Routes
5 Amazing Motorcycle Roads in Northern Vietnam
Northern Vietnam has some of the best motorcycle roads in the country, but many of the most enjoyable routes are well away from the famous Ha Giang Loop and the main tourist trails.
These five roads take you through mountain valleys, ethnic minority villages, quiet countryside and remote border areas with very little traffic. Some can be ridden as part of a longer Northern Vietnam motorcycle tour, while others make excellent detours from the main route.
For complete multi-day itineraries rather than individual roads, see our Northern Vietnam tour routes guide. You can also browse our Vietnam motorcycle route maps for downloadable route ideas and planning information.
Huoi Toong to Nam Len
Route: Huoi Toong to Nam Len
Distance: 30 km
Province: Dien Bien
Scenery: Rocky karst outcrops, large mountain views, small valleys and ethnic minority villages
Road conditions: Mostly reasonable tarmac with some potholes, steep climbs, switchbacks and very light traffic
Best time of year: February to April
When to avoid: Heavy summer rains, especially May to August
Best bike for this route: Honda CB500X or XR150
Where to stay: Dien Bien Phu or Tua Chua
Overview
This is an excellent alternative to the main road if you are travelling between Dien Bien Phu and Tua Chua. The route quickly climbs away from the busier roads, winding steeply through small ethnic minority villages before reaching a higher plateau with wide mountain views.
The road is mostly sealed and relatively easy to ride, although there are potholes and some tight switchbacks. Traffic is light, so it is a good place to slow down, enjoy the scenery and get a closer look at rural life in this part of Dien Bien.
From the plateau, the road eventually descends towards the river, with several particularly good viewpoints before the descent. There is very little tourist infrastructure along the route, which is part of its appeal.
There is no useful accommodation at either end of this short section, so most riders will be staying in Dien Bien Phu or Tua Chua as part of a longer journey. Small roadside shops sell drinks and snacks, but you should not rely on finding a proper meal along the way.
Ride this road on a guided tour
The Historic Northwest Motorcycle Tour is the closest match in our current guided-tour range. Its standard itinerary reaches Dien Bien Phu before continuing north towards Sin Ho. Huoi Toong to Nam Len is not listed as a fixed section of the standard itinerary, but it is a natural road to consider if the tour is customised to include Tua Chua and more remote riding in Dien Bien Province.
Si Ma Cai to Muong Khuong (DT153)
Route: Si Ma Cai to Muong Khuong
Distance: 60 km
Province: Lao Cai
Scenery: High mountains, deep valleys, ethnic minority villages and rural markets
Road conditions: A mixture of newer smooth tarmac and older winding mountain road, with very light traffic
Best time of year: March to April
When to avoid: Heavy summer rains, especially July and August
Best bike for this route: Honda CB500X or XR150
Where to stay: Si Ma Cai, Muong Khuong or Bac Ha
Overview
This is one of the quieter riding areas in northern Vietnam. Si Ma Cai and Muong Khuong sit close to the Chinese border, but they are well away from the main tourist routes, so traffic is light and the roads feel genuinely remote.
The DT153 winds through high mountains, steep valleys and small ethnic minority villages. Some sections are newer and very smooth, while others are older mountain roads with tighter bends and more uneven surfaces. In good weather, it is an excellent road for relaxed riding with wide views and very little traffic.
The area is also known for its traditional ethnic markets, with different markets operating on different days of the week. If your timing is right, stopping at one can add a completely different dimension to the ride.
There are also plenty of smaller roads and tracks branching away from the DT153. If conditions are dry and you have time, these can be worth exploring before returning to the main route. Border Post No. 163 is another possible detour, although riders should always respect current local access restrictions near the border.
Both Si Ma Cai and Muong Khuong have simple hotels and guesthouses. Accommodation is basic but usually comfortable enough for an overnight stop. Another option is to stay in Bac Ha and ride this section as part of a longer loop through northern Lao Cai.
Food options are more limited than in larger towns, but both Si Ma Cai and Muong Khuong have simple local restaurants and noodle shops.
Ride this road on a guided tour
Several of our longer northern tours already pass through the Bac Ha and Sa Pa region. The 10-Day Due North Motorcycle Tour, 14-Day Due North Motorcycle Tour and Eastern Tearaway Motorcycle Tour are the best matches if you want to incorporate Si Ma Cai and Muong Khuong into a guided trip.
