Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Northern Vietnam motorbike trek or Sapa trekking...

Country forums / South-East Asia Mainland / Vietnam

Hello!

Looking for opinions on where to go in Northern Vietnam. Ha Noi will be the starting grounds, and then I am trying to decide between bussing to Sapa or bussing to Ha Giang and doing the 3 day motor bike tour. I'm looking to find the best scenery and enjoyable views, not too worried about tourist accommodations.
However, I would not consider myself an experience moped rider. I've only rented and road around in Koh Lanta, where the roads were winding, but nothing what I expect the roads to be in the hilly rice mountains. Would Sapa be more enjoyable and then take treks from there? Or should I consider hiring a guide and biking the loop.

I would be appreciative of anyone willing to share their experiences and/or opinions.

Thank you!

Ha Giang. Ride behind someone if you're not competent and legal to ride. You can get a bike+driver in Ha Giang city.

3 days isn't really enough....

Some of my photos

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I agree with weall, 3 days are not enough to make that trip, but personally I would choose Sapa, it seemed like a cool place to visit.

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Two completely different places , both with stunning views ; Sapa is in what the French called "the Vietnamese Alps, with Fan Si Pan culminating at 3100 m. many very colorful minorities, great trekking, and... many tourists because it is of easy access. The region north of Ha Giang (Quang Ba/Dong Van/Meo Vac) is also stunning, made of limestone peaks and deep valleys and canyons ; very limited trekking. I would go to HG because it is more unique than Sapa

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If you are not an experienced motor bike rider then I would not do this?

will your insurance cover you, do you have a full license or will you jump on the ever increasing number of idiots having to resort to crowdfunding if you have an accident

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The roads around Sapa-Bac Ha and Ha Giang-Dong Van etc. are very god ; you do not need to be an "experienced" motorcyclist unless you "hit" trails

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Fuel ? There are gas station in every small city and, in every village, somebody sell gas alongside the road, either with a hand pump or in bottles displayed in front of the place. As for the routes, tehre is only one main oad tp go from one point to another and the directions are well indicated, not easy to get lost !

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Fuel ? There are gas station in every small city and, in every village, somebody sell gas alongside the road, either with a hand pump or in bottles displayed in front of the place. As for the routes, tehre is only one main oad tp go from one point to another and the directions are well indicated, not easy to get lost !

Larsay is right, you do not have to worry about gasoline and the road is easy, it's very hard to get lost or you do not get well oriented.

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