You can explore the riverside an

2021/05/21

You can explore the riverside and stop by small cafes and the morning markets. Are you planning on motorbiking Vietnam? You will find the traditional tall houses which are the village community centers. This 21 km winding road only requires an hour or so to conquer. Once you reach the park entrance take the ferry across the river and spend a night out in the jungle. (Riding distance from Nha Trang 190 km). Pho Quoc Island is located about 2hrs off the south-west coast of Vietnam. Vietnam is my country and motor bike travelling is very popular in my contry .Thank you for posting this awesome article. The best beaches in Southeast Asia detailed in one epic guide. How screwed am I with the weather? 7 Awesome Things to Do in Ninh Binh and Tam Coc, 17 Best Beaches in Southeast Asia for 2020, 10 Great things to do in Hoi An Ancient Town, Ride from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, although even this will be a quick ride, Ride north from Hanoi to Ha Giang, Cao Bang, and Sapa, Ride south of Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc, Can Tho and up the coast to Nha Trang. With mystical overtones & military undercurrents, the name in Vietnamese translates as The Road East of the Long Mountains. Hi, thanks for a guide! I suggest doing only part of this trip. It seems like a great trip. The small village of Bao Lac is located at the foothills of Vietnams northern mountain ranges.

Sounds crazy but it is possible. Both great one day activities. Wake up in the morning to the sound of Gibbons calling, then spend your day searching for the last White Rhino, an enigma of sorts. However, I have not included all the exact route numbers. It is a detour, but there are far less tucks and the roads are much more scenic. This outranks the worlds second-largest, Paradise Cave, which is also in the same national park. This is a road that you will ride once and never forget. If you try to do it all, youll just be riding all day every day. Can Tho is a few hours ride south of Ho Chi Minh City. Perhaps you just want to explore the far north or south. It is a nice change from the hot and humid coastal cities. vietnam motorbike tour tours northern uyen motorcycle than dirt nirvana nomadasaurus The Honda Wave is an easy-to-ride semi-automatic motorbike perfect for beginner riders. For more details, see my Disclosure & Disclaimer statements here, Riding a motorbike in/out of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) & Hanoi can be congested & polluted, but some times of the day are better than others, Vietnam has some incredible riding roads: possibly some of the most scenic in the world. Thank you for the brilliant info you have provided. Youre nearing the end of the wet season, but still, expect regular rain in the afternoons. Riding can be slow (and sometimes treacherous due to landslides, floods, mud, and rough road conditions), but the scenery is sublime, the roads are extraordinarily ambitious, and the history and culture is fascinating. You could ride from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (or vice versa) in 5 weeks but probably wont have enough time to explore the far north, the far south, or Halong/Lan Ha Bay regions. Now Ive combined that information here. The views over the mountain range are incredible. For each route, Ive written bullet-points for quick-information and a brief description, including a direct link to the full guide, a title image, and an embedded interactive map of the route. Thinking about riding the length of Vietnam by motorbike? Riding south to Can Tho uses one of the busiest highways in Vietnam called the AH1. Thanh Hoa, on the other hand, is only recently starting to attract attention, in particular the stunning setting of Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Motor Bike travelling is Great , personally my favorites , i read your its so interesting , thank you for sharing Blog. Thanh Hoa is overlooked by most travellers in favour of neighbouring Ninh Bnh, which is now extremely touristy. A buddy of mine and I are looking to Motorbike in Vietnam for Chinese New Year for Roughly 14 -17 days. This island is a throwback to Vietnams earlier days. Here are a few suggestions with only 3 weeks in Vietnam: If you have less than 3 weeks in Vietnam, Id also suggest hiring a motorbike. The air temperature drops to a cool 5 degrees C in the winter, so be prepared with a decent jacket. The Belarusian Mink is a unique, and fun, but totally unreliable two-stroke machine. The colours of the ripe rice are luminous. Dalat is located in Vietnams southern highlands. Ive put together a list of expenses & an estimated daily budget in order to give travellers an idea of how much they can expect to spend. Have you considered taking your motorbike into Halong Bay? This guide covers over 23 destinations (and growing). By linking these nine guides together and following them from either east to west or west to east across the north of the country, you should be able to create your own Great North Route. Get ready for the most scenic part of this entire Vietnam motorbike route. Search from over 150 blogs posts covering Asia, Pacific, and Europe. Drank the strongest rice whiskey and the best mountain coffee. Phu Quoc Island to be specific. Khe Sanh is was home to the bloodiest and longest battle of the Vietnam War. Myself and the other half are looking at traveling from Hanoi to Saigon in September 2020, allowing 18 days. You can stop by here, 8km north of Pleiku, for a scenic view as you continue on towards Hoi An. Cat Thien National Park is less known but an amazing destination compared to Mui Ne. I encourage riders to write me with any road updates (vietnamcoracle@gmail.com) or leave a comment at the bottom of the relevant guide. Ride safely, ride responsibly & enjoy Vietnams Great North. I have US motor bike license and wondering if that works for a 3-4 week bike trip. Why start in Ho Chi Minh City? Appreciate if you can offer insight into that. You wrote an amazing blog. It, Your Complete Phong Nha Ke Bang Travel Guide Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park is one of the most impressive places I visited whilemotorbiking across, 5 Day Ma Pi Leng Pass Itinerary (from Hanoi) The Ma Pi Leng Pass is Vietnams final frontier. Hoi An is also famously known for its clothing production. (Riding distance from Hanoi 120km to Hai Phong). Any info you can provide would be a massive help. You went to a TON of places in Vietnam wow, seriously impressed. Although these 9 northern routes cover thousands of kilometres, they represent just a fraction of the many great roads, tracks, routes, and regions that northern Vietnam has to offer the motorbike rider. For those, I highly recommend getting this detailed road map of Vietnam by National Geographic. My buddy Colton and I are planning a month trip to Vietnam for a month starting in the middle of May. Before even starting your adventure you will need to buy yourself a motorbike.

