This 17-day cycling trip through Vietnam and Laos combines two countries that are culturally connected but feel different at every turn. You ride through northern Vietnam and then cross into Laos, where the pace noticeably slows. Along the way, rice terraces, mountain passes and villages follow one another and you stop regularly at daily life along the route. The roads are largely surfaced but often rough and uneven, which makes this trip suitable for gravel bikes, mountain bikes and e-MTBs. The route can be adapted to different levels, so that enjoyment and feasibility come first.
Many travellers choose either Vietnam or Laos. It is the combination, though, that makes this trip what it is. Cycling through Vietnam and Laos over 17 days, you feel a transition you would never notice by plane. You start in energetic Vietnam, where life takes place on the street, trade is lively and people are direct and open. As you cross the border, the world changes. The quiet of Laos comes to meet you. The pace slows, the landscape becomes rougher and the villages become quieter.
This trip is more than covering kilometres; it is a journey through the history of Indochina. You follow routes that were once trade roads and later military supply lines. The landscapes are striking: from the limestone rocks of Vietnam to the dense green jungle of northern Laos. Because you are on the bike, you are in the middle of it. You smell the forest, you feel the humidity change and you have contact with people who rarely see visitors. This is not a trip for anyone who wants to tick off highlights quickly, but for anyone who wants to understand something of South-East Asia.
The route of this 17-day trip has been set out carefully to link the best roads and the most interesting places. We avoid the busy main roads and choose secondary roads with quiet traffic.
Your trip really begins in Dien Bien Phu, after arriving in Hanoi and a transfer. This town in the far north-west of Vietnam is steeped in history. It was here that the decisive battle took place that ended French colonial rule in Indochina. Before we get on the pedals there is time to see something of that history. The landscape around the town is a broad valley ringed by mountains, ideal terrain for loosening the legs before the real climbing towards the border begins.
The high point of the first part, literally and figuratively, is the climb to the Tay Trang border post. This is one of the most remote border crossings in Vietnam. After the formalities you ride through no man’s land and descend into Laos. The change is immediate. The tarmac becomes rougher in places, the houses change from stone to wood and bamboo, and the traffic all but disappears. You ride through a green corridor towards Muang Khua.
The trip works towards a fine finale: Luang Prabang. After days of riding through remote country, arriving here feels like a warm bath. Set at the confluence of the Mekong and the Nam Khan, the town is known for its French colonial architecture and its golden temples. It is the right place to end a cycling trip, with good restaurants, massages for tired legs and a relaxed atmosphere you will not find elsewhere in Asia.
This trip starts in the heart of Hanoi. Together with a group of at least four riders you follow a route that takes you to remarkable places in Vietnam and Laos. It is a trip with wide views and a good deal of climbing, and it can be adapted to any level. And remember: you always ride at your own pace, because enjoyment comes first. That is also why we finish every evening together.
Put cycling in Vietnam and Laos on your list. After 17 days you are one experience richer and you fly home from Laos.
Would you rather ride through Vietnam and Laos on your own? That is possible. See individual trips – Laos and Vietnam for details.
A common question is: “Can I do this?” The answer is often: “Yes, with the right adjustments.” The terrain in northern Vietnam and northern Laos is mountainous. There is no way around it: there is climbing to be done. Because there is guiding and a support vehicle, though, we decide together how demanding the trip becomes.
The support vehicle is your safety net. Having a day with less energy, or is that one mountain pass just too steep in the heat? Then you get in. That is not failing, it is travelling sensibly. The vehicle also carries all your luggage, water and spare parts, so you ride light with only a small day rucksack or bar bag. This makes the trip accessible to the recreational rider with a good level of base fitness, while still offering a challenge to the trained cyclist who wants to pedal every kilometre.
The roads range from good tarmac to broken surfaces and gravel. A road bike with narrow tyres is not suitable here.
Does cycling through Vietnam and Laos appeal to you? See the departure options below.
| Departure date | Duration | Level | Availablility | Price p.p. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05-11-2026 | 17 days | Mixed | Available | € 2.995,00 | Book this trip | |
| 14-01-2027 | 17 days | Mixed | Available | € 3.395,00 | Book this trip | |
| 04-11-2027 | 17 days | Mixed | Available | € 3.395,00 | Book this trip | |
| 02-12-2027 | 17 days | Mixed | Available | € 3.395,00 | Book this trip |
At CvA travel we think everyone should be able to come along, whatever their level. The entry level for this trip is therefore level 3. If you ride all the distances and climbing under your own power, the level is higher. But if you use an e-mountain bike or shorten the distances by arrangement, using the support vehicle, the trip is accessible from level 3.
