Cycle Northern Vietnam

Cycle Northern Vietnam
Cycle Northern Vietnam
Cycle Northern Vietnam
Cycle Northern Vietnam
Cycle Northern Vietnam


(21 reviews)

From:

CAD $1,620

8 Days

Best Rate: Guarantee

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

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.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 18 May 2025

Experience Overview

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.

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.

Trip Details

Product CodeProduct Code: 2871

Tour TypeTour Type: Small Group

AccommodationAccommodation: Moderate

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

Guide LanguageGuide Language: English

Tour OperatorTour Operator: Intrepid Travel

Supplier CodeSupplier Code: TVXS

StartStarts: Hanoi, Vietnam

FinishFinishes: Hanoi, Vietnam

DurationDuration: 8 days

DeparturesDepartures: Guaranteed

Physical RatingPhysical Rating: Average

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (4), Dinner (3)
Accommodation: Hotel (4 nights),homestay (2 nights),overnight boat (1 night)

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1,620 ($202 /day)

Itinerary

1
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.

Optional Activities:

  • Hanoi - Army Museum (20000 VND)
  • Hanoi - Women's Museum (30000 VND)
  • Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology (40000 VND)
  • Hanoi - Fine Arts Museum (30000 VND)
  • Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (40000 VND)
  • Hanoi - One Pillar Pagoda & HCM stilt house (40000 VND)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

2
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!

Included Activities:

  • Guided Hanoi city bike ride
  • Hanoi - Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison

Optional Activities:

  • Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure (40 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

3
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.

Included Activities:

  • Guided & vehicle-supported cycling in Mai Chau

Accommodation:

  • Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)

4
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.

Included Activities:

  • Guided & vehicle-supported cycling in Pu Luong National Park

Accommodation:

  • Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)

5
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.

Included Activities:

  • Guided & vehicle-supported cycling in Cuc Phuong National Park

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

6
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.

Included Activities:

  • Guided & vehicle-supported cycling near Ninh Binh
  • Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise

Accommodation:

  • Overnight boat (Number of Nights: 1)

7
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.

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

8
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.

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

Reviews

 

Frank   -  Traveled, March 2023

What a fantastic 8 day cycling trip around north Vietnam, made all the better because of the expertise of our guide, Tien. I would encourage anyone, who enjoys cycling, to use this trip as a way of learning, up close, about the people, culture, food, lifestyle and politics of the fascinating country.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/23/2024

 

Andrew   -  Traveled, March 2024

A brilliant cycle ride from Hanoi to Halong Bay. Best of everything glorious views food and routes. Best of all super guide from Tien!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/23/2024

 

Fiona   -  Traveled, March 2023

Tien made this cycling trip fantastic. I have learnt so much from him about the culture, history, family life, infrastructure and politics of beautiful Vietnam. The people are beautiful in spirit. The cycling up in the mountains was incredible. Stunning!!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/23/2023

 

John   -  Traveled, March 2023

This trip exceeded my expectation and delivered as advertised. Tien our leader was knowledgeable about the culture, geopgraphy and history of Vietnam. Tien and his staff provided excellent service and care to all members of my group.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/23/2023

 

Gail   -  Traveled, March 2023

We completed the cycle Northern Vietnam with Tien as our group leader. He was amazing and made the trip a wonderful experience. The scenery was incredible. The biking was fun, and our group got along really great, which made the whole adventure worthwhile.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/23/2023

 

Nancy   -  Traveled, December 2023

The cycling trip in the North of Vietnam was a perfect way to see the country. We got city and country life plus Ha Long Bay. I highly recommend.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 12/17/2023

 

Anne   -  Traveled, December 2023

A fabulous trip for people who like riding and the outdoors. We had a diverse, well travelled, cohesive group who got along extremely well. We had fabulous support of drivers/mechanic ( Thang, Linh, Son) whose service to us was outstanding. We had a Leader Loc who was well organised, very approachable, friendly & fun. The Staff made this trip so manageable and enjoyable for us as riders. The accommodation & meals exceeded my expectations & everything was always clean and well presented. Vietnam is a wonderful country to travel in. I definitely recommend this trip. It was great ??

