From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the scenic landscapes of Mai Chau, the historical charm of Hoi An, and the majestic beauty of Ha Giang, Vietnam unfolds its wonders at every twist and turn. While traveling by car saves you a lot of time, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of riding a motorbike on an open road. In this article, we explore the top 8 best places for a motorbike tour in Vietnam to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Vietnam's culture, history, and natural beauty. Get ready for an adventure where the hum of the motorbike engine becomes the soundtrack to discovering hidden gems, picturesque landscapes, and the warm hospitality of the Vietnamese people.

Hanoi

A motorbike tour is a great way, if not the best way to explore Hanoi because you can easily get through the traffic and into the small alleyways. Start with a visit to the Hanoi Opera House in the city center, an architecture built during the French colonial period in the early 1900s. Then visit the French Quarter, a wealthy quarter of the city including government buildings and most foreign embassies, before heading to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of the Vietnamese revolutionary leader. Near the Mausoleum is the One Pillar Pagoda, a symbol of Hanoi and one of the two most famous Buddhist pagodas in Vietnam. The next destination is the oldest Buddhist temple, Tran Quoc Pagoda, dating back to the 6th century. When it comes to food, Hanoi has it all, whether it's a warm bowl of Pho, mouthwatering Banh Mi or a creamy cup of egg coffee. We highly recommend also getting down from your bike and enjoying a Water Puppet Show, a unique art that can be found nowhere else but in Hanoi and some communes in the North of Vietnam. You can also visit the Old Quarter, have a nice glass of beer on Ta Hien Street, and maybe even take a stroll on the Pedestrian Street if you’re here on the weekends.

Mai Chau

Mai Chau is a modest mountainous region located to the west of Hoa Binh province, 130 km from Hanoi. Here you’ll find the charming simplicity of rural life with stilt houses, villages, valleys, and beautiful mountain passes. Mai Chau has something to offer no matter what time you visit it, whether it’s lush greenery in the summer or beautiful flowers in the spring, not to mention its enchanting caves and streams. Because it is so close to Hanoi, Mai Chau has become a great destination in Vietnam for a motorbike tour, with only a few hours on the road. Most Mai Chau tours include visiting the stilt houses with a height of 3.5 meters above ground, a ride through Thung Khe pass that offers a panoramic view of the valley, and visiting the villages where you can immerse yourself in the culture of the Muong and Thai ethnic groups. 

Lai Chau

North of Bien Bien, Lai Chau is a beautiful destination for treks in Vietnam for its wild forests, which are known to harbor rare species and cardamom, and its high, cloud-covered plateaus. You’ll get to meet friendly ethnic groups and share a heartfelt home-cooked meal with them if you’re spending the night at their place. Other than streams, waterfalls, terraced rice fields, and lush tea hills, the Fansipan, the highest peak in Southeast Asia, is probably the most anticipated destination for visitors. As a remote province, Lai Chau is best explored by motorcycle—available for rent locally, but it's often more convenient to rent one in Sapa. After traversing the ethnic markets of Cho San San, Phong Tho, and Lai Chau, take a magnificent break on the Sin Ho plateau, which resembles a small Sapa.

Sapa

Sapa is a small mountain town in the Lao Cai province, located about 350 km northwest of Hanoi, near the Chinese border. The entire region is adorned with impressive natural beauty, especially the ingenious masterpieces of terraced rice fields. Sapa has become one of the most sought-after destinations for a motorbike tour in Vietnam, with tons of things to explore. There is the O Quy Ho Pass, one of the Four Greatest Passes in Vietnam; the majestic 500-meter-tall Bac waterfall; the Sapa Ancient Rock Field with large rocks engraved with mysterious patterns; and so much more. By steering clear of the crowded tourist areas, you can engage with the five ethnic groups that predominantly inhabit the region and spend a night in a homestay for a genuine travel experience. If you want to visit the local market but the Sapa market (held every weekend, especially lively on Saturdays) seems anything but authentic, hop on your motorbike and head towards the Bac Ha market or Coc Ly market for an excellent and authentic alternative.

