12-Day Northern Vietnam Cycling Tour: Mu Cang Chai, Ha Giang & Hoang Su Phi Bike Adventure

Today's adventure starts with a visit to the vibrant local market in Nghia Lo. This is a fantastic opportunity to see and interact with various ethnic minority groups, browse unique handicrafts, and capture the colorful atmosphere.

Afterward, we'll embark on a beautiful 46 km ride to Tu Le. This route is short but packed with challenging sections and stunning scenery. You'll ride through dramatic valleys and alongside picturesque rice paddies. The day's highlight is an 8 km climb that rewards you with a panoramic view of the majestic Tu Le Town. After the ride, you can relax and soothe your muscles with a dip in a natural hot spring before enjoying a well-earned dinner.

• Accommodation: Le Charm Tu Le Resort

• Meals: B, L, D

• Cycling Distance: 46 km

Get ready for one of the most memorable days of your tour! We start with a formidable challenge: conquering the famous Khau Pa Pass. This 25 km ascent is a true test of endurance, taking you through some of Vietnam's most stunning rice terraces, a designated National Heritage site.

After reaching the summit, we'll take a moment to rest and enjoy the sweeping views before a thrilling descent into Mu Cang Chai. Here, we'll have lunch and explore the local market, immersing ourselves in the unique culture of the H'mong ethnic group. We'll then continue our journey to Than Uyen, following the river along undulating roads for a total of 89 km.

• Accommodation: Love Hill Resort

• Meals: B, L, D

• Cycling Distance: 89 km

Today’s ride takes us on a challenging 100-123 km journey from the Love Hill Ecolodge in Than Uyen to Vinh Yen Commune. We'll start on smooth asphalt before transitioning to a mix of paved and rugged roads. This is a day for mountain lovers, as we'll tackle steep passes, navigate winding roads with sharp turns, and climb up to new highways.

The route is a visual feast, cutting through rugged mountain ranges and peaceful villages, offering an authentic glimpse into Northern Vietnam’s countryside life. After a day of hard cycling, we’ll transfer the last part to Vinh Yen, where you can relax and recover at the beautiful Cinnamon Ecolodge.

• Accommodation: Cinnamon Ecolodge

• Meals: B, L, D

• Cycling Distance: 100-123 km

Prepare for another demanding but beautiful day as we cycle from Vinh Yen to Bac Ha. Today’s ride is one of the most challenging of the trip, with a mix of single-track trails and remote mountain roads.

The journey takes us through lush tropical forests, vibrant acacia groves, and peaceful hill-tribe villages. You'll cycle alongside streams and across hillsides, getting a true feel for the untouched nature of this region. We’ll stop for a well-deserved picnic lunch along the route before tackling a long climb into Nam Khanh Village. The day culminates with our arrival in the charming town of Bac Ha, where we'll settle in for the night.

• Accommodation: Sao Mai Hotel

• Meals: B, L, D

• Cycling Distance: 65 km

We head into the truly remote areas of Northeast Vietnam today. The ride starts with a 10 km climb before we hit an unsealed track that takes us deep into tribal regions. Then, get ready for an exhilarating 1,000-meter descent into Xin Man, a hidden gem near the Vietnam-China border.

Xin Man is a melting pot of cultures, home to 15 different ethnic groups. We'll have lunch here before crossing the Chay River and continuing for 40 km toward Hoang Su Phi, a region famous for its spectacular rice terraces. The final section of the day is a peaceful incline that offers incredible views of the river.

• Accommodation: Panhou Ecolodge

• Meals: B, L, D

• Cycling Distance: 69 km

Today, we conquer the famous Heaven Gate 2 mountain pass. This challenging ascent to 895 meters rewards you with sweeping, panoramic views that will make you feel on top of the world.

After reaching the summit, we’ll descend through beautiful villages and terraced rice paddies cultivated by the Red Dao and Tay tribes. We'll cycle to Tan Quang and then take a more relaxed ride along the peaceful Lo River for the final 46 km of the day before arriving in Ha Giang, the capital of the province and a gateway to the famous loop.

• Accommodation: Ha Giang Skywing

• Meals: B, L, D

• Cycling Distance: 97 km

The adventure continues as we enter the vast limestone mountain range. We'll start with a flat 25 km ride through terraced fields before beginning a challenging 800-meter climb to Heaven Gate 1. This pass offers breathtaking views of the Tam Son Valley and the iconic Twin Hills.

We'll have lunch at the summit, soaking in the views, before a thrilling descent toward the Gam River. The afternoon ride is a mix of uphill climbs and downhill descents, with a final climb to 1,025 meters before we make our descent into Yen Minh.

• Accommodation: Phuong Dong Hotel

• Meals: B, L, D

• Cycling Distance: 98 km

Today is an unforgettable ride through the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, a UNESCO-listed site. After breakfast and a visit to a vibrant local market, we'll hit the "Happiness Road".

You’ll cycle through incredible karst scenery and stop to explore the historic Hmong King Palace. We'll then continue to the Lung Cu Flag Tower, Vietnam's northernmost point. After a well-deserved lunch, we’ll take scenic back roads to arrive in Dong Van Town, our home for the night.

• Accommodation: Hoa Cuong Dong Van Hotel

• Meals: B, L, D

• Cycling Distance: 66 km

Get ready for the highlight of the tour! We'll start our day with a gentle warm-up before tackling the legendary Ma Pi Leng Pass. Often called the most awe-inspiring mountain road in Vietnam, this pass offers jaw-dropping views of the Nho Que River as it snakes along sheer cliffs.

We'll ascend for about 7 km before a thrilling 16 km descent into Meo Vac. From there, we continue on a challenging route with gravel and concrete trails, conquering another brutal 5 km climb. The ride continues with a series of undulating hills, bringing us to Mau Due for a well-deserved lunch. We'll then take on two final passes before descending into the serene valley of Du Gia, one of Ha Giang's best-kept secrets.

• Accommodation: Du Gia Stream Lodge

• Meals: B, L, D

• Cycling Distance: 84 km

Our final full day of cycling begins with a challenging but rewarding climb from Du Gia to the summit of Lung Ho Pass. This section offers some of the most spectacular panoramic views of the entire tour, with a mosaic of rocky karst formations and remote villages.

After a break at the summit, we'll descend into Lung Ho Commune and continue our journey on a quieter secondary road. We'll conquer one last steep ascent before a final descent into Ha Giang City. Upon arrival, we’ll celebrate the completion of the legendary Ha Giang Loop with a refreshing local beer and a celebratory dinner.

• Accommodation: Ha Giang Skywing Hotel

• Meals: B, L, D

• Cycling Distance: 97 km

After a well-deserved breakfast, we'll have one last relaxed ride through the lowlands of Ha Giang Province. This final 76 km stretch takes us through peaceful villages and vibrant green fields, offering a final glimpse into authentic Vietnamese countryside life.

We'll pause for a delicious local lunch in Tan Quang before loading our bikes onto the support vehicle for a comfortable 5-6 hour transfer back to Hanoi. We'll drop you off at your hotel, marking the official end of your epic 12-day cycling journey. You've conquered some of Vietnam's most legendary passes and created memories to last a lifetime.

• Accommodation: N/A

• Meals: B, L

• Cycling Distance: 76 km