2015 North Vietnam Fly and Ride

"The most difficult times for many of us are the ones we give ourselves..." - Pema Chodron

(Mu Cang Chai highest point)

North Vietnam Fly & Ride
(20 - 27 November 2015)

This was our third fly and ride trip so far... 

The first time was in January 2014 where we took a flight to Denpasar, Bali and rented a motocycle for the Bali Island Adventure Ride with eight others bikers. 

The second time was in March 2015 for the Borneo Ride where we transported our motorcycle to Kota Kinabalu via MASCargo and rode from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah to Kuching, Sarawak passing through Brunei with 17 other bikers.

For this fly and ride trip, we went for a 5-day North Vietnam riding tour on rented motorcycles with six other bikers, taking the route from Hanoi, Bac Ha, Sa Pa, Tu Le then back to Hanoi covering a total distance of 956 km. In Hanoi, on the last day we took a day tour by bus to Ha Long Bay famous for its emerald colored waters and thousands of towering limestone islands. 

The adventure was worthwhile, the experience priceless....

North Vietnam Ride Itinerary:

01 KL - Hanoi
02 Hanoi - Bac Ha
03 Bac Ha - Sa Pa
04 Sa Pa
05 Sa Pa - Tu Le
06 Tu Le - Hanoi
07 Ha Long Bay

(The gang: Zali, Bangcik, Pokdeng/Aizan, Mus/Mun and Topek/Ju)

(Our easy rider in Vietnam, Honda VT 400)

Next Trip: 2015 Q4 4-Nation Ride

2015 Vietnam: 01 KL – Hanoi, Vietnam👉

2015 Vietnam Ride: 01 KL - Hanoi

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta

(Our Nolans, ready to fly)

Day 01: KL - Hanoi
Date: Friday, 20 Nov 2015

It was drizzling when we drove from our Bidara House to Nilai where we left our 4x4 at Zali's house for a week. At the KLIA2 we group checked in and boarded the 06:00hrs flight to Hanoi.

(Hanoi International Airport)

(Welcome to Hanoi)

(A group photo at the Arrival Hall)

The Air Asia 3-hour flight journey was spent napping after we had the in-flight breakfast. We reached Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi around 10:00hrs local time, we were greeted by our tour guide, Mr. Dennis. It was a 30-minute drive from the airport to Parkson Hotel in Hanoi.

(Our lodging in Hanoi Old Quarter)

(Final checks on our rented bikes)

(A session with the local children)

(The railway bridge crossing the Red River)

As it was still early to check in, we went to have a look at our rented motorbikes at the warehouse and rode the bikes back to town. We had lunch at Little India, an Indian Halal restaurant, a short walking distance from our hotel.

(Using Vietnamese Dong at Little India)

(The Pedestrian Streets all lighted up)

The afternoon was spent napping in the hotel room. At night we walked along the pedestrian streets of Hanoi Old Quarter and visited Hanoi weekend Night Marķet.

(Street foods of local delicacies)

(Tasting the varieties of good Vietnamese Coffee)

(Buying souvenirs at the Night Market)

         2015 Vietnam: 02 Hanoi - Bac Ha, Vietnam👉

👈2015 Vietnam: North Vietnam Fly & Ride

2015 Vietnam Ride: 02 Hanoi - Bac Ha

“Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind...” – Seneca

(Jalur Gemilang @ Parkson Hotel, Hanoi)

Day 02: Hanoi - Bac Ha
Date: Saturday, 21 November 2015
Distance: 300 km

It was raining very heavily early in the morning.

We had breakfast and waited for the rain to stop. It was still drizzling when we walked dripping wet to the Hanoi Easy Rider office, bringing our luggage for the riding trip with us.

(The start of the journey) 

(Riding in the busy morning traffic)

(Wet and slippery road, beware of cattle crossing )

Our rented bikes, 2 easy riders, a scooter and 2 trail bikes were ready for use. Before we started riding, we wrapped our luggage with water-proof clear plastic and secured them with rubber ropes. We rode out of Hanoi in the early traffic led by Mr. Long, the tour leader, accompanied by his three jovial assistants, Mr. Ha, Mr. Dung and Mr. Dennis.

