What are Vietnam small group tours?
Vietnam small group tours are joined trips where you travel with a few like-minded people and share a guide, rather than booking everything privately. Our small group tours are guided motorbike adventures through northern Vietnam with 6–10 riders per departure, from 6 to 12 days and from US$960 per rider, plus two classic Hanoi–Halong Bay itineraries that can join a small-group departure on request.
- Durations: 5 to 12 days
- Destinations: Ha Giang Loop, Sapa, Mu Cang Chai, Mai Chau, Ba Be Lake, Ban Gioc Waterfall, Ninh Binh, Halong Bay
- Best for: solo travellers, confident motorbike riders and friends who enjoy meeting other travellers
- Best months: October–December and March–May in the northern mountains
Browse our Vietnam small group tours below, or tap "Show more" for our full guide.
Good to know (2026)
- Our 2027 joined motorbike departures run for 6 to 10 riders, with fixed dates listed on each tour page; private departures on other dates can be arranged on request.
- Every rider needs a home-country motorcycle licence plus an International Driving Permit issued under the 1968 Vienna Convention; other permits are not valid in Vietnam.
- Since the July 2025 province merger, Ha Giang is part of Tuyen Quang province. Our Ha Giang tours include the permits needed for the border areas.
- Tet (Lunar New Year) 2027 falls on 6 February; mountain roads and homestays are busy around the holiday.
Why choose a small group tour in Vietnam?
Travelling in a small group sits between a fully private trip and travelling alone. You share the guide, support vehicle and mechanic, which keeps costs down, and you ride or explore with people who share your interests. For solo travellers it is the easiest way to see remote parts of northern Vietnam safely, with someone else handling routes, bikes, permits and rooms.
- Small numbers: 6 to 10 riders per departure, so groups move easily and stops never feel crowded.
- Expert support: an English-speaking guide and a mechanic travel with every motorbike group.
- Clear pricing: fixed per-rider prices for joined departures, with the inclusions listed on each tour page.
- Fixed dates: you know in advance when the trip runs and can plan flights around it.
Our Vietnam small group tours at a glance
Prices for the four joined motorbike tours start from US$960 (Northwest Loop, 6 days), US$960 (Ha Giang Loop, 6 days), US$1,280 (8 days) and US$1,920 (12 days) per rider. The two Hanoi–Halong Bay tours are private by default, with small-group join-in on request; they start from US$362 (5 days) and US$520 (6 days) per person.
| Tour |
Days |
Route |
| Ha Giang Loop Motorbike Tour |
6 |
Thac Ba Lake, Quan Ba, Dong Van, Ma Pi Leng, Ba Be Lake |
| Northwest Loop Motorbike Tour |
6 |
Mai Chau, Mu Cang Chai, O Quy Ho Pass, Sapa |
| North Vietnam Joined Group Motorbike Tour |
8 |
Ba Be, Ha Giang, Sapa, Mu Cang Chai, Mai Chau |
| Vietnam Motorcycle Tour: Hanoi – Sapa – Ha Giang |
12 |
Northwest loop, Ha Giang, Ban Gioc, Ba Be |
| Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay |
5 |
Hanoi, Tam Coc, Hoa Lu, Halong Bay cruise |
| Hanoi – Sapa – Halong Bay |
6 |
Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay cruise |
How to choose your small group tour
1. First motorbike trip in Vietnam: Ha Giang or the Northwest
Both 6-day loops start from US$960 per rider. The Ha Giang Loop Motorbike Tour 6 Days focuses on the Dong Van Karst Plateau and Ma Pi Leng Pass, while the Northwest Loop Vietnam Motorbike Tour 6 Days rides through Mai Chau, the Mu Cang Chai terraces and O Quy Ho Pass to Sapa.
2. Want both Ha Giang and Sapa: 8 days
The North Vietnam Joined Group Motorbike Tour 8 Days covers about 1,480 km, from Ba Be Lake and Ma Pi Leng to Sapa and Mai Chau.
3. The full northern loop: 12 days
The Vietnam Motorcycle Tour 12 Days rides about 2,060 km and adds Ban Gioc Waterfall on the Chinese border.
4. Not a rider: classic sightseeing
The Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Halong Bay tour 5 days and the 6-day Hanoi – Sapa – Halong Bay tour are private by default but can join a small-group departure on request.
Best time for a small group tour in northern Vietnam
The northern mountains are at their best from October to December, when skies are clear and Ha Giang’s buckwheat flowers bloom, and from March to May. December to February can be cold and misty at altitude. June to September is the wet season, with heavy rain that can cause landslides on mountain roads, and storms can stop Halong Bay cruises between June and October. Our Sapa travel tips explain the mountain seasons in more detail.
What’s included, and private vs small group
Joined motorbike tours typically include an English-speaking guide, a mechanic, a Honda trail bike, fuel, accommodation, meals and the permits listed on each tour page. A single-room supplement is available if you want your own room every night. Flights, visas, travel insurance that covers motorbike riding, and tips are extra.
If you would rather travel only with your own party, every motorbike route can run as a private departure on your dates, and all our sightseeing tours are private; see our Vietnam private tours. For all bike routes in one place, visit our Vietnam motorbike tours page.
Tips from our local team
These tips come from years of arranging small group tours in northern Vietnam for international travellers.
- Get the right permit before you fly. Only a 1968-Convention International Driving Permit is accepted with your home licence.
- Check your insurance. Make sure your policy covers riding a motorbike of the size you will use.
- Be honest about your riding. Mountain passes and dirt tracks need confident riders; tell us your experience when you book.
- Pack layers. Ha Giang and Sapa can be cold in the morning even when the valleys are warm.
- Arrive a day early in Hanoi. It gives you time to recover from the flight before the first riding day.
- Book popular dates early. Departures in October–November fill first.
Read more in our Sapa travel guide.
Join a Vietnam small group tour
Tell us which departure interests you and our team will confirm seats and send the details. Message us on WhatsApp +84 88 626 1368 or use our contact form.
