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Cycle Northern Vietnam

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Cycle Northern Vietnam

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Description

More than 30 million Vietnamese can’t be wrong – handle-bar height gives you the best view of Vietnam! On this seven-day cycling trip through the north, you’ll meet locals and experience their culture in a way that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. Get started in bustling Hanoi, where you can discover the Old Quarter’s ‘36 Streets’ and fuel up on multiple banh mis, then make your way to UNESCO World Heritage site Ha Long Bay, down country lanes and through spectacular mountain scenery. You’ll stay in a traditional homestay with friendly hosts, ride through the gorgeous landscapes of Pu Luong and Cuc Phuong National Park and spend a night on serene waters under the stars.

Trip Name
Cycle Northern Vietnam
Last Updated
2024-08-07
Days
8
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Cycle through Vietnam’s wildlife-filled natural landscapes, small villages and ancient ruins – the best way to see the country is on a bike!
  • Ride through the spectacularly lush landscapes of Pu Luong and on to Cuc Phuong National Park (one of the most important conservation sites in the country) – cycling alongside the rice paddies, you’ll pass local farmers, limestone karsts and diverse flora and fauna.
  • Work up an appetite cycling around Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi – after wandering the Old Quarter on two legs and two wheels, you can spend the evening indulging in the delicious local and regional food (think banh mi, bun cha and pho).
  • Spend a night aboard a small boat at the UNESCO World Heritage site Ha Long Bay – a must-do on any visit to Vietnam! Sail among the limestone peaks, stop off at one of the remote islands and wander the staircases of Surprise Cave.
  • Get to know the locals better on a homestay visit in the village of Poom Coong. In a traditional stilt-house, your hosts will cook you dinner and you might even be treated to some of the local rice wine.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Hanoi
Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins in capital city Hanoi, with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, you might like to stretch your legs with a walk around the shaded boulevards or a squat on a street-corner stool and tuck into a bia hoi (freshly brewed draught beer) in the Old Quarter – in these ancient ’36 Streets’, you can discover an amazing selection of shops that sell everything from souvenirs to silk clothing, jewellery, embroidered tablecloths, wood carvings and lacquerware. If you are bringing your own bicycle with you, you’ll need to assemble it today to check for any damage. After your meeting, maybe head out with your local leader and group for a welcome dinner and try some of Vietnam’s famed cuisine.
Day 2 - Hanoi city ride
This morning, you’ll get the chance to explore the Vietnamese capital by bike on a guided ride through the city. Hanoi is the perfect city to explore on two wheels, so this is the perfect place to get to grips with Vietnamese street life and traffic. You’ll ride through parks, around lakes and down tree-lined boulevards to iconic sights. Explore the vibrant colours of the Old Quarter then make the most of your free afternoon. You could walk around Hoan Kiem Lake or dive into local culture at the Vietnam Fine Art Museum. Top off the day with a steaming bowl of fresh Pho from a hole-the-wall eatery – the street food in Hanoi is not to be missed!
Day 3 - Mai Chau Cycling
Leave Hanoi behind and travel by bus to Hoa Binh. When you arrive, you’ll jump on your bike and cycle to Cao Phong, through small ethnic Thai villages and paddy fields. Limestone peaks climb in the background and banks of green line the road, so you’ll take regular stops to admire the view across the valleys. When you arrive in Cao Phone, take a short bus ride, stopping for lunch at Man Duc. After you fuel up, the bus will take you to the Da River Reservoir. Cycle along the Da River, past the karst cliffs, beside green paddy fields and into the panorama of the Mai Chau valley. The town of Mai Chau is surrounded by green mountains and is famed for its breathtaking scenery and friendly hilltribe peoples. Tonight, you’ll enjoy local hospitality in a simple stilt-house homestay in the village of Poom Coong. Your amicable hosts will cook up a traditional meal, and there may even be a chance to sample some of the local rice wine that’s produced in the region.
Day 4 - Pu Luong National Park Cycling
This morning, say farewell to your homestay hosts and cycle from Mai Chau to Mai Hai, then on to Pu Luong National Park. Ride through more paddy fields and test your skills (or suspension) with the shallow potholes on the road. Pass pineapple farms and the farmers riding atop their load drawn by water buffalo. Cycle through small towns, green fields, limestone mountains, tranquil waterways and many historic sites. See everyday rural life in action and take in the beautiful countryside as you wave to the locals.
Day 5 - Cuc Phuong National Park/Tam Coc Cycling
Over two rides today, you’ll cycle from Pu Luong to Cuc Phuong National Park – Vietnam’s first and largest national park, opened by Ho Chi Minh himself. This is one of the most important conservation sites in the country and home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. You’ll cycle through some of Vietnam’s most spectacular views, riding in between limestone peaks that emerge from the rice paddies. If the weather permits, there will be an option to visit the famed Hang Mua caves/viewpoint. After a while of riding, you’ll then board the support vehicle to miss the busy traffic, before it's back on the bikes for another leg. After lunch with a view, reboard the support vehicle and cruise all the way to Tam Coc.
Day 6 - Halong Bay & Ninh Binh Cycling
Enjoy one final early morning ride through the beautiful green scenery of the Ninh Binh Province, along the banks of the duck-filled Hoang Long River to the Bai Ding Buddhist Temple. Here, you’ll bid farewell to the cycling support team and transfer by minivan to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay. Climb aboard a traditional junk-style boat and venture out into the emerald waters of the bay. The boat will glide through the often misty waters, past limestone peaks that jut dramatically out of the water. The area was created over thousands of years by waves and wind, and you’ll explore the best of it, both by boat and on your own two feet. Visit the caverns of Surprise Cave and get the blood pumping up and down the many staircases, then sail past the enigmatic Ga Choi Islet to your kayaking excursion straight into Luon Cave. In the warmer months, you’ll make a stop at either Ti Top Island or Soi Sim Island before spending the night aboard the boat beneath the starry night sky.
Day 7 - Halong Bay & Hanoi
After a night beneath the stars on the still waters of Ha Long Bay, you’ll cruise back to the mainland, taking in all the amazing scenery one last time. Then, head back to Hanoi, arriving in the early evening. When you arrive back in the bustling capital, maybe head down to the markets for some last-minute souvenir shopping or visit to one of the city's many fascinating museums, like the Fine Art Museum, Women's Museum or Museum of Ethnology. Toast the end of this active adventure with an optional farewell group dinner.
Day 8 - Hanoi
There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay in Hanoi, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
24-11-202401-12-2024AUD $ 1,900-
22-12-202429-12-2024AUD $ 1,647-
16-03-202523-03-2025AUD $ 1,782-
30-03-202506-04-2025AUD $ 1,746-
27-04-202504-05-2025AUD $ 1,616-
18-05-202525-05-2025AUD $ 1,616-
13-07-202520-07-2025AUD $ 1,616-
10-08-202517-08-2025AUD $ 1,616-
07-09-202514-09-2025AUD $ 1,746-
05-10-202512-10-2025AUD $ 1,886-
02-11-202509-11-2025AUD $ 1,886-
23-11-202530-11-2025AUD $ 1,886-
21-12-202528-12-2025AUD $ 2,095-
15-03-202622-03-2026AUD $ 1,960-
29-03-202605-04-2026AUD $ 1,960-
26-04-202603-05-2026AUD $ 1,885-
17-05-202624-05-2026AUD $ 1,885-
12-07-202619-07-2026AUD $ 1,885-
09-08-202616-08-2026AUD $ 1,885-
06-09-202613-09-2026AUD $ 1,960-
04-10-202611-10-2026AUD $ 1,960-
01-11-202608-11-2026AUD $ 2,035-
22-11-202629-11-2026AUD $ 2,035-
20-12-202627-12-2026AUD $ 2,035-

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights),homestay (2 nights),overnight boat (1 night)

Transport

Bicycle (e-bike option available),Support vehicle,Boat,Kayak,Taxi

Map

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