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 12/18/2023

 

Selwyn   -  Traveled, December 2023

This cycle tour exceeded my expectations. The organisation & support was supperb. Our leader Loc was absolutely amazing caring & supportive. I highly recommend Intrepid as a safe, trustworthy, & reliable tour group. I hope to join more adve tures with intrepid. I rate them 11 out of 10.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 01/11/2024

 

Meisha   -  Traveled, December 2023

Had an excellent time on this trip and would highly recommend to anyone considering it. Cycling is a wonderful way to see the country and visit places you might not otherwise. Loc was a wonderful guide.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 12/17/2023

 

Chris   -  Traveled, November 2023

An excellent well guided and supported trip.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/27/2023

 

Patrick   -  Traveled, November 2023

This is a great trip through some majestic scenery. Whilst cycling is not grueling a level of fitness is needed. E bike option makes trip available for all though. Homestay on the basic side, but located in stunning settings.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/20/2023

 

Oscar   -  Traveled, November 2023

Our guide, Hung Tran, was considerate, knowledgeable, and fun. A close-up of the countryside amidst stunning scenery. Exploring by bicycle, on foot, interspersed with minibus travel, culminating in Halong Bay boat trip provided an enjoyable experience of city and rural life. Our first Intrepid journey - definitely not our last!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/22/2023

 

Debbie   -  Traveled, November 2023

This was a fantastic trip. Nothing beats cycling through the small streets and towns. Truly unique experience. I love being active and the satisfaction of completing the day by bike. Our group was fantastic.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/22/2023

 

Alicia   -  Traveled, September 2023

This was an excellent adventure and each day there were unforgettable experiences. If you are thinking of booking this trip, the answer should be a loud YES

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/09/2023

 

Valerie   -  Traveled, September 2023

Intrepid cycling in Vietnam was so easy from the time I booked to the end. Son our Guide was amazing his love for the people and country side was second to none. I would highly recommend meeting Son and experiencing his Cycling or walking tours. Thank you Son for making my holiday so enjoyable!!!!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/09/2023

 

Sarah   -  Traveled, September 2023

The trip was unbelievable First time, I’ve travelled on my own the whole experience was I was on beatable. Son was outstanding as a tour guide on you so much and more

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/10/2023

 

Joe   -  Traveled, August 2023

The cycling tour was fantastic. It was very hot but the tour leader was fantastic and made sure we were going at our pace and having fun. Highly recommend to anyone wanting an active holiday.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 08/13/2023

 

Courtney   -  Traveled, August 2023

I loved this tour. Vietnamese is a beautiful place and seeing it on bike was really something else. Our tour guide, Loc, was amazing. Super helpful, available, informative and fun. We had a great group. I would highly recommend this your, bring your padded shorts and get a few Ks in the legs beforehand so you can really maximise your enjoyment.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 08/12/2023

 

Tiffanee   -  Traveled, August 2023

The 8 day cycling North Vietnam tour was the first active tour I have ever done and it's fair to say that Intrepid Tours have won my heart thanks to their wonderful Tour Guide, Loc and a brilliantly laid out itinerary. I'll be travelling Intrepid again for sure!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 08/12/2023

 

Sheila   -  Traveled, April 2023

What an amazing way to see northern Vietnam! From the chaotic streets of Hanoi to the tranquil countryside surrounded by rice fields and water buffalo. This is truly an amazing experience.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/16/2023

 

Damien   -  Traveled, April 2023

An amazing experience, cycling north Vietnam takes you from bustling Hanoi to the serenity of hill villages and then the exquisite Halong Bay. The cycling experience is at times relaxed and at others challenging as we ride up and down mountains. But its worth it for the views of rice fields and hamlets nestled below. You will constantly be greeted by children and adults as you ride by. What a delight!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 04/16/2023

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