Would you rather cycle through Vietnam and Laos on your own? That is, of course, also possible. Check out individual trips – Laos Vietnam for more information.
The north of these two countries is known for its landscapes, with endless mountains and wide views. On this trip you get a sense of the authentic Vietnam and Laos through the distinctive places you stay and the contact with local people. The day-by-day itinerary is below.
This cycling holiday starts in the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi. Once you have a stamp in your passport and walk out of the airport, it is time to settle into the trip. There is nothing left to arrange: the route is set out, the accommodation is booked and almost all the meals are taken care of. You are met at the airport and taken to the Peridot Grand Hotel. Looking out of the car window, the city may take some getting used to. Hanoi never sleeps. At the hotel you can recover from the long journey and count down to the start of the trip.
Meals: dinner
Accommodation: Peridot Grand
The high points of Hanoi belong to a cycling trip through Vietnam and Laos. Today’s are the Buddhist Tran Quoc pagoda, the Ho Chi Minh complex and the Temple of Literature, all on the programme this first morning.
Later in the day it is time to assemble your bike or take delivery of the hire bike. In the evening you get to know Vietnamese cooking at a local restaurant. After dinner we visit Train Street, where the train passes the cafés at a distance of centimetres. It is a striking sight, certainly when the colourful lanterns light the street.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Peridot Grand
Today we transfer to the highlands of Bac Ha. On the way we stop at the busy Can Cau market, set in a deep valley ringed by wooded mountains. Here you see the authentic Vietnam: a colourful gathering of different ethnic groups, among them the Flower Hmong, Phu La and Black Dao. In their traditional dress they come together to trade local produce and to let visitors taste their home-distilled rice wine, ruou. Remarkably, you are only seven kilometres from the Chinese border here.
After arriving in Bac Ha you meet the family you stay with for the night. The rest of the afternoon is free. In the evening you join your hosts for a home-cooked meal full of local flavours. It is a memorable experience, and Vietnam has never felt this close. Tomorrow the riding begins.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Bac Ha Homestay
Today the riding begins with the first stage towards Sa Pa. First, though, you visit the Bac Ha Sunday hill tribe market. On Sundays quiet Bac Ha turns into a busy centre of activity. People come in from the surrounding villages to trade wine, handicrafts and livestock. Take in the atmosphere and, above all, taste the fruit sold at this market.
After that it is time to get on the bike and head for the misty mountains of Sa Pa. The route is quiet and scenic, with rolling roads and some fine descents. This first stage is ideal for settling into the rhythm and taking in the landscape as we approach the mountains of Sa Pa. If you wish, you can ride extra kilometres today. The total distance between Bac Ha and Sa Pa is a little over 100 kilometres; to keep the day in balance we therefore use a transfer along the way to cover part of the route.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Sapa Garden B&B
50 km – 1,670 m up – 310 m down
The day begins in Sa Pa with a short descent, followed by a climb of around 750 metres over the highest mountain pass in Vietnam: the Tram Ton Pass, also known as the Gate to Heaven. Once at the top you have most of the day’s climbing behind you. On the other side the climb is 35 kilometres long, and we descend it. A long descent follows, with wide views over the Lai Chau valley. We continue towards the village of Binh Lu and then climb steadily again towards Pabe. At the end of this varied day’s riding in Vietnam there is a relaxed descent to Lai Chau.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Lai Chau Hotel
55 km – 1,290 m up – 2,130 m down
We ride further into the Vietnamese highlands. The route climbs gradually to the Sin Ho plateau at around 1,500 metres. The landscape along the way is remarkable: wide rice terraces colour the mountainsides in shades of green and gold. We pass small, remote villages of different ethnic communities and get an insight into a traditional way of life that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. To keep the day in balance between distance and climbing we use a short transfer along the way, although there is always the option to ride the full distance. The views along the way are a constant reward for every climb.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Sin Ho Hotel
60 km – 1,830 m up – 1,210 m down
Today the route runs largely downhill. Along the way you pass villages where Thai minorities live. Their characteristic houses on wooden stilts give an insight into their culture and way of life. There is every opportunity to stop along the way, have a conversation with local people and see daily life at close hand. These are the moments that make this trip what it is. Early in the afternoon you reach Muong Lay. Here you can relax for the rest of the day or, if you have energy left, see more of the area with some extra kilometres.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Muong Lay Hotel
70 km – 1,350 m up – 2,670 m down
Today you ride through broad, fertile valleys towards the historic town of Dien Bien Phu. The landscape is a fine contrast to the rugged mountains of the previous days. In the afternoon you visit some of the important historic sites of this famous battlefield, where a decisive moment in Vietnamese history took place.
