Highlights:
- Challenge yourself on this amazing cycle tour through a distinctive corner of SE Asia
- Meet the colourful people of the Dao, Tay, Hmong, Lolo and Nung hill tribes
- Enjoy an overnight cruise on Bai Tu Long, a pristine part of world-renowned Halong Bay
- Experience the 'real' Northern Vietnam with 3 nights' traditional homestay accommodation
- From Hanoi’s Old Quarter to the stunning Ma Pi Leng Pass and tranquil Ba Be Lake
Maps
Meet at the group hotel in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. A group transfer from Hanoi Airport is provided. We will aim to do the bike fitting before lunch and then, in the afternoon, we will head out with our guide on a walking tour of the Old Quarter. The Old Quarter, a maze of 35 streets, is essentially the original pre-20th century Hanoi. The names of the streets tell a fascinating story about the history of the city, prior to the modern age each street was named for the particular trade for which it was (and sometimes still is) known; look out for Hang Gai (Silk Street) and Hang Bac (Silver Street). We'll also make a stop at Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword), the epicentre of old Hanoi. We will also stop at a shop where we can learn about traditional medicine and at an authentic Hanoian house, where we can enjoy a cup of local tea. Afterwards we head to a local restaurant where we can enjoy a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of our holiday. Our first chance to sample the deliciously fragrant Vietnamese cuisine and test out our chopstick skills!
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Dinner
After breakfast, we will board the support vehicle for the drive out of the city, heading north. We will drive for two hours and then we'll pull over and unload the bikes for the start of our cycling adventure on quiet roads. This first day of cycling will take us across the alluvial plain of the Red River Delta with distant views of the Tam Dao chain of limestone mountains that are such a distinctive feature of northern Vietnam. The landscape soon starts to become more impressive, with lowland rice fields bordered here and there by banana trees, palm trees and cassava and tea plantations. We will stop off for lunch en-route and arrive in the regional capital of Tuyen Quang in the late afternoon. Free time at our hotel before going out to a local restaurant for dinner.
✔️ Accommodation: Hotel
✔️ Meals: Breakfast. Lunch, Dinner
✔️ Ascent: 150m
✔️ Descent: 150m
✔️ Time: 4 hrs cycling
✔️ Distance: 60km
In the morning, we have a relatively short drive to Phuc An beside Thac Ba Lake, the largest body of freshwater in North Vietnam. In this area, the local Dao people make their living by farming and fishing and we will see many of their hamlets, the houses built on stilts and with thatched roofs. Our ride starts at the waterfall of Thac O Do and takes us on a variety of surfaced and unsurfaced roads and tracks amongst a patchwork of rice fields, bamboo groves, small ethnic villages, maize plantations and undulating streams, all surrounded by lush jungles. After a leisurely 3-hour ride we arrive in Tan Yen where we take lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, we board the support vehicle and enjoy a scenic drive (2.5 hrs) to Ha Giang. Here, we will saddle up for a further hour's cycle out to the picturesque hamlet of Ha Thanh at the foot of the Tay Con Linh Mountain where we will stay as guests of the Tay people in a traditional wooden house on stilts.
✔️ Accommodation: Homestay
✔️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
✔️ Ascent: 300m
✔️ Descent: 230m
✔️ Time: 4 hrs cycling
✔️ Distance: 55km
Before setting off this morning we can take a walk around the village with its vegetable gardens, and small ponds devoted to fish and duck breeding. Then, after a short transfer to the small village of Banh Cuom, we set off on our bikes into the UNESCO-listed Dong Van Geopark with views across to the border with China. Our route at first undulates beneath Phu Ta Ca (Three Fairies) Mountain (2276m) the highest peak of Du Gia limestone massif. In the Tung Ba Valley, we meet the Tay and Flower Hmong people who seem to live a timeless existence in small hamlets shaded by groves of lataniers and dominated by forest-clad limestone crags. The landscape becomes even more dramatic as we enter the Song Mien Gorge on the northern side of Phu Ta Ca Mountain and stop for lunch beside an impressive waterfall. After lunch, we get back into the support vehicle and drive to Seo Lung, a White Hmong village. (There is the option to cycle the steep 5-kilometre, concrete road climb up to the village). Tonight we will be welcome guests in the home of Mr So, who is the former chief of the village. In the evening, he will join us and we can learn about the history of the village and White Hmong traditions.