The exact DT153 section is not part of every standard departure, so ask us about customising the route if this road is one of your priorities.
Useful map connection
Our Bac Ha to Sa Pa and Sa Pa to Bac Ha route maps show the wider riding area around Bac Ha and provide useful options for joining this road to a longer northern route.
Cam Nhan to Xuan Long
Route: Cam Nhan to Xuan Long
Distance: 15 km
Province: Yen Bai
Scenery: Lakeside views, small villages and forested hillsides
Road conditions: Narrow, winding lakeside road with occasional mud and signs of past landslides
Best time of year: September to November
When to avoid: Heavy summer rains and the main monsoon period
Best bike for this route: XR150 or Honda Future
Where to stay: Vu Linh
Overview
This short road is easy to miss because Google will usually route you over the mountain on the larger main road. The lakeside alternative is quieter, more scenic and much more enjoyable on a motorcycle.
The road follows the edge of Thac Ba Lake through small villages and forested hillsides, with frequent views across the water. Traffic is generally light, although the road is narrow in places, so it is still important to stay alert around blind bends.
One of the most distinctive stops is the small unmarked bridge along the route, which makes a good place for a quick photo before continuing around the lake.
Vu Linh is the best place to stay nearby and has a good selection of homestays. You can usually choose between inexpensive dorm beds and private rooms, often with an en-suite bathroom. Most homestays also provide dinner, typically with several shared dishes of meat, fish and vegetables. Local rice wine often appears with the meal, so save that part until the bike is parked for the night.
Ride this road on a guided tour
This road fits especially well with tours using Thac Ba Lake and Vu Linh as an overnight stop. The 5-Day Due North Motorcycle Tour follows the Thac Ba shoreline towards Luc Yen on Day 2, while the 7-Day Due North Motorcycle Tour also uses Vu Linh and the Thac Ba area at the start of the trip.
Depending on conditions and the group, this lakeside section can be used as part of the route or as a short scenic detour.
Useful map connections
See the Hanoi to Vu Linh motorcycle route map for the approach from Hanoi. If you are continuing northwest, the Vu Linh to Bac Ha motorcycle route map shows how the Thac Ba area connects naturally into the Lao Cai highlands.
Pac Nam / Son Lo Road
Route: Cao Thuong to Huy Giap
Distance: 60 km
Province: Bac Kan / Cao Bang
Scenery: Forested hillsides, river valleys, mountain passes and ethnic minority villages
Road conditions: A mixture of wide smooth tarmac and smaller mountain roads, with occasional muddy sections and roadworks
Best time of year: February to April or September to November
When to avoid: Heavy summer rains, especially May to August
Best bike for this route: Honda CB500X or XR150
Where to stay: Ba Be Lake or Bao Lac
Overview
This is a very useful alternative if you are riding between Ba Be Lake and Bao Lac and want to avoid spending the whole journey on larger roads. The route mixes smooth tarmac with narrower country roads, river valleys, forested hillsides and small villages.
As you climb higher into the mountains, the road becomes narrower and more remote. Some sections pass through working forest areas, where you may encounter mud, roadworks and logging traffic, so conditions can vary considerably after heavy rain.
There are several small towns and villages along the way, which makes this route feel less isolated than some of the others on this list. Traffic is still generally light, although you will see local vehicles moving between villages and occasional trucks carrying timber.
Riders looking for something more challenging can detour towards Son Lo Market and continue north on the smaller roads. These sections include more dirt and rougher surfaces, so they are better suited to an XR150 or another light dual-sport bike, particularly if the weather has been wet.
Most riders will start or finish this section at Ba Be Lake or Bao Lac. Ba Be has a wide choice of homestays, while Bao Lac has simple hotels and several homestays outside town. However, there has been a recent cull of the number of homestays in the national park so check for up to date info if you plan to arrive without booking.
You can find basic restaurants in the larger settlements along the route, and there is also a small noodle shop around the junction at Huy Giap.
Ride this road on a guided tour
The 10-Day Due North Motorcycle Tour is a particularly good fit. Day 2 runs from Ba Be to Meo Vac through remote mountain country, and a route via Pac Nam and Bao Lac can be incorporated when road conditions, weather and timing suit the group.
The 5-Day Due North Motorcycle Tour connects Dong Van with Ba Be in the opposite direction, so the same road can also work southbound as part of a customised route.
