Motorcycle tours of North Vietnam from Hanoi
Bat Trang porcelain is world famous
The countryside around Hanoi is an awe-inspiring sight, with beautiful rolling mountains, stunning valleys and numerous interesting cultural villages. One of the best ways to enjoy it at your leisure is by hiring a motorcycle and riding off into the distance.
There are various options depending on the amount of time you have and your level and confidence on the bike. Travellers can spend as little as a few hours away from the city, or days on end simply driving from one unique destination to another.
It is, of course, better to have at least one companion with you in case you encounter any problems, particularly considering the windy roads and the fact that Vietnamese drivers may not take as much care as one would expect in the West. Nevertheless, don’t let this put you off what is sure to be a memorable experience.
An excellent one day trip around the surrounding countryside of the Vietnamese capital involves departing Hanoi and heading to Bat Trang ceramic village - the oldest and most famous pottery village in Vietnam - then on to Tho Ha before heading back to Hanoi before sundown.
The best idea is to leave Hanoi as early in the morning as possible. The ride follows a dyke along the Red River until arriving at Vinh Tuy Bridge. As you’re crossing the bridge towards the heart of the river delta, there are some magnificent photo opportunities as they sit beside a banana and rice plantation.
From here you should continue to ride towards Bat Trang, enjoying the beautiful surroundings but remembering not to take your eye off the road as you do so. Upon arrival you can take a well earned break, walk around this interesting old village, check out the pottery on display, enjoy the marketplace and perhaps grab a bite to eat before hopping back on the bike again.
Leaving Bat Trang you should take the National 1 and follow the signs to Bac Ninh. There are plenty of places to stop and take photos along the route. You may or may not want to take a walk around Bac Ninh (there should be time to do so) before continuing on in the direction of Tho Ha.
Spectacular Thac Daiyem waterfall by Moc Chau
Upon arrival you will have get on the ferry boat to reach the actual village. Tho Ha is on the riverbanks of the Cau and is approximately 52kms from Hanoi. Previously renowned for its pottery, it is now famous for making dry rice pancakes, vermicelli and traditional animal husbandry.
The village has attracted painters, photographers and film producers who will give you a real feel of Vietnamese country life. You should have a couple of hours to check out the Tho Ha prior to heading back to Hanoi before darkness falls.
If time is not so much of an option and you have plenty experience on two wheels, one of the many options is to take a five-day trip starting and finishing in Hanoi. Among the highlights is visiting the villages in Mai Chau, riding through the mountains between Mai Chau and Moc Chau, riding by the Black River between Moc Chau and Phu Yen and, of course, the endless sight of the stunning natural surroundings.
A recommended itinerary would be to depart Hanoi just after sunrise to ensure to provide yourself with plenty time. Upon leaving the delta plains behind, you will pass incredible limestone karst scenery in ‘Perfume Pagoda’ country and large farming lands made up of endless paddy fields, split only by tree-lined roads. More on Perfume Pagoda.
If you have time, check out the hot springs at Kim Boi, before heading northwest over the two passes and then eventually down to the valley settlement of Mai Chau. This is the ideal place to spend the night and there are several guest houses to choose from. Booking in advance could be a good idea.
As always, early starts are a good idea. Take a wonder around the village and grab some breakfast before hitting the road towards Moc Chau. A popular biking route is to head off the main highway onto a practically abandoned old French colonial road.
Vinh Tuy Bridge near Hanoi
Riding up this route you will pass villages inhabited by Thai, H’Mong and Dao ethnicities. The road may not be in best knick, but the views over the mountains are breathtaking. Rejoining the highway in the afternoon will see you on your way to Moc Chau.
The third day’s riding sees you follow the main highway back for a few kilometres before joining a new road that steadily falls into a huge valley towards the Black River reservoir. This challenging 50km route is not for the feint hearted and is prone to the occasional landslide.
Along the way you will see Kinh and Thai ethnicities. Once reaching the reservoir you must take the ferry across and then take the final ride of the day along a dirt road to the settlement of Phu Yen.
After a good night’s sleep, you can take the route around the Hoang Lien Son mountain range which features winding roads and beautiful scenery. Upon arriving at Ba Khe you continue through tea growing areas, with hillsides covered in plantations all the way to Yen Bai on the Red River.
From Yen Bai it’s a short trip to Thac Ba Lake, where the bikes must be loaded onto a boat and you can enjoy a relaxing hour’s boat ride to the village of Vu Linh.
The final day of the adventure involves the return leg to Hanoi. Riders should head southeast on the Highway 2 before branching off towards Phu Tho. You will follow the Red River along its dyke, just about to where it and the Black River merge before flowing together to the capital.
Now, you are back in the delta lowlands and the main agricultural areas of northern Vietnam. Passing through at harvest time is particularly interesting. The final leg involves crossing the bridge over the Black River, passing through Son Tay and following the main highway back to Hanoi.
There are numerous other motorbike trips to be enjoyed in this area of northern Vietnam, although travellers should always be especially cautious on the roads and ensure they have a map with them at all times. Booking accommodation in advance may also be a good idea. More on exploring northern Vietnam.
blog comments powered by Disqus