Northern Vietnam Cycling Adventure 10 Days

Hanoi - Arrival

Arrive in Ha Noi, our tour guide and private car pick up you at the airport, transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Early evening, you will be transferred to the Water Puppet theatre in downtown Ha Noi. The performance runs for approximately 50 minutes, and afterwards you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi - Sightseeing

Take a full day tour to explore Ha Noi’s illustrious history. In the morning, visit the imposing marble edifice housing the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum (CLOSED ON MONDAYS & FRIDAYS) before moving onto his wooden stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda. You will then explore the first university of Vietnam, the Temple of Literature, which is imbued with the profound philosophies of Confucianism. In the afternoon, visit the Hoan Kiem Lake, the Ngoc Son Temple and an ancient Vietnamese “long house”. A one-hour cyclo tour of Ha Noi’s Old Quarter allows you to catch a glimpse of ancient Ha Noi and learn about traditional Vietnamese architecture.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi - Countryside Cycling

In the morning, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the bike station to start your journey. Cycle across the iconic Long Bien Bridge, stopping along the way to take in panoramic views of the Red River and Banana Island, dotted with dozens of tiny floating houses.

Continue riding along the Ngoc Thuy dike before heading off-road through lush rice fields and peaceful villages nestled along the Red River. Stop at a local home to meet the host, enjoy a cup of tea, and experience authentic daily life. Your ride then continues through rural villages to the historic Co Loa Citadel.

Next, visit an organic farm where you’ll meet local farmers and learn about their agricultural practices. Continue cycling to another local home, where you’ll be warmly welcomed with a home-cooked lunch, offering a true taste of Vietnamese hospitality. After lunch, cycle back toward the city center. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore Hanoi at your own pace. [Cycle approximately 38 km]

Overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi - Hoa Binh - Ba Khan village

Depart from Hanoi in the morning as your guide and driver pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Xuan Mai town, the starting point of your cycling adventure. After a short bike fitting and briefing, set off with a professional local biking guide to explore some of the most scenic routes in Northern Vietnam, heading toward Hoa Binh. Along the way, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of mountains, forests, and countryside landscapes, while also having plenty of opportunities to experience the rich culture and daily life of the Muong ethnic community. Lunch will be arranged either in Hoa Binh city or at a scenic stop along the cycling route.

Upon arrival in Hoa Binh, transfer by vehicle to the peaceful Ba Khan Village, a hidden gem nestled beside the vast Da River reservoir. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the surrounding Muong villages on foot or opt for a boat trip on the tranquil Da River (optional, at your own expense). In the evening, savor a delicious dinner and spend the night in Ba Khan, surrounded by serene nature and local charm. [Cycle approximately 42 km]

Overnight in Ba Khan.

Ba Khan village - Mai Chau

Departing from Ba Khan Village, begin your cycling day along the scenic shores of the Da River. The route winds through gentle hills, offering a mix of ups and downs, with lush green bamboo forests lining the way and creating a peaceful, picturesque atmosphere.

Continue pedaling toward Mai Chau Valley, known as the heartland of the Thai ethnic community, where hundreds of traditional wooden stilt houses are scattered across the valley. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch before checking in at your hotel.

In the afternoon, hop back on your bike for a leisurely ride through the beautiful valley, visiting charming Thai villages such as Chieng Sai, Cha Long, Na Tang, Van, and Lac Village. This is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture, admire traditional architecture, and experience the tranquil rhythm of rural life. [Cycle approximately 50 km]

Overnight in Mai Chau.

Mai Chau - Pu Luong

After breakfast, depart from Mai Chau Valley and transfer by vehicle toward the pristine Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Upon reaching the starting point along Highway 15C, receive your bikes and begin cycling through this stunning natural reserve. As you ride, take in the dramatic scenery with towering limestone mountains rising on your right and expansive valleys stretching out on your left, dotted with traditional Thai ethnic villages. Around midday, arrive at Ban Don Village, where you’ll enjoy lunch and check in at a charming local lodge.

In the afternoon, set out on a leisurely 5 km trek from Ban Don to Ban Uoi, passing through breathtaking terraced rice fields and peaceful Thai villages filled with hundreds of traditional stilt houses. After the walk, a vehicle will pick you up and transfer you back to your lodge, where you can relax and spend the night surrounded by the tranquil beauty of Pu Luong. [Cycle approximately 35 km]

Overnight in Pu Luong.

Pu Luong - Cuc Phuong

Leaving Pu Luong Nature Reserve under golden sunlight and a sea of clouds drifting across the valleys, begin your ride downhill toward the Ma River. Cycle across La Han Bridge to reach Canh Nang town, then continue your journey over a floating bridge and along small riverside trails that trace the peaceful banks of the Ma River.

From here, ride onward to the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail, where you will enjoy a late lunch at a local restaurant along the way. After lunch, your vehicle will pick you up and transfer you to Cuc Phuong National Park. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and relax, surrounded by the lush greenery of Vietnam’s oldest national park. [Cycle approximately 65 km]

Overnight in Cuc Phuong.

Cuc Phuong - Van Long - Trang An - Ninh Binh

In the morning, visit the conservation centers inside Cuc Phuong National Park, including the Endangered Primate Rescue Center and the Turtle Conservation Center, where you’ll learn about vital wildlife protection efforts. Then, enjoy a scenic 18 km cycling route deep into the park’s primary rainforest, surrounded by towering ancient trees and rich biodiversity.

After the ride, your vehicle will transfer you to Van Long Nature Reserve, where you’ll have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, continue cycling through picturesque countryside—across open rice fields, along the Hoang Long River dike, and via quiet rural roads toward Trang An Landscape Complex. Upon arrival, embark on a traditional sampan boat trip to explore the stunning karst landscape of Trang An, gliding through a network of caves, rivers, and lush valleys. After the boat excursion, your vehicle will transfer you back to your hotel. [Cycle approximately 40 km]

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Ninh Binh - Ha Long

In the morning, enjoy a private transfer from your hotel to Ha Long Bay. The journey offers a pleasant glimpse of Northern Vietnam’s countryside, with expansive rice paddy fields and rural landscapes along the way.

Upon arrival at the Ha Long cruise terminal, complete embarkation procedures and step aboard your luxury cruise vessel. A refreshing welcome drink is served as the cruise gently sails into the heart of Ha Long Bay – a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Savor a refined lunch at the elegant onboard restaurant while admiring the spectacular limestone karsts rising from emerald waters.

During the afternoon, participate in carefully curated activities such as visiting a magnificent limestone cave, kayaking among dramatic islets, or simply relaxing on the sundeck as the sun sets over the bay. As evening falls, indulge in a gourmet dinner in an intimate and sophisticated setting, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of Ha Long Bay.

Overnight onboard.

Ha Long - Hanoi (Next departure)

Begin the day with the gentle light of sunrise over the bay. Enjoy breakfast onboard as the cruise continues its scenic route through towering limestone formations and calm waters. Take in the final highlights of Ha Long Bay before disembarkation.

After leaving the cruise, return to Hanoi by expressway or Noi Bai airport for your departure.