

15 days Vietnam tour map
 

Enquire Now Add to short list

Itinerary Details

Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi, Vietnam

Welcome to Hanoi! Met and greeted upon your arrival at the airport, then transferred to the city center for hotel check-in. The rest of the day is yours to unwind, relax, or explore and get accustomed to the new environment.
Overnight in hotel in Hanoi.

Summary of inclusions

car
Private transfer
hotel
Hotel in Hanoi
Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi, Vietnam

This morning you will take a city tour to discover some of Hanoi's highlights.
Explore the Ho Chi Minh memorial complex, including the mausoleum and his humble stilt house, to gain insight into a significant figure in Vietnamese history and his impact on the country's modern development. Nearby, visit the One Pillar Pagoda, a renowned architectural marvel built in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong. Continue your exploration with a visit to the Temple of Literature, the country's first university, which educated Vietnamese intellectuals for over 700 years. The names of those who received Doctor Laureate titles are still inscribed on large stone steles that rest on the backs of turtles.
In the afternoon, embark on a test ride to the picturesque countryside villages nearby to enjoy stunning landscapes and get familiar to the exciting adventures ahead.
Evening is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

car
Private vehicle
tour activity
Sightseeing Hanoi
meal
Breakfast
hotel
Hotel in Hanoi
motorcycling, Vietnam
Mai Chau, Vietnam

Goodbye Hanoi as you hop on our motorcycles and head towards Mai Chau valley, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes.
To avoid heavy traffic, you'll veer off the main road No6 at Luong Son and take a route towards Bai Chao, where you can soak in the stunning scenery of limestone mountains. Along the way, you'll pass by charming villages and vast rice paddies, winding roads that offer breathtaking views of the valley and mountains. Arrive in Mai Chau around mid-afternoon. Check into a homestay at Ban Lac village, a serene and peaceful location inhabited by the White Thai ethnic minority. Take some time to unwind or explore the area for sightseeing and local interaction. Enjoy a home-cooked dinner and spend the night in a traditional stilt-house owned by a Thai family.

(Riding distance: 170 km)

Summary of inclusions

motorbike ride
Motorbike ride
meal
Sightseeing en route
meal
Breakfast & dinner
accommodation
Homestay in Mai Chau
Moc Chau, Son La, Vietnam
Moc Chau, Son La, Vietnam

Following breakfast, you'll set out on a picturesque journey towards Son La, riding northward. The road is well-maintained, and you'll have the opportunity to stop frequently to visit villages inhabited by minority groups such as the Green H'mong and Black Thai peoples, or simply to take photographs of the breathtaking scenery. Lunch can be found at local restaurants along the way. The highlight of your ride today could be the Moc Chau Plateau, known for its tea plantations and plum gardens, which produce some of the finest green tea in Vietnam. Arrive in Son La in the mid-afternoon. Visit Son La Prison, an old relic of French colonialism that used to detain Vietnamese revolutionaries. Then, spend some time wandering around the local market filled with fresh local produce. Why not try to get some deals on local fruits or souvenirs?
Hotel accommodation in Son La city.

(Riding distance: 180 km)

Summary of inclusions

motorbike ride
Motorbike ride
meal
Sightseeing en route
meal
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
hotel
hotel in son la
Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam
Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam

As the saying goes, "the further north you go, the faster your heart races". Today's ride promises to be even more exciting, with winding roads, longer mountain passes, and even more vibrant and colorful minority groups to encounter along the way. Of course, you'll take interesting stops to visit villages and snap photos of the stunning scenery. The highlight of today's ride will be the awe-inspiring Pha Din Pass, which is said to be the frontier between heaven and earth, according to local legend. On this pass, in 1954, Viet Minh troops hauled their cannons uphill by hand to thunder down on the French stronghold in the valley of Dien Bien.
Arrive arrive in Dien Bien Phu about mid-afternoon and spend some time exploring the old battlefield where Vietnamese troops triumphed over the French colonial army.
Hotel accommodation in Dien Bien city.

(Riding distance: 170km)

Summary of inclusions

motorbike ride
Motorbike ride
meal
Sightseeing en route
meal
Breakfast
hotel
Hotel in Dien Bien
Lai Chau, Vietnam
Sin Ho market, Vietnam

Today, your ride covers a distance of 200km and takes you through stunning gorges along the Nam Na River. You'll have the opportunity to stop and visit Red H'mong and Dzao villages along the way.
After a lunch stop in Chan Nua, you'll ascend the mountain, taking in the breathtaking scenery on your journey to Sin Ho. Visit the Sin Ho market before continuing on to Lai Chau, where you'll stop for the night in a hotel.

(Riding distance: 200km)

Summary of inclusions

motorbike ride
Motorbike ride
meal
Sightseeing en route
meal
Breakfast
hoetl
Hotel in Lai Chau
Sapa, Vietnam
Sapa, Vietnam

Today's ride is undoubtedly the highlight of the entire trip. You'll have the opportunity to climb Vietnam's highest pass, the Tram Ton Pass. This is the greatest among four great passes in the northern mountainous Vietnam. By noon, you'll arrive in Sapa, which was once a hill station for French colonists over a hundred years ago. Sapa and its surroundings is a paradise for trekking enthusiasts due to its beautiful trekking routes, stunning terraces, colorful minority groups, and the highest mountain in Indochina, Mount Fansipan.
After a lunch break and a short sightseeing tour of Sapa town, continue your ride down to the Ta Van village in the Muong Hoa valley, which is home to the ethnic Black Dzao and Dzay people. You'll check in to a homestay local house and spend some time wandering around for sightseeing and local interaction. Enjoy a home-cooked dinner and overnight stay in a cozy homestay run by the Dzay hill tribe.

(Riding distance: 110km)

Note: If today is Sunday, the weekend market (Sunday market) in Tam Duong is highly recommended, as it is a colorful and interesting event showcasing many ethnic minorities. If this is the case, the market will be included in the program and the following days can be altered to give you more time in Sapa. .

Summary of inclusions

motorbike ride
Motorbike ride
meal
Sightseeing en route
meal
Breakfast & dinner
hotel
Homestay in local house
bacha, Vietnam
hill tribe market, bac ha, Vietnam

After breakfast, bid farewell to your local hosts and continue your ride to one of the vibrant hill tribe markets in Bac Ha. In this region, there are several weekly hill tribe markets that take place on different days of the week. Depending on your arrival day, you'll have the chance to experience one of these colorful and captivating activities. Enjoy your time wandering around, sightseeing, shopping, and interacting with the local hill tribes. After lunch, ride your way down to Van Yen, where you will check into a hotel and spend the night.

(Riding distance: 220 km)

Summary of inclusions

motorbike ride
Motorbike ride
meal
Sightseeing en route
Breakfast, lunch & Dinner
Overnight on train
yen bai, Vietnam
Duong Lam, Hanoi, Vietnam

Leaving Van Yen behind, you'll navigate through winding roads and lush countryside of northern Vietnam. As you wind your way through the rolling hills and verdant valleys, you'll encounter charming villages, where locals go about their daily lives amidst stunning natural scenery. As you approach Hanoi, make a stop at the iconic Duong Lam Ancient Village, renowned for its well-preserved traditional architecture and rich cultural heritage. Wander through the narrow lanes lined with ancient houses and visit historic temples, gaining insight into Vietnam's rich history and traditions.
Back in Hanoi in the late afternoon. Say goodye to your guide, check in your hotel and the remainder of the day is for you to relax.
Overnight in hotel in Hanoi.

(Riding distance: 210 km)

Summary of inclusions

motorbike ride
Motorbike ride
meal
Sightseeing en route
meal
Breakfast
hotel
Hotel in Hanoi
Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi, Vietnam

You are free to spend your time at leisure or do some last-minute shopping before your flight home. Alternatively, you can choose to continue your adventure with more exciting travel opportunities provided by Travel Authentic Asia.

Summary of inclusions

car
Private airport transfer
meal
Breakfast
 

Enquire Now Add to short list

IMPORTANT NOTES

Tour itinerary:This tour itinerary is designed based on local travel conditions, logistics and availabilitis of transportation between visited destinations. It is for you to see how the trip should go, what you can do, see and enjoy during the trip. The itinerary can be tailored by adding more of desired visitng destinations, activities or removing any you do not like to meet your travel time frame, style, budget and expectation the best.

Tour price:Travel Authentic Asia focus on quality and affordable package prices with the best value. The price is based on number of traveler taking the trip, the accommodation category you wish to stay, the mode of transportation, meals provided….

To book for this pre-arranged tour:If you wish to take this pre-arranged itinerary with all the terms of services that clearly stated in the program, you just need click the booking button to send us an enquiry form with some necessary information. Our travel consultant will get back to you within a working day for confirmation.

Tailor your itinerary base on this trip:If you wish to tailor your own itinerary with your favorite destinations, activities, accommodations and so on, you can do it right away by clicking the button "Tailor this trip" and send us an enquiry with as much as detail possible. Our travel consultants with their extensive knowledge and experience will answer all of your questions, offer suggestions and give knowledgeable advice, helping you to make a pleasant-enjoyable-worry free trip of best possible value that perfectly suits your travel needs. Please keep in mind this is your private tour so feel free to ask your travel consultant to make any changes you wish to make, at any time!

Requirement for information and help:Either before or during the trip, if you wish to contact us for any query or info, you can use one of the following methods:
- Call or chat Whatsapp our 24/24 hotline: +84 912 221 442, +84 903 432 999 - Or email us at: [email protected] - Contact us via our live chat window that available on our website

Payment:A deposit of 30% of total price is needed to initiate the tour booking after the itinerary is finalized. The balance for the trip is due 15 days prior to your arrival.

Arrival and departure flights:You are advised to make your own booking for international flights from/back your home country. This allows you to determine better the travel time frame, budget and to deal with insurance claim when needed. Travel Authentic Asia team will base on your flight schedule to work out the best itinerary for you or/and to modify the itinerary to get it matches.

Travel documents:You must carry a valid passport and have obtained all of the appropriate visas, permits and certificates for the countries in which you will visit during your trip. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the duration of the trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas, permits and certificates for your trip. Travel Authentic Asia accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for the failure of clients to obtain appropriate documentation.

Travel insurance:It is your responsibility to get your own international travel insurance and read the insurance policy before you travel and ensure that the insurance scheme provides with the requisite level of cover. Insurance should cover personal accident and medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, baggage loss, and cancellation or curtailment of vacation. In some cases, travelers may have pre-existing medical conditions which their travel insurance company will not cover.
Other than local travel insurance(s) included in sightseeing tickets at sites, Travel Authentic Asia does not provide any kind of travel insurance on the trip except required and paid separately from the tour price.

Weather: The weather in this part of Southeast Asia is varied depening on the region and season. In the winter time from Nov to Feb, the temperature in some area such as North Vietnam, especially mountainous areas can be as low as 2-4 Degree Celsius (35 Degree Fahrenheit) and pretty cold. Other parts can be warm with temperature up to 36 Degree Celsius or more (96 Degree Fahrenheit). So, to know the weather condition of destination you visit, please consult our travel consultant or you can check it here on our website

What to take: What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking you should pack as lightly as possible. It is advisable to have your backpack or suitcase with wheels. An overnight bag with a shoulder strap or little backpacks is convenient to carry water and a camera etc for day trips. Warm clothes and light jacket are needed for the North Vietnam and northern Lao during the winter time from November to March. Sunblock, swimsuits and a light raincoat is advised all year round.

Enquire Now Add to short list

Extend this tour with

Essence of Vietnam - Southbound

Essence

Tour length: 8 days
Start from: Hanoi
End in: Ho Chi Minh City
Price from: USD $643
►   View detail

Essential Vietnam Discovery Tour

Essential

Tour length: 9 days
Start from: Hanoi
End in: Ho Chi Minh City
Price from: Upon request
►   View detail

Vietnam discovery tour of highlights from North to South

Vietnam

Tour length: 12 days
Start from: Hanoi
End in: Ho Chi Minh City
Price from: USD $851
►   View detail

OTHER TOURS YOU MAY LIKE

16 days/ Upon request
7 days/ From US$ 716

See more

GET ON WITH US

Stay in touch and get interesting updates about travel inspiration, trending destinations and amazing offers

Travel Guide
Find info about your travel place

Newsletter