Depending on the level of the group we adjust the length of the route and the use of a transfer flexibly today, so that there is a good balance between riding and rest. It is a day where effort and history come together, and where you do not only ride through the landscape but also go into the stories of the past.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Dien Bien Hotel
95 km – 1,740 m up – 1,480 m down
Today we cross the border and Laos begins. After a good breakfast we transfer to the border crossing. Here we say goodbye to the Vietnamese crew and, once the formalities are complete, our first Lao riding day starts. The route follows the Nam Ou river, which winds quietly through the mountains. You are now in the north-east of Laos, the most sparsely populated part of the country, where the landscape is unspoilt and life is simple. At the end of the day we arrive in Muang Khua for your first night in Laos.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Muang Khua Guesthouse
63 km – 1,080 m up – 1,810 m down
Today is the longest stage of the trip, more than 100 kilometres through a landscape that keeps surprising. The route winds through the hills towards the heart of Oudomxay, a constant alternation of climbing and descending. You ride past wide rice fields, waterfalls and winding river valleys. The day ends with an adventurous off-road section of seventeen kilometres, which brings us by a back road to the Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort, a fitting close to a demanding day.
Do you find this day too long? By arrangement the distance can be shortened, so that everyone can take the route at their own pace.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort
104 km – 2,760 m up – 2,490 m down
Today is given over to relaxing, and the day is entirely yours. The resort where we stay offers every opportunity to unwind and take in the green surroundings. If you would rather stay active, there is plenty to do. Take a walk through the protected rainforest close to the resort, for example. Over suspension bridges and rope nets you walk above rivers and streams, surrounded by dense vegetation, as far as the Nam Kat waterfall. If you have a fear of heights, do not worry: the paths are not far above the ground, so everyone can see this rainforest comfortably.
Would you like something more exciting? Then see the rainforest by zipline, flying past the trees, waterfalls, cliffs and rivers.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Nam Kat Yorla Pa Resort
Today’s ride begins with a climb to 1,400 metres. At the top you ride among the clouds and are rewarded with wide views over the limestone peaks of the surrounding mountains.
A 28-kilometre descent follows, after which the route continues at a quiet pace over some 30 kilometres. You ride through small, authentic villages and over bridges, surrounded on both sides by mountains hundreds of metres high. The landscape seems endless here. After a ride of around 85 kilometres you reach the mountain village of Nong Khiaw, set on the winding Nam Ou river and surrounded by some of the most striking landscapes in Laos.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Nong Khiaw Guesthouse
85 km – 920 m up – 1,780 m down
Today the bikes stay behind and we continue by a different means of transport. We see the weaving villages of Muang Ngoi and Sopchem by longtail boat. As you travel along the river, the landscape around Nong Khiaw brings a real sense of calm.
Worth knowing: Muang Ngoi, one of the most authentic villages in Laos, consists of a single street. From here the Pha Noi viewpoint is not to be missed. Within 20 minutes you are at the top, with a wide view.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Nong Khiaw Guesthouse
Today the total distance is 144 km, of which part is a transfer and part a boat trip along the Nam Ou river to Dam number 2 (around 1.5 hours). Here you get on the bike and continue to the village of Pak Ou, with the river still beside you. After a local lunch you can take a swim if you wish.
You ride through traditional weaving and craft villages and end up in Luang Prabang, where you notice at once that Laos was a French colony. The French influence is clear, alternating with large Buddhist temples in different parts of the town.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Luang Prabang Hotel
80 km – 1,400 m up – 1,220 m down
Early in the morning, before sunrise, you can watch the alms ceremony of the Buddhist monks. It is a serene ritual in which monks walk barefoot through the streets to receive offerings of food from local people, a quiet moment that makes a deep impression. Afterwards we visit the Kuang Si waterfalls. Amid tropical greenery the clear turquoise water drops sixty metres, a sight you will not soon forget. On the way back we visit the Laos Buffalo Dairy, a social enterprise that supports local villages and provides education in animal welfare and livestock farming. And while you are there: their home-made ice cream is excellent.
In the evening we close the trip together with dinner at a local restaurant, a moment to look back on all the impressions, stories and experiences of the past days before it is time to say goodbye.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Luang Prabang Hotel
Today you have a flexible day to take in Luang Prabang at your own pace. See the many temples and browse the night market for souvenirs. It is a relaxed close to the trip and a last chance to take in the atmosphere of this town.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Luang Prabang Hotel
And now it really does come to an end. On the way to the airport your thoughts will drift back to the moments of the past seventeen days: the encounters, the landscapes, the smells, the colours. What an adventure.
