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Cycling tourism is becoming increasingly popular and chosen by many people because it brings health benefits as well as many new and interesting experiences. When cycling, riders can slow down, breathe in cool air, observe in detail each tree, mountain range or road they travel, feeling like merging with the place where they are setting foot.
Vietnam has many beautiful landscapes from vast rice paddies to blue beaches and majestic mountains. Moreover, these natural wonders are often accessible via scenic routes. Instead of traveling by car or motorbike, why don't you experience tourist destinations by bicycle?
More and more foreign tourists choose Vietnam as a cycling tourism destination. Photo: Mekong Bike Tour
Asia King Travel suggests 5 amazing bike routes in Vietnam for you to explore its attractions. These routes are definitely worth trying at least once. The difficulty levels range from beginner to experienced for you to choose the most suitable one.
Cycling tourism is a relatively new phenomenon in Vietnam but has quickly gained popularity. Unlike traditional package tours, it allows participants to freely go to many places, freely stop to explore the local culture. With a place with so much hidden charm like Vietnam, cycling is the most authentic way to experience the trip.
Vietnam cycling tours are now well-planned with expert tour guides. Photo: Highland Holiday Tours
Travel agencies are now designing Vietnam cycling tours to suit all ages and groups. Short tours, half a day around the city are ideal for novices. Explorers can also take tours leaving the noisy city and returning to nature for a few days. In particular, tours with foreign tourists always have professional English-speaking tour guides.
Cycling in the city center will be a safe trip for beginners. But don't take it for granted. Hanoi has countless beautiful cycling routes that pass through many of the capital's landmarks. Even Hanoians may not be able to cycle through all of them.
Start at Hanoi Old Quarter. And talk about it, what better way to explore this narrow yet lively and full-of-culture area than by bike? Cycling allows you to easily navigate these tight spaces, stopping to admire the colonial architecture, ancient temples, and bustling street markets that make the Old Quarter so unique.
Explore the smallest alley of Hanoi's Old Quarter on a bicycle. Photo: Wiibike
Continuing to Hung Vuong Street, you can ride slowly and enjoy serene atmosphere with minimal traffic just 2 kilometers from the city center. On this street, you will pass by famous historical sites such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, and Thang Long Imperial Citadel.
At the end of Hung Vuong Street, you will reach West Lake. Thanh Nien Road is the most beautiful cycling route in Hanoi. This road is also likened to a green silk strip of the capital between West Lake and Truc Bach Lake. Riding along a tree-lined path, the green grass along the road and the airy atmosphere from the lake, you will be inspired to go around West Lake.
Thanh Nien Road runs between the two large lakes. Photo: Hanoi Fan
With a road length of about 20 kilometers around the lake, you can freely stop your bike anywhere to admire and enjoy the poetic scenery of West Lake. Experience a leisurely bike ride on the smooth asphalt road, look out at the vast lake and fully appreciate the faint scent of lotus in the wind. Just one trip and you will fall in love with Hanoi and not want to leave.
Timing to cycle around West Lake in the late afternoon to catch the sunset. Photo: Vivuhotay
While finishing a lap around West Lake, you can choose to rest on the Red River bank, return to Phan Dinh Phung Street to take pictures, or explore the modern city from Van Cao Street,...
The next route is still not too difficult. We will say goodbye to the modern city and go to a more ancient city. The route around Hoi An will lead you from a small path in the rice fields before entering the vibrant Hoi An Ancient Town, where colorful lanterns illuminate the streets.
The usual route to Hoi An takes you along the stunning coastal road. The coastal road is also impressive, so take some extra time to experience it. The journey from the coast to Hoi An is a bit longer and narrower, so be prepared to have enough energy. But the beautiful countryside views will make it well worth the effort.
The scenic coastal route from Da Nang to Hoi An. Photo: Nguoi Lao Dong
The flat countryside is dotted with lotus ponds and duck ponds. Lanes cut across the fields and lead to beautiful islets. In Cam Ha and An My, it is easy to see the scene of farmers plowing the fields with water buffalo, typical images of Vietnamese villages.
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Verdant rice fields and airy space in rural Hoi An. Photo: Tours4fun
After a 6-kilometer ride through the picturesque countryside, the first glimpse of the yellow-hued houses of the ancient town will greet you. Take a break for a refreshing herbal tea or a bowl of chilled tofu before embarking on a journey “back to the future” through the charming narrow streets on an 8.8 miles/hour bike.
Starting the journey in Hoi An Ancient Town, small roads shaded by trees and paved with bricks open up before your eyes. Each turn of the wheel takes you past red-tiled houses, yellow walls that have faded over time, but highlight the tranquility of the ancient town. Cycling through the small alleys, you will smell the faint aroma of traditional restaurants. Occasionally, you will come across handicraft stalls, so stop and treat yourself to the gifts Hoi An brings.
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No engine noise, let's go back in time with a bike and Hoi An Ancient Town. Photo: Hanoimoi
Your adventure doesn't end there. Continue to Tran Nhan Tong Street and enjoy the scenic views of the Thu Bon River flowing to the sea and then out of the city. As you follow the winding riverside path, you'll notice the increasing number of canals lined with lush coconut trees.
You might even feel like you've wandered into the Mekong Delta, but you're actually exploring Bay Mau Coconut Forest. If you're up for it, rent a small boat and drift through the canals for a truly unforgettable experience.