Useful map connections
For independent riders, our Ba Be Lake to Bao Lac motorcycle route map compares three different ways through this area, including a more direct mountain option. If you are travelling south, use the Bao Lac to Ba Be Lake map instead.
Ba Nang to Bac Son (DT243)
Route: Ba Nang to Quinh Son
Distance: About 50 km
Province: Lang Son
Scenery: Limestone outcrops, open valleys, fruit plantations, rice fields and small villages
Road conditions: Mostly reasonable tarmac with occasional potholes, hilly sections and light traffic
Best time of year: November to March
When to avoid: Heavy summer rains and the main monsoon period
Best bike for this route: Honda CB500X or XR150
Where to stay: Quinh Son Village or Bac Son Town
Overview
This 50 km road is a much more interesting way to approach Bac Son than simply staying on the larger roads. It leaves the QL1 corridor around Ba Nang and gradually changes from a busier road into a quiet rural ride through fruit-growing country and limestone valleys.
The first section can carry more traffic, but this soon drops away as the road enters smaller villages. Karst outcrops rise above orchards and rice fields, and there are several minor roads leading away from the DT243 if you have time to explore.
Thao Nguyen Grassland is an easy detour if conditions are dry and you want a little time away from the tarmac. Treat side tracks as optional rather than essential, particularly after rain when the surface can become slippery. There are some fun tourist activities deep into the grassland and it is great for a little off road fun.
Quinh Son has several homestays and is the more atmospheric place to stay if you want a village experience. Bac Son Town has inexpensive hotels with private rooms, air conditioning and en-suite bathrooms, plus a wider choice of places to eat.
Ride this road on a guided tour
Bac Son is already part of several AZ Motorbikes guided tours. The Eastern Tearaway Motorcycle Tour begins with Hanoi to Bac Son, while the 14-Day Due North Motorcycle Tour also uses Bac Son as its first overnight stop before continuing deeper into the Northeast.
The 7-Day Due North Motorcycle Tour also includes Bac Son. Whether the exact Ba Nang to Quinh Son approach is used depends on that day’s route, weather and group, but this is exactly the type of smaller road we use when it makes sense.
Useful map connection
Our Hanoi to Bac Son motorcycle route map shows the wider approach from the capital and compares different ways of reaching the valley.
FAQ
How difficult are these five motorcycle roads?
Most of the routes are manageable for riders who are already comfortable with normal motorcycle controls and Vietnamese traffic, but they are not all equal. Cam Nhan to Xuan Long and Ba Nang to Bac Son are relatively straightforward in good weather, while the smaller roads around Pac Nam, Son Lo and the Lao Cai border area can become much more demanding after rain.
What is the best motorcycle for these roads?
For most riders, the Honda XR150 or XR190 is the easiest all-round choice because it is light, simple and well suited to broken tarmac, dirt and smaller mountain roads. A Honda CB500X is comfortable on longer paved sections and works well on most of these routes in dry conditions, but it requires more care on mud, rough tracks and tight mountain roads.
When is the best time to ride these roads?
October to April is generally the easiest riding period across much of northern Vietnam, although the best month varies by region and elevation. Heavy summer rain can cause mud, landslides, roadworks and rapidly changing surfaces, so always check local conditions before committing to a remote minor road.
Can these roads be included in a guided motorcycle tour?
Yes. Several of the roads are already close to or directly connected with our existing guided-tour routes, while others can be added to a customised itinerary. The best option is to tell us which roads or regions matter most to you so that we can build them into a realistic daily route rather than simply adding extra kilometres.
How can I connect these roads into a longer trip?
Use our Northern Vietnam tour routes guide to compare the main multi-day riding regions, then use the Vietnam motorcycle route maps to join individual days together. The five roads in this article work best as parts of larger routes through Dien Bien and the Northwest, Lao Cai and Bac Ha, Thac Ba and Vu Linh, Ba Be and Bao Lac, or Bac Son and the Northeast.
Small roads, bigger journeys
Northern Vietnam’s famous loops deserve their reputation, but some of the best riding happens on roads that most visitors never hear about. These five routes are not destinations in themselves. They are the small connections and detours that can turn a straightforward motorcycle trip into a much more memorable journey.
Use the map above to see where each road fits, then connect them with our Northern Vietnam tour routes and Vietnam motorcycle route maps. If you would rather have the route, accommodation and daily logistics organised for you, our guided motorcycle tours can be adapted around the roads and regions you most want to ride.