8 Days | Cycle past the lush rice paddies of Northern Vietnam, through limestone karsts by friendly locals
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 overview
- Start
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Finish
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Theme
- Cycling
- Destinations
- Vietnam
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- TVXS
- 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.
- To complete this trip, it’s important that you’re both confident and competent in riding a bicycle.
- This trip covers quite some distance – you’ll be cycling for up to 70 km a day on varied terrain, so a good level of fitness is required.
- You'll be spending one night in a homestay. While the accommodation is shared and basic, this is a great opportunity to interact with the locals, and get a real sense of Vietnamese daily life.
- The weather in this region can be varied. Be prepared to get sweaty and for the occasional rainstorm, which may require a change of plans.
- If you feel like doing all the riding but with less effort we have the option of hiring an electric bike (e-bike) on this trip.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Inclusions
7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
Bicycle (e-bike option available), Support vehicle, Boat, Kayak, Taxi
Hotel (4 nights), homestay (2 nights), overnight boat (1 night)
- Guided Hanoi city bike ride
- Hanoi - Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison
- Guided & vehicle-supported cycling in Mai Chau
- Guided & vehicle-supported cycling in Pu Luong National Park
- Guided & vehicle-supported cycling in Cuc Phuong National Park
- Guided & vehicle-supported cycling near Ninh Binh
- Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise
- Hanoi - Army Museum - VND20000
- Hanoi - Women's Museum - VND30000
- Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology - VND40000
- Hanoi - Fine Arts Museum - VND30000
- Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - VND40000
- Hanoi - One Pillar Pagoda & HCM stilt house - VND40000
- Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure - USD40
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Please provide your height at time of booking so that we can ensure a suitable sized bike is arranged.
2. Please see your Trip Notes if your departure takes place during Tet, usually in late January/early February. Although we do our best to run trips during Tet as per the scheduled itinerary, it is likely that there will be some changes to transport, accommodation or order of destinations visited.
3. Whilst bicycle helmets are not compulsory in Vietnam, Intrepid cyclists must wear a quality helmet at all times while riding in Vietnam. Good quality helmets are not available in Vietnam so make sure you bring yours from home.
4. During the group meeting, your trip leader will ask you if you would like to contribute to the snack kitty. This would be used to purchase extra supplies of snacks, including nuts and other energy packed goodies. It is not a compulsory kitty, although will make the purchasing of snacks easier and more convenient for you. You can find out more information from your leader upon arrival but costs are indicated in the Money Matters Section of your Essential Trip Information.
5. In 2022 this trip will not stay overnight on a boat on Ha Long Bay but will stay at Lan Ha Bay.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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