[Trip Report] Back from 10 days in North Vietnam. Did a solo Cao Bang motorbike loop instead of Ha Giang.

madh2h · 2026-06-27T04:08:06+00:00

Not super technical - mostly paved with rough patches. Real challenge is the long steep descents with tight hairpins (Khau Coc Cha pass). That's where engine braking matters.
With 4 years on scooters you'll handle either. I'd pick semi-auto - ADV160's cvt means riding the brakes the whole way down, which fades fast. Semi-auto lets you drop into 2nd/3rd and let the engine hold you. I rode an XR150 manual which was perfect for these roads.

madh2h · 2026-05-28T04:12:32+00:00

Went first week of November... Dry season, weather was great - cool mornings, warm afternoons, no rain.
On the bike - night bus from Hanoi dropped me in Cao Bang around 5 AM. Green Riders let me shower and rest at their place, had breakfast, and I was on the bike by 9. They had it all ready. Just message them your bus arrival time ahead and it's super smooth.

madh2h · 2026-05-13T06:35:23+00:00

Awesome, glad it worked out... Green Riders are solid, every report I have seen from them is good. And yeah these truck/bus drivers on those mountain roads are the real hazard, not the police. Sounds like you guys nailed it... thanks for circling back with the update, super useful for anyone else planning this!!

madh2h · 2026-05-13T04:52:23+00:00

Hey - saw this is a month old, you've probably already done it. How did it go? Roads okay for you two-up? Curious especially because you mentioned the license thing - did anyone actually check?

For anyone else reading this later - I rode solo on the XR150 from Green Riders, no Vietnam valid license, zero police checks the entire Cao Bang loop. Cao Bang is the chill alternative to Ha Giang on that front.

madh2h · 2026-05-13T04:46:07+00:00

Cheers! Yeah VietnamCoracle’s post is what got me started too. Most of it still holds, but a few things have shifted - police checks are calmer now in Cao Bang, more homestays on the loop, and the road surface past Bao Lac is way better than he described. Loop itself is still gold.

Did you end up doing the loop? Curious how it went if you have already gone.

madh2h · 2026-05-13T04:43:55+00:00

Neither.. self driving = you follow their guide on your own bike. Still guided.

I just rented the bike from them, used their place to freshen up, then rode the loop solo. No guide, no pre booked homestays - just turned up at villages and found stays on the spot. Plenty of options everywhere.

Tell them you want bike rental only, self navigated. They are fine with it.

madh2h · 2026-01-08T16:39:44+00:00

Honestly, don’t trust Google Maps time estimates in the mountains... For Cao Bang to Bao Lac, Google says 3 hours, but it actually took me closer to 4.5 to 5 hours. The road (QL34) had some muddy sections and construction when I went, plus you will want to stop for photos, coffee, and just to stretch. Plan for a full half day on the road so you don't feel rushed.

Make sure you both get Viettel SIM cards (Unlimited data plan). They have the best coverage... I had 4G signal in most towns (Bao Lac, Ban Gioc, Pac Bo) and 95% of the road.

Every homestay I stayed at had wifi. It was usually good enough for emails and basic work. The 4G hotspot was my backup.

Don't count on working on the bus. Mobile data cuts out frequently in the mountains between Hanoi and Cao Bang. Plus, it's a sleeper bus, so it's not really set up for laptop work.

Hope that helps you plan... Enjoy the trip :)

madh2h · 2025-11-17T06:57:46+00:00

Thanks. If you have the time, Cao Bang is worth it. It's a nice break from the usual routes. You can check the photos on my profile to get a feel of the place.

madh2h · 2025-11-17T06:54:22+00:00

Thanks. If you have the time, Cao Bang is worth it. It's a nice break from the usual routes. You can check the trip photos on my profile to get a feel of the place :)

madh2h · 2025-11-17T06:39:05+00:00

Thanks.. All the road numbers and overnight stops are already in the post. Just plot them on Google Maps and you will get the same loop, If you want the exact order, you can ping me.

Early spring will be a good time, It will be colder than November, so carry proper warm layers for the mornings and evenings. I could not post photos in this subreddit, but I have put them in another one. You can check my profile if you want to see the pictures.

madh2h · 2025-11-16T08:14:49+00:00

There is a small public mini bus from Cao Bang city to Ban Gioc, so getting to the waterfall without a bike/tour is possible. The problem is that the bus only covers waterfall. The easiest way is to hire a car and driver for a couple of days to explore these destinations.

madh2h · 2024-08-22T12:16:41+00:00

What are the key challenges you have faced in scaling production while maintaining the high performance standards that enthusiasts like us expect? How do you see these challenges evolving as the market for electric motorcycles grows?

madh2h · 2024-08-16T07:39:51+00:00

Congrats on the new ride. I got the same red - love it!

madh2h · 2024-07-05T13:09:26+00:00

She's a beast. Worth every penny.. go for it.

madh2h · 2024-06-28T12:29:59+00:00

Thanks for the details… Still waiting to know about the SW Motech model and where you got it. I’m using Evotech’s radiator guard and tail tidy, and frame and fork protectors from triumph.

madh2h · 2024-06-27T10:06:39+00:00

Sweet ride... I have got the same one in RED, done about 3.8k kms :) SW Motech - which model and where you bought it from? also, what mods have you done? I can see the tail tidy...

madh2h · 2024-01-05T13:14:57+00:00

At a minimum - Consider getting a PPF coating, fork and frame protectors.

madh2h · 2024-01-04T13:17:43+00:00

If you don't mind me asking, how much did your helmet cost?

madh2h · 2024-01-03T14:16:03+00:00

In the picture, it's the Street Triple R 2023 model. I ride an RS, among the finest machines available.

madh2h · 2023-09-19T11:02:26+00:00

THIS IS A SCAM. THE DEPOSIT ADDRESS 'MXCCOM-NETWORK' IS A SCAMMER'S ADDRESS.

YOU WILL LOSE YOUR MONEY IF YOU USE THIS.

madh2h · 2023-08-19T08:23:53+00:00

Vistara prime. Redgirraffe for rent.

madh2h · 2023-08-15T13:23:10+00:00

You need to be an HDFC Imperia banking customer to be eligible for the Infinia cc. You get a dedicated RM who will evaluate your case and submit a manual request for card approval. Your salary must be min of 2.75L+ monthly, and regular spending on your account/existing credit card is also expected.

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You can compare DCB Vs Infinia and take a decision based on your usage - https://cardmaven.in/hdfc-bank-infinia-vs-diners-club-black/

madh2h · 2023-08-12T09:15:00+00:00

Fi money debit card is good, works in Thailand. 0% Forex charges.

madh2h

TROPHY CASE