Suggested for you: Vietnam Cycling Tours
Experience is needed from now on, so we recommend using a specialized bike. Mai Chau is 140 kilometers from Hanoi. Despite being close to Hanoi, this area is culturally diverse, with many ethnic minority groups following a mountainous way of life. You have gonna go through passes and slopes to reach there. But the treasure awaits you at the end of the journey.
Mai Chau is a small valley where many ethnic minorities live together. Photo: VnExpress
Traveling to the capital's southwestern outskirts, the tall buildings gradually become sparse and replaced by green rice fields. The road to Hoa Binh is the first challenge. You will encounter long slopes, mountain ranges like giant walls. Sometimes, the strong winds may try to deter you, but the attraction of what lies ahead will keep you going.
Thung Khe Pass is the biggest challenge. You must pedal up a long slope to the top of the pass, so use all your saved strength. The cooler weather will support you. Once you reach the summit, you can take a break at stalls and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views. The winding mountain roads and stilt houses in the distance will let you know that Mai Chau is just around the corner.
Tourists often stop to admire the view at the white rock cliff on Thung Khe Pass. Photo: Long Nguyen
A short distance from the pass without much effort to reach Mai Chau, the ultimate treasure of the journey. Cycling leisurely around Ban Lac in Mai Chau, you can admire the peaceful scenery, visit craft villages and go shopping. Not as luxurious as the city, Ban Lac exudes a simple beauty with rice cultivation and Thai brocade weaving culture.
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Cycling along the rice fields and stilt houses in Ban Lac. Photo: Local Vietnam
The 330-kilometer journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat is ready to defeat any rider. Consider your level because this trip is not for beginners. You better have bike training with increasing distances beforehand. Remember to plan carefully and break it down into manageable stages.
Experienced cyclists would like to take the route via National Highway 51 and National Highway 20 for more challenges instead of heading National Highway 1A. The road is relatively flat for the first part of the journey for you to get into a rhythm. Aim to cover around 150 kilometers on the first day and stop at Madagui to rest well before tackling the challenging Bao Loc Pass.
A dangerous blind bend on Bao Loc Pass. Photo: VinWonders
Bao Loc has 108 hairpin turns and high slopes, with a steep cliff on one side and an abyss on the other. You should be super careful when going through the pass, do not exceed the speed limit because many curves block the view. Maintain a steady speed when climbing. Be prepared for this 10-kilometer section to be more demanding than your entire first day of cycling.
The descent is less strenuous, but you should control your speed appropriately to avoid brake failure. Take advantage of this time to recover energy and witness natural scenery. The air starts to get colder at higher altitudes, so stop and put on a warmer jacket. Another 100 kilometers is the last major obstacle preventing you from reaching Da Lat, Prenn Pass.
Cyclists compete annually on the challenging Ho Chi Minh City - Da Lat route to prove their pass-climbing prowess. Source: Thanh Nien
Unlike Bao Loc Pass, Prenn Pass is much gentler, with less steep inclines and wider turns. This easier section of the ride is a welcome relief and might even make you fall in love with cycling in Vietnam. After passing the pass, you officially conquered the Ho Chi Minh City - Da Lat route discouraged many people.
In Da Lat, besides cycling around the city, you can find many beautiful routes to try such as the top of Phuong Hoang Mountain, the Dankia - Langbiang route, the Golden Valley, Voi Waterfall,...
Although this route is 50 kilometers shorter than the Ho Chi Minh City - Da Lat route, Asia King Travel warns this place will push you to the limit. Nothing supports you here. Nothing but high mountains and deep valleys, and harsh weather. Especially O Quy Ho Pass - one of the four largest passes in Vietnam. Avoid going between August and November due to flood season.
The road was tough right from the start. Photo: Lao Dong
The road dramatically changes just a few kilometers outside of Sapa. The bumpy roads wind along the mountainside. Only a guardrail separates you from the abyss, you need to focus absolutely to stay safe. After 15 kilometers, the challenging ascent of the O Quy Ho Pass - Vietnam's longest pass, begins.
Whenever you visit, the pass offers extreme weather conditions. Hot, arid in summer and visibility reduced to almost nothing in winter, passing 50 kilometers at 2000 meters is a true test of your cycling skills. The sharp curves and loose rocks on the road mean that even a slight lapse in concentration can lead to an unwanted incident.
The fog completely obscured the view on O Quy Ho Pass. Photo: Wikipedia
The spectacular view at the top of the pass will not disappoint you. The majestic Hoang Lien Son mountain range appears before your eyes, with clouds floating on the mountain peaks. If the weather is clear, you can see the distant golden terraced fields. Sip a warm cup of coffee at a roadside stall and enjoy the moment of your lifetime.
If the road ahead is easier, then this can't be the hardest route. A marathon of over 200 kilometers on mountains with many small passes. No better, still narrow and steep roads continue to pose a significant challenge.
Behold the clouds and the magnificent journey you've taken at O Quy Ho Heaven Gate. Photo: Viptrip
Only when the statues commemorating the Dien Bien Phu victory appear will you also be a victor. You will have conquered not only the road but also yourself. Come to Dien Bien, you are not only visiting a historical site but creating your own history—a story of faith that no challenge is too great to overcome.
One of the 5 routes, ranging from basic to challenging even the best, is sure to be right for you. Have you seen where your next trip to Vietnam will be? Contact Asia King Travel to plan your self-improvement journey!
Suggested for you: Useful Tips before You Planning a Vietnam Cycling Tour
