Northwest Vietnam Motorbike Tour 6 Days: Rice Terrace Scenic Loop

Your six-day Northwest Vietnam motorbike adventure kicks off with a morning briefing on riding rules in Vietnam, followed by a quick body language session to help you communicate effectively with your guide on the road. After rush hour, we pick up the bikes and head northwest, leaving the city’s busy streets behind.
As we navigate through bustling urban areas, you’ll witness the vibrant energy of daily Vietnamese life before reaching Viet Tri town by noon for a local lunch. From here, the scenery shifts dramatically. We ride deeper into the rural heartland, passing lush tea plantations and peaceful villages.
By afternoon, we arrive at Thac Ba Lake, the largest artificial lake in Vietnam, known for its calm waters and scattered islands. We’ll take a refreshing swim or simply soak in the peaceful atmosphere of this vast lake, a serene moment to ease into the journey ahead.
As the sun sets, we settle in at a Dao family homestay, where the warmth of local hospitality will make you feel at home despite the simple comforts. It’s the perfect end to your first day, preparing you for the scenic rides to come on this rice terrace loop.

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

After a hearty breakfast with the warm-hearted Dao family, we say our farewells and hop back on the bikes, ready for another day of adventure. The morning ride hugs the peaceful shores of Thac Ba Lake, with palm trees swaying in the breeze and the karst limestone mountains providing a stunning backdrop. This stretch is a perfect blend of tranquility and raw beauty, with untouched Tay and Sung ethnic villages dotting the landscape, each home standing proudly on wooden stilts under thatched roofs.
We continue towards Luc Yen, where we stop for a local lunch, often enjoyed with a view of emerald rice paddies and distant mountains. The journey then shifts gears as we venture deeper into the highlands. Winding mountain roads lead us towards Bac Ha, a region renowned for its vibrant hill tribe markets and rich cultural heritage near the Chinese border.
To add more adventure, we will take a mix of quiet country trails and mountain-hugging roads, giving us the perfect vantage points to soak in the highland scenery and feel the cool breeze as we climb higher.
As the day winds down, we arrive in Bac Ha, where a cozy homestay awaits, offering a warm welcome from a local family. Here, you can unwind, enjoy a home-cooked meal, and immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Bac Ha, ready for another day of breathtaking riding ahead.

Summary:
Accommodation: Ecolodge
Distance: 220km
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a light breakfast, we take a quick stroll through Bac Ha Market, where vibrant stalls overflow with local produce, textiles, and handmade crafts, offering a glimpse into the vibrant daily life of the hill tribes.
Back on the bikes, we continue our motorbike journey towards Sapa, riding through stunning countryside and remote villages where local minority communities tend to their terraced fields under the watchful gaze of the Chay River massif. It’s a scene that captures the essence of Northwest Vietnam: raw, authentic, and breathtakingly beautiful.
We’ll stop for a coffee at Lao Cai City, right by the bustling border gate with China, where you can witness the lively trade exchanges that shape this frontier hub while enjoying views across the Nam Thi River into China.
From Lao Cai, we ride the winding DT155 Road, following the river as it snakes its way up towards Sapa, a charming town nestled in the misty embrace of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. This region was once considered the summer retreat of the French during the colonial era, and Sapa’s architecture still reflects a unique blend of French and Vietnamese influences.
After checking in, you’ll have free time to wander the streets of Sapa, discovering its quaint cafés, colorful markets, and cool mountain air before we gather for a hearty dinner to wrap up another memorable day on your Northwest Vietnam motorbike tour.

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

Today marks a true highlight of your Northwest Vietnam motorbike adventure as we leave the misty streets of Sapa behind, riding west toward the legendary O Quy Ho Pass. Known as the “Heaven’s Gate,” this pass is the longest in Vietnam, stretching nearly 50 kilometers, with its summit reaching an elevation of nearly 2,000 meters above sea level.
The ride is not for the faint-hearted, with winding curves hugging steep mountainsides and plunging valleys on the other side. Yet, the reward is beyond measure: clouds drifting like a mystical sea around you, revealing glimpses of terraced hills and faraway peaks as we conquer each turn.
Descending from O Quy Ho, we ride through lush tea plantations, with opportunities for easy off-road detours through gentle trails before reaching Than Uyen, where we stop for a local lunch and a short break to stretch our legs.
The afternoon ride takes us deeper into the heart of Mu Cang Chai, where iconic rice terraces cascade down the mountainsides like green waves frozen in time. This region is home to the Hmong and Thai ethnic minorities, whose centuries-old farming techniques have shaped these stunning landscapes. Riding through rustic hill tribe villages, you’ll witness scenes of daily life as farmers tend to their fields and children wave at passing travelers.
As the sun sets, we arrive at a welcoming Thai family homestay, where a hearty local dinner awaits, letting you experience authentic hospitality and flavors after a full day of breathtaking riding. Here, you can unwind and share stories of the day, soaking in the quiet charm of Mu Cang Chai under a sky full of stars.

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

Waking up to the crisp mountain air in Mu Cang Chai, you’ll find yourself surrounded by some of Asia’s most magnificent cultivated landscapes. The rice terraces here coil around the hills like emerald ribbons, creating a masterpiece that draws photographers, hikers, and motorbike adventurers alike.
Today promises a rewarding mix of relaxation and thrill. Depending on the weather and your energy, we can explore some challenging off-road trails in the morning, afternoon, or both. The ride will take us through breathtaking vistas of cascading hillsides meeting winding rivers, with plenty of stops for photos and moments to simply soak in the view.
As we continue, the route leads us towards Ngoc Chien, a remote valley famous for its natural hot springs and serene landscapes. From here, we join DT109 Road, riding toward It Ong before merging onto QL279, a road that meanders along the Da River’s banks, offering glimpses of river life framed by rugged mountain cliffs.
Arriving at Ta Xua Nature Reserve, the excitement builds as we prepare to tackle the legendary “Dinosaur Spine”, a narrow ridge with steep drops on either side, offering an unmatched view of the surrounding mountains and the vast sea of clouds that often blankets the valley below.
After capturing unforgettable shots for your travel memories, we’ll head back to your hotel, where an infinity pool with a panoramic mountain view and cold beers await. It’s the perfect setting to unwind, reflect on the ride, and recharge for the final stretch of your Northwest Vietnam motorbike tour.

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

mesmerizing sunrise over Ta Xua’s sea of clouds—a scene that will stay with you long after the journey ends.
This morning allows for a relaxed pace before we begin our ride back to Hanoi. We set off toward the scenic Lung Lo Pass, a route that is as rich in history as it is in natural beauty. During the 1954 Dien Bien Phu campaign, Lung Lo played a pivotal role in transporting troops and supplies, and its rugged path is a testament to the resilience of Vietnam’s past. Navigating this narrow, winding pass on a motorbike is both a challenge and a reward, with stunning views around every corner.
We continue to the quiet town of Phu Tho, where we stop for a final Vietnamese lunch together, reflecting on the adventures and stories collected over the past days.
After lunch, we’ll ride along peaceful countryside backroads to avoid the heavy traffic, allowing you to take in the final sights of Vietnam’s villages and rice fields before reaching the edges of Hanoi.
Arriving at your hotel before rush hour, we officially wrap up your 6-day Northwest Vietnam motorbike adventure, ensuring you end your journey safely and on a high note, with the memories of mountain passes, terraced fields, and warm local encounters etched into your riding story.


Summary:
Distance: 180km
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch