If you’re tired of resort stays or lounging all day in hotel rooms, it’s time to try something new — like exploring Vietnam on a bicycle. Cycling is one of the best ways to see Vietnam’s natural beauty up close, immerse yourself in local culture, and discover hidden corners of your homeland or your travel destination.
Whether you’re craving wide roads lined with golden rice fields, ancient houses steeped in history, or vibrant local markets filled with unique souvenirs, a cycling tour offers a fresh and exciting way to travel. Biking is also a safe, eco-friendly activity — perfect for the post-pandemic era when green tourism is on the rise.
Traveling by car or motorbike might be your usual routine, but cycling adds a whole new dimension: it’s great for your health, flexible for exploring, and lets you reach places other vehicles can’t. If you’re longing for an adventure, hop on a bike and hit the road!
Why Travel Vietnam by Bike?
🚴♂️ Health Benefits
Cycling is fantastic exercise. It helps with weight management, stabilizes blood pressure, improves circulation, and boosts your fitness for longer journeys. Plus, fresh air and outdoor exercise are unbeatable for your mental health.
🌄 Freedom and Flexibility
On a bike, you’re in charge of your journey. You can stop whenever you spot a beautiful view, explore hidden paths, or linger in a charming village. You’re not bound by timetables — just follow your curiosity.
🔥 Challenge Yourself
If you’ve never traveled solo or pushed your physical limits, a cycling tour is the perfect test. Conquer hills, navigate winding trails, and discover just how far your legs — and your spirit — can take you.
🌿 Hidden Corners Await
Cycling brings you into close contact with landscapes and communities many tourists miss. You’ll ride through quiet forests, mountain passes, tiny villages, and scenic rice paddies — places inaccessible by car or bus. The warm greetings from locals and authentic cultural experiences are the true rewards of bike travel.
🤝 New Connections
Cycling trips often bring people together, whether it’s your fellow riders, new friends along the road, or locals eager to share their stories. For families, it’s a wonderful way to bond and help kids build confidence and life skills.
🏢 Corporate Fun
For businesses, cycling challenges or fun races can be excellent team-building activities. It’s also a creative way for companies to promote their brand through sustainable tourism.
Top Cycling Destinations in Vietnam
Whether you’re planning short day rides or longer multi-day trips, Vietnam offers countless beautiful routes. Here are some top spots perfect for cycling adventures:
Hanoi City Tour
🚲 Hanoi’s shady streets, historic architecture, and vibrant markets make it an excellent city for biking. Ride past iconic sights like Phan Dinh Phung Street, Hoang Dieu Street, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Hoa Lo Prison, West Lake, Hoan Kiem Lake, or even venture out to Bat Trang Pottery Village and Co Loa Citadel. You’ll feel the heartbeat of Vietnam’s capital on every pedal stroke.
Ninh Binh – Ha Long Bay on Land
Ninh Binh’s dramatic limestone karsts and lush valleys have earned it the nickname “Ha Long Bay on Land.” Few people realize that cycling here offers an entirely different perspective. Ride through peaceful villages, admire ancient architecture in Hoa Lu, glide beneath the towering peaks of Trang An, or weave through vibrant rice fields near Tam Coc and Mua Cave. Cycling under the shady canopy of Cuc Phuong National Park is another unforgettable experience.
Cat Ba National Park
Cat Ba Island, one of the jewels of the Gulf of Tonkin, is an incredible place to explore on two wheels. Cat Ba National Park is rich in biodiversity, home to rare plants and animals. Cycling routes wind past beaches, waterfalls, limestone mountains, caves, and serene valleys. It’s a true paradise for nature lovers.
Mai Chau – Dreamy Rice Valleys
Mai Chau is a charming valley in Hoa Binh Province, famous for its friendly people, fresh air, and picturesque rice paddies. Spring brings blooming flowers; summer offers fragrant fields of ripe rice. Cycling through narrow paths among stilt houses, fields, and villages is pure joy. You’ll feel your worries melt away as you watch local life unfold. Don’t miss spots like Van Village, Vang Hamlet, Toong Hamlet, Cham Long Hamlet, Tra Hamlet, Chieng Xec Hamlet, Nhut Hamlet, Na Pho Village, Lac Village, and Mai Chau Market.
Nam Dinh
Nam Dinh’s peaceful landscapes are steeped in history, dotted with ancient Catholic churches and quiet rural villages. The scent of rice fields and the sight of stunning architecture make cycling here a delightful surprise. You’ll uncover corners of Vietnam few tourists ever see.
Ha Giang – Majestic Mountains
Ha Giang is Vietnam’s ultimate destination for breathtaking scenery. Think towering limestone mountains, winding passes, and endless terraced fields glowing with buckwheat flowers in season. A cycling trip here takes you through dramatic valleys and remote ethnic minority villages, where you can stop for a meal and connect with local communities. It’s a true paradise for adventure seekers.
Final Thoughts
Cycling in Vietnam isn’t just a mode of travel — it’s a way to connect deeply with the country’s landscapes, people, and culture. You’ll create unforgettable memories, improve your health, and discover the beauty of Vietnam from a perspective no car or bus can offer.
So why wait? Grab a bike, hit the road, and let Vietnam surprise you.
