Motorcycle trip in Vietnam in 15 days: 1,568 km on a Royal Enfield Himalayan or Scram 411 cc.

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Day 1: Hanoi (Car)

  

  Hanoi Welcome at the airport and transfer to the city center. Discovery of the must-sees of Hanoi, legendary capital of Tonkin. The old quarter invites us to stroll through its streets of 36 guilds and to appreciate the architecture. We will visit the Kim Ngan house, a well-preserved residence of a Chinese merchant, then the Dong Xuan Market, the oldest market in Hanoi built by the French. To finish, we will go see the Long Bien bridge (formerly Paul Doumer bridge, built according to Eiffel's plans). Free evening for a night walk or relaxation. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 2

  Day 2: Hanoi, Bac Son

  

  We leave the capital for a motorcycle trip in the mountains of the northeast. We enter the countryside of Lang Son. The landscapes of the region are renowned for their karst mountains and rice fields. We arrive at the village of Quynh Son in the afternoon. It will be possible to take a walk to discover the daily life of the local inhabitants. Overnight with a local family.

• day 3

  Day 3: Bac Son, Ban Gioc

  

  Direction to the Ban Gioc waterfalls, the most beautiful in Northern Vietnam. We drive along the mountainside with countless karst formations lining colonial road 4. Then, we cross the regions of Dong Khe and That Khe, well known in memory of the deadly battles that took place in 1950 between the Viet Minh troops and the French colonial army. We arrive at the blacksmiths' village of Phuc Sen. We visit the village to discover the activities of the local population, especially their traditional craft, which is highly reputed for its quality. Then, we continue towards the Ban Gioc waterfalls, which appear before us in a dazzling setting. Night with a local family.

• day 4

  Day 4: Ban Gioc, Bao Lac

  

  The day ahead will not disappoint us. A series of extraordinary images, an enchanting road through a landscape of incredible karst formations and tropical vegetation. We head towards Bao Lac on a road that remains rugged, winding through jagged mountains. Be careful, the road will become a bit more rock 'n' roll and wild as it runs along the border with China. We cross several passes and valleys towards the Chinese border and the Thong Nong region with its fabulous landscapes before arriving in Bao Lac. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 5

  Day 5: Bao Lac, Bac Me, Thuong Lam

  

  We head towards Thuong Lam via Bac Me for a trip on the artificial lake. The lake is used to supply the hydroelectric facilities located downstream, but also the rice fields dug into the valley. We have lunch on the boat. During our trip, we are surrounded by rocky peaks forming, with their summits, small islets. Swimming and visit to a little-known waterfall in the mountains. Overnight stay with a local family.

• day 6

  Day 6: Thuong Lam, Hoang Su Phi

  

  Today, it's climbing! Departure towards the Hoang Su Phi region, one of the most remote in the North. After several passes and turns, we finally begin the ascent to the village of Nam Hong. Arrival in the late afternoon, then a walk around the area to discover daily life and the sublime terraced rice fields. Overnight stay with a local family.

• day 7

  Day 7: Hoang Su Phi, Bac Ha

  

  We continue our journey on a very beautiful winding road, located along the mountain, on the edge of the ravine where the Chay river flows, passing through Xin Man. The shortcut we take leads us along a track at the top of the mountains. The panorama is splendid, with the mountain ranges of the Sino-Vietnamese border. Arrival in Bac Ha and walk around the surroundings. Night with the Tay ethnic group in Na Lo.

• day 8

  Day 8: Bac Ha

  

  Discovery of one of the markets in the Bac Ha region, an unmissable attraction of the day. You will also find the Black Dao, Phu La, Tay, Nung, and Giay ethnic groups there, who color the markets with costumes specific to their ethnic origins. The locals come to sell and stock up on various goods for the week: fabrics, simple wooden or bamboo handicrafts, loose tobacco, kitchen utensils... Some localities also have buffalo and bird markets. Then, we move around the Bac Ha area along the trails, passing through small villages, which offers us a panoramic view of the locals' daily activities. Many groves, streams, and rice fields crisscross our path. Meeting the active population at this time of day is an opportunity for shared emotions. Our walk continues with the discovery of new villages and their inhabitants, with whom we have many exchanges. Second night with a local family in Na Lo.