This is one of those regions in Vietnam where you will find the iconic rice, 7 Awesome Things to Do in Ninh Binh and Tam Coc, Vietnam For as small as they may seem, there are some truly unique and, Your Local Hanoi Travel Guide This Hanoi travel guide will give you a quick overview of the capital city of Vietnam. The roads lead further, higher, and deeper into the northwest mountains than ever before, threading between peaks pushing 10,000ft, which are the southeastern-most extent of the same geological collision that formed the Himalayascontinue reading, Route, Region & Province: SapaLai ChauSin HoPhong Tho | Lai ChauProvince[MAP], Distance & Duration: 320km | 2-4 days, Road Conditions & Traffic: good mountain highways, paved back-roads, some rough patches, Scenery & Landscape: big mountains, plunging valleys, rivers, rice terraces, light traffic, Full Guide: SapaSin Ho Scenic Motorbike Loop, Description: High up on the slopes of the Hong Lin Sn Mountain Range (known in French colonial times as the Tonkinese Alps), Sin Ho is a small market town reached via spectacular mountain roads. Please bear in mind that road conditions are in a constant state of flux in the northern mountains check the comments section at the bottom of my guides for any recent reader updates and ask other travellers as you go. You can take your motorbike right down near the waters edge then explore the area for a while. Ive only been to Hanoi but if I ever go back to Vietnam, Ill definitely need to read through your post again. Both are looking at buying used 125s whilst there. Hi Josh, Very inspiring and detailed overview of this epic trip. I am in love with all. Hi, this looks good. *Please note: All my routes stick to paved roads as much as possible & I make an effort to mark any rough, muddy, off-road, or difficult sections on my maps. Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. I subscribed to your blog on facebook and shared this on my Twitter. (seriously awesome hotel deals for under 15 USD per night). I highly suggest having a read of them too. On this page, Ive pulled together all of my northern motorbike guides to create a collection of. The ancient town of Hoi An is an idyllic spot in central Vietnam. Lets go! Because all three northeastern provinces are utterly beautiful characterized by limestone karsts, unbroken forests, misty mountains, blue rivers, farms, and craft villages and are crisscrossed by a growing network of increasingly good-quality paved back-roads and national highways; tourists are few, traffic is generally very light, people are friendly, food is rustic and hearty, opportunities for getting off the beaten path are many, and theres a real sense of adventure. I suggest getting up early to ride in the mornings and pack good wet weather gear. The ferry goes fairly slow and the trip across takes a couple of hours. This is one of my favorite things about motorbiking Vietnam, staying in places youd never otherwise consider. The highest waterfalls, remote islands, best street food, and plenty more! I wish I wasnt so road-shy, or Id consider the motorbike route that Josh so nicely presented us. Ive partnered with some great motorbike rental shops in Hanoi, Danang, and HCMC. Expect to see women pedaling around the street selling fruit and plenty of coffee stores. The first day you can go hiking through the terraced rice fields, the next day you can climb Mount Fansipan. The northern district of Sapa has been growing in popularity over the past few years. This scenic route winds its way through, Looking to Buy a Motorbike in Vietnam? You can quickly get a local feel of this authentic northern Vietnam town. Will your trip be two weeks or two months? These days this little mountain town is the gateway to the amazing Ho Chi Minh Trail West. You can explore the first 4 kilometers of Paradise cave for a few hours from USD 10, or take a four-day trekking and camping package to Hang Don Soon for over USD 3000. Can you recommend a route for that length of time? Thank you for including the details (location and distance). The best time of year to ride the north is March-May and September-October. On this page, Ive pulled together all of my northern motorbike guides to create a collection of 9 Great Northern Routes. Hi Josh Im hoping to motorbike Vietnam in December but I only have 2 weeks. Hanoi > Ha Giang > Cao Bang > Ban Gioc > Hanoi (you might be able to squeeze in Cat Ba Island). Ive written and mapped 5 loops in the northeastern region.