At home the cycling kit is waiting to be washed, perhaps with a touch of stiffness left in the legs and certainly a camera full of memories. Once the first photographs have been looked at, the pull usually starts again. Which cycling holiday will be next? Who knows, see you soon.
Meals: breakfast
Are you as enthusiastic about this cycling trip through Vietnam and Laos as we are? Below you can see what is included in the price.
Cycling in Vietnam and Laos is demanding at times, so good accommodation and a good bed matter. Every place has therefore been chosen with care, so that you recover well from the riding.
Worth knowing: Vietnamese people prefer firm mattresses, which they associate with a healthy body. Europeans generally sleep on a softer mattress for comfort. This has been taken into account as far as possible in the choice of hotels, guesthouses and lodges. Be aware that in the remote areas of Vietnam and Laos the choice of accommodation is sometimes limited.
Below is a selection of the places you stay. Depending on group size a stay may occasionally be changed. This will always be to comparable accommodation.
Your cycling holiday through Vietnam and Laos starts in the five-star Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel in Hanoi. The hotel is a quiet spot in the middle of a lively capital. Would you like an even more relaxed start? Make use of the spa, jacuzzi or sauna, or have a Vietnamese massage.
Do not miss a drink and a bite at the Ignite Sky Bar, with its 360-degree view over the city.
This hotel in Laos is comfortable and well appointed, which is welcome after the riding. The rooms are modern, yet you are closer to nature than ever. This place is more than accommodation: wellness, adventure activities and a spa make the resort one of our favourites.
Cycling in Vietnam and Laos, you travel through the home areas of many ethnic minorities. In the mountains live communities that have kept their own language and dress, often far from modern society.
In northern Vietnam you mainly come across the Black Thai and the Hmong. The women often wear intricate hand-embroidered clothing. They are curious and cheerful. It is not unusual for children to run or ride alongside you for long stretches. Your guide speaks the language or dialect and can help you make contact, so that you are not only a spectator but briefly part of their world.
In Laos you meet the Khmu and the Lao Loum, among others. The culture here is gentler and more reserved. Where in Vietnam you are sometimes greeted loudly, in Laos the greeting is often a shy smile and a soft “Sabaidee”. Life in the villages of Laos is simple. You see people weaving baskets, drying rice on the road or fishing in the river. It teaches you to slow down and appreciate what you have. The Buddhist influence is felt everywhere in Laos, which gives the trip a serene atmosphere.
Because you visit two countries and travel through mountain areas, the climate is an important factor. You want to avoid rain and extreme heat.
The best period for cycling in Vietnam and Laos over 17 days is October to April.
We advise against the summer months (June to August) because of the rainy season. The roads in Laos can become muddy then and the risk of landslides increases.
Cycling makes you hungry. Fortunately both Vietnam and Laos are strong on food, although they are entirely different. In Vietnam the cooking is based on fresh herbs, soups (pho) and noodles. The food is light, healthy and full of flavour. Along the way we stop at local places for a quick bowl of soup or a banh mi. As soon as you ride into Laos the menu changes. The staple is sticky rice, which you eat with your hands. With it comes laap (a salad of minced meat with lime, chilli and mint) or spicy papaya salad.
As for sleeping, this trip is a mix of comfort and adventure. In the larger towns such as Dien Bien Phu and Luang Prabang we stay in comfortable hotels with air conditioning and a good breakfast. In the more remote areas, particularly just after the border in Laos, the options are more limited. Here we stay in simple but clean guesthouses. Sometimes the electricity is limited or the shower is cold, but the welcome from the owners makes up for it. That is part of travelling through remote areas.
Because you cross the border overland at Tay Trang, the visa needs some extra attention.
In Vietnam you pay in dong, in Laos in kip. You cannot pay with dong in Laos or the other way round. Make sure you spend or change your Vietnamese money before the border crossing. Cash machines are available in the towns, but in the small villages between the border and Luang Prabang you need cash (kip). Always bring some reserve US dollars or euros in cash as well; these are accepted everywhere in an emergency.
Naturally you want to set off as well prepared as possible. Below you will find a number of items that should not be missing, along with information about the clothing you will need. Worth knowing: the temperatures in Vietnam are pleasant to warm, so we ride mainly in short clothing.
Itching to set off on an extraordinary ride? Can’t wait to hop on the saddle and explore your dream destination at your own pace? Take a look at all our cycling journeys below – or get in touch to request a tailor-made adventure designed just for you.
We hope to see you soon.
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