(A short coffee break somewhere outside town)

(Riding on the trunk road @ 60km/hr)

(A convoy of eight bikes)

(The bikes taking a rest)

It was drizzling in the morning and the road was wet and slippery. When the rain stopped, it was hot and humid. We rode towards Yen Bai about 150 km away and stopped for coffee break and photo opportunities at some nice view points before we stopped for lunch at a road-side restaurant before reaching Yen Bai town.

(The roads are mostly narrow but in good condition)

(Refueling and brief checks on the bikes) 

(Lunch stop, tasting local dishes)

(Tea stop at one of the look-out points)

We passed through small villages, paddy fields and corn farms and had to be wary of animals on the road. We stopped at a few more viewpoints then continued our journey to Bac Ha through the mountainous landscape.

(The change in terrain, from flat to mountainous)

(Climbing the steep slopes to Bac Ha)

(Stopping for a brief off-roading thrill)

It was already dark when we arrived at Hotel Thien Thanh in Bac Ha. After we checked-in, we walked to a nearby restaurant to have a late dinner. The shops were already closing when we went for a stroll around town.

(Getting ready for a late dinner in town)

     2015 Vietnam: 03 Bac Ha - Sa Pa, Vietnam👉

👈2015 Vietnam: 01 KL – Hanoi, Vietnam

2015 Vietnam Ride: 03 Bac Ha - Sa Pa

“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before...” – Dalai Lama

(Bac Ha town and mountainous surrounding)

Day 03: Bac Ha - Sa Pa
Date: Sunday, 22 November 2015
Distance: 120 km

We got up early and had our own breakfast at the lobby.

This morning we visited the famous Bac Ha Sunday Market. It is the largest and most colourful market in the area and attracts throngs of villagers from the surrounding hill tribes. Here they trade and barter food, animals, clothes and household goods. We had the opportunity to meet with native H'mong Chinese people dressed in colourful tribal attires.

(Getting ready to go to the market place)

(Eating vibrant coloured sticky rice with pounded peanuts and salt)

(Colourful hand-crafted souvenirs)

(The handicrafts of H'mong people)

(A lady selling varieties of local fruits)

(The gang taking a rest in the bazaar)

(Buffaloes trading done on top of the hill)

(A meeting place for H'mong girls)

(Pretty H'mong girls in traditional dresses)

After we visited the market and bought some local souvenirs, we walked quite a distance away from town centre to visit Palais de Hoang A Tuong, the King of H'mong Palace.

(Motorbikes as the main mode of transport)

(The colourful buildings in Bac Ha town)

(Visiting the King's Palace)

(Passing through an old temple)

We checked out of the hotel around noon then rode out of town. We stopped for a light lunch at a roadside restaurant and rode to Lao Chai, the Vietnam/China border town. When we reached the border town our bike experienced a puncture and needed to be fixed. Meanwhile we had a strong cup of Vietnamese coffee and snacks and took some pictures of China from across the border.

(Ready to ride out of Bac Ha)

(Our luggage secured in plastic bags)

(Riding in close convoy through mountainous terrain)

(Lao Chai, the Vietnam/China border town)

(Having Vietnamese coffee at the border)

(Climbing higher into Sa Pa)

(Steep and narrow road uphill)

We reached Sa Pa early and had a short rest after we checked-in Sa Pa Paradise Hotel. Around 19:00hrs we went around town but could not find any Muslim restaurant. Finally we had seafood dishes of sweet sour fish and calamari with omelette and mixed vegetables for dinner.

(A cozy clean hotel in Sa Pa)

(Enjoying the cool mountainous climate)

(Visiting souvenir shops lining the streets)

(A beautiful full moon in the sky)

After a good hour of strolling and souvenir shopping, some of us had foot massage Vietnamese style for an hour.

Tonight the weather was cool and chilly in Sa Pa.

(Foot massage, wrapped in thick blanket)

    2015 Vietnam: 04 Sa Pa, Vietnam👉

👈2015 Vietnam: 02 Hanoi - Bac Ha, Vietnam