My colour-coded map features shaded areas indicating the regions covered by each of the 9 northern routes and direct links to each guide. Its a difficult decision, but on balance with three weeks youd have a great time stitching together the Ha Giang Loop and the Northeast Loops via the High-Roads between the two. To avoid the AH1 coastal highway, we head west to Buon Ma Thuot. I suggest visiting Buon Ma Thuot as a thoroughfare destination, saving your time for Kon Tum further north. Another great way to get around is a boat cruise down the perfume river. There is a great motorbike shop at the end of Pham Ngu Lao street. I still have mine! Be sure to leave early in the morning as riding at night gets dangerous due to the number of trucks on the road. With a shorter trip, you will probably waste valuable time buying and selling a motorbike. The north offers the most majestic scenery on the grandest scale in Vietnam: the mountains are higher and the passes are loftier than anywhere else in the country. The north is not as bad as the south right? It is called the Ma Pi Leng Pass. This single landed concrete road is one of the emptiest youll experience in this entire Vietnam motorbikeitinerary. However, Vietnams roads are in a constant state of flux: I cant guarantee the condition of any given road. We are basing our motorbike trip off the one you procured. Over one thousand soldiers died fighting here. Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam and the finishing point for many in their Vietnam motorbike itinerary. Some people even ride it back and forth a few times in one day to make the most of it! Thank you and congratulations with your beautiful website. Be sure to read my full guide to the Ma Pi Leng Pass for all the essential details. To visit the Ninh Hoa salt fields youll have to be on your motorbike heading out of Nha Trang by 4am. A quick note on Renting vs Buying a motorbike.

This city is a popular launching or rest point for adventure motorcycle riders heading up the mountains. Thank YOU. Remember you can send your bike on the train to/from several convenient start/end points around the north. Several small roads penetrate deep into steep, terraced valleys and climb high above ferocious rivers, swollen with cold mountain water, to remote minority villages. Hi Josh. Do you have a GPX for this route? These two highland towns are connected by lofty mountain passes, affording jaw-dropping views over a landscape on a scale not found anywhere else in Vietnam. Are the attractions and places of interest indicated along the road as in Thailand or do I have to prepare these myself. Below is a list and a colour-coded map of 9 northern motorbike routes. You will ride up the steep mountain pass to an altitude of over 2,000m. I. These are some of the best countryside views to enjoy in Vietnam.

This is where the mighty Mekong River meets the sea, spanning an area of 39,000 square kilometers. However, with a bit of guidance, it is. Great read. It will be my first time in SE Asia. First published May 2020 | Words and photos byVietnam Coracle.

They are all too keen to have a chat with you in Vietnamese and are always up for a photo. I really enjoyed reading it. Its the same route, but you might choose which way to ride based on the wet season. Nha Trang is one of Vietnams larger coastal cities, and a must stop destination if motorbiking Vietnam. The curving terraces, although man-made, appear to be in complete harmony with the landscape, creating a hypnotic patterning across the hills and valleys. Great Blog. Full directions available in my article. The Hai Van Pass (which some call the Hoi An motorbike route) is the road which Top Gear did in their 2008 Vietnam Special. You seriously motorbike across Vietnam without doing this route. Explore the area surrounding the city to discover the local village lifestyle. I receive emails from seasoned motorbikers, whove spent decades riding around the world, informing me that, with the possible exception of northern India, the north of Vietnam is the best riding theyve ever experienced. Vietnam is the awesome country , your blog is awesome , thank you for sharing the nice pictures.

