Nouveau tour, cette fois-ci du coté du lac Thac Ba (nord-est de Hanoi) et plus haut. Route Hanoi-Son Tay-Thac Ba-Vu Linh. Comme je m’y attendais au vu de photos, le lac Thac Ba ne m’a pas enthousiasmé du tout. J’ai passé 2 nuits dans une bonne maison d’hôtes dans le village de Phuc An, 13 km au nord de Vu Linh, celle de M. Thanh ; deux grandes maisons Tay sur pilotis, une salle à manger et une dortoir, et on y mange très bien. Seul problème, les propriétaires ne parlent que le viet.
Ensuite, un régal : l’écolodge Green Vietnam (nha ngi Ba Quang) à Xa Bin Xa à 31 km au nord de Tuyen Quang. C’est dans une grande ferme de pamplemoussiers et citronniers, avec une grande maison sur pilotis salle à manger, deux maisons sur pilotis avec dortoir + petites chambres, et 3 bungalows, le tout disséminés à flanc de colline au milieu des arbres fruitiers. Très beau cadre et calme intégral. J’avais prévu une nuit et suis resté 4, avec aucune envie de retourner dans le bruit de Hanoi.
Natif de la région, le jeune propriétaire M. Quang parle bien anglais (sa femme Huyen également) et est passionnant, pleins d’idées, bon joueur de guitare, et cultivé, un vrai plaisir de bavarder avec lui. C’est un idéaliste qui met son idéal en action : il a développé le projet Green Vietnam pour encourager les locaux des environs à pratiquer une culture bio et pour créer des emplois. Résultat : depuis 2007, il a créé 11 fermes bio employant une dizaine de familles et une centaine de saisonniers pour les semences et les récoltes.
Pas facile à trouver ; de Hanoi, il faut prendre la route 2 direction Ha Giang ; à 31 km au nord de Tuyen Quang, tourner à droite sur la No 190 direction Chiem Hoa ; 6 km et vous traversez le pont Cau Bo ; tout de suite après, route 189 à gauche, direction Xa Ban Xa ; tourner à droite au T pour traverser le village et restez sur votre gauche à la fourche à la sortie du village ; tourner à droite sur petite chemin bétonné 4,5 km après Ban Xa ; si vous êtes perdus, demander «Nha (se prononce « nia ») BA QUANG ».
Les 2 petits chemins devant l’écolodge sont très sympas pour marcher. Si vous retournez sur la 190 et ournez à gauche direction Chiem Hoa, 4 km avant Chiem Hoa, sur la gauche (grand panneau), une chouette petite route de montagne vous conduit aux très belles chutes de Thac Ban Ba (60 km de l’écolodge aux chutes ; ça fait une très agréable balade d’une journée). En parlant de petites routes, je suis étonné à chaque fois que je « taille la piste » de tomber partout sur des petites routes de montagne goudronnées impeccable et des chemins bétonnés entre les villages ; c’est du beau travail !
Ha Giang n’est qu’à 130 km, donc c’est une étape idéale pour ceux qui ne veulent pas faire l’ennuyeuse route Ha Giang-Hanoi dans la journée.
Méfiez-vous de la vie, car les ratés ne vous rateront pas!
Merci Jacques pour ton partage,
Il faut absolument qu'on y revienne.....
Amitiés
Michèle
Michèle
http://mjm-nosvoyages.blogspot.fr/ Ethopie 2020-Birmanie 2017-New York 2015-Sicile 2015-Ouest américain 2015/16/17/18/19 - Madrid/Barcelone - Cinq Terre 2017-Prague 2018-Venise 2019
http://surlarouteasiatique.blogspot.fr/ 2014 : périple de 9 mois Cambodge, Laos, Vietnam et ouest Américain
Merci à nouveau pour ce nouveau récit. Tu m'avais déjà déconseillé le Lac Thac Ba une fois mais le coin trouve ce jour plus d'intérêt avec ce que tu nous décrit .
