15 Ng. 100 Đ. Nguyễn Xiển, Thanh Xuân Nam, Thanh Xuân, Hà Nội 100000
15 Ng. 100 Đ. Nguyễn Xiển, Thanh Xuân Nam, Thanh Xuân, Hà Nội 100000
Imagine freewheeling down a mountain pass at sunrise while clouds spill over jagged karst peaks, terraced rice fields curve below you like green waves, and a H’mong child waves from a hillside path. This is not a casual ride – it’s an epic 12-day bike adventure that takes you deep into the heart of the country's most spectacular and remote regions.
On this 12-day Northern Vietnam cycling tour, you’ll conquer legendary passes, ride through UNESCO-recognised landscapes, and sleep in warm, welcoming village homestays. Every day brings a new emotional high: the thrill of the descent, the quiet satisfaction of a long climb, the laughter around a shared dinner, the stillness of misty valleys at dawn.
Operated by Golden Trail Travel & DMC, this journey combines professional logistics with intimate local experiences, so you can focus on what matters most: the feeling of pure freedom on two wheels. You can check dates, prices and custom options directly on their official website: https://goldentrailtravel.com/.
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This tour is designed for riders who want more than just distance – they want emotion, connection and challenge.
Experienced cyclists who love mountain roads, dramatic climbs and rewarding descents.
Adventure travellers seeking remote regions that most visitors never reach.
Nature lovers & photographers drawn to iconic rice terraces in Mu Cang Chai and Hoang Su Phi, and the raw beauty of the Ha Giang Loop. Northern Vietnam+1
Culture-curious explorers who want to stay in family-run homestays, eat home-cooked food and talk with local ethnic communities.
If your perfect holiday includes sweat, smiles, and stories you’ll tell for years, this route was made for you.
You’ll ride some of the most dramatic roads in Southeast Asia: Khau Pha Pass near Mu Cang Chai, the sky roads of Ha Giang, and the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass overlooking the Nho Que River. bikingvietnam.com+1
The feeling of achievement as you crest each pass, legs burning and heart racing.
The rush of adrenaline on sweeping, twisty descents.
The quiet pride of knowing you cycled where most people only dare to ride by motorbike.
Mu Cang Chai and Hoang Su Phi are famous for their “staircases to heaven” – thousands of hand-carved rice terraces wrapping around the mountains. Northern Vietnam+1
Here, you feel:
Tiny yet alive, surrounded by mountains layered into infinity.
The changing colours of the landscape – water mirrors in early season, lush green in mid-season, then golden waves at harvest.
The fresh, cool air of the highlands as you ride through quiet valleys and forested slopes.
On this tour, your bike is a bridge between cultures:
Share tea and rice wine with Thai, H’mong, Dao and Nung families.
Sleep in wooden stilt houses and rustic lodges, hearing night sounds of the countryside.
Join evening dinners where your guide helps translate jokes, stories and traditions.
You don’t just see Vietnam – you feel welcomed into it.
(Exact distances and overnight locations may vary slightly depending on weather and group ability, but the emotional beats of the journey stay the same.)
Your adventure starts in Hanoi, where a representative from Golden Trail Travel & DMC greets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel. You’ll meet your cycling guide, get fitted to your bike, and go through a detailed safety and route briefing.
First meeting with your support team – excitement and a bit of nervous energy.
Short warm-up ride through rural villages outside Hanoi, smelling wood smoke and watching farmers working in the fields.
Dinner with your group, building camaraderie before the climbs ahead.
Transfer by vehicle into the highlands, then start pedalling towards Mu Cang Chai, one of Vietnam’s most photographed rice terrace regions. Northern Vietnam+1
You’ll tackle gentle-to-moderate climbs, ride through Tu Le Valley, and eventually reach winding roads overlooking epic terraces at La Pan Tan and Che Cu Nha.
50–80 km per riding day (flexible), with several long but steady climbs.
Paved mountain roads with occasional rough patches, ideal for a sturdy road or gravel bike.
The first time you see terraces stretching to the horizon – a mix of awe and disbelief.
Riding past children calling “Xin chào!”, feeling a genuine connection with remote communities.
Sunset over terraced hillsides, when everything turns gold and the day’s effort suddenly feels very, very worth it.
From Mu Cang Chai, you journey to Ha Giang, the gateway to Vietnam’s most dramatic mountain loop. Over three days, you’ll ride sections of the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, pass through Meo Vac and Dong Van, and cross the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass. bikingvietnam.com+1
Narrow cliff-hugging roads with vertical drops and endless mountain layers.
Stops at viewpoints overlooking the Nho Que River canyon – one of Vietnam’s most jaw-dropping scenes.
Visits to local markets and villages where ethnic groups trade goods in colourful traditional dress.
The sense of exposure as you ride along sky roads – thrilling yet humbling.
Moments of silence when the group stops speaking, simply taking in the landscape.
Evenings in mountain towns, sipping hot tea or local corn wine, sharing the day’s “hardest climb” stories.
Leaving the more well-known Ha Giang Loop behind, you turn towards Hoang Su Phi, a region famous for wild, steep terraces and fewer tourists. vietnamcyclingtours.com+1
Here the roads are quieter, the climbs sometimes sharper, and the sense of discovery even stronger.
Challenging climbs with rewarding switchback descents.
Mixed paved and rural roads passing through tea hills, terraced fields and rivers.
Feeling like a true explorer, riding through villages where a cyclist still draws curious smiles.
Early-morning rides in cool mountain mist – peaceful, almost meditative.
