Vietnam is a country with a diverse topography and scenic beauty. It is home to many spectacular mountain passes, which offer some of the most awe-inspiring and adventurous drives in the world. From the northernmost province of Ha Giang to the southernmost province of Ca Mau, Vietnam’s mountain passes offer visitors breathtaking views of towering peaks, rugged landscapes, and pristine natural beauty.

In this article, Easy Riders Vietnam wants to share with you the top 10 spectacular mountain passes in Vietnam, and how to experience them on a motorbike trip.

Ma Pi Leng Pass, Ha Giang 

Ma Pi Leng Pass, Ha Giang - Top 10 spectacular Mountain Passes in Vietnam
Ma Pi Leng Pass, Ha Giang

The Ma Pi Leng Pass, located in the northernmost province of Ha Giang, is one of the most spectacular and challenging mountain passes in Vietnam. The pass is approximately 20 kilometers long, and its highest point reaches an elevation of 2,000 meters above sea level. The pass offers stunning views of the Nho Que River and the towering peaks of the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark. To experience this pass on a motorbike trip, start in the town of Ha Giang and follow the road to Dong Van.

If you’re not confident to drive a motorbike by yourself, then you can choose to ride pillion on the back of the motorbike with the local experts at Easy Riders Vietnam. Check out our Easy Rider Ha Giang Loop Tour to get more information

O Qui Ho Pass, Lao Cai

Spectacular Mountain Passes in Vietnam - O Qui Ho Pass
Magnificent O Qui Ho Pass, Lai Chau

The O Quy Ho Pass is located in the northern province of Lao Cai, near the famous tourist town of Sapa. It is one of the highest mountain passes in Vietnam, reaching an altitude of 1,900 meters above sea level. The pass offers stunning views of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range and the Muong Hoa Valley.

This pass is also called “Cloud” as it is obscured by clouds all year round. At the “Heaven Gate” with a height of 2000 meters from sea level, visitors can admire the imposing panoramic view of Fansipan Mountain, the highest mountain in Indochina, or the picturesque valleys of Lai Chau.

O Qui Ho Pass is one of the most attractive destinations in Northwestern Vietnam. Blessed by Mother Nature, its magnificent beauty offers travelers a majestic landscape.   

Phi Din Pass, Dien Bien

Riding the twisty Pha Din Pass is a real challenge

The Pha Din Pass is located in the northern province of Dien Bien, near the border with Laos. The pass is approximately 32 kilometers long and reaches an altitude of 1,648 meters above sea level. It is famous for its steep inclines and hairpin bends, which make it one of the most challenging and thrilling mountain passes in Vietnam. The pass also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, so visitors can take in all the fantastic views of this stunning nature till the end of the vision.

Khau Pha Pass, Yen Bai

Khau Pha Pass
Spectacular Khau Pha Pass

The Khau Pha Pass is located in the northern province of Yen Bai, near the town of Nghia Lo. It is one of the rugged and longest mountain passes in Vietnam, measuring approximately 30 kilometers in length. The pass reaches an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level and offers stunning views of the surrounding rice terraces and mountains.

We also get a great opportunity to pass on many fabulous sights including La Pan Tan, Mu Cang Chai, and Tu Le. This pass is a real challenge for any experienced motorcycle rider. It is included in our thrilling 12-Day Northern Vietnam Easy Rider Tour.

Ma Phuc Pass, Cao Bang

Ma Phuc Pass
Ma Phuc Pass

Ma Phuc Pass is 20 km away towards the East of Cao Bang City. This is the most picturesque pass of National Route 3 from Phu Lo to Ta Lung Border and is about 650 meters from sea level. The pass has 7 swirls with unpredictable bends meandering the karst mountain that makes this incredibly unique and stunning. Conquering this pass is like a dream comes true for every adventure rider: attractive ruggedness, undulating roads, epic twisty mountain pass, and beautiful nature.

Bac Sum Pass, Ha Giang

Ha Giang Easy Rider Motorbike Tours Vietnam
Bac Sum Pass, Ha Giang

Bac Sum Pass extends from Minh Tan to Vi Xuyen and on to Quyet Tien of Quan Ba District, Ha Giang. This magnificent pass is pretty steep and winding but soft and attractive, like an endless stretch of silk that offers graceful, soft dances between four high rocky terraces.

