20-Day Saigon to Hanoi Vietnam Motorcycle Tour

Day 1: Saigon to Long Hai

Estimated ride: About 100–130 km; allow most of the day with stops and city traffic.

Meet your guide in Saigon for a route briefing, then ease out of the city toward the coast. The scenery gradually changes from busy streets to smaller communities and coastal roads. This first day gives everyone time to settle into the rhythm of the journey.

Depending on departure time, stop for a local meal and explore a suitable viewpoint or historical site along the way. Arrive in Long Hai with time to walk by the sea and rest before the longer rides ahead. Overnight in the Long Hai area.

Day 2: Long Hai to Mui Ne

Estimated ride: About 160–200 km; approximately 5–7 hours including breaks.

Continue northeast along the southern coast, passing fishing communities, farmland and stretches of open road. Stop where conditions allow to see everyday coastal life and sample local food. The landscape becomes drier as the route approaches the Mui Ne area.

If the timing works, visit a fishing harbor or one of the area’s sand dunes before sunset. Your guide can adjust the stops to avoid the hottest part of the day and keep the ride comfortable. Overnight in Mui Ne.

Day 3: Mui Ne to Da Lat

Estimated ride: About 160–190 km; approximately 5–7 hours including breaks.

Leave the coast behind and climb toward the Central Highlands. Watch the landscape shift from sandy plains and fruit-growing areas to forested slopes and cooler mountain air. The change in elevation makes this one of the most varied riding days of the southern section.

Pause at viewpoints and roadside cafés on the way. A waterfall or farm visit may be possible if access and timing suit the day’s route. Reach Da Lat in the afternoon or early evening, with time to explore the city independently. Overnight in Da Lat.

Day 4: Da Lat to Lak Lake

Estimated ride: About 160–210 km; approximately 6–8 hours including breaks.

Ride out through the highland countryside past farms, villages and winding roads. Depending on the route, your guide may arrange stops connected to coffee growing, silk production or local food. Keep time for the riding itself: the journey through the hills is a major part of the experience.

Continue toward Lak Lake and the surrounding villages. Any community visit should be arranged respectfully and according to local availability. Arrive with time to enjoy the lakeside setting before dinner. Overnight near Lak Lake.

Day 5: Lak Lake to Buon Ma Thuot

Estimated ride: About 120–150 km; approximately 4–6 hours including breaks.

Start with a relaxed morning around Lak Lake. A boat outing or village visit can be discussed in advance if available and appropriate for the season. Then follow smaller roads through the highland countryside toward Buon Ma Thuot.

Along the way, stop at local markets, farms or viewpoints when they fit the route. This shorter stage leaves more room for conversation and breaks after several consecutive riding days. Arrive in Buon Ma Thuot and enjoy the evening at your own pace. Overnight in Buon Ma Thuot.

Day 6: Buon Ma Thuot to Kon Tum

Estimated ride: About 240 km; allow 7–9 hours including breaks.

Set off early for a substantial ride through the Central Highlands. The road links agricultural areas, provincial towns and mountain scenery, with regular stops planned for food, fuel and rest. This is a travel-focused day with fewer scheduled attractions.

Where the route allows, pause at a village or viewpoint to learn more about the region from your local guide. Road works and weather can affect travel time, so the day’s plan should remain flexible. Reach Kon Tum in the evening. Overnight in Kon Tum.

Day 7: Kon Tum to Phuoc Son

Estimated ride: About 160–200 km; approximately 6–8 hours including breaks.

Leave Kon Tum and head north through highland scenery toward the Phuoc Son area. Sections of the journey connect with places associated with Vietnam’s wartime history, while the villages and forests show another side of the region today.

Your guide can choose suitable historical or cultural stops based on access and the final road plan. Take regular breaks on the mountain sections, especially if visibility changes. Arrive in Phuoc Son after a full day of riding. Overnight in the Phuoc Son area.

Day 8: Phuoc Son to Hoi An

Estimated ride: About 140–170 km; approximately 5–7 hours including breaks.

Follow mountain and countryside roads as the route descends toward central Vietnam’s coast. The day offers a final stretch of highland riding before the atmosphere changes around Hoi An. Pause for lunch and stop at village or riverside viewpoints where practical.

Reach Hoi An with time to explore its streets, cafés and riverside on your own. After a week on the road, this is a good evening to slow down and prepare for the next section of the tour. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9: Hoi An to Hue via Hai Van Pass

Estimated ride: About 150–180 km; approximately 5–7 hours including breaks.

Leave Hoi An and ride north toward Da Nang and Hai Van Pass. Weather permitting, stop at viewpoints along the pass to take in the coast and mountains. Continue past the Lang Co area and follow the route toward Hue.

The guide can adjust the day’s sightseeing to match traffic and conditions on the pass. Reach Hue with time for an evening walk and a local meal. Visits to monuments or ticketed sites can be planned separately if you want more time for the city’s history. Overnight in Hue.

Day 10: Hue to Khe Sanh

Estimated ride: About 160–210 km; allow 6–8 hours including breaks.

Head northwest from Hue through landscapes linked to the former demilitarized zone. Depending on the chosen road, available opening hours and your interests, the day may include stops at historical sites before continuing inland.

The historical locations in this region are spread across different routes, so visiting all of them in one day would make for a rushed ride. Your guide will prioritize a practical selection and explain the context at each stop. Arrive in Khe Sanh for the night.

Day 11: Khe Sanh to Phong Nha

Explore the region’s limestone heritage through the UNESCO World Heritage Centre’s Phong Nha listing.

Estimated ride: About 220–260 km; allow 7–9 hours including breaks.

Continue north on a long riding day through mountain scenery and sections of the Ho Chi Minh Road. Forested stretches and remote communities make this a memorable part of the journey, but weather and road conditions can change the pace.

Plan regular fuel, meal and photo stops rather than a fixed list of attractions. Arrive in the Phong Nha area in the late afternoon or evening. A cave visit requires separate time and should be agreed during itinerary planning. Overnight in Phong Nha.

Day 12: Phong Nha to Tan Ky

Estimated ride: About 280 km; allow 8–10 hours including breaks.

Start early for one of the tour’s longest stages. Continue north through rural landscapes and towns connected by the Ho Chi Minh Road. The focus today is steady, enjoyable travel rather than fitting in multiple sightseeing stops.

Your guide will set a realistic pace with breaks for food, fuel and weather. If the group prefers a slower ride, discuss dividing this stage differently when arranging the tour. Reach the Tan Ky area in the evening and rest for the next day. Overnight in Tan Ky.

Day 13: Tan Ky to Mai Chau

Estimated ride: About 260 km; allow 8–10 hours including breaks.

Ride north toward Mai Chau through a changing landscape of farmland, hills and mountain valleys. Another early departure helps leave enough time for stops without arriving after dark. The guide may revise the precise road choice to suit conditions.

As Mai Chau approaches, the scenery becomes more mountainous and village life comes into view. Settle in and enjoy an unhurried evening after a demanding travel day. Accommodation style and any hosted meal should be confirmed in your booking details. Overnight in Mai Chau.

Day 14: Mai Chau to Vu Linh”]

Estimated ride: About 200–240 km; allow 7–9 hours including breaks.

Travel north from Mai Chau toward the Thac Ba Lake area. The route crosses countryside and smaller communities, offering a transition from the central part of the journey to northern Vietnam’s hills.

Stop for meals and viewpoints along the way, keeping enough daylight for the final approach. Vu Linh is an opportunity to spend time in a lakeside village; the exact accommodation and any community activities depend on availability and local arrangements. Overnight in the Vu Linh area.

Day 15: Vu Linh to Sa Pa

Estimated ride: About 240–280 km; allow 8–10 hours including breaks.

Leave the Thac Ba Lake area and continue northwest toward Sa Pa. Valleys, agricultural landscapes and increasingly mountainous roads give this stage a distinct northern character. It is a long ride, so keep stops selective and flexible.

Expect the temperature to change as the route climbs. On a clear day, pause for mountain views before reaching Sa Pa; in rain or fog, the guide may favor a more direct approach. Arrive with time for dinner and a short walk. Overnight in Sa Pa.

Day 16: Sa Pa to Ha Giang

Estimated ride: About 240–300 km, depending on routing; allow 8–10 hours including breaks.

Set out early for the cross-country ride from Sa Pa toward Ha Giang. The exact roads should be confirmed before departure because distance and riding time vary substantially with the chosen mountain route.

Take time for food, fuel and rest stops as the scenery changes between valleys and upland roads. This day is best treated as a journey between regions rather than a full sightseeing program. Reach Ha Giang city or its surrounding area and prepare for the mountain stages ahead. Overnight in Ha Giang.

Day 17: Ha Giang to Dong Van

Estimated ride: About 150–170 km; allow 6–8 hours including breaks.

Ride north into the dramatic limestone landscapes of the Ha Giang region. The route can include viewpoints and village stops around Quan Ba and Yen Minh before continuing toward Dong Van. Mountain weather may affect visibility and travel time.

If open and included in the agreed plan, stop at the former Hmong King’s residence near Sa Phin. Continue to Dong Van for the evening. Save the Ma Pi Leng Pass section for the following day, when the route heads toward Meo Vac and Bao Lac. Overnight in Dong Van.

Day 18: Dong Van to Bao Lac via Ma Pi Leng

Estimated ride: About 150–190 km; allow 6–8 hours including breaks.

Leave Dong Van and ride toward Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of the standout mountain sections of the journey. Continue through the Meo Vac area and onward toward Bao Lac, taking time at safe viewpoints when conditions allow.

Road surfaces, fog and traffic can slow progress, so the guide will set the pace for the day. Stop for lunch along the way and enjoy the changing scenery beyond the best-known section of the Ha Giang route. Overnight in the Bao Lac area.

Day 19: Bao Lac to Ba Be Lake

Estimated ride: About 160–200 km; allow 6–8 hours including breaks.

Ride from Bao Lac toward Ba Be through northern hills, villages and river valleys. The day offers a quieter atmosphere after the exposed passes of Ha Giang, with opportunities to stop for food and photographs along the route.

Arrive in the Ba Be Lake area and settle in for your final night outside Hanoi. A boat trip is possible only if arranged in advance and if arrival time and local conditions permit; it should not be assumed as part of the package. Overnight near Ba Be Lake.

Day 20: Ba Be Lake to Hanoi

Estimated ride: About 240–270 km; allow 7–9 hours including breaks and traffic.

Begin the final ride south toward Hanoi. The route gradually shifts from lake and countryside scenery to busier roads closer to the capital. Take regular breaks so the last stage remains comfortable after nineteen days of travel.

Arrive in Hanoi at the agreed finish point and time. Your guide will confirm the arrival plan in advance, including luggage and onward travel arrangements where applicable. The 20-day Saigon to Hanoi motorcycle journey ends here.