Juste un détail tu écris ....lac Thac Ba Nord-Est de Hanoi" . Il s'agit du Nord-Ouest😉
Tuyen Quang as tu trouvé des vestiges de cette page de gloire des képis blancs
Je connais tres bien la region du lac Tnac Ba et celld de Tuyen Quang. Fallait rester un peu plus, il y a un tas de choses a decouvrir !!!
Nouveau tour pour vous, meme Vu Ling - green vietnam c ezt presque du classique maintenant. A completer par la superbe cascade de Thac Ban Ba et un superbe la dont je tairais le nom parce que c est mon jardin secret.
Pour aller a Thac Ba, preferable de passer par Son Duong, u petit Cao Bang avec ses nombreux karsts.
Mais... j'ai passé un jour à tourner en moto dans les montagnes à l'est de Vu Linh (joli sans plus) ; je suis allé à la cascade de Thac Ban Ba (comme écrit), pas à l'autre parce que j'avais vraiment besoin de me reposer (donc un jour à lire et dormir au Green Vietnam), et je suis bien rentré par la route 2C (Song Duong); une belle portion mais ça ne vaut tout de meme pas la route des chutes de Ban Gioc !
HENON : désolé mais pas d'accord ! ce qu'on appelle le Nord-ouest est la région longeant le nord-ouest du Laos (Mai Chau-Son La-DBP)
Méfiez-vous de la vie, car les ratés ne vous rateront pas!
D'accord si tu avais écris N.E. du Viet Nam ou N.E. du Tonkin . Pas d'accord quand il est écrit que le lac est au NE de Hanoi. !! peu importe c 'était pour aider le lecteur à situer ta dernière randonnée sur une carte. Le plus important est ce que tu nous as rapporté.
Eric
Cherche coéquipier (ère) pour balade moto en Nord Vietnam courant Novembre et +... pourquoi pas... Cette partie du monde est magnifique, vraiment. Et la…
Du 25 mars au 11 avril prochain, nous serons au Vietnam et nous aimerions obtenir des opinions concernant un itinéraire de scooter que nous aimerions faire…
Je souhaiterai pouvoir m'assurer pour conduire une moto au vietnam. Moto de cylindrée inférieure ou égale à 125 cm3. Je recherche une assurance spécifique qui…
Je prépare un voyage de 18 à 20 jours au vietnam pour le mois de janvier 2021 ou 2022 (suivant l'évolution du covid. pour commencer notre style de voyage c'est…
Je suis bientot au Vietnam du sud je vais vister le delta du Mekong a moto connaissez vous des bon spots pas trop touristique et peu cher merci Djhayle
I just realized I’ve been registered on VoyageForum since... March 28, 2012 😊. Yet, I’ve barely participated until now.
August 1, 2026, will mark a somewhat special milestone: 5 years on the road.
We left Switzerland on August 1, 2021 with a simple idea: let chance decide our direction. We placed a bottle of wine on a world map, spun it... and it chose our first destination.
A year later, when we arrived in Morocco, we faced a new choice: continue toward Africa or head to Asia. This time, a tarot card game made the decision. Since then, we’ve tried to keep this journey as open to the unexpected as possible.
Today, that adds up to about 120,000 km, 46 countries, and over 1,800 days on the road—mostly by motorcycle, but also by sailboat, train, bus, hitchhiking, or on foot when adventure calls.
Our guiding thread isn’t just the motorcycle, but service exchanges. Instead of simply passing through countries, we try to stop regularly to lend a hand to the people we meet. So far, that’s about 600 days of volunteering.
Over the years, we’ve:
renovated a house in Croatia
made earth bricks in the Moroccan desert
helped sail a boat through the Greek islands
looked after houses, dogs, horses, a camel... and lots of other animals
worked at a street art festival in Morocco
created videos for local associations and projects
worked the grape harvest on the Tibetan plateau
been accredited as "media" for the World Nomad Games in Central Asia
Some of the moments that have stuck with us the most include six months in China, a night spent on the Great Wall, the Pamir Highway, the Silk Road, three months in Taiwan, and the incredible encounters in the mountains of Central Asia.
We travel on Falkor, our lucky dragon—a 2014 BMW F800GS that’s been with us since the start and is starting to have some great stories of its own.
While we share our adventure on Instagram, Polarsteps, and YouTube, that’s not why we’re here. The forum’s rules about promotion are clear, and I totally get them. If I’m finally taking the time to write, it’s mostly because after five years on the road, I thought our experience might be useful to other travelers.
Happy to chat about:
preparing for a long motorcycle trip
visas and borders
the Silk Road and Central Asia
riding in China (with or without a motorcycle)
volunteering and service exchanges while traveling
gear, daily life on the road... or just the unexpected moments that make long-term travel so special
Looking forward to swapping stories and hearing about your adventures too! 😊 Greetings from Thailand, and happy to chat! ✌️
Hi there! My daughter and I are heading to Malta and I’d love to rent a scooter. Does anyone know any good places to rent from and what the budget would be for a week?
Hello, I’m retired and planning a roughly 3-week motorcycle trip (1200gs). The dates aren’t set in stone yet, and everything’s open to discussion—I’m pretty flexible with the planning.
I’d like to ride from Mahajanga to Morondava, sticking as close to the coast as possible—using roads and tracks—in September 2026. If you’ve got any suggestions, let me know! 😉
hi
planning to ride through Rajasthan on a motorcycle in January 2027 and I’d love to hear about the road conditions.
I’ll be riding with a buddy on a Royal Enfield that I’ll rent in Delhi.
Thanks for your tips!
hi there
I’m planning a 3-week motorcycle road trip in Rajasthan, renting a Royal Enfield in Delhi in January 2027.
I’d love to get some tips on a fun itinerary and hear your thoughts on the roads up north.
I’ve ridden a motorcycle in southern India—Kochi to Madurai—about 10 years ago.
Thanks for sharing your experience, and I’m all ears for any great tips you’ve got!
Best regards
hi there
I’d like to ride the RN 12 by motorcycle in September.
I’d love to know the main challenges—I ride a 300cc and do enduro in France.
Thanks for your tips!
I’m planning a motorcycle road trip to Armenia and Georgia in September 2026 or May 2027. I’m looking for one or more riders (male or female) who’d like to explore these countries with me.
Along the way, we’ll visit Cappadocia, the capitals Yerevan, Tbilisi, Sofia, Skopje, and other cities—we can finalize the route and roadbook later.
This trip requires experience with long motorcycle journeys, as we’ll cover around 7,000 km over 5 or 6 weeks (or more, depending on sightseeing and time spent).
I don’t expect dozens of applicants, since motorcycle riders are few and far between on this forum, but I’m putting this out there anyway.
I’m starting to think about a trip that’s really close to my heart: Algeria by motorcycle, specifically the southern part of the country. It’d be for January 2025, and I’ve got two main questions:
Is it possible for an individual on a motorcycle to travel freely, outside of any organized tour, or does the regulation require some kind of supervision in the Algerian Sahara region?
Is the Hoggar massif accessible by road or by (rideable) tracks?
Beyond the official recommendations, I’m really looking for your firsthand experiences.
Thanks so much for your answers, and sorry if my questions are a bit newbie!
Hi, I’d like to take a 15-day "break" to get away from the surrounding hustle and bustle.
Why not explore the Peloponnese!
I’m not particularly drawn to museums, ruins, or monuments.
I want to experience local life—small villages, seaside spots, beaches, and the interior if the landscapes are extraordinary.
Ideally, coming from Athens, I’d take a bus or train to get as close as possible to a starting point, then rent a scooter (125cc) to explore by taking secondary roads or even coastal paths. I’d stay in 2-3 places for a few days each to discover their surroundings.
Do a loop.
What do you think would be the ideal itinerary?
From Athens, the best option would be to take either a flight or a bus to Kalamata. Rent a scooter and head either west or east. Is there a tertiary road (very lightly trafficked) or a path where I can ride slowly, take it easy, and enjoy the scenery without being bothered by traffic? I’d like to go all the way to Monemvasia, still hugging the coast. I need to find a way to avoid returning to Kalamata to drop off the scooter and catch a flight—maybe a small town where the train stops so I can head back to Athens.
Thanks in advance for your tips.
I want to rent an off-road style motorcycle to get around the coast during my trip to Ecuador. I’m only finding options in Quito. Do you have any suggestions for me?
Hi there,
I’m planning a sidecar trip to South America for 4 or 5 months at the end of this year.
I’m looking for info on shipping my vehicle by sea—possibly to Uruguay or another destination, as I haven’t finalized anything yet.
How do you get visas for the countries I’ll be crossing: Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, and Chile? Are they e-Visas, obtained at the border, or through embassies?
Where can I get vehicle insurance?
Lastly, if any bikers want to join us (my partner and me), we’re open to that possibility too.
Patrick
I’ve got 15 days off in June and I’m pretty undecided about where to go for a motorcycle road trip. Two strong desires are pulling me in different directions: Corsica or Norway.
Corsica has been a dream of mine for a long time: legendary roads, stunning landscapes, a unique vibe, and the perfect mix of sea and mountains. At the same time, I’m wondering if 2 weeks might be *too much* for Corsica—risking feeling like I’ve seen it all too quickly, especially on a bike.
Since I also have an extra week free in May, I could use that specifically for Corsica. Maybe splitting it into two trips would make more sense? If so, which routes or regions would be the most interesting to plan for a 7-day trip?
On the other hand, Norway is *super* appealing. The landscapes look incredible, totally different from anything I’ve experienced, and it’d be a real “wow” trip. I know 15 days is still short for such a vast country. Getting all the way to the North Cape seems pretty much impossible in that time, but I’m curious about what realistic routes could be planned.
So I’m wondering:
Is it better to save Norway for next year, take 3 weeks off, and do it *properly*?
Or are 15 days enough for a first amazing taste of the country?
I’d love to hear about your experiences—whether it’s Corsica (ideal duration, routes) or Norway (what’s realistic in 2 weeks on a bike).
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Hello,
I'm thinking of buying a used small motorcycle to travel around the country for a month and a half.
I've done this in other countries without putting the registration in my name—is that possible in Guinea given the apparently frequent checks, or do I have to go through the paperwork?
Thanks.
Hello,
My dream is to ride Route 66 by motorcycle. I have a disability—while I’m not in a wheelchair, my walking mobility is reduced.
The ideal scenario would be to have a motorcycle driver and ride as their passenger on an organized trip.
Are there any guides or services like this offered by travel agencies?
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Hello,
I’ve got a plan with a friend to go on a motorcycle road trip in 2028 or 2029, starting in Santiago de Chile and ending in Ushuaia, for about a month.
Has anyone done a trip like this before, and what’s the best time of year?
I’ve heard there can be quite a bit of wind depending on the season.
Thanks for any tips!
Cheers,
PA
I'm seriously considering heading to Nepal to do some nice motorcycle loops... my goal is also to do the Kailash Yatra round trip from Kathmandu, in a small group with a guide, in May '26... but here's the thing—I'm solo! So if you're up for sharing a similar adventure, hit me up... Cheers, Frankoys
It's all in the title: I'm heading to Krabi soon and want to rent a scooter for a few weeks, but after reading comments about all kinds of scams, I'm reaching out to ask where and how (read: *the right way*) to rent one.
Thanks for your tips and advice.
Hello everyone! Like every year, a winter migration is on the horizon (revised plan): this time, it’ll be Dakar, or even Abidjan, via Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal.
Looking for an experienced motorcyclist or pillion rider—small build preferred—on a GSA 1250 with a comfy seat and luggage setup, available from early November to late December 2025. I’d like to plan the trip together (important to me) to make sure we’re on the same wavelength.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Didier
Looking for travel companions to ride from France to Senegal by motorcycle.
I’m Paul, 37, and I’ve already done a bit of riding in Morocco.
For now, I’m solo, riding a 1998 SUZUKI DR 650 with some basic gear to keep things smooth. I’ll have a tent so we can do a few nights under the stars.
We’ll need to coordinate departure dates—"ideally in November."
I’m currently checking out routes to take. Any tips would be welcome! :)
I’m heading to Vietnam and Laos with a buddy next week for a month.
We’re thinking of renting motorbikes, especially to do the Ha Giang Loop. We don’t have an international license, just our Belgian one. Is that enough? If not, is it risky?
In November, we’re planning to do the Ha Giang loop and the RC4 by motorbike without a guide. 😎
We’re looking for a decent place to stay/rent in Ha Giang.
If anyone has any info, we’d be really interested.
Hello! We’re planning a motorcycle trip that will include a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau in June 2026.
We’re unsure (still debating) whether we should stay at a hotel on-site and get to the memorial with an Uber (leaving our bikes at the hotel) and book a guided tour, or base ourselves in Kraków and take a tour that includes transport.
One thing’s for sure—we’d prefer a guide in French since we don’t speak English 😅.
Could you share your experiences or advice?
I understand we need to book online rather than on-site.
Thanks in advance for your replies!
Hello,
Next October we’re planning to ride the Ruta de la Plata by motorcycle—a historic Spanish route that runs from Gijón to Seville, also known as the N630.
Has anyone here already ridden it?
Unfortunately, I’m worried that parts of the N630 may have disappeared or merged with the A66 motorway, forcing us to ride long stretches of highway, which we’d rather avoid.
Thanks in advance for any tips or details about this route!
Hi there!
I’m currently planning a 9-day route starting from Marrakech with my husband. We land on the morning of June 13th—so soon! 😊
And we’re flying back to France on June 21st at 9 PM!
We’ve rented two Royal Enfield 450s.
This is our first motorcycle trip in Morocco. I got my license two years ago with the dream of taking this kind of trip, and here we are! ✌️😍
In France, we usually ride between 300 to 400 km per day on roadsters. We’re not used to off-road tracks, so we’re looking for easy ones 😅—especially for me 😅.
For Morocco, I’ve planned stages of 200 to 300 km per day.
Here’s the idea:
Day 1 (departure at noon): Marrakech - Tizi n Test - Tafingoult (165 km - 4h15)
Day 2: Tafingoult - Amzarkou - Telouet (200 km - 4h34)
Day 3: Telouet - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate - Boumalne (200 km - 3h30) (+ Vallée des Roses maybe)
Day 4: Boumalne - Dades Gorges - Agoudal - Todra Gorges - Tinghir - Goulmima (291 km - 6h)
Day 5: Goulmima - Midelt - Cirque Jaffar - Agoudim (280 km - 4h45)
Day 6: Agoudim - Imilchil - Aghbala - El Ksiba (280 km - 4h45)
Day 7: El Ksiba - La Cathédrale - Zaouiat Ahansal (212 km - 4h20)
Day 8: Ahansal - Ouzoud Waterfalls via R 302 (188 km - 4h22)
Day 9: Ouzoud - Marrakech (160 km - 2h43)
End of the trip 😮.
What do you think?
We haven’t booked any hotels—is that a problem? We were thinking of deciding day by day based on our progress.
Can we take our helmets with us in the cabin, or should we pack them in the checked luggage surrounded by clothes to avoid damage?
Hey there, fellow riders,
I’m really keen on a motorcycle trip to Morocco, specifically the Middle Atlas. Does anyone have any info or tips on this idea? Planning to go in September or October...
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Christine
