Day Trips from Hanoi - good routes
 

Hi folks,

So I'll be in Vietnam in March and I'm thinking of renting a Minsk 125 and heading for the hills outside of Hanoi.

The thing is, I'll only have time for a single day of touring, and I'd like to take it easy. I think 200km is the limit on how far I can travel for the day.

What I'm after is stunning scenery -- the archetypal Northern Vietnam postcard, really. Like this: http://www.minskclubvietnam.com/Gallery015.html

As well, it would be good if the roads were decent and not clogged with trucks.

So: does anybody know of any specific route that fits this description -- and within 100km of Hanoi?

Cheers,
JVM

Actually, looking closer at the map, it looks like I'll need at least two days to get into hill country. So, please revise my earlier question: I need a good route from Hanoi that doesn't exceed 300km over two days.

Thanks!

JVM

In 2 days time there are some itneresting rides to do. West of Hanoi is a place called Mai Chau, which gives a feel for the countryside and you have to cross a mountainpass (not too steep) for it. It's about 120k one way.

too bad you don't have time for a longer trip, the northwest route to sapa, via the same Mai Chau, Moc Chau, Tuan Giao, Lai Cau, Pa So and finally SaPa, is fantastic.

Running along the chinese border in the northeast is the most brilliant stretch of paved road in the whole of the indochinas. After 8000k in the area (on a minsk) it's still our favourite. You'll need 3 days minimum though

Get your Minsk from Cuong in Hanoi and try to talk to anyone of the minskclub or www.exploreindochina.com for more info and inspiration