• day 9

  Day 9: Bac Ha, Mu Cang Chai

  

  Our stage of the day takes us to Mu Cang Chai. We leave Bac Ha to reach Than Uyen. Then, we climb up to the Khan Co pass through a vast forest park and descend into the lush valley of Than Uyen, surrounded by many villages. The road is beautiful and runs along the Hoang Lien mountains, plunging into a green valley mainly inhabited by Thai people. Arrival in Mu Cang Chai. Overnight stay with a Thai host family.

• day 10

  Day 10: Mu Cang Chai, Nghia Lo

  

  To reach Nghia Lo, our next destination, it is one of the most beautiful roads in Vietnam that offers us splendid panoramas. We cross passes, some at more than 1500 m in altitude, where free flight enthusiasts do not hesitate to face the void (Khau Pha pass). The spectacle before our eyes is incredible as we ascend and descend successively. Taking photos will be a must to capture everything. Then, we begin the descent before arriving in a green valley, a sort of basin surrounded by mountains that can reach up to 1500 m. On the way, detours along the tracks are suggested to discover still typical villages with sublime terraced rice fields, such as the villages of La Pa Tan and Tu Le. Night with a local family.

• day 11

  Day 11: Nghia Lo, Hanoi

  

  We ride our motorcycles for the "return to civilization". Ride through the rice fields, the green tea hills. We ride along mountains covered with dense forests, then we cross vast rice fields, tea plantations, orange groves, a small forest of fan palms, houses and gardens where vegetables are grown. By the winding road of the Khe pass and along the Da river (with a view of Mount Ba Vi and its stretches of rice fields in the foreground), we return to the Red River, the fertile plains, and finally Hanoi. Arrival in the capital with debriefing and free time. Night at the hotel.

• day 12

  Day 12: Hanoi, Lan Ha Bay

  

  We leave the capital around 8 a.m. to head towards Hai Phong. At noon, we board for a cruise taking place in Lan Ha Bay, an extension of Ha Long Bay, which is less touristy. The itinerary passes through a floating fishing village in the bay, before reaching the more picturesque areas and their hundreds of islets. Kayaking through lagoons and caves. Visit of caves before continuing the navigation to Bai Trai Dao beach (Three Peaches). Free time to swim and relax. Then, return on board to enjoy the sunset over the bay or learn to cook with the chef. In the evening, we can try your luck at squid fishing. It is in a peaceful spot in Lan Ha Bay that the anchor is dropped to spend the night under the stars.

• day 13

  Day 13: Lan Ha Bay, Ninh Binh

  

  For photography or romance enthusiasts, getting up early allows you to enjoy a sunrise over the bay. The cruise continues among this multitude of islets to the small village of Viet Hai, where a bike ride is offered. A final swim is suggested, then the return begins while breakfast is served in the lounges. We disembark at Ben Beo, heading to Ninh Binh by car, where we arrive at the end of the day. Overnight in a bungalow.

• day 14

  Day 14: Ninh Binh, Hanoi

  

  Tam Coc is nicknamed the terrestrial Halong Bay (in the manner of the maritime Halong Bay). Here, hundreds of karst peaks rise from the ground and create a landscape as unusual as it is exceptional. We take a boat ride on the Ngo Dong River, through caves, karst peaks, and flooded rice fields. Then, by bike, we ride through villages and rice fields, before reaching the Bich Dong pagoda which offers us a magnificent view of the region. In the afternoon, we visit the gigantic Bai Dinh Buddhist pagoda, composed of the largest gilded bronze Buddhas in Southeast Asia (over 100 tons), the largest bell in Southeast Asia, and an army of 500 statues representing the disciples of Buddha. At the end of the afternoon, return to Hanoi.

• day 15

  Day 15: Hanoi, departure

  

  The last day is devoted to other parts of Hanoi. Walk in the gardens of the former governor's palace, where Ho Chi Minh's stilt house is located. Then, visit the One Pillar Pagoda and the ancient imperial citadel. Discover the recently inaugurated museum, the Flag Tower, the Doan Mon Gate, the relics of the Kinh Thien Palace, and the North Gate. In the afternoon, we visit the Museum of Ethnology, one of the most famous in the capital, which allows you to learn more about the culture, history, and way of life of the 54 different ethnic groups that populate Vietnam. The rest of the time is free for your last shopping. After dinner, transfer to the airport for your return flight.