North Vietnam Family Cycling 4 days

June 23, 2015 bikingvietnam

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North Vietnam Family Cycling Adventure

A family cycling holiday in Vietnam is a perfect way to discover the vibrant colors, flavors, and traditions of the countryside with your kids. This tour blends scenic bike rides with cultural exploration and relaxation, giving families the chance to experience Vietnam at a gentle pace.

Cycling allows us to connect with local life, where friendly villagers share their love of bicycles. Along the way, you’ll visit ethnic minority villages in Mai Chau and Pu Luong, then continue to the limestone karsts of Tam Coc – often described as a “miniature Halong Bay.”

Route: Hanoi – Hoa Binh – Mai Chau – Pu Luong – Cuc Phuong – Ninh Binh – Hanoi
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Cycling distance: Approximately 150–160 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Best for: Active travellers, couples, families and small groups

Tour Overview

Discover the peaceful countryside of Northern Vietnam on this four-day cycling adventure from Hanoi. Ride through the spectacular limestone mountains of Hoa Binh, the rice paddies and ethnic Thai villages of Mai Chau, and the beautiful terraced landscapes of Pu Luong.

The journey continues through Cuc Phuong National Park and the historic countryside of Ninh Binh. Along the way, enjoy two scenic boat trips through the limestone valleys, caves and rural waterways of Tam Coc.

This tour combines cycling, nature, local culture and traditional homestay experiences, with vehicle support available when required.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi – Hoa Binh – Mai Chau

Cycling distance: Approximately 30–40 km
Terrain: Paved roads, village lanes and countryside trails
Meals: Lunch and dinner

Depart Hanoi in the morning for a private transfer to Hoa Binh, a beautiful mountainous province known for its dramatic limestone formations, green valleys and picturesque rice paddies.

After preparing the bicycles, begin cycling through the peaceful countryside towards Mai Chau. Follow a combination of quiet paved roads and village lanes, passing rice fields, traditional stilt houses and ethnic Thai communities.

Arrive in Mai Chau in the afternoon and check into a local homestay. There will be time to relax or walk around the village before dinner.

Accommodation: Homestay in Mai Chau
Room arrangement: Private bedroom with shared bathroom

Day 2: Mai Chau – Pu Luong

Cycling distance: Approximately 45 km
Terrain: Singletrack, dirt trails and quiet rural roads
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

After breakfast, leave Mai Chau and cycle towards the beautiful Pu Luong region.

The day begins with an exciting descent of approximately 12 km along a mixture of narrow village tracks and mountain trails. Continue through ethnic minority villages and some of Northern Vietnam’s most impressive terraced rice fields. Overnight in PuLuong homestay

Enjoy dinner and a peaceful evening surrounded by the natural environment.

Accommodation: Local homestay
Room arrangement: Simple local accommodation; private room , facilities may be shared

Day 3: Pu Luong- Cuc Phuong National Park

Cycling distance: Approximately 40 km
Terrain: National park roads, country lanes and paved roads
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Ride towards Pho Doan before continuing along quieter and flatter rural roads in the direction . The route offers excellent views of forested mountains, farmland, rivers and traditional village life.

After completing the cycling stage, transfer by support vehicle along the historic Ho Chi Minh Highway to Cuc Phuong National Park.

Enjoy dinner and a peaceful evening surrounded by the natural environment of Vietnam’s oldest national park.

Accommodation: Hotel in around national park

Day 4: Cuc Phuong- Tam Coc – Hanoi

Cycling distance: Approximately 38 km
Terrain: Flat country roads and village lanes
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Wake to the sounds of the forest and enjoy breakfast in the peaceful surroundings of Cuc Phuong National Park.

Spend part of the morning exploring the rich flora and fauna of this protected forest. Depending on the final arrangements, you may visit one of the national park’s conservation centres or follow a short forest walking trail.

Begin cycling from Cuc Phuong towards Hoa Lu through a landscape of limestone mountains, rice fields and rural villages.

Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and Early Le dynasties in the 10th and 11th centuries. Visit the ancient temples dedicated to Kings Dinh Tien Hoang and Le Dai Hanh while learning about this important period in Vietnamese history.

After the visit, continue cycling through the spectacular Ninh Binh countryside. To avoid the busiest section of Highway 1, transfer the final few kilometres by support vehicle to the hotel in Tam Coc.

Board a traditional sampan boat for a journey through Tam Coc’s extraordinary landscape. The area features towering limestone mountains, hidden valleys, flooded forests, peaceful rivers and an impressive network of water caves.

Local rowers will take you through several caves and secluded valleys surrounded by rich vegetation and dramatic karst formations.

After the excursion, transfer by private vehicle back to Hanoi. The tour finishes at your hotel in the late afternoon.

End of services.

Tour Highlights

Cycle through the spectacular valleys of Hoa Binh and Mai Chau
Visit traditional ethnic Thai villages and local stilt houses
Ride through the terraced rice fields and mountain scenery of Pu Luong
Explore the natural environment of Cuc Phuong National Park
Visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam
Take a sampan boat trip through the UNESCO-listed Trang An landscape
Discover the rural waterways
Enjoy a combination of mountain trails, quiet roads and countryside cycling
Experience local hospitality in traditional homestays

Cycling Information

Total cycling distance: Approximately 150–160 km
Average daily distance: 30–45 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Terrain: Paved roads, village lanes
Vehicle support: Available wherever road access permits

Distances and routes may be adjusted according to weather, road conditions, rider ability and local circumstances.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

English speaking local cycling guide.
Accommodations as mention on itinerary: 1 night in guess house 1 star, 1 night in home stay , 1night hotel in Ninh Binh 2*
Meals as noted B= breakfast, L= lunch, D=dinner.
Cold drink as coffee, tea, cola, juice, energy drink for cycling.
Fruit as banana , mango, green dragon …
Sightseeing and activities as noted in the itinerary.
100% ground transportation by mini buses.
Additional guides where necessary.
Bike hire with Giant XTC for Adult, BMX or Novara MTB for Kid

WHAT NOT