VB004: BIG NORTHEN VIETNAM MOTORBIKE (14 Days/ 13 Nights)

Day 1:  Hanoi – Mai Chau 

Getting out of the Red River Delta, which brims with traditional farming activity, we pass through limestone monoliths and into foothills populated by Muong people. We head straight at the main range before breaching a high and beautiful forested pass, which descends into the hidden valley of Mai Chau where we spend the night with friends in a traditional Thai stilt house in a Thai village. In the evening, after feasting, we can enjoy a cultural show of Thai dancing and drink special local liquors.
Overnight in village in Mai Chau.*170 Km with heavy traffic

Day 2: Mai Chau – Phu Yen (B)

We start from Mai Chau heading to beautiful Moc Chau  plateau, where you can admire the highland scenery with green tea fields and turn to the less travelled Road 43 leading to the Da River, we ride on a beautiful winding secondary road until Phu Yen where we stay in a guest-house for the night.*150Km with less traffic

Day 3:  Phu Yen – Son La (B)

We continue head up to SonLa. Travelling on the almost empty Road 37.We drive on mountain side where mainly populated with Black Thai people, watching them working on large terrace rice fields. The winding road passes through many Thai villages and fields and provide you a great opportunity to watch country life passing by. Keep on rolling on  hills before touching the sugar- cane growing areas on the cooler Son La plateau. After arrival, visit Son La Prison which built by French people and Son La Ethnology Museum. Overnight in hotel in Son La.
* 170Km with less traffic

Day 4 : Son La – Dien Bien(B)

Heading northwest from Son La, just more than 1 hour driving from Son La, we will stop at the very busy market on the road side for pictures, getting back with the traffic and crossing series of mountain  and areas of busy Black Thai activities, children walk to school, kids tend buffaloes, women plant rice, seedlings and men pull the buffalo. Today we pass the longgest Pha Din Pass, which is 32Km long and said to be where the Earth and Sky meet. Overnight in hotel in Dien Bien*180Km with less traffic

Day 5 : Dien Bien – Muong Lay(former Lai Chau) (B)

After breakfast, we visit Dien Bien historical vestiges including War Museum, hill A1, Bungalo of former French Genaral De-Castries and huge, flat MuongThanh valley where the French Army occupied from 1953 – 1954,then drive to Muong Lay, you may visit many villages along the way. Overnight in hotel in Muong Lay*120Km with less traffic

Day 6 : Muong Lay – Lai Chau –  Sa Pa (B)

In the morning we cross a large suspension bridge over the Black river, we head north along the eastern banks of the Black river. Along this quiet road are Hmong, Dao, Thai and Tay people living  in small villages on mountain sides. Only a short distance from the Chinese frontier, we climbs up to the Tam Duong plateau with expansive views back toward the border.
After lunch in Lai Chau. We head straight toward the main Fansipan Mountain range. The massive mountain range dominates the road until we make a splendid climb up from Binh Lu and up to the top of the highest road pass in Vietnam (Tram Ton Pass).Crossing into Lao Cai province at over 2,000m.One break here, you can see over the main range for miles and miles, then we descend to the mountainous Sa Pa town. Overnight in hotel in Sapa.         * Difficult bike 220Km with less traffic

Day 7: Sa Pa (B)

In the morning, take your own time to discover Sapa town and Sapa colourful market with Black H’Mong, Day and red Dao tribes selling plenty of agricultural products. After lunch in Sapa town,we drive to amazing Muong Hoa valley, from the road side you can stop to take the picture of the whole valley with TaVan and lao Chai village which surrounded by beautiful terrace field before going down to the valley center, drop off the bike and take a walk for  some hours to visit Black H’Mong and Day people houses, enjoy your dinner in a local traditional stilt house in the middle of the peaceful valley. Overnight in village* Easy bike

Day 8 : Sa Pa – Luc Yen (B)

Ride down from Sapa, stop for awhile in LaoCai where you can take picture of  the border with China and the beginning of the Red River, then driving through palm forest all the way to Luc Yen and stay in a friendly Tay family in the Tay village.* Difficult bike 180km

Day 9 : Luc Yen – Ba Be (B)

Early morning departure to Ba Be National Park, its a long way through villages and forest  before arriving Pac Ngoi – very typical of the Tay village on the side of Ba Be lake, arriving village in late afternoon. Overnight on stilt house in village* Difficult bike 260km.

Day 10 : Ba Be (B)

Woked up by the bird chirping, this will be the scarce moment of tranquility that we feel the isolation from the cities bustling and very close to nature. Breakfast then start discovering the subtle and imposing beauty of the lake on the local boat. We cruise along the lakes, river and through the pretty cave to a powerful waterfall, the whole journey offers great natural scenery. After lunch at a food stall nearby the waterfall, we boat back into the tranquil Ba Be lakes for its majesty. Great, fresh swimming here for the rest of time. Overnight on stilts house in village

Day 11 : Ba Be – Cao Bang (B)

Beautiful ride up to Cao Bang province. Few passes from where you can dominate the area. The road is easy but many curves. We can stop a lot for taking pictures.Overnight in hotel in CaoBang*120Km with less traffic

Day 12: Cao Bang – Ban Gioc – Cao Bang (B)

Start your trip to the border with China for  Ban Gioc Waterfall, on the way there you will see  thousands of limestone monoliths loom high above paddy fields tended by Nung, Tay and Green Hmong peoples. You will find sealed and winding roads  for your  excellent driving. The entire area rewards for those willing to take the time to explore and share life with its people. Overnight in hotel in CaoBang*200Km with less traffic

Day 13: Cao Bang – Lang Son (B)

Travelling on road on top of mountain range will bring you exellent panorama of the region, after early arrival to Lang Son busy trading city, take your owntime to walk around the city for the rest of the day. Overnight in hotel in Lang Son*Difficult bike 150 Km with less traffic

Day 14: Lang Son – Ha Noi (B)

In the morning, we visit Tam Thanh – the most beautiful cave of the region before driving back to Hanoi Capital, end of your tour.*170Km with heavy traffic.

End your trip!