Greeting school students, rural Vietnam

Cycling group celebrating on a coastal hillside with sweeping ocean views behind

Exploring Po Cham Towers

Cycling along a quiet village path through rural Vietnam,

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Vietnam Cycle: Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi

Vietnam cycling tour from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi with coastal, countryside and cultural highlights

Vietnam

17 Days from

$3590 USD

Trip Code: VBR2

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Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

e-Bike Upgrade Cycle Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi

$400 USD

Gravel Upgrade Cycle Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi

$400 USD

Single Supplement Cycle Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi

$830 USD

Duration

17 Days

Activities

13 day cycle

Style

In Comfort Adventures

Accommodation

14 nights hotel
2 nights lodge

Meals

9 Dinners
13 Lunches
16 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

5 / 10

Moderate

Carbon Footprint

29kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(464kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Cycle from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi through diverse regions of Vietnam
Ride through the Central Highlands, coastal roads and mountain passes
Visit historic sites including My Lai and Hue’s imperial landmarks
Cycle the Hai Van Pass with views over the East Sea
Explore northern Vietnam including Mai Chau, Pu Luong and Ninh Binh
Experience the contrast between Ho Chi Minh City’s energy and Hanoi’s cultural heritage
Enjoy the support of a backup vehicle and the option to hire an e-bike

Overview

Cycle Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi on a journey linking the country’s south and north through diverse landscapes and cultures. Ride through the Mekong Delta, along the central coastline and into the historic cities and rural regions that define Vietnam’s character. Covering approximately 735km (456mi), the route includes a mix of flat sections, rolling terrain and more challenging climbs, with daily rides typically between 60–100km (37–62mi). The physical challenge is balanced by the depth of experience gained travelling by bike through remote villages, agricultural areas and culturally rich regions.

Itinerary

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Join the trip in Ho Chi Minh City and meet the local support team of guides, mechanics and drivers. A bike fitting is scheduled at 4pm with a transfer to our bike depot so please ensure you arrive in plenty of time for this. We can assist with pre and post tour accommodation should you wish to avail of it, otherwise make your way to our group hotel and bike fitting. Once our bikes have been assigned, we'll enjoy by a casual with our team to learn about the days ahead. Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city and a key gateway to the Mekong Delta. Accommodation: The Odys Boutique Hotel or similar

Meals: D

Depart early in the morning from Ho Chi Minh City and transfer towards the highlands Depart Ho Chi Minh City early this morning, leaving the hotel at 6:00am (time subject to change) and travelling out of the city as the landscape gradually shifts from urban sprawl to the foothills of the Central Highlands. A relaxed breakfast is taken en route before reaching the ride start point, where you begin your cycling journey through increasingly rural scenery. The ride begins in Ðinh Quán District, passing through a productive agricultural region of banana groves, mango orchards and pepper vines. Along the way, you encounter everyday rural life, with local farmers and children often greeting you as you cycle through small communities. Continuing toward Tà Lài Village on the edge of Nam Cát Tiên Forest, the route traverses land traditionally inhabited by the Cho Ro people, with a mix of flat sections and gradual climbs. Lunch is served at a local restaurant by the river. In the afternoon, a shorter, gentle ride of approximately one hour completes today’s cycling before transferring by vehicle to Bao Loc, a highland town known for its tea-growing region and cooler climate. This evening, join your group for a welcome dinner to mark the beginning of the journey. Accommodation: Sandals Vista Hotel or similar Total ascent: 750m / 2460ft

Meals: B,L,D

Today’s ride takes you into Vietnam’s Central Highlands as you make your way toward Da Lat, a region known for its cooler climate and diverse landscapes. The route features a series of sustained climbs, with rewarding views across coffee and tea plantations that characterise this fertile area. A picnic lunch is enjoyed en route before continuing toward Da Lat. You arrive in the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel, with time to relax or explore the town. Dinner is included this evening at a local restaurant, where you can enjoy the rich flavours and regional dishes that make Vietnamese cuisine so distinctive. Accommodation: Colline Hotel or similar Total ascent: 1000m / 3280ft

Meals: B,L,D

Today's journey by bike marks the beginning of your descent from the Central Highlands toward the coast, cycling through a changing landscape as cooler mountain air gives way to the warmer coastal plains. The route combines extended downhill sections with flatter terrain, offering a varied and rewarding day on the bike. Lunch is taken at a local restaurant en route before continuing toward Nha Trang. Depending on the conditions and group progress, you'll arrive in the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel, with time to relax after the day’s ride. Dinner is included this evening, offering the opportunity to sample fresh coastal flavours and regional specialties, with seafood often featuring prominently on the menu in this seaside setting. Accommodation: Sunrise Nha Trang or similar Total ascent: 800m / 2600ft

Meals: B,L,D

Today is set aside to relax and enjoy the coastal setting of Nha Trang. You may choose to spend time by the beach, swim in the ocean, or explore the city’s markets and cafés at your own pace. Alternatively, you can visit the Po Nagar Cham Towers, originally constructed in AD 781 and recognised as one of Vietnam’s oldest historical sites. Breakfast is provided at the hotel. To give you the flexibility to discover local dining options, lunch and dinner are not included, so you can decide where to eat and experience the region’s fresh coastal cuisine. Your guide will have some suggestions for some great options to consider. Accommodation: Sunrise Nha Trang or similar

Meals: B

Begin the day with a transfer to Hon Gom Peninsula before starting cycling. The route follows coastal terrain past shrimp farms and rice paddies. Central Vietnam’s coastal plains support extensive agriculture and aquaculture. The day ends in Tuy Hoa. Accommodation: Sala Tuy Hoa Grand Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L

After breakfast, cycle south along the coastline toward Quy Nhon, the provincial capital. Today’s ride follows a scenic coastal route where fishing plays a central role in daily life, with working harbours and shoreline activity visible along the way. As you approach Quy Nhon, you may see the region’s distinctive basket-shaped fishing boats, a hallmark of this part of Vietnam. You may wish to sample local specialties such as bún ch? cá (fish cake rice vermicelli) and cha ram tôm dat (crispy shrimp spring rolls), both widely enjoyed in this region when you choose which meal to finish your day with. Accommodation: Anmira Hoi An or similar

Meals: B,L

After breakfast, transfer by vehicle out of the city to avoid the morning traffic before beginning your ride. The remainder of the morning is spent cycling approximately 80 km / 50 mi through a mix of coastal scenery and rural countryside, with opportunities to observe local shrimp and salt farms and encounter daily life along the way. Following lunch at a local restaurant (the exact location for this will depend on the progress today), continue by vehicle on a scenic drive to Quang Ngai. The evening is at your leisure to explore the town. Dinner is included at a local restaurant. Accommodation: NewCC Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Begin the day with a guided visit to the My Lai Sanctuary, a significant historical site that offers insight into the events of the Vietnam War. Afterwards, continue by bike along quiet village roads and through small fishing communities, experiencing a more relaxed pace of life as you travel through the countryside. Later, transfer to Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed town, arriving in time for dinner and an evening to explore its lantern-lit streets. Accommodation: Anmira Hoi An Resort or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Today is at leisure to explore Hoi An at your own pace. Once a thriving trading port from the 15th century, the town reflects a blend of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences, evident in its preserved architecture and historic street layout. You may wish to wander the old town, visit local markets or simply take in the atmosphere. Your guide can provide recommendations on places to visit and where to dine. Accommodation: Anmira Hoi An Resort or similar

Meals: B

A long day awaits, expect today to be one of the most challenging and rewarding cycling days of the journey. As always, our support vehicle is available throughout the day should you prefer to take a break from the ride at any point. After a short transfer out of town, begin riding along the coast toward Da Nang before starting the climb to the renowned Hai Van Pass. The road ascends gradually to approximately 480 m / 1,575 ft, with a series of switchbacks and expansive views across the coastline and the East Sea. The summit offers one of the most celebrated viewpoints in Vietnam. From the top, enjoy a long descent before stopping for lunch. In the afternoon, continue cycling along the shoreline for approximately 44 km / 27 mi en route to Hue, the former capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, where you will spend the night. Accommodation: TTC Imperial Hotel or similar Total ascent: 650m / 2100ft

Meals: B,L

This morning is set aside to immerse ourselves in Hue, cycling around key historical sites, including Vong Canh Hill, the tomb of Khai Dinh, the Imperial Citadel and the seven-storey Thien Mu Pagoda, gaining insight into the legacy of Vietnam’s former royal capital. After lunch at a local restaurant, transfer to the airport for a short domestic flight of approximately one hour to Hanoi. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in the Old Quarter, the perfect base to explore this bustling city from. Accommodation: Le Jardin Haute Couture or similar Total ascent: 200m / 650ft

Meals: B,L

This morning, begin riding toward Hoa Binh Lake with a steady 30 km / 19 mi climb that rewards your effort with expansive views over the surrounding highlands. A picnic lunch is enjoyed by the lake, providing a well-earned break in a scenic setting. In the afternoon, continue through a landscape of rice paddies and traditional villages, passing through communities of the Thai ethnic minority. The route follows a mix of single-track paths and rural trails, offering a more immersive ride through the countryside before returning to Mai Chau. This evening, enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at our comfortable ecolodge, made with local wood, palm leaf and stone, all combining in the evocative design of Mai Chau’s ethnic Thai stilt houses. Accommodation: Amigo Pu Luong or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Today’s ride is one of the more challenging and visually rewarding days, with two sustained climbs taking you through remote landscapes, traditional villages and some of Southeast Asia’s most striking rice terrace scenery. The first climb leads out of the Mai Chau Valley and onto a higher plateau, where the terrain shifts into more mountainous country. Riding along shaded paths beside clear streams, you enter Pu Luong Nature Reserve and stop for a traditional lunch overlooking the surrounding rice terraces. After a gentler 10 km / 6 mi section across flatter terrain through fields and ethnic minority villages, a shorter but steeper climb brings you to your accommodation in Pu Luong. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. Accommodation: Amigo Pu Luong Resort or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Begin the day with a long descent from Pu Luong, riding down through steep terraced landscapes into the valley below. From here, continue along a remote cross-country route for approximately 15 km / 9 mi, following quiet tracks through bamboo groves and riverside scenery, far from the main roads. Afterwards, transfer by vehicle for approximately one hour before resuming your ride toward Ninh Binh. Often referred to as “Halong Bay on land,” this region is known for its striking limestone karst formations rising dramatically from rice paddies and waterways. Cycling through this landscape offers a fitting finale to the journey. Arrive in Ninh Binh and settle into your hotel. This evening, gather for a farewell dinner to celebrate completing approximately 735 km / 457 mi of cycling across Vietnam. Accommodation: Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Resort or similar

Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed ride through Ninh Binh, taking in its distinctive landscapes and historical sites, with time to stop for photos and local insights along the way. You then swap bikes for a traditional boat journey, where a local rower guides you on a 1.5-hour / 0.9 mi* exploration through river caves and secluded lagoons, offering a different perspective of this remarkable landscape. Following lunch, transfer by vehicle back to Hanoi, arriving in the late afternoon in time for a final evening in the city. *distance is approximate for reference only Accommodation: Le Jardin Haute Couture or similar

Meals: B,L

Time for one more leisurely breakfast and the opportunity to explore Hanoi further should you so wish. We can assist in arranging departure transfers if you wish.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

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What's included?

Included

All meals as specified in the itinerary: 16 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 10 dinners
All biking gear (mountain bike, helmet, 10L pannier, water cage)
Accommodation in 4–5 star hotels on a twin or double share basis
Support vehicle for luggage, equipment and transfers
Boat journeys and river transfers as per itinerary
Entrance fees as listed in the itinerary
Cycling guides and mechanics (number depends on group size)
Water, soft drinks, snacks and fruit on cycling days
Souvenir water bottle, drawstring backpack, t-shirt and cycling jersey
1 domestic flight, economy class Hue to Hanoi

Not included

International flights
Airport transfers
Visas
Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Personal expenses
Meals not listed as included
Tips and gratuities
Any items not listed as included