The 14 Best Motorcycle Routes In Vietnam For An Unforgettable Road Trip

Few things compare to the feeling of riding through Vietnam with the wind in your face and an ever-changing landscape rolling out in front of you. From the winding passes of Ha Giang to the ocean-hugging roads of the Hai Van Pass, each route brings a new kind of thrill—and a new story.

Along the way, you’ll pass rice terraces glowing in the sun, villages where time slows down, and roadside cafés serving strong coffee and even stronger conversations. I still remember pulling over just to watch the fog lift off a mountain ridge or to wave back at schoolkids cheering from the roadside.

If you’re craving a travel experience that feels raw, real, and deeply immersive, Vietnam by motorbike might just be your next great adventure. Ready to hit the road and see the country like few ever do? Let’s ride.

1. Ha Giang Loop: The Northern Frontier Marvel

Mountain passes that twist like dragons await on this legendary 350km circuit in Vietnam’s remote north. The limestone karsts and terraced rice fields create a landscape that feels almost otherworldly when viewed from your bike seat.

Local H’mong villages dot the route, offering authentic homestays where you can recharge with mountain herbs and rice wine. The Dong Van Karst Plateau’s UNESCO-recognized formations will make your jaw drop.

Did you know? The famous Ma Pi Leng Pass sits 1,500 meters above sea level, with sheer cliffs dropping to the Nho Que River below. Plan 3-5 days for this route, riding slowly to truly appreciate its magnificence.

2. The Ho Chi Minh Trail: Historic Adventure Path

Riding this historic supply route feels like traveling through living history. Once a vital North Vietnamese supply line during the war, today it offers riders a challenging mix of mountain passes, jungle roads, and remote villages.

The journey stretches roughly 1,000km from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, though most riders tackle sections rather than the entire length. Lush forests and dramatic valleys create a stunning backdrop throughout.

Remnants of war – from old bunkers to bomb craters – serve as somber reminders along certain stretches. The central highlands section through Kon Tum and Pleiku provides especially beautiful riding with fewer tourists.

3. Hai Van Pass: The Ocean Cloud Road

Made famous by Top Gear, this 21km mountain pass between Hue and Da Nang delivers breathtaking ocean views that will stop you in your tracks. The road climbs to nearly 500 meters, with the South China Sea sparkling blue on one side and lush mountains on the other.

Hairpin turns require careful navigation, but each bend reveals new postcard-worthy vistas. At the summit, French-built fortifications offer perfect spots for photos and refreshment breaks.

The name ‘Hai Van’ means ‘Ocean Cloud’ – and you’ll understand why when morning mists roll in, creating an ethereal atmosphere. This short but spectacular route can be completed in a few hours, though you’ll want to linger.

4. Northwest Loop: The Mountain Ethnic Experience

Venturing through Vietnam’s rugged northwest reveals a world of ethnic diversity and stunning highland scenery. Starting from Hanoi, this 1,000km loop takes you through Hoa Binh, Mai Chau, Son La, and the famous Sapa region.

Terraced rice fields cascade down mountainsides like giant green staircases, particularly breathtaking around harvest season. You’ll ride alongside the Red River through valleys where Thai, H’mong, and Dao communities maintain centuries-old traditions.

Fansipan, Indochina’s highest peak, looms majestically in the distance as you approach Sapa. Allow 7-10 days for this route, with plenty of stops in mountain villages where locals welcome travelers with warm hospitality.

5. Coastal Highway AH1: Vietnam’s Seaside Ribbon

Hugging Vietnam’s coastline for nearly 2,300km, Highway AH1 offers the ultimate beach-hopping adventure. The route connects Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, passing countless fishing villages, sandy coves, and bustling port towns.

Unlike the mountainous routes, this coastal highway provides relatively easy riding with gentle curves and good road conditions. Fresh seafood becomes your daily pleasure, pulled from the ocean and cooked before your eyes in roadside shacks.

The stretch between Nha Trang and Mui Ne features particularly stunning coastal scenery with white sand dunes and crystal waters. Plan for plenty of swimming breaks – just park your bike and dive into the inviting South China Sea!

6. Central Highlands: Coffee Country Expedition

If you love the aroma of coffee, this route through Vietnam’s Central Highlands will intoxicate your senses. Stretching from Dalat to Kon Tum, you’ll wind through endless coffee plantations that produce some of the world’s finest beans.

The cool highland climate offers welcome relief from Vietnam’s coastal heat. Red soil roads cut through hills covered in coffee bushes, with frequent elevation changes providing diverse riding conditions.

Ethnic minority villages of the Ede and M’nong people offer authentic cultural encounters far from tourist crowds. The route also passes spectacular waterfalls like Pongour and Elephant Falls, perfect for refreshing breaks. Plan 5-7 days to fully appreciate this aromatic journey.

7. Mekong Delta: The Water World Maze

Navigating the Mekong Delta by motorcycle reveals a fascinating water world where life revolves around the mighty river. Starting from Ho Chi Minh City, venture southwest into a network of roads that cross countless canals and rice paddies.

Unlike northern routes, the delta offers flat riding but compensates with cultural richness. Colorful floating markets at Cai Rang and Cai Be burst with tropical fruits and local goods, creating perfect photo opportunities.

