Vietnam North to East Challenging Cycling Tour offers challenging cycling through a stunning unexplored area rich with cultural and geographical wonders. From Vietnam’s buzzing capital, Hanoi, we journey to the remote undiscovered Ha Giang region. Cycling hilly hairpin bends amongst slopes, ridges, valleys, and limestone karsts the outstanding natural beauty will take your breath away.Terraced paddy fields and surreal limestone peaks are home to a vibrant, traditional tribal culture. Crops and dwellings seem to cling to the rocky terrain. We encounter Red Dao, Tay, White Hmong, Tay and Lo Lo communities who, until recently, have lived in complete isolation from the outside world. We witness an unchanged way of life, visiting the local markets, and seeing wildlife including water buffalo, pigs and horses…

Day 1 : Hanoi City To Pho Lu - Lao Cai

Pick up from your hotel at 8:00 AM take a short Hanoi city tour to visit Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and one piller pagodas and Tran Quoc pagoda and transfer to Pho Lu - Lao Cai via new highway. Light lunch on the way, arrival Phu Lu and check in Phu Quang resort, check your bike and have dinner at your resort .

Summary

Meals :  Lunch , Dinner

Accommodation : Resort .

Day 2 : Lao Cai – Coc Ly - Bac Ha ( B , L , D )

This is the principal town in Lao Cai Province in North Eastern Vietnam, bordering Yunnan province, China. The border was closed from 1979 –1993 following war with China and the town mainly consists of modern architecture constructed since then. The town is now a popular destination for those journeying between Hanoi or Sapa and Kunming in China, and a key trading post. We will arrive at around 6.30 am and have breakfast in a local restaurant. Our cycling begins to Coc Ly villages with 45km on gently inclining sealed road towards an uphill route over the mountain pass to Bac Ha. As we cycle up to the pass the final 15km are a tough 800m climb on unsealed road as the terrain becomes more challenging. Our efforts are rewarded with panoramic views of surrounding mountains. Bac Ha is famous for the delicious plums that grow in forests on the hillsides..

Summary

Accommodation: Sartuday Hotel

Meals :  Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

Cycling distance: 70 km

Total climb: 1,115m

Total descent: 202m

Day 3 : Bac Ha – Xin Man – Hoang Su Phi ( B , L , D )

We’re back on the bikes today cycling to Xin Man. Our route takes us into some of the remotest areas of Northeast Vietnam. The ride begins with a 10km climb of around 400m on newly sealed road before we turn off onto unsealed rough track for the next 15km heading into rural tribal areas. Then it’s a massive descent of 1000m to Xin Man. Located right on the Vietnamese/Chinese border Xin Man is hidden away in a landscape of wild mountain and forest and inhabited by 15 ethnic groups including the Nung, the Flower H’mong, the Tay, La Chi, Kinh, Hoa. After lunch we cross over the river Cahy for 40km of cycling along quiet road; there is a gentle incline as we approach Hoang Su Phi. We encounter some rough sections of road along the way but are rewarded with beautiful views of the river.

Summary

Accommodation: Hotel Tay Con Linh

Meals :  Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

Cycling Distance : 80 km

Total climb: 1,509m

Total descent: 1943m

Day 4 : Hoang Su Phi – Heaven Gate – Ha Giang ( B , L , D )

Hoang Su Phi is one of the most untouched regions of Vietnam and communities have lived in total isolation from mainstream society until very recently. At an average elevation of 800 m above sea level with high mountains, deep valleys, streams and forestland, it is an area of outstanding natural beauty and unspoiled traditional life. Today we undertake the challenge of cycling over the ‘Heaven Gate 2’ mountain pass +895m, en route to Tan Quang. The pass offers stunning views beneath a wide open sky.  You really will feel on top of the world. This afternoon we make our descent cycling past villages, rice and maize terraces cultivated by the Red Dao and Tay tribes. The aromatic scents of cardamom and star anise fill the air as we pass along our route to Tan Quang nestled down in the valley. For the final stretch of this long day’s cycling we take it easy with a leisurely cycle of 46km along the Lo river bank through unspoiled countryside to Ha Giang the sleepy capital of Ha Giang Province and approx 215 miles (350 km) Northwest of Hanoi. This is the old Silk Road.

Summary

Accommodation: Huy Hoan Hotel

Meals :  Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

Cycling Distance : 105 km

Total climb: 1,074m

Total descent: 1,440m

Day 5 : Ha Giang Uphill to Quan Ba ( B , L , D )

This is the challenge day climbing up to heaven gates of the Hmong people (elve. +1,100m). Beautiful view at summit of QuanBa heaven gate, and nice road along river Nhiem.Setting off this morning we head out of town cycling for the first 25km on relatively flat road through the landscape of terraced rice paddy fields. Passing through minority villages we cycle the next 25km up winding roads into the vast limestone mountain range with its perpendicular walls of rock, climbing 800m towards the mountain road pass “Heaven gate 1”. As we pass through mountain villages sometimes covered by cloud, we will receive a friendly greeting from the local communities. From the pass we can look down at amazing views, including the famous vista of the Tam Son valley with the ‘Twin Hills and can spy Quan Ba town, our destination, in its beautiful location. It’s mainly downhill for the last 15km into Quan Ba.

Summary

Accommodation: Hotel 567

Meals :  Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

Cycling Distance : 50km

Total climb: 1,108m

Total descent: 348m

Day 6 : Quan Ba to Yen Minh ( B,L,D)

We will want to take our time today as our beautiful surroundings offer numerous photo opportunities and the rocky limestone and karst terrain is as diverse as it is beautiful. We cycle uphill for the first few km before a descent of around 10km and then relatively flat terrain for the next 10km. It’s a challenging up and down terrain to an altitude of 1.025m before we make a final descent for the last 15km into Yenh Minh. We will have the chance to see the traditional homes of the local hill tribes. The communities in this area are Chinese.

