To ride from the Old Quarter to Sóc Sơn, the usual route is to cross Nhật Tân Bridge, follow Võ Nguyên Giáp road towards Nội Bài Airport and then take National Road 3 into the area around Sóc Temple, the Thánh Gióng statue and the lakes.
According to VnExpress, Sóc Sơn is about 30 km from central Hanoi and takes less than an hour to reach; depending on where exactly you are heading, such as Sóc Temple, Đồng Đò Lake or the foot of Hàm Lợn Mountain, the distance can be longer. This guide helps you choose your route, ride safely on the airport road and national highway, and prepare your bike for a trip outside the city.
A note on the figures: distances and times come from VnExpress articles (a travel guide updated 4 January 2024 and a feature from 28 April 2024). Real journey times depend on when you leave, the weather and traffic, so open a navigation app before setting off. Since 2025 Hanoi no longer has districts; this article uses “Sóc Sơn” for the familiar area north of the airport.
Routes and destinations at a glance
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| Destination | Suggested route | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sóc Temple and the Thánh Gióng statue | Nhật Tân Bridge → Võ Nguyên Giáp → past Nội Bài → National Road 3 | Heritage visit and views from Sóc Mountain | One paved road and two stone footpaths lead up to the statue |
| Đồng Quan and Đồng Đò lakes | Same route, then follow signs and your map | Lakeside walks, camping, kayaking | Some access roads are narrow; ride slowly |
| Hàm Lợn Mountain | Same route, then navigate to the trailhead | Hiking and camping | Go in the dry season with grippy shoes |
Expressways are closed to motorbikes. Always stay on roads where motorbikes are allowed and use the lanes shown by signs and road markings.
Why go to Sóc Sơn?
The cultural highlight is the Sóc Temple special national relic site, dedicated to the folk hero Thánh Gióng. Legend says that after defeating the invaders, Gióng rode to the foot of Sóc Mountain, took off his armour and flew to heaven on his iron horse. According to VnExpress, the bronze Thánh Gióng statue stands on Vệ Linh peak (302 m), weighs 85 tonnes and was built in 2010 for the 1,000th anniversary of Thăng Long. The Gióng festival was inscribed by UNESCO in 2010, and the complex also includes Đại Bi and Non Nước pagodas.
Sóc Sơn also has lakes and hills such as Đồng Quan, Đồng Đò and Kèo Cả lakes and Hàm Lợn Mountain (426 m), popular for walks, camping and easy hikes at weekends.
The main route: Nhật Tân Bridge and the airport road
From the Old Quarter to Nhật Tân Bridge
From Hoàn Kiếm Lake, ride towards West Lake and follow the signs onto Nhật Tân Bridge. The approach has several big junctions, so slow down, read the signs and move into the motorbike lane early rather than changing lanes at the last moment.
Crossing the bridge and following Võ Nguyên Giáp
Nhật Tân Bridge is long and exposed, and crosswinds can be strong when rain is coming. Hold the handlebars firmly, keep a safe distance and never stop on the bridge for photos. After the bridge, follow Võ Nguyên Giáp road towards Nội Bài Airport, staying in the motorbike lane.
Joining National Road 3 towards Sóc Temple
According to VnExpress (28 April 2024), after passing the Nội Bài Airport area you continue on National Road 3 into Sóc Sơn. The national road carries many trucks and coaches, so keep to the right, signal early before turning and use your map to pick the right turn for Sóc Temple, the lakes or the foot of Hàm Lợn.
Getting up to the Thánh Gióng statue
According to VnExpress, the statue area sits at around 300 m and has three ways up: one paved road and two stone-paved walking paths. If you ride the paved road, keep a steady throttle on the climb and brake gently and evenly on the way down, never hard in a bend. If you prefer to walk up the stone steps, leave the bike in a supervised area at the foot of the mountain and bring water and grippy shoes.
When to go
- Early morning: cooler, lighter traffic on the airport road and national highway, and the lakes look best before the crowds.
- Weekdays: quieter than weekends, with easier parking and a more relaxed visit.
- Dry season: best for hiking Hàm Lợn; in the rainy season slopes and trails get slippery.
- Festival days: the Gióng festival at Sóc Temple runs from the 6th to the 8th day of the first lunar month (according to SGGP); expect big crowds, so arrive early and allow time to park.
Riding on the airport road and national highway
The stretch past Nội Bài and along National Road 3 is wide and many large vehicles travel fast. Keep to the posted speed limits, do not weave between lanes, avoid riding alongside trucks and stay out of their blind spots. As you approach the tourist areas, roads get narrower and you will meet residents, children and cyclists, so slow down noticeably and use a short tap of the horn as a warning.
Extra points if you are riding a rental
Sóc Sơn is a fairly long trip outside the city, so before you go, ask your rental company where the bike may be ridden and how they help if it breaks down; see our guide to confirming roadside support coverage. When you collect the bike, note the fuel level using our checklist on checking fuel level at pickup, and fill up before leaving the city, because the round trip can be 60 km or more depending on your stops.
If you plan to ride the slope up to the statue or dirt roads around the lakes, ask the rental company whether your bike is suitable. A small automatic scooter copes with paved roads, but dirt tracks after rain can be slippery and hard to control.
Riding etiquette outside the city
Outside the inner city, traffic behaves differently. Trucks overtake more often, people on bicycles and older riders may cross unexpectedly, and roadside stalls pull vehicles in and out. Ride a little slower than the fastest traffic, use your horn briefly to warn rather than to complain, and give extra space around schools, markets and temple gates.
When the weather turns
Afternoon showers are common in the warmer months, and in winter the lakes and hills feel colder than the city, especially early in the morning and at night. Bring a light jacket and a poncho, and keep documents in a plastic sleeve. In heavy rain, wait at a café rather than riding the national road with poor visibility. After rain, the slope to the statue and dirt roads around the lakes become much more slippery, so ride slowly and brake gently.
Pre-ride checklist
- Helmet with the strap fastened, a rain poncho, a light jacket and water.
- The bike’s papers, a valid licence and your rental company’s phone number.
- A charged phone, a phone holder and offline maps (signal is weak in some lake areas).
- Small banknotes for parking and any tickets.
- Modest clothing if you plan to enter temples or pagodas.
- Check brakes, lights, horn and tyres, and fill the tank.
Photos and respect at the temple
Sóc Temple is a living place of worship for local people. Dress modestly, remove your hat inside the temple halls, keep your voice down, never step over offerings and do not sit on altar steps. Ask before photographing anyone who is praying and follow any no-photography signs. The statue area on the mountain is shared public space, so take your rubbish with you and do not climb onto the statue’s base. These small gestures matter to the community and keep the site pleasant for everyone.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Sóc Sơn from the Old Quarter?
According to VnExpress, Sóc Sơn is about 30 km from central Hanoi and takes less than an hour. Depending on your exact destination, such as Sóc Temple or the lakes, it can be further.
Which route should I take by motorbike?
The usual route crosses Nhật Tân Bridge, follows Võ Nguyên Giáp towards Nội Bài Airport and then National Road 3. Do not enter expressways, which are closed to motorbikes.
Can I ride up to the Thánh Gióng statue?
According to VnExpress, there is one paved road and two stone footpaths up to the statue area. If you ride, keep a steady throttle uphill and brake gently on the way down.
When is the Gióng festival at Sóc Temple?
According to SGGP, it runs from the 6th to the 8th day of the first lunar month. It is a very busy time.
When is the best time to hike Hàm Lợn?
In the dry season, with grippy shoes. According to VnExpress, the summit is 426 m; the easier trail takes under two hours and the harder one about 3–4 hours.
What should I check with a rental bike?
Confirm where you may ride and what support is available if it breaks down, fill the tank before you go, carry the bike’s papers and save your rental company’s number.
Renting a motorbike from Mr Tú
If you would like to explore Hanoi at your own pace, Mr Tú rents out automatic scooters and semi-automatic motorbikes near the Old Quarter, by the day, the week or the month. See our page on motorbike rental near the Old Quarter or contact Mr Tú to ask about availability, the documents you need, where the bike may be ridden and the current rental conditions before you set off.
In short: to reach Sóc Sơn by motorbike, cross Nhật Tân Bridge, follow Võ Nguyên Giáp towards Nội Bài and continue on National Road 3, then use your map for Sóc Temple, the Thánh Gióng statue, the lakes or Hàm Lợn. Leave early, stay in the motorbike lane, avoid expressways, fill the tank and check your bike carefully before this trip outside the city.
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