Narrow concrete paths wind between waterways, leading to hidden villages where few tourists venture. The route through Ben Tre, known as the ‘coconut kingdom,’ is particularly charming. Allow 3-4 days to explore this region, where water and land seem to merge.

8. Cao Bang to Ban Gioc: Waterfall Wonderland

The journey from Cao Bang to Ban Gioc Waterfall offers some of Vietnam’s most pristine natural scenery. This 80km route winds through limestone mountains and traditional villages of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups.

Roads follow crystal-clear rivers that reflect the surrounding karst formations. The highlight awaits at the end – Ban Gioc Waterfall, Vietnam’s largest, thundering along the Chinese border in multiple tiers of white water and rainbow mist.

Make a detour to the turquoise Thang Hen Lake, surrounded by forest-covered peaks. This route can be done in a day, but an overnight stay in a local homestay allows you to see the waterfall at different times of day when tour buses aren’t around.

9. Dalat to Nha Trang: Highland to Coast Descent

Experience dramatic climate and landscape changes on this route connecting the cool pine forests of Dalat to the tropical beaches of Nha Trang. The 130km journey begins in Dalat’s highland coffee country at 1,500m elevation.

As you descend, watch the vegetation transform from alpine to tropical. Winding mountain roads gradually straighten as you approach the coast, with spectacular valley views throughout the descent.

Hidden gems along this route include the Chicken Village with its giant concrete rooster statue and the Yang Bay waterfall complex. The final stretch brings you to Nha Trang’s palm-lined beaches – a perfect reward after the mountain riding. This route can be completed in one full day.

10. Ninh Binh Countryside: The ‘Inland Ha Long Bay’

Ninh Binh’s limestone landscape has earned it the nickname ‘Ha Long Bay on land,’ and exploring it by motorcycle reveals hidden corners tour buses can’t reach. Just 100km south of Hanoi, this network of rural roads weaves between towering karst formations and lush rice paddies.

The route through Tam Coc and Trang An offers breathtaking scenery that featured in Hollywood films like ‘Kong: Skull Island.’ Ancient temples perched on limestone outcrops provide perfect rest stops with panoramic views.

Narrow concrete paths lead through rice fields where farmers tend crops beneath towering rock formations. This area can be explored in 1-2 days, with the nearby Cuc Phuong National Park offering an excellent extension for nature lovers.

11. Cat Ba Island Circuit: Maritime Mountain Mix

Though small, Cat Ba Island packs incredible diversity into its 140km² area, with a motorcycle route that combines coastal views and jungle-covered mountains. Reach the island via ferry from Hai Phong, then follow the main road that loops around its perimeter.

Dramatic limestone cliffs plunge into the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, creating vistas that rival any in Southeast Asia. The interior climb to the island’s highest peak offers challenging switchbacks and panoramic views of the bay’s famous karst islands.

Hidden beaches accessible only by motorbike provide perfect swimming spots away from crowds. The entire island can be circumnavigated in a day, but allow 2-3 days to fully appreciate its natural wonders and explore the national park trails.

12. Kon Tum to Quang Ngai: The Secret Mountain Passage

Few foreign riders discover this spectacular route connecting the Central Highlands to the coast via Highway 24. Starting in Kon Tum’s coffee country, the road descends through changing ecosystems and ethnic minority territories.

Ancient Bahnar and Jarai villages with traditional communal houses (rong) dot the mountainsides. As you descend, dense forests give way to tropical plantations of rubber and cassava.

The road follows the Po Ko River before crossing the mighty Truong Son mountain range. This 200km journey offers solitude rarely found on Vietnam’s more popular routes. You’ll encounter minimal tourist infrastructure, so pack accordingly and embrace the authentic experience of rural Vietnam.

13. Mui Ne Sand Dunes: Desert Mirage Route

Riding the coastal roads around Mui Ne reveals an unexpected landscape – massive sand dunes that could be mistaken for the Sahara. This 60km circuit from Mui Ne town takes you through fishing villages before reaching the spectacular red and white sand dunes.

Morning rides offer the best experience, with sunrise casting golden light across the rippling sand formations. The route alternates between coastal stretches with ocean views and inland sections where desert-like conditions create a surreal atmosphere.

Don’t miss the Fairy Stream, where a shallow red-tinted creek flows between white and orange rock formations. This route can be completed in half a day, making it perfect for riders based in Mui Ne who want a shorter adventure.

14. Y Ty Cloud Hunter’s Path: The Sky Road

For those seeking Vietnam’s most remote and spectacular mountain scenery, the road to Y Ty delivers beyond expectations. Located near the Chinese border, this route climbs to over 2,000 meters through the Hoang Lien Son range.

Riding above the clouds becomes a literal experience as morning mist fills the valleys below. The road quality varies dramatically, with some sections requiring serious off-road skills, especially during rainy season.

H’mong villages cling to impossibly steep slopes, where residents cultivate terraced fields that seem to defy gravity. This challenging 250km loop from Lao Cai demands experienced riding but rewards with Vietnam’s most dramatic mountain panoramas and authentic cultural encounters.