10 motorbike loops in Vietnam, from Ha Giang to the Mekong Delta
7 min read
Vietnam's motorbike loops run from a single day over the Hai Van Pass to more than a week in the northwest mountains. For each of the ten loops below, you get where to start, how long it is, how many days to plan and what the roads are like.
Road surfaces change fast after heavy rain, especially in the north, so ask locally about conditions before each day's ride.
1. Ha Giang Loop
- Start: Ha Giang city
- Distance: about 350 km (220 mi)
- Time: 3 to 4 days
The best-known loop in Vietnam follows Highway QL4C north to Quan Ba, where Heaven's Gate looks out over the Twin Mountains, and on to Yen Minh. After Yen Minh, Tham Ma Pass climbs toward the Dong Van Karst Plateau and Dong Van town, a good place to stop for the night. Lung Cu and Sa Phin are short detours from there.
From Dong Van, Ma Pi Leng Pass runs high above the Nho Que River to Meo Vac. The loop returns to Ha Giang through Du Gia or Bac Me. Expect anything from smooth asphalt to rough patches, particularly after rain.
2. Northwest Loop
- Start: Hanoi
- Route: Hanoi, Mai Chau, Son La, Dien Bien Phu, Sapa
- Time: 7 to 10 days
Take Highway 6 west through Hoa Binh to the Mai Chau valley, where the rice terraces around the villages of Lac and Pom Coong make good photo stops. Stay on Highway 6 through Moc Chau to Son La, where the road gets more mountainous, then ride on to Dien Bien Phu past Thuan Chau and coffee plantations.
From Dien Bien Phu to Lai Chau, the road follows the Da River with plenty of climbing. The last big climb, to Sapa on Highway 4D, crosses Tram Ton Pass (O Quy Ho), one of the highest road passes in Vietnam. Ride back to Hanoi through Lao Cai.
3. Cao Bang Loop
- Start: Cao Bang city
- Distance: about 300 km (185 mi)
- Time: 3 days
Head northeast toward Tra Linh, crossing several small rivers, then through Quang Uyen and Trung Khanh to Ban Gioc Waterfall on the Chinese border. Thang Hen Lake, near Tra Linh, is a good detour. Limestone karst lines most of the route, through Ha Lang and Phuc Hoa.
Pac Bo Cave and the market town of Nguyen Binh are worth planning in, with nights in local homestays. The roads are generally well maintained, but watch for livestock crossing.
4. Central Highlands Loop
- Start: Kon Tum
- Route: Kon Tum, Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot, Dalat
- Time: 5 to 7 days
This loop links the cities of coffee country. Highway 14 runs south from Kon Tum to Pleiku across rolling plateaus, then on through Chu Se to Buon Ma Thuot, Vietnam's coffee capital.
The land stays fairly flat until you turn onto Highway 27 toward Dalat, where the road climbs into pine forest and the air cools. Lak Lake, on the way, is worth a stop. Ride back north on Highway 14, or head down to the coast.
5. DMZ and Ho Chi Minh Road
- Start: Dong Ha
- Route: Dong Ha, Khe Sanh, A Luoi, Hue
- Time: a long day, or two easy ones
Head west from Dong Ha on Highway 9 through Cam Lo district, past war sites such as the Rockpile and Dakrong Bridge. Khe Sanh is about 60 km (37 mi) from Dong Ha, and its old combat base is open to visitors.
Back at Dakrong Bridge, turn south onto the Ho Chi Minh Road through the A Luoi valley, past forest and Bru Van Kieu villages. Highway 49 takes you down to Highway 1 near Hue, and the road surface improves as you get closer.
6. Hai Van Pass
- Start: Da Nang or Hue
- Distance: about 100 km (60 mi) each way
- Time: 1 day
Highway 1A runs through a tunnel under the pass, but motorbikes aren't allowed in the Hai Van Tunnel, and the old pass road is the reason to come anyway. Take the turnoff just after Hoa Hiep, leaving Da Nang. The pass climbs to 496 m (1,627 ft) over 21 km (13 mi) of curves, with views over Da Nang Bay and Lang Co beach from the top.
Drop down to Lang Co village for seafood, then follow Highway 1A to Hue for the Citadel and the royal tombs. Ride back over the pass the same way.
7. Phong Nha Loop
- Start: Phong Nha village
- Distance: most rides stay within 50 km (31 mi) of the village
- Time: 3 to 4 days
Base yourself in Phong Nha and ride out into the roads around Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Road 20 heads into the park past the Chay River and the Chay Lap farmstay area. Rough tracks lead to the caves of Hang Va and Hang E, and some sections need an off-road bike.
Bong Lai Valley has quiet farm roads with limestone peaks on every side. Leave time for the caves as well as the riding.
8. Mekong Delta Loop
- Start: Can Tho
- Route: Can Tho, Vinh Long, Ben Tre
- Distance: 250 to 300 km (155 to 185 mi), depending on detours
The delta means river crossings and narrow concrete paths between rice fields. From Can Tho, cross the Can Tho Bridge toward Vinh Long on Highway 1A. In Vinh Long, take the ferry to An Binh Island and ride the small roads through orchards and villages.
Ben Tre is a province of rivers. Its big crossings, Rach Mieu and Ham Luong, are bridges now rather than ferries, and the small roads around Cho Lach and Mo Cay run quietly through coconut groves. Ride back to Can Tho through Tra Vinh on Highway 54.
9. Pu Luong Loop
- Start: Mai Chau, about 140 km (87 mi) west of Hanoi on Highway 6
- Distance: about 100 km (62 mi)
- Time: a long day, or an overnight trip
From Mai Chau, take the road toward Pho Doan and Canh Nang into Pu Luong Nature Reserve. The route passes Thai villages such as Kho Muong and Hieu, where bamboo water wheels still turn in the rice terraces. Roads in Pu Luong range from paved to dirt, so check conditions before you set off.
Carry on to Ba Thuoc district or loop back through Don village and Lung Van. Thung Khe Pass has good views over the valley. Homestays in the Thai villages offer simple rooms and meals.
10. Northeast coast loop
- Start: Hanoi
- Route: Hanoi, Hai Phong, Cat Ba Island, Ha Long
- Time: 3 to 4 days, with time on the island
Leave Hanoi toward Hai Duong and Hai Phong, through industrial areas and small towns. From Hai Phong, take the ferry to Cat Ba Island, which has about 50 km (31 mi) of roads out to fishing villages like Viet Hai and the beaches on its east side. Ferries run during daylight; check times locally.
Back on the mainland, head north to Ha Long. The coast road has views over Bai Tu Long Bay, and Highway 18 takes you back toward Hanoi.
Ride it with a tour company
Planning a Vietnam tour takes local knowledge. We recommend Vietnamese Motorbike Tours, based in Hanoi. They rent fully maintained bikes, from XR150s and 190s to the CB500X and BMW GS, and run both self-guided trips with detailed maps and fully guided tours with hotels and ride leaders.
They provide 24/7 emergency support, mechanical help and logistics such as visas and airport transfers, and can tailor anything from a 3-day Ha Giang trip to a multi-week ride across the country.
Follow Vietnamese Motorbike Tours in Detecht to see their favorite routes and ride their planned routes yourself.