Summary

Accommodation: Hotel Cao Nguyen

Meals :  Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

Cycling Distance : 55km

Total climb: 668m

Total descent: 1.138m

Day 7 : Yen Minh climb Over The Rocky  Plateau to Dong Van and Meo Vac ( B,L,D)

Today we cycle on semi-surfaced quiet roads as we undertake a challenging uphill ride out of dense cedar forest onto the rocky Dong Van plateau. A registered UNESCO Global Geopark, 80% of the terrain is covered by rock and it is said to contain fossils from 400-600million years ago. Nestled in a valley in the heart of the Rock Plateau, is the isolated town of Dong Van, very close to the Chinese border and surrounded by mountain forest and multi-coloured orchids. Meaning ‘sharing culture’ Dong Van is occupied by Chinese Hoa, and H’mong, Tay and Kinh People. The houses are built in Chinese style.

As we cycle on the modest road from Dong Van to Meo Vac alongside a vast gorge, the views are spectacular. This is a winding and undulating road with the sight of the Nho Que River below. From the Ma Phi Leng Pass we look down from an altitude of around 1500m into the valley. We stay tonight in the small town of Meo Vac. Most of the tribes living here have preserved their way of life from outside influence as travelling to Meo Vac was almost impossible until the recent construction of new roads.

Summary

Accommodation: Home-stay

Meals :  Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

Cycling Distance : 75 km

Total climb: 2.258m

Total descent: 1.508m

Day 8 : Meo Vac – Bao Lac ( B ,L , D )

There is a market daily in the town centre of Meo Vac used mainly by the White Hmong, Tay and Lo Lo hill tribes. Women dressed in their brightly coloured traditional clothing walk into the town carrying their bamboo woven baskets laden with corn and vegetables. Today we follow a remote mountain road to Bao Lac. After a 5km uphill cycle we make a 20km descent the follow a fairly flat road for the next 10km. The surrounding landscape with predominantly limestone formations is a surreal vista of peaks, troughs, towers and caves. The crops and dwellings seem to perch precariously on the hillsides. There’s a relatively gentle uphill climb of 250m before we descend for the final 30km along flat terrain. We will pass people from the local minority communities along the way dressed in their vibrant tribal costumes. We stay tonight in Bao Lac.

Summary

Accommodation: Hotel Duc Tai

Meals :  Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

Cycling Distance : 75km

Total climb: 1.008m

Total descent: 1.778m

Day 9 : Bao Lac – Nguyen Binh ( B ,L,D)

Even in this isolated mountain town there is a busy morning market. We set off for a full day of cycling along challenging terrain but the road is quiet and well surfaced. We cycle through a pretty valley to the tin-mining town Tinh Tuc, heading on to Nguyen Binh. We continue along challenging terrain, but the unparalleled beauty of our surroundings more than compensates for the challenges of the cycling.

Summary

Accommodation: Hotel Binh Nguye

Meals :  Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

Cycling Distance : 85km

Total climb: 1.848m

Total descent: 1.578m

Day 10 : Nguyen Binh to BaBe National Park ( B , L,D )

There is a long day heading south to Ba Be lake today. Our van will help transfer to mountain summit, then we start our ride on new paved road, some part on dirt road. In the afternoon we take two boat trips to Ba Be national park. tonight we will stay in Tay people house in Pac Ngoi villages . O/N Ba Be.

Summary

Accommodation: Home-stay

Meals :  Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

Cycling Distance : 65km

Day 11 : Ba Be to Thai Nguyen ( B , L, D )

Today is last day cycling - The scenery is continue cycling today from Pac Ngoi to Cho Don – ATK road to Tuyen Quang . We reach hight way 3 and start to pack up our bikes, refresh for lunch break. Then we drive the rest of the way to Thai Nguyen city .Check in your hotel in Thai Nguyen.

Summary

Accommodation: Hotel Kim Thai

Meals :  Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

Cycling Distance : 75 km

Day 12 : Thai Nguyen – Ha Long Bay ( B , L, D )

We transfer this morning to beautiful Ha Long Bay. This spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site is the world’s largest marine limestone ‘karst’ landscape. Travelling on a wooden junk, modelled on traditional Vietnamese court sailing boats, we will see some of the Heritage areas and quieter grottos and caves . You can swim fish and take a walk up hill for an unforgettable view over the bay. You will also have the opportunity to travel into some sea level caves in a small sampon. All meals will be provided on board (mainly seafood based).

Summary

Accommodation: on the Royal Junk cruise

Meals :  Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

Cycling Distance : None

Day 13 : Ha Long Bay – Ha Noi ( B , L )

This morning we will cruise around Ha Long Bay, and enjoy a late brunch. The boat trip finishes around midday and you will be transferred back to Hanoi to arrive late afternoon.Check in your hotel . Tour Is Over .

Summary

Accommodation: Your account

Meals :  Breakfast , Lunch

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Join in group departure dates : on 25th Monthly

Group sizes : Min from 2 to Max 16 cyclists

Tour price and tour Included : Click Here

Our bike information : Click Here

  • Northeast Vietnam Challenging Cycling Tour – 13 Days 1
  • Northeast Vietnam Challenging Cycling Tour – 13 Days 1
  • Northeast Vietnam Challenging Cycling Tour – 13 Days 2
  • Northeast Vietnam Challenging Cycling Tour – 13 Days 3
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