Ha Giang

Long regarded as challenging and inaccessible, Ha Giang has gradually earned its reputation as a top destination for a motorbike tour in Northeast Vietnam. Known for the terraced rice fields of Hoang Su Phi, the geological park of Dong Van, and its ancient town, the province attracts adventurers in general and motorcyclists in particular with its famous "Ha Giang Loop." Visiting this province is like traveling back in time and discovering some of the most rugged and magnificent landscapes in Vietnam. People say Ha Giang is like Sapa 15 years ago, when it wasn’t filled with tourists. But because Ha Giang isn’t a popular tourist destination, the road conditions are worse in some places, so getting to Ha Giang alone is already a challenge. But in return, you get an amazing sense of accomplishment. Once you’re in Ha Giang, you’re free to explore the Ma Pi Leng pass, one of the most challenging mountain passes in Vietnam but offering an amazing view over the emerald green Nho Que River; reach the Lung Cu flag tower to admire the view at Vietnam’s northernmost point; and visit the local villages like Lo Lo Chai and Then Pa and savor the authentic dishes. There is so much more to discover, so we recommend staying for at least 3 days in Ha Giang.

Cao Bang

Cao Bang remains relatively under the radar to foreign tourists, but its rugged landscape of mineral forests, mysterious rocky nooks and crannies, and wild forests in the labyrinth of its plateaus make it an unconventional and deeply endearing destination for a motorbike tour in Vietnam. Almost everyone has heard of Son Doong, the world's largest cave, located in Central Vietnam. However, few know that Cao Bang Province is home to Nguom Ngao Cave, one of the most impressive in the country with its 2 km length. Its numerous chambers are filled with artistically illuminated stalactites and stalagmites. Just a ride away, you'll find the famous and spectacular Ban Gioc Falls, with one side in Vietnam and the other in China. Venture a bit further and you’ll reach Bac Kan, visit Ba Be National Park, and have a boat ride on the Nang River while admiring the Puong Cave and Dau Dang Waterfall. You can also include Ha Giang in your tour as it borders Cao Bang.

Hoi An

Hoi An, a charming ancient town in central Vietnam, is an excellent destination for a motorbike tour. There are many options for a motorbike tour in Hoi An. You can have a tour of Hoi An’s countryside, which only takes half a day. Visit the 600-year-old Kim Bong Woodworking Village, where you can watch the craftsmen at their meticulous work, learn about carpentry, and bring home something unique. Then you can continue your motorbike tour in Hoi An by visiting local craft villages like the mattress-weaving village and the boat-making village. You can also have a food tour in Hoi An and try all the local specialties like  Banh Mi, Banh Beo, Cao Lau, and Banh It La Gai and wash it all down with a pint of beer.

Saigon

One of the best ways to explore Saigon is on a motorbike tour, where you’ll get to see the highlights of the city and try all the mouthwatering street food. A Saigon city tour on a motorbike will take you on a cultural and culinary adventure. Learn about pivotal events in the history of Ho Chi Minh City, such as the mysterious story of Thich Quang Duc, a monk who set himself on fire in protest against the suppression of Buddhism by the old Saigon government, and visit one of the city's most satisfying pieces of architecture, the Nguyen Thien Thuat building, constructed in 1968. Along the way, you'll be amazed by flavorful bowls of bun, sugarcane juice, and the delicious Saigonese coffee—Bac Xiu! Admire century-old buildings and other sites associated with the city's history, and Tan Dinh Church, with its distinctive and eye-catching pink color and beautiful Roman architecture. You can totally rent a motorbike and explore the city yourself, but we also highly recommend getting a tour with an easy rider to just sit back and relax!

Conclusion

Well, there you go! Those were some of the top 8 best places for a motorbike tour in Vietnam, a fascinating and more intimate way to explore Vietnam. We hope you found something that you resonated with, whether it's the vibrant Saigon or the serene Cao Bang.

=> Ha Giang Motorbike Tour – The best way to visit Ha Giang