All of these loops look amazing, and from what I can gather so much of what the country has to offer is in the North, though from what I can see there isnt an All in one North Vietnam route. You can export each map and download the KML, then you should be able to open the map on your phone. Pick up a custom screen printed t-shirt here as a trip souvenir for as little as USD 5 per piece. Loved the way you narrated your experience. I feel as though Ill have to return to do North-South in the future and maybe just do the North this time, what do you think? Be sure to drop into the nearby Ngam Ngou Cave if you have time also. Do u think my dates are too rushed or will it be enough? In the crisp dawn light, hundreds of stepped rice paddies, carved into the contours of steep valleys, are illuminated by the autumn sun. I have driven many motorcycle routes in Thailand and next year I want to go to Vietnam from North to South. There are multiple options you can take to explore the caves depending on time and budget. For the purposes on this page, Ive listed the 9 northern routes geographically from west to east, but you can choose to ride them in any order and in any direction you like. The food in Hanoi is amazing, and there are a few cool bars to hang out around the old town too. Is there a any big difference going hanoi- ho chi minh or ho chi minh hanoi? My colour-coded map features shaded areas indicating the regions covered by each of the 9 northern routes and direct links to each guide. Kon Tum is another coffee producing district located in the southern highlands. It also has one of the best beaches in Southeast Asia, a stunning stretch of white sand called Sao Beach. After Phu Quoc Island we head back to Ho Chi Minh City briefly before continuing north towards Hanoi. If you are riding around Vietnam for less than 2 months I suggest renting. Whether you want to visit the Imperial City from Vietnams Dynasty Era or see the destruction left behind of the Vietnam War there are plenty of things to do in Hue. For a short period, Id just rent the motorbike instead of buying. One way drop-offs are also available, perfect for travelers. Almost everyone in the country will be on holiday.

It will open your eyes to Vietnams true rural culture. Slept in boutique resorts and in hammocks in the jungle. You can get to Cat Ba Island with your motorbike by taking a ferry from Haiphong. Head down to the Thu Bon River at night where you can get dinner and a beer on a junk boat. A big appreciation for you. Be sure to pack your jacket, scarf, and gloves if you plan to continue motorbiking up the mountains from here. As such, local police, government officials, and travel restrictions will almost certainly hinder your progress (read this guide before attempting the route). On these weekends the town is a lively place, but it can be difficult to time your trip accordingly. Buon Ma Thuot is a small town back in the highlands, similar to Dalat but less touristy. You can get direct access to affordable, reliable motorbikes. Ninh Binh is commonly referred to as the inland Halong Bay. Enjoy the slow lifestyle, the cool mountain weather, and explore the town with this Dalat City Guide. I receive emails from seasoned motorbikers, whove spent decades riding around the world, informing me that, with the possible exception of northern India, the north of Vietnam is the best riding theyve ever experienced. It is home to many of Vietnams coffee fields and fruit plantations. Once considered the last frontier for adventurous travel in Vietnam, Ha Giang gained an almost legendary status among independent travellers. Add Phu Quoc Island to your Vietnam motorbike itinerary for a unique destination that many other travelers are sure to miss. Cat Ba is one of the largest islands in Lan Ha Bay and offers plenty of accommodation, secluded beaches, rock climbing, and day trips out on the water. Read More: 7 Awesome Things to do in Ninh Binh. I call this spectacle the Theatre of Rice and the best way to see the show is to ride the Harvest Route: a scenic section of Highway QL32 between the small towns of T L to M Cang Chi, via the lofty Khau Pha Pass. Check out some of the small restaurants along the river. However, it depends on your device, so you might need to google the method for your specific phone. Taylor Going to Vietnam for Tet as well (for a similar duration)! Riding can be slow (and sometimes treacherous due to landslides, floods, mud, and rough road conditions), but the scenery is sublime, the roads are extraordinarily ambitious, and the history and culture is fascinating. Hi Stacie, I will send you an email to discuss further travel for motorbiking Vietnam! The altitude at Ha Giang is where the temperature starts to drop down to a cool 5 to 10 degrees in winter. Did I mention it is also cheap? Cant decide if you will go from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi? Hi Gigi, if youre going to Vietnam during Tet I highly recommend booking your accommodation well in advance. Motor bike trip is always great. It is home to the iconic Can Tho Floating Market and the huge Mekong Delta. Lots of people say you should skip Hue, but theyre wrong! You might be familiar with Dalat from the coffee bean stores scattered throughout Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Though I dont know the name of the road, just look for the big red neon bull sign. Old roads have recently been upgraded and new ones have been blown through the mountains, creating an extremely mountains, off-the-beaten-track, and circuitous route between Lao Cai and Dien Bien Phu. The 300km winding mountain route makes its way up to the Phong Nha Khe Bang National Park. Ho Chi Minh City is the starting or ending point for most travelers in Vietnam. Throughout this article, there are links to more detailed guides I have written on individual destinations. (Riding distance from Cat Thien NP 190 km). Sit down, get a cold beer anda bowl of Pho soup. Each loop can be ridden separately or stitched together to form one large northeastern loopcontinue reading, Disclosure: I never receive payment for anything I write: my content is always free & independent. Warning: Be careful wandering off the track up this way as there are plenty of unexploded land mines still lying about. Arrive late and itll be a lifeless salt flat. Youll know youve arrived at the right place when you see loads of small street stalls selling beer at 25c per can. Buying a motorbike in Vietnam may seem difficult at first. Im a long time reader but Ive never been compelled to leave a comment. Youll thank me when you realize you need it. In recent years, however, visitor numbers have surged and road conditions have improved, making access to this remote part of the country relatively easy. The best time of year to ride the north is March-May and September-October. Your email address will not be published. Located 50km north of Nha Trang is the Ninh Hoa Salt Fields. Its actually one of the poorest regions in Vietnam and is home to many ethnic hill tribes in the surrounding areas. Linking the towns of Sapa and Ha Giang, this road trip is a slow crawl through some of the remotest parts of Vietnam, mostly on small roads that have only recently been blasted out of the mountainsides. Hi Iona, with only 2 weeks Id suggest doing a loop around the north. Chinese style shophouses line the river banks while locals go around the small streets by bicycle. My first question, how many overnight stops would you recommend going South from Hanoi?. The road from Bao Lac to Dong Van is one of the best motorbiking roads in the world. The mysterious landscape along the Chinese border a mythical combination of conical limestone peaks and deep, craterous valleys is probably the most striking in the country. The villagers are extremely friendly. Here are 5 great routes between Saigon and Hanoi, each one specifically designed to suit the needs of different travellers, based on scenery and time frame among other things. Definitely add it to your Vietnam motorbike itinerary. Ha Giang is a medium-sized city at the western foothills of the mountain range. Located on the northern Vietnam-China border, the impressive Ban Gioc Waterfall is the largest waterfall in Vietnam. Remember you can send your bike on the train to/from several convenient start/end points around the north: HanoiLao Cai (for Sapa), HanoiLang Son (for the northeast), and HanoiHai Phong (for Cat Ba Island). With plenty of tailors begging for your attention as you walk the streets youre sure to get sucked in. Glad we got that out of the way Ready? A visit to Kon Tum is an essential addition to your Vietnam motorbike itinerary. When you are done exploring caves, make sure you visit thePhong Nha Farmstay and enjoy a cold beer on the rooftop for sunset.