✔️ Accommodation: Homestay
✔️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
✔️ Ascent: 930m
✔️ Descent: 630m
✔️ Time: 4 - 5 hrs cycling
✔️ Distance: 43km
After another early start, we set out on a minor road, traversing a valley lined with maize fields and Hmong hamlets. We will have the opportunity for a quick visit to the colourful produce market at Duong Thuong which takes place every Friday. Our route turns north at the ruins of an old French colonial period fort and we'll have time to check this out before continuing towards Mau Due Village with a breathtaking panoramic view over the northern slopes of the Can Ty Massif, featuring rice terraces and Dao hamlets, with the southern foothills of the Dong Van Geopark in the background. There's a lot of up and down on today's ride as we continue northwards through this dramatic limestone massif to the small village of Lung Phin which is famous for its very traditional hill tribe market. The market is held every 6 days on the lunar calendar and attracts Hmong and Dzao villagers from throughout the region. This is a suitable place for us to stop cycling and board our transport for the onward drive to Dong Van. Notable for its central square known as the 'French Quarter', a well-preserved collection of 100-year old colonial buildings, Dong Van is overlooked by a limestone peak topped by another French-era fortress. We overnight here in a local inn and the rest of the day is at leisure.
✔️ Accommodation: Guesthouse
✔️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
✔️ Ascent: 1550m
✔️ Descent: 1580m
✔️ Time: 6 - 7 hrs cycling
✔️ Distance: 55km
Today is Saturday and we have the option to pay an early visit (7am) to the nearby and authentic hill tribe market of Ma Le. Many different ethnic groups (Hmong, Dao, Lo Lo, Giay and Nung, each in their distinctive dress) bring their wares to the market, helping to preserve the lifestyle and traditions of the Dong Van Karst Plateau. Then, setting off on our bikes, we leave the Dong Van Valley via the pretty sensational Ma Pi Leng Pass (1500m), where the views extend over the deep valley of the beautiful, green Nho Que River towards the peaks that line the Chinese border. Descending from the pass on the aptly named 'happiness road' (opened in the 60s) we make several stops to enjoy the views of the patchwork of fields on the other side of the valley. At Meo Vac, we turn onto a smaller road that twists and turns its way down to Lung Pu beside the Nho Que River. This is the end of the ride today and after our picnic lunch we board small boats for an hour's cruise through a part of the spectacular gorge known as Tu San Alley. Disembarking at Bao Lam Dam, we transfer to Bao Lac and check in at our local inn accommodation.
✔️ Accommodation: Guesthouse
✔️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
✔️ Ascent: 1000m
✔️ Descent: 1545m
✔️ Time: 6 hrs cycling
✔️ Distance: 48km
We start out today beside the Gam River which flows out of China. The road twists and turns across the steep slopes of Xuang Truong district and crosses the challenging Khau Coc Cha Pass into a valley dotted with rice fields and Nung and Tay ethnic hamlets where time appears to have stood still. Approaching the northern slopes of the Thong Nong Mountains we once again let the support vehicle take the strain, transporting us to the top of the next pass, where we saddle up again and look forward to the descent. Our destination, Nam Ngu, lies in a beautiful valley overlooked by impressive limestone peaks covered in misty forest. Here we meet our Nung hosts and settle in at our homestay accommodation.
✔️ Accommodation: Homestay
✔️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
✔️ Ascent: 1350m
✔️ Descent: 1340m
✔️ Time: 6 hrs cycling
✔️ Distance: 42km
Cycling away from Nam Ngu through a landscape of limestone peaks covered by dense vegetation we reach the town of Nguyen Binh. From here we take the support vehicle for the steep climb up to the Lea Pass which is high on the slopes of Mount Pia Oac and close to the watershed of the Red River and Pearl River basins. Beyond the pass, it's back on the bikes for the amazing 26 kilometre descent to Phieng Diem, with Dao and Hmong hamlets on the heights, giving way as we descend to denser Tay habitation. We transfer the last part of the day's journey on a minor road into the Ba Be National Park and to Ba Be Lake, fed by three rivers and surrounded by high and jungle-clad limestone formations. We take a boat from the eastern pier to the Tay village of Coc Toc, located in a cove of the lake. On arrival, we settle in at a guesthouse run by a Tay family and look forward to a dinner of local specialties.
