Northwest Dirtbike Tour 5 Days: Pu Luong Rice Terraces Ride

After an early breakfast, your guide will meet you for a detailed dirt bike safety and off-road briefing before we leave Hanoi to the south, escaping the morning traffic as we warm up on small, countryside roads.
We head toward Ninh Binh, where our first off-road sections begin with single tracks cutting through rice paddies and local village paths. You will enjoy dirt paths weaving alongside limestone mountains, testing your handling while still allowing you to soak in the dramatic scenery of the Red River Delta.
A short break in Tam Coc allows us to stretch while viewing the limestone peaks rising from the rice fields, often called “Halong Bay on land.” We won’t do the boat ride, saving time for the ride, but you can snap photos before continuing.
After a local lunch, we continue the dirtbike ride on mixed gravel roads and mountain paths toward Pu Luong Nature Reserve. This section includes streams, rocky climbs, and forest trails as we gradually gain elevation, offering beautiful viewpoints over terraced fields and valleys.
By late afternoon, we reach a remote Thai stilt house homestay in Pu Luong, where a home-cooked dinner and cold beer await. This peaceful village, surrounded by rice terraces and hills, is the perfect place to rest and prepare for tomorrow’s technical dirt riding deeper into the reserve.

Summary:
Accommodation: Best Homestay in Area
Distance: 180km
Meal: Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast, we gear up and leave the stilt house, heading deeper into Pu Luong’s off-road network. The morning ride challenges you with steep dirt climbs, bamboo forest trails, and rocky sections cutting through hidden Thai and Muong villages, offering a raw experience of Vietnam’s northern highlands.
We descend toward the Ma River valley using single tracks and riverside trails before reconnecting with a winding road section to reach Moc Chau Plateau for lunch. Moc Chau is renowned for its tea hills and cool climate, offering a refreshing respite before the afternoon’s ride.
After lunch, we tackle the dirt tracks leading toward Thung Khe Pass, with sections of clay and gravel that test your control, especially if there’s rain. The pass offers panoramic views over misty mountains, making it perfect for a quick rest and taking photos.
We continue toward Road 43, opting for smaller off-road bypasses where possible, before reaching the Da River. Here, we load the bikes onto the Van Yen ferry, crossing the river with limestone cliffs towering above.
On the other side, a twisting mountain road with occasional dirt shortcuts leads us toward Phu Yen, a small town nestled between hills and rivers. We arrive by late afternoon, checking into a local guesthouse for a hot shower and a well-deserved dinner, featuring freshly sourced local ingredients and cold beers to end your day.
Get ready to rest, as tomorrow will bring more dirt challenges on your Northern Vietnam Dirtbike Adventure.

Summary:
Accommodation: 3 stars Hotel
Distance: 180km
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a relaxed breakfast in Phu Yen, we prepare for a shorter but demanding day of riding. Leaving the town, we dive straight into off-road trails along riverside paths and rocky climbs, taking you through remote Hmong and Thai villages where daily life unfolds against a backdrop of terraced rice fields and misty hills.
The morning ride features technical sections, river crossings, and dirt climbs, providing enough challenges to keep your adrenaline pumping while still allowing you to appreciate the natural scenery of northern Vietnam.
We stop for a local lunch near Bac Yen township, refueling before tackling the day's highlight: the climb up Ta Xua Mountain. This legendary section includes a steep 12km dirt climb with loose rocks and hairpin turns, requiring steady throttle control and balance, even in dry weather.
Upon reaching the top, we ride out to the “dinosaur backbone”, a narrow ridge trail with breathtaking views and sheer drops on both sides. Standing at over 2,600 meters above sea level, Ta Xua’s summit rewards your effort with panoramic views of cloud oceans and rugged peaks stretching into the horizon.
We take time to capture unforgettable photos before descending to your local guesthouse or homestay in Ta Xua village. The evening is yours to unwind with a hearty dinner, sharing stories with your guide and fellow riders while enjoying the cool mountain air.
Rest well—tomorrow brings new trails on your Northern Vietnam Dirtbike Adventure.

Summary:
Accommodation: Ecolodge
Distance: 180km
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

For early risers, the “sea of clouds” at Ta Xua offers a breathtaking start to your day before gearing up for another off-road challenge. After a quick breakfast, we mount the bikes to conquer the legendary “dinosaur backbone” one last time, capturing final photos of the rugged ridge trail and the valleys blanketed in mist below.
Leaving Ta Xua, we descend through rocky forest trails along the edge of the Hoang Lien Son range, navigating tight, technical dirt sections and forested single tracks before connecting to remote village roads toward Ba Khe for a well-earned local lunch.
The afternoon ride shifts to a mix of sealed and dirt roads, taking you through quiet plantation hillsides and local ethnic communities. As we near Yen Bai province, you’ll begin to catch glimpses of Thac Ba Lake’s vast expanse, with its thousands of jungle-topped islands scattered across emerald waters.
At Thac Ba Lake, we trade the dirt for water, taking a local boat trip for around 1.5 hours to explore the most beautiful corners of the lake, with an option to swim or dive off the boat if conditions allow. The views here, often called “the Halong Bay of the mountains,” offer a peaceful reward after a demanding ride.
We conclude the day at a Dao ethnic homestay in Vu Linh village, where you can refresh with a cold shower before enjoying a hearty dinner and a taste of the local rice wine, affectionately known as “Happy Water.” It’s a perfect way to unwind, sharing stories with your guide and fellow riders before resting up for your final riding day tomorrow.

Summary:
Accommodation: Best Homestay in Area
Distance: 170km
Meal: Lunch, Dinner

Your final morning begins with a home-cooked breakfast of local pancakes, fresh bananas, and honey prepared by the Dao family, offering a warm start to your last day on the road.
Before leaving Vu Linh, we take advantage of the morning light to explore off-road trails around Thac Ba Lake, riding through narrow village paths, tea plantations, and small riverside tracks that offer one last taste of Vietnam’s dirt riding before returning to the city.
For those seeking a final challenge, optional off-road sections with red clay tracks and rocky paths are available, allowing you to push your skills while taking in the peaceful scenery around the lake.
Around midday, we head toward Viet Tri for a local lunch to refuel before the final stretch. In the afternoon, we follow quiet countryside roads and the Red River Dyke, minimizing time on busy highways while enjoying the last rural glimpses of northern Vietnam.
We aim to return to Hanoi before rush hour, around 4:30 PM, concluding your Northern Vietnam Dirtbike Adventure safely and comfortably.

Summary:
Distance: 160km
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch