{"id":39209,"date":"2020-01-29T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-28T21:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=39209&preview=true&preview_id=39209"},"modified":"2025-06-05T13:46:35","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T03:46:35","slug":"cycling-in-mai-chau-valley-vietnam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/cycling-in-mai-chau-valley-vietnam\/","title":{"rendered":"4 things we love about cycling in Vietnam\u2019s Mai Chau valley"},"content":{"rendered":"

While the frenetic streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offer a unique insight into Vietnam\u2019s urban life, it\u2019s not until you\u2019ve ridden through the serene \u2013 and surreal \u2013 surrounds of Mai Chau that you get to know the real<\/em> Vietnam<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first thing you notice about Mai Chau is how quiet it is. The sounds of honking motorbikes and noisy truck engines are replaced by the shouts of farmers tending to their herds, and the dull clang of bells around the necks of water buffalo. Riding here, on one of Intrepid\u2019s Vietnam small group cycling adventures, instantly feels calmer. Without having to contend with city traffic, the biggest challenge cyclists may face will be staying focussed on the road; those soaring limestone cliffs can be pretty distracting.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what we love about cycling in this beautiful destination.<\/p>\n

1. The scenery is spectacular<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"A

Photo by Frank Cheshire.<\/p><\/div>\n

Located in the Hoa Binh Province, the Mai Chau valley is the inland equivalent of the famed Ha Long Bay, with majestic limestone hills (karsts) rising dramatically from the valley floor. The main difference is that here the emerald green is not water but an ocean of lush rice paddies stretching as far as the eye can see. The best view in the region (and one of the best views in Vietnam) is from the white slopes of the nearby Thung Khe Pass, towering high above the valley floor. But don\u2019t worry: we\u2019ll catch a ride in Intrepid\u2019s support vehicle to get us up the steep bits.<\/p>\n

EXPLORE MAI CHAU ON INTREPID’S 15-DAY CYCLE VIETNAM SMALL GROUP ADVENTURE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

2. The cycling is flat<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"A

Photo by Renae Saxby.<\/p><\/div>\n

While the soaring limestone hills and cliffs demand the attention of your eyes, your legs will notice that the valley is beautifully flat. If you\u2019re lucky, you might share the road with a local cyclist or a gentle herd of water buffalo. Alternating between bitumen and smooth gravel roads, the even terrain makes for a wonderful excuse to simply cruise along and enjoy the day, safe in the knowledge that you can conserve your energy for the days to come.<\/p>\n

RELATED: WHAT IT’S LIKE CYCLING FROM HANOI TO HO CHI MINH CITY<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

3. The food is delicious (and will give you the energy you need)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"A

Photo by Renae Saxby.<\/p><\/div>\n

There\u2019s no way we can talk about Vietnam without mentioning the food. And here, food isn\u2019t just fuel: it\u2019s a way of life. And, due to the strong influence of the Thai ancestry in the region, it takes on a different flavour than the rest of Vietnam. Local favourites include Com Lam (bamboo-tube rice) with the delicious traditional Thai spice cham cheo, grilled pork meat marinated in spices then cooked on charcoal or, if you are feeling adventurous, try the distinctly local delicacy of stir-fried bees with bamboo shoots, washed down with a drink of fermented \u2018can wine\u2019 \u2013 delicious!<\/p>\n

EXPLORE OUR FULL RANGE OF SMALL GROUP CYCLING ADVENTURES HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

4. The accommodation is comfortable (and there\u2019s more great food in store!)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"A

Photo by Renae Saxby.<\/p><\/div>\n

One of my favourite things about Intrepid adventures is staying in locally run accommodation. And the homestay we spend the night in in the quiet Pom Coong Village is about as local as it gets. Harking back to its Thai hill tribe heritage, the sleepy village \u2013 which is free of tourists \u2013 features quiet streets and wooden stilt houses, and is surrounded by emerald-green rice fields. For dinner, join our homestay hosts for a traditional Vietnamese banquet (which may include some locally produced wine), before heading upstairs to bed. Accommodation at the homestay is more rustic than you may be used to \u2013 you\u2019ll be sleeping on a futon on the floor with a blanket, mosquito net and fan \u2013 it\u2019s surprisingly comfortable. And the hot shower is a perfect treat after a long day of riding.<\/p>\n

Interested in seeing Vietnam<\/a> on two wheels? Check out our range of small group cycling adventures in Vietnam now<\/a>. (Not so into bikes? We’ve got trips for you too. Explore our full range here<\/a>.)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Feature photo by Renae Saxby.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While the frenetic streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offer a unique insight into Vietnam\u2019s urban life, it\u2019s not until you\u2019ve ridden through the serene \u2013 and surreal \u2013 surrounds of Mai Chau that you get to know the real Vietnam.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15098,"featured_media":39218,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1313],"tags":[488,385,41],"class_list":["post-39209","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","tag-cycling","tag-south-east-asia","tag-vietnam","ipf_theme-cycling","ipf_region-vietnam"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n4 Things We Love About Cycling In Mai Chau, Vietnam | Intrepid Travel<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"While Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offer a unique 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