(10,000 reviews)
English
▼
English
Français
Español
Deutsch
Italiano
Português
Русский
Cycling in Northeast Vietnam is not just about covering distance—it's about immersing yourself in landscapes that defy imagination and connecting with cultures that remain deeply rooted in tradition. Unlike Vietnam’s busier southern regions or tourist-friendly coastal routes, the northeast offers rugged beauty, authentic hospitality, and the silence of untouched lands.
Here, the roads aren’t highways—they’re narrow passes hugging cliffsides, dirt tracks through rice terraces, and winding lanes lined with bamboo, corn, and limestone outcrops. The people you meet aren't vendors trained to sell, but farmers, blacksmiths, and artisans curious about your journey and willing to share theirs.
Your journey starts in Ha Giang City, where bicycles are prepped, panniers packed, and spirits high. From here, the road northward is lined with banana trees, buffalo paths, and karst hills that rise slowly into mountains.
You’ll pass through villages where Tay and Dao communities live in wooden houses perched on stilts over vegetable gardens. These opening kilometers are the calm before the climb.
The ultimate test—and reward—comes with the ascent of Ma Pi Leng Pass, a narrow ribbon of road clinging to jagged cliffs nearly 1,500 meters above sea level. From the top, gaze down at the jade waters of the Nho Que River, meandering through canyons far below.
This section is both physically demanding and visually overwhelming.
Elevation gain: ~800m over 20 km
Photo stops: every few bends (you won’t resist)
Wildlife sightings: goats, eagles, and sometimes monkeys
Encounters: H’mong children selling herbs or leading horses
Spend the night in Dong Van or Meo Vac, where highland markets come alive each weekend. These are not tourist shows—they're cultural gatherings where ethnic people from every surrounding mountain descend in vibrant handmade clothes, selling honey, tobacco, spices, and livestock.
Evenings are quiet but rich in experience:
Try thắng cố (horse stew) if you're adventurous
Listen to locals play flute or đàn môi (Jew's harp)
Enjoy warm corn wine under a sky full of stars
As you leave Ha Giang, you descend through forested valleys into Cao Bang province, where scenery softens slightly but becomes even more serene. The region remains one of Vietnam’s least-visited, making every interaction personal and unscripted.
Ride along river valleys where waterwheels turn lazily, and farmers plant rice by hand. You'll encounter villages inhabited by Nùng An, Tay, and San Chay communities, with their own languages, clothing, and beliefs.
In Phia Thap, locals make incense using forest herbs, drying them in concentric spirals in the sun. In Pac Rang, blacksmiths shape farming tools over wood fires, pounding iron on stone anvils with rhythmic precision.
You don’t just observe—you participate:
Help grind herbs for incense
Share green tea with a craftsman’s family
Learn how traditional tools are forged and blessed
Bike between hamlets over bamboo bridges and narrow trails
After days of riding, the roar of Ban Gioc Waterfall signals you’ve reached one of Vietnam’s greatest natural treasures. Cascading over 200 meters wide, with mist rising into the treetops, Ban Gioc sits dramatically on the border with China.
Take time here to:
Enjoy a bamboo raft ride to the waterfall base
Explore surrounding rice fields and border guard posts
Have a picnic lunch with a view few ever witness
Reflect on how far you've come—not just in kilometers, but in spirit
From Cao Bang, continue your ride toward Ba Be Lake, where towering limestone cliffs give way to forested hills and tranquil waters. This national park is a haven for biodiversity, home to over 550 species of plants and animals.
The ride here is easier but no less scenic—ideal for soaking in the final days of the journey.
At Ba Be, ride beside the lake, kayak through caves, visit Dau Dang waterfall, or simply sit on the veranda of your homestay and listen to frogs, birds, and the gentle splash of oars.
Local families here welcome you into their stilt homes with:
Sticky rice cooked in bamboo
Fish caught from the lake
Fern salad and boiled mountain herbs
Stories passed down through generations
This is a place for stillness, connection, and closure.
This trip is ideal for:
Adventure cyclists seeking cultural depth
Nature lovers and photographers
Responsible travelers who enjoy local homestays
Riders looking for a physical challenge and emotional reward
Small groups, couples, or solo travelers who want something real
Golden Cycling Tours makes this epic loop smooth and memorable. Every detail is curated with safety, cultural respect, and rider enjoyment in mind.
You’ll receive:
High-quality bikes or e-bikes
Knowledgeable English-speaking cycling guides
Support vehicle with snacks, tools, and rider support
Clean accommodations: mix of hotels, guesthouses, and homestays
All meals – healthy, local, and delicious
Entrance tickets and guided cultural visits
Water refills, fruits, and encouragement at every stop
The best months for this ride are:
September – November: Golden rice terraces, dry skies, cool air
March – May: Blooming forests, fresh mountain breezes
December – February: Crisp mornings, clear mountain views
June – August: Lush and green but hot and humid with afternoon rain (still doable for experienced riders)
If you're dreaming of a journey that takes you far from the usual tourist paths, into the soul of a country still defined by community, tradition, and wild beauty—then this is your ride.
Let Golden Cycling Tours design the adventure, support your ride, and introduce you to a side of Vietnam few ever see.
📧 Email: info@goldencyclingtours.com
🌐 Website: www.goldencyclingtours.com
“Some roads are meant to be ridden slowly, with your eyes open, your heart full, and your spirit free.”
Join us for the ultimate Northeast Vietnam Bike Adventure.
.jpg "Cycling in Vietnam in March")
.jpg "Vietnam mountain bikes Trail")
.jpg "Vietnam Biking Trails")
.jpg "Ha Giang Cycling Tours")
Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *