Vietnam cycling holiday through rice fields, villages and mountain areas
When you choose a Vietnam cycling holiday, you choose a trip that engages all your senses. It is impossible to look at this country from a distance; you are right in the middle of it. Vietnam’s geography seems made for the cyclist. The country is long and narrow, so the landscape changes constantly as you travel from north to south (or the other way round).
The setting of your cycling trip
In the north you are surrounded by dramatic limestone rocks that seem to shoot straight up out of the ground, with valleys full of bright green rice terraces between them. These are the well-known images you know, but from the bike you see the details others miss. You see how the buffalo cool off in the mud pools and how farmers harvest the rice by hand. Further south the setting changes. The mountains give way to the lush, water-rich Mekong Delta. Here you ride on narrow paths along canals, in the shade of coconut palms.
Experience daily life from the bike
What is distinctive about cycling in Vietnam is the interaction. Vietnamese people live outdoors. The doors of houses stand open, craftspeople work on the pavement and children play in the street. As a cyclist you are approachable. Expect plenty of “Hello!” and waving hands. A Vietnam cycling holiday means stopping regularly. Not only to catch your breath, but because you are invited for a cup of tea, or because you see a local market where you want to taste fruit you have never seen before.
Guidance and local knowledge
Although the traffic in cities such as Hanoi looks chaotic, the chaos is organised. Even so, it is good to know where to ride. Our routes avoid the busy main roads and take you along back lanes and dykes. With our guidance and local knowledge you reach places that are not in the Lonely Planet. Your guide speaks the language, knows the way and knows exactly which stall serves the best Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwich). That way you experience the country safely and in a relaxed way.
Cycling holiday in Vietnam: 17 days on the gravel bike through northern Vietnam
For the rider who enjoys a little more challenge and rougher country, our 17-day ride through the north is the ultimate experience. This Vietnam cycling holiday focuses specifically on the regions where the tarmac stops and the adventure begins. Northern Vietnam is mountainous, authentic and at times a little raw.
Why the gravel bike?
For this trip we deliberately choose the gravel bike. The roads in the north are varied. One moment you are speeding along perfect new tarmac, the next you are riding on an unpaved track full of stones that dives deep into the valley. A road bike is too fragile, and a mountain bike is often too heavy on the paved sections. The gravel bike is the ideal middle ground: fast, but robust. With one you have the freedom to turn onto any path that looks interesting.
The route: from Mai Chau to Ha Giang
This trip takes you to areas where fewer tourists come. We often start near Mai Chau, where the Thai minority live in wooden houses on stilts. From there we head deeper into the mountains. The climbs can be demanding, but the view from the top of a mountain pass makes every drop of sweat worthwhile. You look out over a sea of cloud with the peaks of the karst mountains rising above it. An absolute highlight is Ha Giang province, close to the Chinese border. The landscape here is almost otherworldly in its beauty, with its jagged rock formations.
Staying in people’s homes
An important part of this Vietnam cycling holiday is the accommodation. Besides comfortable hotels, we also stay in what are known as homestays. You then sleep in a village with a local family. Do not expect great luxury, but you will have a clean mattress, a mosquito net and a hot shower. The real gold is in the evening: eating together with the family. Rice wine is poured and stories are exchanged. You cannot get closer to the culture than that.
Individual cycling holiday in Vietnam, 19 days
Not everyone wants to ride in a group. Sometimes you want to make your own plans, stop for a photograph when you feel like it, or simply take in the quiet. For these travellers we have developed the 19-day individual cycling holiday in Vietnam. This is a trip in which freedom and comfort go hand in hand.
Independent, but never alone
The idea of cycling alone in a far-away Asian country can sound daunting. That is why we provide a safety net. You ride independently, but we arrange the conditions. You receive a detailed route book and GPS tracks for your navigation device or phone. That way you always know where you are. If there is a problem with the bike or you need help, our local partner is only a phone call away. So you have the adventure of a solo trip, but the certainty of an organised tour.