There are several different route options for riding between Ha Giang, Ba Be Lake (in Bac Kan Province), and Cao Bang, all of which are stunning, but none of which are particularly straightforward, due to road conditions, mountainous topography, and the likelihood of landslidescontinue reading, Route, Region & Province: Cao BangPac Bo CaveBan Gioc FallsLang SonMau Son MountainBac SonBac KanBa Be Lake | Cao Bang, Lang Son & Bac Kan provinces[MAP], Distance & Duration: 165-455km | 1-6 days, Road Conditions & Traffic: good, paved back-roads & highways, some rough sections, off-road options, generally light traffic, Scenery & Landscape: limestone karsts, minority villages, majestic waterfalls, caves, remote borders, mountains, lakes, rivers, Full Guide: The Northeast by Motorbike: 5 Routes & Loops, Description: In my opinion, the three northeastern provinces of Cao Bang, Lang Son and Bac Kan currently offer the best on-road motorbiking opportunities anywhere in Vietnam. Expect to get stuck into a conversation in Vietnamese and be offered some homemade rice spirits! It is the easiest place to buy a motorbike in Vietnam and get it fitted with a luggage rack for your long ride. The landscape around here is extraordinary: many travellers consider this their favourite corner of Southeast Asia. Either bathed in a warm, sharp highland light shimmering over the ripe rice terraces like a halo, or covered in a cold, haunting, Dickensian fog so thick it induces feelings of claustrophobia, the Y Ty Loop is a rewarding (and occasionally challenging) way to spend a day or two in the saddlecontinue reading, Route, Region & Province: SapaLao CaiMuong KhuongSi Ma CaiBac HaXin ManHoang Su Phi Ha Giang | Lao Cai & Ha Giang provinces[MAP], Distance & Duration: 235-480km | 2-5 days, Road Conditions & Traffic: mostly decent paved back-roads, some rough sections, risk of landslides, light traffic, Scenery & Landscape: mountains, gorges, borderlands, terraced rice fields, minority villages, Full Guide: Borders & Back-Roads: Sapa to Ha Giang by Motorbike, Description: Connecting two of the most mountainous provinces in the country (Lao Cai and Ha Giang), this motorbike route straddles the Chinese border, carving a meandering course over mountain ranges and along river valleys.