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Cycle Northern Vietnam

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Cycle Northern Vietnam

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Description

More than 30 million Vietnamese can’t be wrong – handle-bar height gives you the best views of spectacular, off-the-beaten-track parts of this country! On this eight-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 the UNESCO World Heritage site Halong Bay, down country lanes and through spectacular mountain scenery. Ride to the largest waterfall in Vietnam, pedal past the jagged peaks of the Phong Nam Valley, jutting skyward from the emerald-green rice paddies and take in the dazzling scenery of Cao Bang, a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Trip Name
Cycle Northern Vietnam
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
8
Capacity
16
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.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
06-09-202613-09-2026AUD $ 1,683-
04-10-202611-10-2026AUD $ 1,742-
18-10-202625-10-2026AUD $ 1,965-
01-11-202608-11-2026AUD $ 1,985-
22-11-202629-11-2026AUD $ 2,220-
27-12-202603-01-2027AUD $ 1,870-
14-03-202721-03-2027AUD $ 1,900-
28-03-202704-04-2027AUD $ 1,900-
11-04-202718-04-2027AUD $ 1,850-
18-04-202725-04-2027AUD $ 1,890-
16-05-202723-05-2027AUD $ 1,795-
11-07-202718-07-2027AUD $ 1,795-
08-08-202715-08-2027AUD $ 1,795-
05-09-202712-09-2027AUD $ 1,795-
03-10-202710-10-2027AUD $ 1,850-
17-10-202724-10-2027AUD $ 1,850-
31-10-202707-11-2027AUD $ 1,900-
21-11-202728-11-2027AUD $ 1,900-
26-12-202702-01-2028AUD $ 1,850-
30-01-202806-02-2028AUD $ 1,885-
20-02-202827-02-2028AUD $ 1,885-
12-03-202819-03-2028AUD $ 1,995-
26-03-202802-04-2028AUD $ 2,035-
16-04-202823-04-2028AUD $ 1,995-
14-05-202821-05-2028AUD $ 1,940-
09-07-202816-07-2028AUD $ 1,940-
13-08-202820-08-2028AUD $ 1,885-
17-09-202824-09-2028AUD $ 1,885-
08-10-202815-10-2028AUD $ 1,885-
22-10-202829-10-2028AUD $ 1,940-
05-11-202812-11-2028AUD $ 1,995-
19-11-202826-11-2028AUD $ 2,035-
26-11-202803-12-2028AUD $ 2,035-
10-12-202817-12-2028AUD $ 1,995-
31-12-202807-01-2029AUD $ 1,940-

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), overnight boat (1 night)

Transport

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

Map

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