Cycle Northern Vietnam

8 days548 reviews
Cycling
From
GBP £965

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.

Map of Cycle Northern Vietnam including Vietnam
Trip code: TVXS
Start
Hanoi, Vietnam
End
Hanoi, Vietnam
Destinations
Vietnam
Meals
7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
Transport
Bicycle (e-bike option available), Support vehicle, Boat, Kayak, Taxi
Accommodation
Hotel (4 nights), homestay (2 nights), overnight boat (1 night)
Days
8
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Ages
Min 15
Theme
Every trip caters to specific interests and activities, such as wildlife or family.
Cycling
Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: 4+ star accommodation, exclusive premium inclusions, our most experienced leaders
Original
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
This trip generates 68 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip

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.

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2024

Itinerary

Map of Cycle Northern Vietnam including Vietnam

Inclusions and activities

Meals

7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

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

Accommodation

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

Included activities
  • 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

Optional activities
  • 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 - USD29

Is this trip right for you?

  • 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. The accommodation is shared and basic, and all group members sleep in a single 'dorm' room - 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.

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. It is very important that you provide your height at time of booking so we can ensure that you have the appropriate sized bicycle when your trip starts. If you do not provide your height ahead of arrival we cannot guarantee a suitably sized bike for you.
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.

Essential Trip Information

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.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

5 out of 5 based on 48 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Laura · Traveled November 2024
Review submitted 19 Nov 2024

Mayank · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 20 Oct 2024

Catherine · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 19 Oct 2024

Giuseppe · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 20 Oct 2024

Joe · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 20 Oct 2024
Cycle Northern Vietnam
From
GBP £965