If we take a view from the top of the mountain, Bac Sum Pass is like an image of a giant snake that is only in the legend of a sluggard spread in the high mountains of the Northwest to find new mysterious lands in a cultural space. It’s also very rugged with many hairpin turns.

If you are an adventure lover, come and let Easy Riders Vietnam makes your trip in Vietnam unforgettable!

Hai Van Pass, Thua Thien Hue

Mountain Passes in Vietnam - Hai Van Pass
Picturesque Hai Van Pass

The Hai Van Pass is located in central Vietnam, between the cities of Hue and Da Nang. It is considered one of the most beautiful coastal mountain passes in the world, with breathtaking views of the East Sea. The pass is approximately 21 kilometers long and reaches a height of 496 meters above sea level. It was made famous by the BBC motoring show Top Gear, which dubbed it “one of the best coastal roads in the world.”

The 25-kilometer-long mountain pass is popular amongst thrill-seeking motorcyclists due to its winding roads, sudden curves, and blind corners, while its lookout point offers gorgeous views of Da Nang Bay, and it became even more popular when BBC Top Gear made their shows in Vietnam. 

An Easy Rider Tour from Hoi An to Hue via Hai Van Mountain Pass (or Hue to Hoi An) is a remarkable motorbike journey. It can be very challenging for a new rider, but it is a lifetime experience.

Lo Xo Pass, Quang Nam

Spectacular Mountain Passes in Vietnam - Lo Xo Pass
Winding mountain pass of Lo Xo

The Lo Xo Pass is located on the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail, in-between Kon Tum and Quang Ngai province. The pass is approximately 37 kilometers long and offers stunning views of the surrounding forests and mountains. The mountain pass also has many sharp turns and steep inclines, making it a thrilling and challenging drive for motorbike enthusiasts. To experience this pass on a motorbike trip, start in Hoi An or Da Nang and follow the national route 14 to Kon Tum.

If you are not experienced motorbike driver, then you can take an amazing 6-day motorbike tour from Hoi An to Dalat and explore the best of these regions have to offer.

Ngoan Muc Pass, Ninh Thuan

Ngoan Muc Pass - Top 10 spectacular Mountain Passes in Vietnam
Riding through Ngoan Muc Pass is an exceptional experience

It’s also called Krong Pha Pass (or French called Bellevue), connecting Ninh Son Valley and Lang Bian Plateau (Lam Dong Province). It’s about 19km long and is one of the most impressive and spectacular mountain passes in Vietnam. It’s asphalted, but pretty steep, with sections up to 9%, climbing from 200 to 980m above sea level. It was built in 1917. It includes extremely sharp turns and amazing views.

From the peak of the pass, tourists could have a panoramic view of surrounding landscapes with the streams running past the mountain’s walls and hill ranges with rich flora. A motorbike ride through this pass is absolutely spectacular and well-worth for those who want to conquer such an amazing tortuous mountain road.

Phuong Hoang Pass, Khanh Hoa

Top 10 Spectacular Mountain Passes in Vietnam - Phuong Hoang Pass
Thrilling Phuong Hoang Pass

It’s also called Phoenix Pass, situated on National Route 26, connecting Dak Lak Province and Khanh Hoa Province. The pass is about 12 km in length and is located in M’Drak District. It is the Eastern gateway of Dak Lak Province.

Phuong Hoang Pass challenges all the adventure motorcycle riders with tortuous bends. Only a mistake can make you fall in danger. However, the feeling of riding a motorcycle to climb and wind our way up in the cool air of the mountain is just like a phoenix swinging in the sky! We consider this stunning pass is one of the highlights of our 3-Day Easy Rider Dalat to Nha Trang Motorcycle Tour (or vice versa)

Last but not least, Vietnam is a country that offers some of the most breathtaking and challenging mountain passes in the world. From the northernmost province of Ha Giang to the southernmost province of Ca Mau, Vietnam’s mountain passes offer visitors stunning views of towering peaks, rugged landscapes, and pristine natural beauty. To experience these passes on a motorbike trip is an unforgettable adventure that allows you to explore the country’s remote regions and experience its local culture. With proper planning and safety precautions, a motorbike trip through Vietnam’s mountain passes is a must-do for any adventure traveler.

We hope this “Top 10 spectacular mountain passes in Vietnam” article will help you to have an idea about where to travel and what to do, and to plan your perfect motorbike tours in Vietnam.

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