Vietnam Cycling Adventure: Explore Hidden Mountain Trails in 9 Days

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

Arrive in Hanoi and enjoy free time to rest from your flight.

Day 2: Sleeper Train to Lao Cai (D, GP)

After your journey, you’ll have some time to unwind before enjoying a ‘Welcome’ dinner at a cosy local restaurant. Following dinner, you’ll be transferred to Hanoi Railway Station to catch the overnight sleeper train to Sapa, departing at 9:30 PM. Your overnight stay will be aboard the train.

Day 3: Cycle Through Sapa (B, L, G) – 30km Biking

Arriving early at Lao Cai station, you’ll be greeted and transferred to Sapa. After breakfast and a refreshing shower, you’ll hop on your bike and begin your exploration of the Sapa Valley. Pedalling downhill along a winding road through the Muong Hoa Valley, you’ll pass through vibrant villages inhabited by the Black Hmong, Giay, and Red Dao minorities. The dramatic views of mountains and endless rice terraces will unfold before you as you cycle. After a brief stop in Su Pan, continue your ride to Ban Ho, a picturesque village at the foot of the mountains, on a smooth asphalt road. The approach to Ban Ho features a thrilling steep downhill.

After lunch in Ban Ho, take a walk up to the Red Dao village of Nam Toong, where you can visit the local school and step inside a traditional Red Dao house. Once you’ve explored Nam Toong, you’ll return on foot to Ban Ho, where a car will be waiting to take you back to Sapa for your overnight stay.

Today’s ride covers 30 kilometers of downhill terrain, both on paved and dirt roads, passing through local villages and rice fields. The cycling is moderate, offering an immersive and scenic adventure. 

The Black Hmong, Giay, and Red Dao are distinct ethnic minority groups in northern Vietnam, each with unique cultures and traditions. The Black Hmong are known for their indigo clothing and skilled weaving, living in high mountain areas. The Giay, found in the Sapa and Lai Chau regions, are recognised for their colourful attire and agricultural practices, particularly rice and corn farming. The Red Dao, distinguished by their red headscarves, are experts in herbal medicine and metalwork, creating intricate silver jewellery. These groups maintain strong cultural identities, living in remote villages and preserving their traditional ways of life.

Day 4: Sapa – Cycle to Heaven’s Gate (B, L, D, G) ~40-45km Biking

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll embark on a 20-kilometer ride uphill along a rugged road to reach ‘Heaven’s Gate,’ the highest pass in Vietnam. At the top, you’ll have a chance to pause and take in breathtaking views of the Sapa valley and the winding road ahead.

Continuing your journey, cycle another 20 kilometers through the mountains to Binh Lu, passing through ethnic villages, mostly inhabited by small Black Dao and Giay communities. The final stretch is a smooth, downhill ride all the way to Tam Duong, where you’ll spend the night.

Heaven’s Gate (Cổng Trời) in Sapa is a popular and scenic mountain pass located at an altitude of around 2,000 meters (6,561 feet). It is known for offering panoramic views of the surrounding Sapa Valley, terraced rice fields, and distant mountain ranges.

Day 5: Tam Duong – Paso (B, L , D, G) ~30km Biking

Depending on your dates of travel, you may be able to visit a weekly local market in Tam Duong (occurring every Thursday). You’ll have the opportunity to interact with various ethnic minority groups, including the White H’mong, Flower H’mong, Nhang, and Pu Na people, all dressed in their vibrant traditional costumes.

Afterward, a support vehicle will take you to the top of the Hong Thu Meo pass, located between Tam Duong and Paso. From there, you’ll cycle 21 kilometers downhill towards Paso, passing through a Thai ethnic village and banana plantations along the way.

After lunch at your hotel in Paso, you’ll be driven 10 kilometers to Phong Tho, located beside a scenic tributary of the Na River. From here, you’ll hop on your bikes to ride about 8 kilometers along a quiet road, passing through ethnic villages and lush banana plantations. At a small bridge, you’ll board the vehicle again for a visit to the Vietnam-China border.

Afterward, return to the bridge, explore a Thai village, and enjoy a 7-kilometer scenic ride back to your hotel in Paso for the night.

Cycling in Paso offers a unique and scenic experience, taking you through picturesque landscapes and vibrant ethnic minority villages. The terrain is varied, with undulating quiet roads, downhill sections, and occasional uphill climbs, making it suitable for cyclists of moderate skill levels.

Day 6: Paso – Muong Lay (B, L , D, G) ~91km Biking

Today, the road winds through the beautiful Na River valley, passing numerous small villages inhabited by the Red and White Hmong, Kho Mu, and White Thai ethnic minorities. The soothing sound of the river accompanies you throughout your ride. By early afternoon, you’ll reach Muong Lay, where you’ll have time to explore the charming town, hike the nearby mountains, take a boat cruise downstream, or simply relax. You’ll spend the night in Muong Lay.

Today’s ride covers a total of 91 kilometers (approximately 6 hours), mostly downhill along the winding asphalt road beside the Na River.

Cycling in Muong Lay offers a unique blend of scenic beauty and cultural exploration. As you cycle through the valley, you’ll be surrounded by lush landscapes, towering mountains, and the serene flow of the Na River. The roads are typically smooth, with some winding sections that provide a thrilling ride alongside the river and through picturesque ethnic minority villages.

Day 7: Muong Lay – Dien Bien Phu (B, L , D, G) ~72km Biking

You’ll begin with a 30-kilometer drive in the support vehicle before continuing your ride to Dien Bien Phu. Along the way, you’ll pass through several White Thai, Red and White Hmong, and Kho Mu ethnic minority villages, taking in the rich culture and beautiful landscapes. In the afternoon, you’ll reach Dien Bien Phu for your overnight stay.

Today’s ride covers 72 kilometers (about 5 hours) on a well-paved road, mostly descending with three passes along the route. The ride is relatively straightforward, with the most challenging section being the 4-kilometer uphill climb of Co Chay Pass, followed by a 5-kilometer downhill. The final 6 kilometers into Dien Bien Phu are flat.

Cycling in Dien Bien Phu offers a fascinating mix of history, culture, and stunning landscapes. The area is renowned for its historical significance, as it was the site of the decisive 1954 battle that ended French colonial rule in Indochina. Cycling here, you’ll pass through lush green fields, tranquil rivers, and rolling hills, surrounded by towering mountains.

Day 8: Dien Bien Phu – Hanoi (B, L, G, DP in Hanoi)

After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely bike ride around Dien Bien Phu to explore its famous historical sites, including the Museum, Glory Statue, A1 Hill, and the De Castrerie Tunnel. After lunch, you’ll have free time until your driver arrives to take you to the airport for your flight to Hanoi.

If you prefer, we can arrange for a vehicle to visit these sites instead.

Day 9: Hanoi Departure (B, DP)

After breakfast, enjoy free time to explore Hanoi before your departure flight home.

Key

B = Breakfast

L = Lunch

D = Dinner

G = Guide

GP = Guide pick-up

DP = Driver pickup