Nights in simple homestays, listening to stories from your local hosts by the fire.
You gradually leave the high mountains, following quieter backroads through valleys, tea plantations and small rural towns. The rides become a little gentler, giving your legs a chance to recover while your heart hangs on to every last kilometre.
You’ll enjoy a final celebratory dinner back in Hanoi, reliving favourite climbs, best views and funniest moments.
Mixed feelings of satisfaction and nostalgia as the mountains recede behind you.
Final group photos with your guides and new friends – this is a shared achievement.
The quiet joy of knowing you’ve pushed your limits and discovered a wilder side of Vietnam.
Depending on your flight time, you may have a final coffee in Hanoi’s Old Quarter before your airport transfer.
The tour ends, but the emotional impact doesn’t. From now on, anytime you see a mountain road or a rice terrace photo, a part of you will be back on that bike in Northern Vietnam.
Throughout the tour, a support vehicle shadows the group:
Carries luggage, snacks, water and spares.
Offers a lift if you want to skip a tough climb or rest for a section.
Provides added safety and comfort in remote regions.
Golden Trail Travel & DMC works with experienced English-speaking cycling guides, local drivers and mechanics, ensuring quick assistance and smooth daily logistics. Golden Trail Travel+1
Accommodation is a mix of:
Comfortable hotels in cities and larger towns.
Charming eco-lodges overlooking valleys or rice terraces.
Family-run homestays where you sleep on clean mattresses with mosquito nets in shared longhouses.
Meals highlight regional flavours: sticky rice, grilled mountain pork, wild herbs, fresh vegetables, steaming bowls of pho and fragrant Vietnamese coffee. Vegetarians and special diets can be catered for with advance notice.
While you can cycle Northern Vietnam most of the year, some periods are especially magical:
March–May: Pleasant temperatures, clear views, and fresh green landscapes.
Late September–October: The famous “golden season”, when rice terraces in Mu Cang Chai and Hoang Su Phi turn brilliant yellow before harvest. Northern Vietnam+1
November: Cooler air, dramatic skies and great conditions for long rides.
Golden Trail Travel & DMC can advise the best departure dates according to your fitness, photography interests and weather preferences.
When you invest time and energy into a demanding cycling holiday, you need a partner you can trust.
Golden Trail Travel & DMC specialises in Northern Vietnam cycling and adventure itineraries, combining local expertise with international-standard safety and service. Golden Trail Travel+2Golden Trail Travel+2
You benefit from:
Carefully researched routes that avoid traffic where possible and maximise scenery.
Flexible daily distances with support vehicle backup.
Authentic cultural experiences that respect local communities.
The option to customise the tour for private groups, clubs or corporate challenges.
To learn more or request a tailor-made quote, you can visit their official website and trip page via: https://goldentrailtravel.com/.
Recommended for intermediate to advanced cyclists comfortable riding 50–90 km per day with sustained climbs.
E-bike options may be available on request, making the route accessible to more riders.
Cycling essentials: Padded shorts, gloves, helmet, breathable jerseys, rain jacket, clip-in shoes (if you use them).
Off-bike clothing: Light layers, one warm layer for cool evenings, comfortable sandals or trainers.
Extras: Camera, power bank, sunscreen, sunglasses, refillable water bottle, small daypack.
Mindset: A sense of adventure, patience for weather and road surprises, and a willingness to disconnect from daily routine and reconnect with yourself.
Booking is simple:
Visit Golden Trail Travel & DMC at https://goldentrailtravel.com/.
Search for “12-Day Northern Vietnam Cycling Tour: Mu Cang Chai, Ha Giang & Hoang Su Phi Bike Adventure” or contact them directly via the website. Golden Trail Travel+1
Share your travel dates, group size, fitness level and any special requests.
Confirm your itinerary, price and inclusions with their travel experts.
Reserve your spot – then start counting the days until your first climb in the northern mountains.
This is a moderate to challenging tour with several mountain passes and sustained climbs. If you’re comfortable riding 60–80 km with hills at home, you’ll be well-prepared. The support vehicle is always nearby if you need to rest.
A lightweight road bike or gravel bike with low climbing gears is ideal. Golden Trail Travel & DMC can provide quality bikes locally, or you can bring your own (contact them in advance to discuss bike transport and setup).
Yes. Many riders join solo and quickly make friends in the group. You can request a single room supplement or be matched with another traveller of the same gender in twin rooms when available.
Typically:
Accommodation on a twin-share basis
Most meals (breakfasts, most lunches and dinners)
English-speaking cycling guide and support vehicle
Entrance fees and local permits
High-quality bike hire (if requested in advance)
Exact inclusions may vary, so always check the detailed itinerary on https://goldentrailtravel.com/.
Absolutely. Golden Trail Travel & DMC can tailor the route, add extra rest days, or extend your trip with days in Sapa, Halong Bay or other regions of Vietnam, depending on your schedule and interests.
“The most rewarding ride of my life.”
We cycled through landscapes I didn’t even know existed. The climbs were tough but fair, and the views in Ha Giang and Hoang Su Phi were beyond anything I’d imagined.
“Perfect balance of challenge and culture.”
I loved that we weren’t just ticking off kilometres. We shared meals with local families, learned about different ethnic groups, and always felt safe and supported by the Golden Trail Travel & DMC team.
“I came home stronger and calmer.”
Twelve days of riding, laughing and disconnecting from my phone gave me exactly what I needed – a reset and a reminder of how alive I feel on a bike.
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