✔️ Accommodation: Lodge
✔️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
✔️ Ascent: 1150m
✔️ Descent: 2450m
✔️ Time: 6 hrs cycling
✔️ Distance: 52km
Completing our loop through northen Vietnam, we cycle southwards on a quiet road through a verdant landscape with many Tay hamlets, emerald green rice paddies and dense forest. Arrive at Phieng Lieng after just a couple of hours, we put our bikes away and board the support vehicle for the 4-hour drive back to Hanoi via Bac Kan. We soon find ourselves amongst the flooded rice fields of the lower delta and from Thai Nguyen where the road improves we make better time. Stopping off for lunch en-route, we arrive at our hotel in Hanoi in the late afternoon. Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel.
✔️ Accommodation: Hotel
✔️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
✔️ Ascent: 600m
✔️ Descent: 500m
✔️ Time: 2 hrs cycling
After breakfast, we set off on a two and a half hour drive to the Gulf of Tonkin through the colourful rice fields of the Red River Delta. Arriving at Bai Chay harbour around noon, we will be welcomed on board the Dragon's Pearl Junk and begin our cruise to Bai Tu Long Bay. Quieter, but no less spectacular than neighbour (Halong), Bai Tu Long is a revelation with its steep cliffs and half submerged limestone towers. We'll enjoy lunch on board as we explore hidden hidden lagoons and discover the fascinating floating houses of the bay's inhabitants. There's the opportunity to kayak and swim in the clear waters of the bay. Dropping anchor for the night in an isolated area, we can look forward to sampling the chef's fine cuisine in the peaceful atmosphere of this magnificent place, before settling down on the upper deck to admire the beauty of Bai Tu Long as the sun sets. Overnight on board.
✔️ Accommodation: Junk
✔️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Tai Chi on the deck before breakfast, a great way to start the day as the South-east Asian sun rises. After breakfast, we'll take a rustic rowing-boat to visit a fishing village, an opportunity to discover the traditional culture and customs of the local fisherpeople. Later, we explore an impressive cave with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites. And, there's another opportunity to kayak and swim, before cruising slowly back to the pier around midday. From Bai Chay Harbour it will take us two and a half hours to retun to Hanoi and our hotel. After resting and freshening up. we can visit the Temple of Literature, a masterful representation of traditional architecture, dedicated to Confucius. If there's time, we can also visit the colourful 6th century Tran Quoc Pagoda located on the edge of Ho Tay (West Lake). This evening, we'll have a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
✔️ Accommodation: Hotel
✔️ Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your holiday ends after breakfast. A single group transfer to Hanoi Airport is provided. If you would like to extend your stay in Hanoi additional hotel nights can be arranged, or you may want to consider adding an extension to visit neighbouring Cambodia and the magnificent temples at Angkor Wat. Please contact Us for details
Tour highlights:Northern Vietnam has long attracted adventurers in awe of its vistas, but vastly improved roads have caught the attention of the cycling adventurers. And it's not hard to see why road cycling in Asia is developing: an endless green expanse of climbs and descents, ribbon roads through forests, rice paddies to peaks and cloud-skimming mountain passes. Our road cycling Northern Vietnam trip from Hanoi to Sapa takes riders through the very best of Southeast Asia's next cycling paradise, for a truly unforgettable cycle tour.
Tour highlights: Ha Long Bay Situated in the Gulf of Tonkin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, "Descending Dragon Bay' or Ha Long Bay, is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Approximately 1,553 km2, it includes numerous islets, most of which are limestone and schist. The karst rock formations have developed over 20 million years under the impact of the tropical wet climate. There is huge geographical diversity here, which has led to biodiversity, with ecosystems of salt water-flooded forests, coral reefs, and tropical forests hosting thousands of species of animal and plant life. Evidence suggests the presence of pre-historical human beings in this area tens of thousands years ago. Most of the islets are uninhabited due to the nature of the karst structures. The bay has the aura of an ancient forgotten world; as you journey around the bay seeing the stones from different vantage points their formations appear to change. Spanning the coastline of Bai Chay Beach, the best way to enjoy the bay is to travel out on a junk-styled boat from which you can swim, dive, fish and explore the endless caves and grottoes. This 15 day southeast asian bicycle tour explores the mountainous regions of two magical countries: Vietnam and Laos. Our adventure begins in Vietnam, a land of shimmering rice fields, lush jungles, and radiant beaches. Beginning in Hanoi, we spend our trip exploring the lesser known northwestern region of Vietnam, home to spectacular mountains and valleys. We ride amidst the crests of Indochina’s highest peak, Mount Fansipan, and along the fascinating hill station of Sapa, a colonial retreat created by the French. Crossing into Laos, we cycle riverside where we venture into remote villages far from the tourist track.
Tour highlights: Challenging the mountain biking in Vietnam to conquer the mountainside of fanxipang. Spectacular landscapes and wild nature of the Hoang Lien mountain range and nature reserve.
Tour highlights: A perfect combination of mountain biking, sightseeing and walking. Stunning landscapes of Hoang Lien Son mountain range and Muong Hoa Valley. Stunning landscapes of Hoang Lien Son mountain range and Muong Hoa Valley. Meeting Black Hmong people for discovery of traditional culture and way of life. Visit various local hill tribe villages. Spectacular landscapes of a narrow valley stretching along of both mountainsides mingle with the stream of Mong Sen remote village explore unique culture, custom and way of living of the Black Hmong and Red Zao ethnic people. Beautiful landscapes of Ma Tra valley featured by impressive terraced rice paddies on steep hill sides.
Tour highlights: This amazing journey will take you past Tram Tom or Heaven's Gate to explore the other side of Fansipan and the Hoang Lien Mountains. Usually when Sa Pa is covered by clouds, this side is clear and blue. The newly paved road is 26 km long through one of the most beautiful and inspiring valleys in the North, where you will glide through fresh mountain air to reach the Binh Lu junction. Turning off this main road will add a moderate challenge to your adventure. The sometimes rocky road meanders along the foothills of the mountains through old forest and past villages of the Thai, Hmong and Lu ethnic groups. This area has few tourists, especially to see the vast green tea fields with sweet scents stretching long in the valley appearing like a magical picture.
Tour highlights: A perfect combination of mountain biking, sightseeing and walking. Stunning landscapes of Hoang Lien Son mountain range and Muong Hoa Valley. Stunning landscapes of Hoang Lien Son mountain range and Muong Hoa Valley. Meeting Black Hmong people for discovery of traditional culture and way of life.
Tour highlights: Beautiful, animated and colorful Sunday Market of the hill tribal people with festive atmosphere. Magnificent and stunning landscapes of Bac Ha highland. Boat trip along Chay River. Two Days Cycling trip from Lao cai to Bac Ha has been conducted and offers For those seeking a physically and culturally rewarding experience off the beaten path, this is the perfect trip for you, and with no set departure date it's flexible for those on a tight schedule but looking for an alternative to the more touristy destinations. With visits hill tribe markets and experience the villages of the Black Dzao, Flower H'mong, Tay, Phu La and Nung people. You will have unique experience to discover the stunning scenery and cultural identity of far north Vietnam.
This unforgettable cycling expedition shows off the best of Northern Vietnam. Starting from Hanoi and the fertile Red River Delta, the cradle of Vietnamese heritage, we have chosen to include an achievable blend of transfers and cycling as we head northwards to the highlands on the border with China. Our bespoke route completes a loop through a magical landscape of endless limestone peaks, rushing rivers and spectacularly terraced farmland where the local hill tribe people grow their rice and maize.
En route, we’ll get to meet many different ethnic people and by making use of homestay accommodation on three nights we’ll learn a lot more about the Tay, the White Hmong and the Nung. In this remote part of Vietnam we’ll find these hill tribes still living in much the same way as they always have, far from the modern world. Beyong Thac Ba Lake, we’ll cycle on distinctly undulating roads through the UNESCO listed Dong Van Karst Plateau and onwards into the Thong Nong range where the scenery becomes even more mountainous. We’ll see dramatic waterfalls, visit a hill tribe Saturday market at Ma Le and spend time beside the picturesque, jungle-shrouded Ba Be Lake. On the completion of our quite challenging 8-day loop ride, we’ll head out to the Gulf of Tonkin and enjoy an overnight cruise in a comfortable, traditional junk on beautiful Bai Tu Long, adjacent to Halong Bay - the perfect way to sign off on one of the best cycling adventures in Vietnam.
- Is this cycling holiday for you?
Riding on a combination of quiet and mostly surfaced roads through a remote and rarely-visited highland region, this is a classic Vietnam Travel Memories loop ride. It is also a reasonably challenging trip that we have moderated by including vehicle transfers to overcome some of the hilliest terrain. The tour will suit regular weekend cyclists. A couple of quite level rides to Tuyen Quang and Ha Giang will get us into the swing of things and then it becomes rather more hilly as we head further north with several more testing days of up to 55 kilometres cycling with 1500 metres of accumulated ascent. It is important to remember that you can opt out of any of the day rides at any time. Ride as much as you want and use the ever-present support vehicle to make each day work as you want it to. Trek mountain bikes with front suspension, disc brakes and fast-rolling all-round tyres are provided locally within the trip price.
What's Included
- An experienced local English-speaking cycling guide
- All land transport as described
- Single group Hanoi Airport transfer on arrival and departure
- One or more support vehicles and drivers
- All accommodation as described
- All meals
- Fruit and snack for cycling days
- Cold drinking water and cold towel
- Temple and other site fees
- 1-hour boat ride on the Nho Que River
- Overnight junk boat cruise on Bai Tu Long Bay
- Local fruit and snacks and water
- Bike hire, pump, bike tools, spares tubes, spare bikes
- First aid kit
What's not Included
- Travel insurance
- Visas (if applicable)
- Miscellaneous expenses - Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks in meals and souvenirs
- Mineral water beyond that supplied
- Optional excursions
- Additional transport required due to any emergency situation
- Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry bills, etc
12 day
$1,450,000
Private Departure?
Gather a few friends, family or club and take over your own departure.
BOOK WITH VIETNAM TRAVEL MEMORIES CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee
The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, WE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.
Vietnam Travel Memories is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 10-009/ /TCDL_ GPLHQT) and are bonded with GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM
NORTHERN VIETNAM MOUNTAIN BIKE 12 DAYS
- At a Glance
- Group Size 1 to 12
- 8 days biking
- 390 kilometres
- 90% surfaced road - 95% vehicle supported
- Max altitude - 1500 metres
- Join In Hanoi
- Accommodation & Meals
- All meals included
- 4 nights Hotel
- 3 nights Homestay
- 2 nights Guesthouse
- 1 nights Lodge
- 1 nights Junk
Joining Arrangements & Transfers
The group will meet at the hotel in Hanoi.
A single group transfer is provided from/to Hanoi Airport on Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary and on the final day of the Land Only itinerary.
Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.
Food & Water
It is not recommended to drink untreated water from the taps. If you are on a trekking or cycling holiday, water is supplied to fill up your individual bottles. This will be boiled, filtered or provided in large jerry cans or 5 litre bottles. Additionally you should take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water when in towns or where water is not supplied. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles.
You can expect to feast on an A to Z of delicious Vietnamese cuisine during the course of your holiday. Start practising your chopstick technique now, as there may be no knives and forks for parts of this holiday! Vietnamese cuisine is fresh, fragrant and flavoursome. Typically, for included meals, a selection of dishes or varying flavours will be served together and each person takes a little of each dish – so there will usually be something to please everyone (vegetarians included!) at every meal. Whilst at the homestays breakfasts might be pancakes with banana, eggs and bread or (more traditionally) ‘Pho’ a noodle soup. Lunches will sometimes be taken at a wayside eatery and other times will be a picnic, usually rice with steamed chicken/pork, stir-fried vegetable and spring rolls. A typical evening meal will also include Pho, a choice of pork or chicken dishes, a selection of stir fried or boiled vegetables with rice, and usually fresh fruit for dessert. Whilst cruising on Bai Tu Long we will certainly be treated to a variety of fresh and delicious sea food.
Accommodation
We will spend 3 nights in a comfortable and well located hotel in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, 1 night in a simple hotel in Tuyen Quang, 2 nights in local inns in Dong Van and Bao Lac and for the night beside Ba Be Lake we will stay at a simple guesthouse/homestay with twin rooms and shared facilities. There will be a total of 3 nights in simple village homestays, where you will require a light sleeping bag or a sleeping bag liner. At these homestays sleeping arrangements will be communal with everybody sharing one large room and all footwear left outside; in some villages it is possible that males and females will be asked to sleep separately (same room, but not next to each other). Each person will have their own mattress (sometimes on the floor, sometimes on a raised bed), with bedding and mosquito net provided - there will be plenty of colourful blankets should the temperature fall in the evenings. The bathroom facilities will be basic, with a mix of western and squat toilets. There will also be basic shower facilities, although electricity and hot water can be intermittent. Charging phones or cameras is also usually possible. Whilst the facilities are basic, the unique experience of staying with the villagers in their homes, in stunning and remote locations, will more than make up for the lack of modern amenities. There is also a single night on the very comfortable Dragon's Pearl Junk. All accommodation is twin share (except for the 3 simple homestay nights). If you are travelling by yourself, you will be paired up with someone of the same sex. Single rooms at all of the accommodation (except the homestays) are available for a supplementary cost. If you are planning on extending your holiday additional nights at the group hotel are available on request.
Group Leader & Support Staff
The trip will be led by an experienced local English-speaking cycling guide and there will also be one or more support vehicles and drivers.
Altitude
This holiday does not involve any significant ascent to altitude and we would not expect any altitude issues with this trip.
Spending Money
- Currency the unit of currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong.
- Payment by credit card will have a 0,3 percent commission deducted from the total payment amount
Approximately £150 (or equivalent in $/€) should be allowed for miscellaneous expenses including tips for local staff, homestay hosts, guides, drivers, boatmen etc. It is not necessary to obtain local currency (Vietnamese Dong) prior to travelling. Money can be changed at one of the banks in Hanoi or you can withdraw funds from an ATM, either at the airport or in the city. For ease of exchange we recommend that you carry your travel money in US dollars. US dollars are acceptable for exchange in Hanoi and can also sometimes be used to pay directly for goods and services.
Guidance on Tipping
Tips are the accepted way of saying ‘thank you’ to your local guides and to your support crews and drivers. They do not form part of their wages. KE always pays local staff the best rates of pay, no matter what country they are in and any tips they receive are seen as a personal thank you from group members. For our part, we advise local teams that tips are not a duty or a prerequisite but are a bonus and entirely dependent on the service that was given. For your support crews we recommend that you give a tip if you feel that their services have met your satisfaction. It is best to tip as a group and it is useful to have a group pool for this. As a rough guide we suggest you allow a total of £80-100 for tipping. Note that you will have a guide and one or more drivers and other staff. It is also not unusual to tip the families at homestays if you feel that they have provided a great service; around $1-2 per group member, per homestay is reasonable.
Bike Hire
Bikes are provided locally within the cost of the holiday. These bikes are Trek Xcarliber bikes in a full range of sizes. They are good quality and well maintained bikes with Shimano components, 1,2,3 chainsets (27 gears), 100mm Suntour front suspension, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes and fast-rolling all-round tyres. Spare parts (tubes, tyre, chains etc.) will be available in the support vehicle along with a tool kit and track pump. The guide will also carry some spares and tools for fixing punctures etc. The bikes are equipped with flat pedals. If you prefer to use spd or clip-in pedals, you will need to bring these with you, along with your regular cycling shoes and cleats. Another item which you might choose to take with you on the holiday is your saddle. The hire bikes have standard saddles and anyone requiring more comfort, or a women-specific saddle, should consider taking their own. Helmets can also be provided free of charge if you request one.
Vehicle Support
Throughout this trip we have the back up of one or more support vehicles. Each morning our main baggage will be loaded onto the support vehicle which will follow the group on the day's ride. The local biking leader and the support vehicle driver will watch over the group and will carry mobile phones, allowing you to contact them in the case of a breakdown or other incident. We want everyone to enjoy their cycling experience on this trip and we recognise the importance of group members being allowed to cycle at their own pace. At times there can be a fair distance between the front and rear cyclists in the group, with the support vehicle and cycling leader out of sight. The support vehicle will pick up any group members who wish to take a break from cycling at any time. There will be local fruit and snacks and drinking water available from the support vehicle at all times.
Baggage Allowance
You should travel with one main item of luggage, such as a robust holdall, as well as a small day pack or mountain bike-specific hydration pack. The day pack can be used to carry valuable items such as cameras and GPS devices whilst travelling and will also carry your day-ride essentials during the rides.
Group Size & Holiday Status
For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements or Private tour.
Legal AspeCTS
Booking Terms & Conditions: Tour itinerary and tour prices are subject to change Notice required before departure. Please click here for more information.
A single group transfer is provided from/to Hanoi Airport on Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary and on the final day of the Land Only itinerary.
Passport & Visa Vietnam
British Citizen passport holders do not need a visa for durations of stay up to and including 45 days for tourism and transit.
For information about multiple entry visas, longer stays or different nationalities please contact the relevant embassy. The Vietnamese Embassy in your country.
Health & Vaccinations
If you have a severe allergy please inform the our office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.
You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you specific require any vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella), along with hepatitis A and typhoid. Malarial prophylaxis are required. A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required if travelling from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hrs through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dentist check up. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro.
Preparing for your Holiday
The better shape you are in, the more you will enjoy your holiday. You should adopt a sensible weekly exercise regime and fit in a number of long cycle rides in hilly country ahead of the trip. As well as cycling, running and swimming are also good for developing aerobic fitness and stamina.
Vietnam Travel Memories. treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates direct from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.
Single Use Plastic
Vietnam Travel Memories. do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our by reducing our plastic use.
Books
Lonely Planet. Vietnam
Rough Guide. Vietnam
Vietnam Pocket Guide. Insight Guides
Vietnamese Phrasebook. Rough Guides
Hill Tribes Phrasebook. Lonely Planet
Vietnam: A History. Stanley Karnow
Four seasons of travel:
Seasonal Preparation: The best time to travel in Vietnam is between September and May.
In Northern of Vietnam, the wet season is hot, stuffy and covered in clouds and the dry season is comfortable and almost clear. As the year progresses, temperatures usually vary from 11°C to 31°C and rarely below 6°C or above 34°C.
Based on tourist destination, the best times of year to visit Ha Giang Province, Cao Bang City, Bac Kan Province for warm weather activities are from early March to Oct. and cold season from early October to late Feb.
The hot season lasts for 5.3 months, from June 25 to September, with average daily high temperatures above 29°C. The hottest month of the year in Cao Bang City is July, with an average high temperature of 31°C and an average low temperature of 25°C.
The cold season lasts for 2–4 months, from December 11 to February 22, with average high temperatures below 20°C. The coldest month of the year in Cao Bang City is January, with an average low temperature of 11°C and an average high temperature of 18°C.
MODERATE TO STRENUOUS
- Local road, 75% surfaced road - 100% vehicle supported
- Suitable for very active cyclists with an excellent level of fitness looking for more demanding and challenging cycling. Moderate to strenuous itineraries involve extended steep ascents and descents along routes. Cycling distance is typically between 65 - 100 km per day.
Equipment List
For this holiday you will need your usual cycling clothing, including shoes, cycling gloves and a helmet (which must be worn at all times when cycling).
Bike Wear
Cycling helmet
Cycling shoes
Daypack or mountain bike-specific hydration pack (e.g. Camelbak)
Water bladder - min. 2 litres water capacity (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)
Padded (baggy) cycling shorts
Long leg cycling trousers or leg warmers
Base-layer – short sleeve cycling tops
Mid-layer - long sleeved cycling tops
Fleece jacket or jumper
Lightweight windproof gilet
Lightweight waterproof jacket
Regular biking gloves
Buff
Sunglasses
Sun cream (inc. total bloc for lips/nose)
Other Stuff
Travel and off-the-bike clothing and footwear
Wash bag, towel, toiletries, including anti-bacterial handwash
Headtorch and spare batteries
Swimwear
Basic First Aid kit and personal medication
Insect repellant
Chamois cream (e.g. Assos/Ozone)
Water purification tablets
Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)
Spares and Repairs
You do not need to take any tools or spares. The local guide will take care of any and all issues.
Hydration and Energy Snacks
You should take suitable water bottle(s) (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic) or a hydration pack and you should also consider taking a small supply of the gels, power bars or sports drink mix that you would normally use on a ride at home.
Please contact us if you have any questions about your equipment.
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