Northwest Vietnam Motorbike Tour 5 Days: Ta Xua Mountain Expeditions

Your motorbike adventure begins with a morning meetup at your hotel in Hanoi for a briefing on riding safety and route highlights. Once ready, we set off, following quiet dyke roads to escape the city’s rush, letting you ease into the ride with open views of the Red River Delta.
The journey to Mai Chau unfolds through lush rice paddies and limestone karst landscapes, offering plenty of scenic stops for photos and short walks to stretch your legs. Often called the “hidden sister” of Sapa, Mai Chau provides a similar mountain charm but is much closer to Hanoi, making it an ideal first destination for your Northern Vietnam motorbike journey.
We’ll stop for a local lunch in Hoa Binh Province before taking on the Thung Khe Pass, one of North Vietnam’s most beautiful mountain passes, with its misty curves and panoramic viewpoints that give you a taste of the region’s mountainous terrain.
As we descend into the Mai Chau Valley, you’ll notice the peaceful pace of life in the Thai ethnic villages, with stilt houses set against a backdrop of rice fields and surrounding mountains. After checking in at a cozy Thai-style stilt house homestay, enjoy a traditional dinner featuring local dishes prepared by your hosts.
In the evening, you’ll have the chance to join a Thai traditional dance performance and taste local rice wine, connecting with the welcoming community and immersing yourself in the rhythms of village life before resting up for the next day’s ride.

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

After a refreshing night in Mai Chau, we kick off day two with a hearty breakfast before heading deeper into the Northwest mountains. Today’s route takes us through stunning valleys, tea plantations, and limestone peaks as we follow the path once traveled during the Indochina War, offering glimpses of Vietnam’s layered history along the way.
Leaving Mai Chau, we ride approximately 60 km to reach the Moc Chau Plateau, the most extensive and most picturesque plateau in Northern Vietnam, famous for its green tea hills, cool climate, and dairy farms. The ride up offers sweeping views of terraced rice fields and small stilt-house villages, providing plenty of scenic stops for photos and short breaks.
After lunch in Moc Chau, we continue on Historic Route 6, renowned for its connection to Vietnam's resistance history. This stretch offers a mix of paved roads and lightly dirt-tracked areas, crossing small streams and passing through local villages inhabited by the Hmong and Thai ethnic groups. It’s an engaging ride that balances smooth cruising with manageable off-road challenges, adding excitement without being overly technical.
The afternoon sees us climbing steadily toward the cooler Son La plateau, with its rolling hills and vast open landscapes. By late afternoon, we arrive in Son La City, where you can relax, enjoy a local dinner, and rest comfortably at your hotel, ready for the next day’s journey deeper into Vietnam’s mountainous heartland.

Summary:
Accommodation: 3 - 4 stars Hotel
Distance: 180km
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s ride offers a blend of scenic exploration and adventure as we journey from Son La to Ta Xua, taking you deeper into Vietnam’s mountainous heartland.
In the morning, we cruise along quiet backroads that weave through small tea plantations and rolling hills, allowing for photo stops and opportunities to connect with the peaceful rural life. For those seeking a bit of challenge, a 30-kilometer stretch of light dirt track offers exciting riding with spectacular views over the Da River from high mountain vantage points.
We’ll cross the Da River via the Ta Hoc Ferry, adding a memorable highlight to the day’s journey as you watch the river and mountains reflect in the water during the crossing. From here, the ride becomes more engaging, featuring a mix of old concrete roads, gravel paths, and occasional muddy sections, which offer an authentic taste of Northern Vietnam’s terrain while remaining accessible to riders of various skill levels.
After a local lunch en route, we continue toward the QL37 before turning west into the Ta Xua Nature Reserve, famous for its cloud-hunting landscapes and majestic ridgelines. The final stretch is a rewarding climb to your accommodation, located at around 2,600 meters above sea level, where you can relax and take in panoramic views of valleys blanketed with clouds, capturing unforgettable sunset moments after a fulfilling day’s ride.

Summary:
Accommodation: 3 - 4 stars Hotel
Distance: 180km
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

For early risers, the legendary “sea of clouds” over Ta Xua at dawn is a breathtaking reward. After a warm breakfast, we take a short ride along the “dinosaur backbone”, a narrow ridgeline where clouds drift beneath your feet, offering an unforgettable start to your day.
Late morning, we descend from Ta Xua, following quiet local roads through peaceful H’mong and Thai villages and rice-terraced hillsides. A light lunch will be served at a local eatery before we continue toward Tram Tau.
In the afternoon, for those who love adventure, a 10–25 km light off-road section will take you through scenic hills and small streams, adding an exciting challenge while remaining accessible to all riders. You’ll ride past stunning landscapes and friendly ethnic villages, soaking in the authentic Northern Vietnam vibe.
By late afternoon, we arrive in Tram Tau, renowned for its natural hot springs set amidst stunning mountain scenery. After checking in at a cozy homestay nestled among the rice terraces, you can soak in the hot spring, letting the warm mineral water ease your muscles after a fulfilling day’s ride, perfect for ending your day under the stars in this tranquil mountain setting.

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

Enjoy a leisurely morning with a warm breakfast and a cup of coffee while taking in the crisp mountain air. If time permits, you can stroll through the local market to pick up unique Tram Tau specialties as souvenirs.
Before departing, we’ll take one last short off-road loop, exploring the tranquil trails that weave through small villages and rice terraces, allowing you to soak in the final moments of this beautiful region. From here, we ride toward Nghia Lo, home to Muong Lo Valley, which boasts the second-largest rice terraces in Northwest Vietnam, offering a final scenic highlight for your camera.
We then rejoin National Road 32, riding past tea plantations, lush terraces, and quiet villages on our way back to Hanoi. Expect to arrive in the late afternoon, avoiding rush hour traffic to ensure a smooth return.
As we roll into Hanoi, we conclude this unforgettable motorbike adventure, bringing home lasting memories of mountains, clouds, and the vibrant cultures of Northern Vietnam.

Summary:
Distance: 180km
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch