I drove a motorbike over 200 miles on one of the most dangerous trails in Vietnam. I crashed but I'd still do it again.

24.09.2023 - 14:27 / insider.com

As a full-time digital nomad, I'm always looking for new and exciting adventures. During earlier visits to Vietnam, I had heard countless stories about the Ha Giang loop, which is widely known as a dangerous but thrilling journey. 

The adventure brings travelers into the northernmost reaches of the country, demanding a minimum of 320 kilometers (nearly 200 miles) of driving to complete it. The loop is not an easy trip and can be especially dangerous for beginners.

Some of the roads are terrifyingly narrow, the cliff edges threaten death, and inexperienced motorbike drivers make the experience even more treacherous. 

Most travelers either follow a tour guide or ride on the back of a guide's motorbike. However, tours require everyone to follow the same schedule, taking away from the opportunity for spontaneity. 

Because my friend and I are both experienced motorbike drivers, we decided to tackle the loop without a guide. Filled with equal parts anxiety and excitement, we began our journey with nothing but a paper map and our optimism to guide us.

On day one, we drove straight into the nearest valley, marveling at the surreal scenery whizzing past. We pulled over at a café viewpoint and spent an hour looking over the stunning vistas ahead. 

We finished the last leg of day one in the dark. Our tiny headlamps only illuminated the road in front of us, making each tight, invisible bend a terrifying experience. 

On day two, we found a massive event in a public, open-air space. Motorbikes and brightly dressed locals filled the roads and their joyful laughter piqued our curiosity. Within minutes, guests introduced us to the bride and groom. 

Everyone welcomed us with open arms and seemed unbothered by the fact that we were crashing the wedding. Following a few Google-translated conversations with attendees, we restarted our Odyssean journey. 

We spent the next couple of hours enjoying the lush green vistas and absorbing the eerie peace of remote villages.

Driving on high mountain roads that almost touched the sky, I felt like I was driving through the clouds, with barely a soul around to see my flight. 

While taking on a tight bend, I swung out too wide and encountered a local driver in my path. I had to decide whether to hit the driver or throw myself off the bike to prevent a collision. I chose the latter. 

I hit the ground knee-first and landed with my motorbike on top of me. For a split second, I thought my life was over. 

Snapping out of the shock, I dragged myself and the bike off the road while apologizing profusely to the other driver. Tourist crashes must be a common sight because he just shrugged and drove off. 

I left the crash site with severe road rash on my arms and legs. Thankfully, both my bike