Cycle Northern Vietnam

Intrepid Travel · 8 days

4.5

21 Reviews

Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

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.

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (4), Dinner (3)
Accommodation: Hotel (6 nights), overnight boat (1 night)

Highlights

Escape the crowds and experience a side of Vietnam very few travellers get to see as you cycle through Northern Vietnam’s incredible natural scenery, small villages and ancient ruins – the best way to see the country is on a bike!
Ride through the spectacularly lush landscapes of the Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark and Phong Nam Valley – cycling alongside the rice paddies, you’ll pass local farmers, towering limestone karsts and diverse flora and fauna.
Work up an appetite cycling near Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi. Wander the Old Quarter on two legs and two wheels, then spend the evening indulging in delicious local food (think banh mi, bun cha and pho).
Visit Ban Gioc Waterfall – the largest and most beautiful waterfall in Vietnam (you can even see China on the other side of the river!).
Spend a night aboard a small boat at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Halong Bay – a must-do on any visit to Vietnam! Sail among the limestone peaks, stop off at one of the remote islands and wander through Surprise Cave.

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

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

Guide Language

English

Starts

Hanoi, Vietnam

Finishes

Hanoi, Vietnam

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Cycling, Budget

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins in the capital city of Hanoi, with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, you might like to stretch your legs with a walk around the shaded boulevards, or 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 - Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (40000 VND)
Hanoi - One Pillar Pagoda & HCM stilt house (40000 VND)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Hanoi

This morning, you’ll get the chance to explore the Vietnamese capital by bike on a guided ride near the city. Hanoi is the perfect city to explore on two wheels, so this is the ideal place to get to grips with Vietnamese street life and traffic. 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
Guided bike ride in Hanoi
Bicycle hire included

Optional Activities:

Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure (29 USD)
Hanoi - Fine Arts Museum (30000 VND)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Hanoi to Cao Bang

Leave the Delta behind as you transfer into the rugged heart of Northeast Vietnam. Today’s cycling route takes you to the mountainous district of Bach Thong with a true road-less-travelled ride. Boulevards and big road give way to winding backroads used by the local Tay and Nung communities. Soak up the peacefulness of the quiet backroads as you wind through rolling green hills dotted with banana trees and rice paddies.

Included Activities:

Guided & vehicle-supported cycling in Bach Thong district

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Cao Bang

Prepare for the most spectacular day of scenery today. You’ll take the coach over the Ma Phuc Pass, famous for its seven steep bends and panoramic views over the karst-studded valley. Enter the Trung Khanh district, renowned for its lush chestnut forests, then start the ride deep into the UNESCO Global Geopark, passing karst formations and traditional villages to the thundering Ban Gioc Waterfalls. This cascade is known as the largest waterfall in South East Asia and has been shortlisted for World Nature Heritage. After having lunch and a break at the falls, your route will follow the turquoise waters of Quay Son River, which snakes along the border of China. Cycle into the ethereal Phong Nam Valley – a photographer’s dream, where jagged peaks rise like columns from brilliant green rice paddies.

Included Activities:

Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark
Guided & vehicle-supported cycling in Cao Bang district
Ban Gioc waterfall visit
Phong Nam Valley visit

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Cao Bang to Bac Ninh

Today is your last cycling day of the trip, starting with a transfer to Binh Gia in Lang Son province, where the terrain is a dramatic mix of upland roads and cultivated valleys. Wind your way into the hearts of beautiful karst-studded valleys to get to Quynh Son, which was crowned a UN Best Tourism Village in 2025. This living museum is home to over 400 traditional Tay stilt houses with distinctive yin-yang tile roofs. Have lunch here, then cycle the rugged hills of Huu Lung, passing the historic Bac Son Valley, where the patchwork of rice fields creates a geometric pattern against the peaky backdrop. From there, you’ll take the coach to Bac Ninh – one of the first cradles of ancient Tonkin culture.

Included Activities:

Quynh Son traditional village visit
Guided & vehicle-supported cycling in Lang Son district

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Bac Ninh to Halong Bay

After a good night’s sleep, you’ll transfer to the UNESCO World Nature Heritage site of Halong Bay. Climb aboard your boat and glide along the emerald 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. You’ll also have the opportunity to swim and kayak in the East Sea and explore caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites before spending the night aboard beneath the starry sky.

Included Activities:

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

Accommodation:

Overnight boat (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Hanoi

After a night beneath the stars on the still waters of Halong Bay, you’ll cruise back to the mainland, taking in all the scenery one last time. Head back to Hanoi, arriving in the early evening. When you get to the bustling capital, maybe head down to the markets for some last-minute souvenir shopping or a visit to one of the city’s many museums, like the Fine Art Museum, the Women’s Museum or the Museum of Ethnology. Toast the end of an epic adventure with an optional farewell dinner with your group.

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

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 checkout. 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.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $1,780

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 16 May 2027

View Map

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

Frank

Traveled, March 2023

03/23/2024

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.

4.5

Andrew

Traveled, March 2024

03/23/2024

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

Tour Operator

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

Book Now