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Cycle Northern Vietnam
Operated by Intrepid Travel
Tripcode: TVXS
Overview
Destination:
Vietnam,
Duration:8 days
Type:Group tour (max 16)
Travel Period
September 2026 - December 2029
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.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
1. It is very important that you provide your height at time of booking so we can ensure that you have the appropriate sized bicycle when your trip starts. If you do not provide your height ahead of arrival we cannot guarantee a suitably sized bike for you.
2. Please see your Trip Notes if your departure takes place during Tet, usually in late January/early February. Although we do our best to run trips during Tet as per the scheduled itinerary, it is likely that there will be some changes to transport, accommodation or order of destinations visited.
3. Whilst bicycle helmets are not compulsory in Vietnam, Intrepid cyclists must wear a quality helmet at all times while riding in Vietnam. Good quality helmets are not available in Vietnam so make sure you bring yours from home.
4. During the group meeting, your trip leader will ask you if you would like to contribute to the snack kitty. This would be used to purchase extra supplies of snacks, including nuts and other energy packed goodies. It is not a compulsory kitty, although will make the purchasing of snacks easier and more convenient for you. You can find out more information from your leader upon arrival but costs are indicated in the Money Matters Section of your Essential Trip Information.
5. Single supplement exclusion – the single supplement does not include night 6 – O/N on Hanoi Cruise.
6. This trip includes 4 days of actual cycling.
2. Please see your Trip Notes if your departure takes place during Tet, usually in late January/early February. Although we do our best to run trips during Tet as per the scheduled itinerary, it is likely that there will be some changes to transport, accommodation or order of destinations visited.
3. Whilst bicycle helmets are not compulsory in Vietnam, Intrepid cyclists must wear a quality helmet at all times while riding in Vietnam. Good quality helmets are not available in Vietnam so make sure you bring yours from home.
4. During the group meeting, your trip leader will ask you if you would like to contribute to the snack kitty. This would be used to purchase extra supplies of snacks, including nuts and other energy packed goodies. It is not a compulsory kitty, although will make the purchasing of snacks easier and more convenient for you. You can find out more information from your leader upon arrival but costs are indicated in the Money Matters Section of your Essential Trip Information.
5. Single supplement exclusion – the single supplement does not include night 6 – O/N on Hanoi Cruise.
6. This trip includes 4 days of actual cycling.
Highlights:
- 1. It is very important that you provide your height at time of booking so we can ensure that you have the appropriate sized bicycle when your trip starts. If you do not provide your height ahead of arrival we cannot guarantee a suitably sized bike for you. 2. Please see your Trip Notes if your departure takes place during Tet, usually in late January/early February. Although we do our best to run trips during Tet as per the scheduled itinerary, it is likely that there will be some changes to transport, accommodation or order of destinations visited. 3. Whilst bicycle helmets are not compulsory in Vietnam, Intrepid cyclists must wear a quality helmet at all times while riding in Vietnam. Good quality helmets are not available in Vietnam so make sure you bring yours from home. 4. During the group meeting, your trip leader will ask you if you would like to contribute to the snack kitty. This would be used to purchase extra supplies of snacks, including nuts and other energy packed goodies. It is not a compulsory kitty, although will make the purchasing of snacks easier and more convenient for you. You can find out more information from your leader upon arrival but costs are indicated in the Money Matters Section of your Essential Trip Information. 5. Single supplement exclusion – the single supplement does not include night 6 – O/N on Hanoi Cruise. 6. This trip includes 4 days of actual cycling.
Standard inclusions
- Meals: Meals: 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners.
- Transport: Bicycle (e-bike option available), Support vehicle, Boat, Kayak, Taxi.
- Accommodation: Hotel (6 nights), overnight boat (1 night).
- Guided Hanoi city bike ride.
- Hanoi - Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison.
- Guided bike ride in Hanoi.
- Bicycle hire included.
- Guided & vehicle-supported cycling in Bach Thong district.
- Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark.
- Guided & vehicle-supported cycling in Cao Bang district.
- Ban Gioc waterfall visit.
- Phong Nam Valley visit.
- Quynh Son traditional village visit.
- Guided & vehicle-supported cycling in Lang Son district.
- Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise.
Itinerary
Expand all 
Collapse all
Collapse allDay 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.
Dates
Select a date or submit general enquiry
Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid is a small group tour travel company with humble beginnings that now sends over 100,000 travellers a year on grassroots and responsible travel tours.
Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
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per person twin share
7 nights
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