Hanoi

Today marks the beginning of your motorbike trip to Vietnam ! Welcome at Hanoi airport and arrival at the hotel. Walk in the gardens of the former governor's palace where Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts and the unique Pillar pagoda are located.

Passage through the ancient imperial citadel of Hanoi. We visit the flag tower, the Doan Mon gate, the relics of the Kinh Thien palace, the North gate and the ethnology museum. After a short briefing together, free time and rest at the hotel.

Hanoi, Phuc An: 180 km

We leave Hanoi for the fresh country air towards Vinh Yen.

In the village of Dong Ty, a Dao ethnic group with white trousers, we walk along the shores of Lake Thac Ba through the rice fields to reach the small port. Discover one of the largest freshwater reservoirs in northern Vietnam and its peaks of ancient emerging hills forming hundreds of islets giving a labyrinth-like appearance. Possibility of swimming depending on the season. Overnight in a traditional house on stilts.

Phuc An, Bac Ha: 190 km

Following the meanders of the lake by motorbike, we cross some ethnic villages on the banks before reaching Luc Yen, known for his precious stones and marble quarries. Continue north along the Chay River in a more hilly landscape.

Direction Bac Ha by crossing the village Nghia Do, we start a vertiginous ascent on the mountainside to the village Ban Lien with its rice terraces to reach Bac Ha and spend the night.

Bac Ha, Ban Phung: 90 km

Bac Ha is well known for its weekly Sunday morning market. We see different ethnic groups Hmong flowers, Dao, Phu La, Tay (part of the local population), agricultural utensils, fabrics, vegetables, spices, buffaloes and pigs. Tasting of a few glasses of alcohol and local dishes.

We leave Bac Ha and its small ethnic villages for Ban Phung along the Chay River and the mountain tops of the Chinese border to Coc Pai. Continuation towards the North on the winding road and the sublime landscapes to reach the village Ban Phung where we stay with the locals.

Ban Phung, Nam Dam: 180 km

We take curves from the mountain to the edge of the ravine where the Chay River flows. Meetings of local populations in other villages.

It is through the mountains, valleys, winding roads, terraced rice fields that we cross the "gate of heaven". Arrival in Quan Ba district of Ha Giang region (one of the poorest regions of the country developing community tourism). Overnight in a common room in Nam Dam (Dao village with long tunic).

Nam Dam, Dong Van: 100 km

Today, our motorbike trip to Vietnam takes us to Nam Dam. Visit the former palace of the King of the Hmong in Dong Van, where he still lived at the beginning of the last century.

On the road, the stops in the many villages crossed make us aware of the daily life of the white and blue Hmong. It is with malice that they accept to have their picture taken.

The village of Lung Tam makes us appreciate the craft activity of hemp weaving by the women of this village. A real delight for us who are used to synthetic materials! The organization into cooperatives, supported by an NGO, not only allows the transmission of a cultural heritage to be propagated over time, but is also fully in line with the philosophy of sustainable development. Support for this type of project is unconditional in the face of low-cost productions "made in China". The stakes are high!

Arrival in Nam Dam with a Dzao family with long tunics, to share the cottage and dinner. A walk in the village is suggested.

Dong Van, Bao Lac: 120 km

Morning visit to the Sunday market (if possible) in the old part of Dong Van. Women and men come with their horses and goods to sell or trade their production and buy supplies for a week. We see the black Hmong ethnic groups, Han, Giay, Dao and Tay around traditional mountain dishes, tasting a few glasses of rice or corn alcohol.

Continuation towards the road in the desolate mountains with flat and stony vegetation from Dong Van to Meo Vac. From the Ma Li Peng Pass we contemplate the mountains with their sharp contours and steep slopes as well as the stone fields that cover some of the slopes followed by a vertiginous descent southward until we arrive at Bao Lac to sleep in the hotel.

Bao Lac, Ba Be : 150 km

Departure in the direction of the village of Lolo de Coc Xa (on the fringe of the civilization that surrounds it) for a short walk. We then drive to Ba Be (a natural park with a lake surrounded by karst peaks covered with lush vegetation). The Tay, Dao and Mong ethnic groups live from fishing and rice cultivation around this lake. Arrival at the small village of Pac Ngoi from l´ethnie Tay and discover the surroundings on foot before settling in with the locals.

Ba Be

Discovery of Ba Be Lake on board a small motorboat. Ba Be is the largest natural lake in North Vietnam and is surrounded by limestone cliffs and jungle. We head towards the Puong cave where there is a large colony of bats.

Visit of the Tay village of Ban Cam on the banks of the Nang River amidst thousands of butterflies frolicking on the banks. Before returning to the boat, a short walk to the falls Dau Dang and visit the small temple An Ma on its tiny islet. Return to the village of Pac Ngoi to spend a second night with the Tay family.

Ba Be, Hanoi: 230 km

Head to the Hua Ma cave which located about 8 km southwest of the park. If possible, walk through the local market before returning to Hanoi. We enjoy the landscapes one last time by visiting the tea plantations (for which Thaï Nguyen is famous) and a brick kiln.

Arrival in the capital towards the hotel with debriefing and free time to prepare your return. Transfer to Hanoi airport. End of your motorbike trip to Vietnam.