14-Day North Vietnam Scooter Adventure: Hanoi to Ha Giang Loop and Culinary Exploration

Day 1: Hanoi Cultural Immersion

Hanoi, Vietnam on June 29, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Pho Gia Truyen

Start your morning with an authentic bowl of Pho, the famous Vietnamese noodle soup, at Pho Gia Truyen, open from 7am to 10am, known for its rich broth and traditional flavors.
VND60000, 1h

9:30am

Explore Old Quarter by Scooter

Begin your journey by scootering through the bustling streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, taking in French colonial architecture, street vendors, and vibrant local life.
Free, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at Bun Cha Huong Lien

Enjoy classic Bun Cha, grilled pork with noodles and herbs, at Bun Cha Huong Lien, famed from President Obama’s visit. The eatery is open from 10am to 9pm.
VND70000, 1h

1:30pm

Visit Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple

Relax and explore the scenic Hoan Kiem Lake and its historic Ngoc Son Temple, both open to visitors all day, perfect for a peaceful afternoon stroll.
VND30000, 1h

3:00pm

Cycling to West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda

Ride around Hanoi’s largest lake and visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi, open until 5pm for sightseeing.
VND20000, 1h30m

6:00pm

Dinner at Quan An Ngon

Dine on a variety of authentic Vietnamese street food in a beautiful colonial-style setting. Open till 10pm, it’s perfect for sampling Hanoi’s culinary delights.
VND150000, 1h30m
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Day 2: Start Ha Giang Loop

Hanoi to Ha Giang, Vietnam on June 30, 2025

7:00am

Early Breakfast at Cafe Dinh

Grab a quick coffee and traditional Vietnamese breakfast to energize for the scooter trip. Open from 6am.
VND40000, 45m

8:00am

Ride from Hanoi to Ha Giang City

Begin your 300 km ride north on the scenic route to Ha Giang, expect around 6–7 hours including stops for photos and fuel.
Fuel approx. VND150000, 7h

3:30pm

Check-in and Relax

Arrive in Ha Giang city, check into a local guesthouse and rest before the next day’s adventures.
VND300000, 1h

6:00pm

Dinner at Ha Giang Night Market

Sample local mountain cuisine such as grilled pork, sticky rice, and corn wine at the bustling night market open till 9pm.
VND100000, 1h
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Day 3: Ha Giang Loop Day 1: Ha Giang to Du Gia

Ha Giang Province, Vietnam on July 1, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Local Eatery

Enjoy traditional Vietnamese breakfast including banh mi and tea before heading out on the loop.
VND50000, 30m

8:00am

Scooter ride to Quan Ba and Twin Mountains

Ride to Quan Ba to see the iconic Twin Mountains; stunning karst landscapes and ethnic villages along the way. The area is open all day.
Free, 2h

11:00am

Ride to Du Gia village

Continue riding to Du Gia, known for its peaceful countryside and local minority ethnic cultures; great for photography and interaction with locals.
Fuel approx. VND40000, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch at Du Gia Guesthouse

Enjoy home-cooked meals with fresh local ingredients, such as wild vegetables and mountain herbs.
VND80000, 1h

2:00pm

Trek to Du Gia Waterfalls

Explore nearby waterfalls with a light trek through lush forest paths, open all day.
Free, 1h30m

5:00pm

Relax at Guesthouse

Unwind at your guesthouse, interact with locals, and enjoy the serene mountain setting.
Included, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Guesthouse

Savor traditional dishes including rice wine and grilled mountain chicken, providing an authentic ethnic experience.
VND90000, 1h
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Day 4: Ha Giang Loop Day 2: Du Gia to Dong Van

Ha Giang Province, Vietnam on July 2, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Du Gia Guesthouse

Fuel up with freshly prepared local breakfast before departing for the next stage.
VND50000, 30m

8:00am

Scooter ride to Yen Minh

Navigate through scenic mountain roads to Yen Minh, stopping to admire the characteristic limestone formations.
Fuel approx. VND60000, 2h

10:30am

Visit Lung Cu Flag Tower

Climb to the top of Lung Cu Flag Tower, Vietnam’s northernmost point, for spectacular views and cultural significance.
VND20000, 1h

12:00pm

Lunch at Cen Tu Restaurant, Dong Van

Enjoy specialties like thang co (a local horse meat stew) and fried rice at a well-rated spot in Dong Van town.
VND120000, 1h

1:30pm

Explore Dong Van Old Town

Walk the ancient streets of this ethnic minority town, with French architecture and vibrant markets. Open all day.
Free, 1h30m

3:30pm

Visit Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark

Discover unique landscapes and geological formations in this UNESCO Global Geopark, accessible throughout daylight hours.
VND30000, 2h

6:00pm

Dinner at local eatery in Dong Van

Try local grilled meats and corn wine, enjoying the lively atmosphere of the town center. Open till 9pm.
VND90000, 1h
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Day 5: Ha Giang Loop Day 3: Dong Van to Meo Vac

Ha Giang Province, Vietnam on July 3, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Dong Van Guesthouse

Take fuel for the day with a light breakfast featuring fresh fruits and local bread.
VND40000, 30m

8:30am

Ride along Ma Pi Leng Pass

Experience one of Vietnam's most stunning mountain roads with breathtaking views over Nho Que River Canyon, open all day.
Free, 2h

11:00am

Visit Meo Vac Market

Explore the vibrant weekly market (if it's the market day), or visit local villages nearby to observe daily life.
Free, 1h

12:00pm

Lunch at Meo Vac Local Eatery

Enjoy indigenous dishes with ethnic herbs and mountain vegetables, a great way to savor local flavors.
VND70000, 1h

2:00pm

Short trek near Meo Vac

Explore nearby hill tribe villages by foot, immersing in culture and nature, accessible at any time.
Free, 2h

6:00pm

Dinner at Homestay

Enjoy dinner prepared by your homestay hosts for an authentic local experience with homemade rice wine.
VND80000, 1h
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Day 6: Ha Giang Loop Day 4: Meo Vac to Ha Giang City

Ha Giang Province, Vietnam on July 4, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Homestay

Eat a hearty breakfast with local specialties to prepare for the return journey.
Included, 30m

8:00am

Scooter ride back to Ha Giang City

Return along the scenic route, stopping to capture landscape photographs and visit local markets en route.
Fuel approx. VND80000, 4h

1:00pm

Lunch at Ha Giang Restaurant

Dine on classic dishes from the region, such as grilled buffalo meat and local vegetables.
VND90000, 1h

3:00pm

Rest and Scooter Maintenance

Rest at your hotel and perform necessary scooter maintenance to ensure a smooth trip back.
VND200000, 2h

6:00pm

Dinner at Coc Ca Restaurant

Sample northern Vietnamese cuisine with peaceful local ambiance, open till 9pm.
VND120000, 1h30m
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Day 7: Return Journey to Hanoi

Ha Giang to Hanoi, Vietnam on July 5, 2025

7:00am

Early Breakfast at Hotel

Enjoy a filling breakfast before the long scooter ride south to Hanoi.
Included, 30m

7:30am

Scooter Ride Ha Giang to Hanoi

Travel back the approximately 300 km to Hanoi, taking breaks as needed, expect about 7 hours.
Fuel approx. VND150000, 7h

3:30pm

Check-in at Hanoi Hotel

Settle back into Hanoi, relax and prepare for the final days of your trip.
VND400000, 1h

6:30pm

Dinner at Cha Ca La Vong

Taste Hanoi’s specialty, grilled fish with turmeric and dill, in a historic restaurant open until 10pm.
VND160000, 1h
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Day 8: Hanoi Food & Culture Day

Hanoi, Vietnam on July 6, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Banh Mi 25

Try the famous Vietnamese baguette sandwich with a variety of fillings, open from early morning.
VND30000, 30m

9:00am

Visit Temple of Literature

Explore Vietnam’s first university established in 1070 and admire traditional architecture, open 8am to 5pm.
VND30000, 1h30m

11:00am

Coffee Break at Giang Cafe

Relax with a cup of iconic egg coffee in this historic café, open all day.
VND40000, 30m

12:00pm

Lunch at Cha Ca Thang Long

Enjoy Hanoi’s famed cha ca (turmeric fish) dish in a traditional setting, serving lunch daily.
VND140000, 1h

2:00pm

Visit Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Discover the diverse cultures of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, museum open from 8am to 5:30pm.
VND40000, 2h

5:30pm

Stroll and Shopping at Dong Xuan Market

Browse local handicrafts, textiles, and souvenirs in northern Vietnam’s largest market, closing around 7pm.
Free, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Bun Thang Ba Duc

Sample bun thang, a delicate chicken noodle soup loved in Hanoi, open till 9pm.
VND70000, 1h
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Day 9: Day Trip to Tay Ho & Surrounds

Hanoi, Vietnam on July 7, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at The Hanoi Social Club

Enjoy a western-style breakfast with great coffee in a cozy atmosphere, open from 8am.
VND120000, 1h

9:30am

Scooter ride around West Lake

Explore the scenic West Lake area visiting Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda, open till 5pm.
VND20000, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at Sen Tay Ho

Savor Vietnamese vegetarian dishes with lake views, open daily till 10pm.
VND130000, 1h

2:00pm

Relax at West Lake Coffee Shops

Enjoy a leisurely afternoon with a café stop and lakeside stroll.
VND30000, 2h

6:00pm

Dinner at Home Vietnamese Restaurant

Dine on refined northern Vietnamese dishes in a charming traditional house, open till 10pm.
VND150000, 1h30m
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Day 10: Explore Hanoi More or Day Relax

Hanoi, Vietnam on July 8, 2025

9:00am

Breakfast at Xoi Yen

Try Hanoi’s famous sticky rice with meat and egg, available from early morning.
VND35000, 30m

10:00am

Visit Hoa Lo Prison Museum

Learn about Vietnam’s history at this famous prison museum, open 8am–5pm.
VND30000, 1h

12:00pm

Lunch at Madame Hien

Enjoy a farm-to-table northern Vietnamese meal in a rustic setting, open until 9pm.
VND130000, 1h

2:00pm

Leisure afternoon or book a cooking class

Free time to relax or join a cooking class (typically 3-4h) to learn traditional dishes like pho or spring rolls.
VND1000000, 3h

7:00pm

Dinner at Quan An Ngon or similar

Opt for a casual dinner revisiting favorites or trying new street foods.
VND100000, 1h
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Day 11: Final Day: Shopping and Departure Prep

Hanoi, Vietnam on July 9, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Kafeville

Enjoy specialty coffee and light breakfast in a modern café, open 7am–9pm.
VND70000, 1h

9:30am

Last Minute Shopping at Hang Gai Street

Purchase silk products and souvenirs in Hanoi’s famous street, open all day.
Free, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at KOTO Restaurant

Support a social enterprise while enjoying great Vietnamese food; open 10am–9pm.
VND140000, 1h

2:00pm

Pack and Relax at Hotel

Prepare for departure rest and soak in last moments in Hanoi.
Free, 2h

6:30pm

Farewell Dinner at Home Restaurant

Celebratory meal with Northern regional specialties closing your adventure in a cozy setting.
VND150000, 1h30m
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Day 12: Departure

Hanoi, Vietnam on July 10, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

Early breakfast before heading to the airport or next destination.
Included, 30m

8:00am

Scooter ride or taxi to airport

Transfer to airport for onward travel.
VND200000 (taxi approx.), 1h
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