Depth through time
Because this trip lasts 19 days, you have the time to get to know northern Vietnam properly. You do not need to hurry. An individual cycling holiday in Vietnam gives you the scope to stay somewhere an extra day if you like it. Visit the colourful markets of the Hmong, Dao or Tay peoples at your leisure. The traditional dress of these mountain peoples is striking and every group has its own traditions. Because you are on your own or as a pair, you make contact with local people more easily than when you ride into a village with a large group.
Cycling without worries, with luggage transport
A great advantage of our individual trips is that you do not have to lug heavy panniers around. Vietnam is hilly, and every kilo counts. We take care of the luggage transport. While you enjoy your breakfast and get on the bike with only a small day pack, your suitcase is taken to the next hotel. When you arrive there, your luggage is already in your room. That makes the cycling physically a good deal lighter and more pleasant, so that you keep energy to walk into the village in the evening.
Cycling trip through Vietnam and Laos, 17 days
Why choose between two countries when you can combine them? Our trip “Cycling in Vietnam and Laos” is a favourite among travellers who want to experience the variety of Indochina. In 17 days you cross not only a national border, but a cultural one as well.
The contrast between two worlds
Vietnam is energetic. It is a country of trade, movement and sound. As soon as you cross the border into Laos, however, a blanket of calm settles over you. Laos is known as the country of slowing down. The traffic disappears almost entirely, the villages become quieter and the pace of life slows. It is fascinating to experience this transition on the bike. You literally ride out of the bustle and into the calm.
Culture and nature in harmony
While cycling in Vietnam and Laos you see the landscape change. In Vietnam you ride largely through cultivated country with rice terraces. In Laos the natural surroundings become rougher and denser. You ride through jungle-like areas and past impressive limestone formations. The cultural differences are considerable too. In Vietnam you see the influence of Confucianism and ancestor veneration, while Laos is deeply Buddhist. You will see many temples with monks in orange robes collecting their alms in the early morning.
A culinary journey of discovery
Anyone who enjoys food will get a great deal out of this trip. In Vietnam you enjoy the world-famous pho (noodle soup), fresh spring rolls and plenty of fresh herbs such as coriander and mint. In Laos the cuisine is more robust. The staple food is sticky rice, which you eat with your hands. It is often served with laap (a spicy salad of minced meat and herbs) or papaya salad. Every day is a new adventure, both on the bike and on your plate.
Day-by-day plan of the cycling trip in northern Vietnam
To give you a good picture of what a Vietnam cycling holiday actually looks like in practice, here is an outline of a typical day in northern Vietnam. At CvA travel we make sure there is a good balance between effort and relaxation. We are there to take it all in, not to race.
The morning: mist and coffee
The day often begins early. Around 07:00 you sit down to breakfast. This is the moment to start the day well with a strong Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk (ca phe sua da). Outside you can often still see the mist hanging between the mountains. After a short briefing on the route and the differences in altitude, we get on the bikes. The air is still fresh and the roads are quiet. The first part of the ride is often about taking in the waking landscape: schoolchildren in uniform ride past you laughing and farmers lead their water buffalo to the fields.
The afternoon: local flavours and the finish
Around 10:30 there is always time for a coffee or tea stop at a local place. A chance to stretch your legs and eat some fruit. After that we ride on until lunch. We do not have lunch in tourist restaurants, but where local people eat. Here you get the best, freshly prepared dishes. After lunch we ride the last part of the day. We usually try to arrive at the hotel or homestay around 15:30 or 16:00.
The evening: relaxation
After arriving there is time for yourself. A hot shower, a chance to put your feet up or a walk through the village. The evenings in northern Vietnam are convivial. We eat together and talk over the day’s adventures. Because we are often in the mountains, it cools down pleasantly in the evening, which makes for a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow a new day full of impressions is waiting.
